Friday 4th of June 2010 10:47:30 PM

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8/09

Stopped by yesterday to see if it had improved in the 3 years since my last visit. Sadly no. Besides a few token craft and imports, the coolers in the back were macro dominated. There was a warm shelf in the back corner of the store that held import on the left, craft micros on the right. German .5L bottles were with the US craft 6 packs, there were a few holes here and there. Fairly basic selection, but with some quality brands thrown in. Chimay, Piraat, Weihenstephaner, Goose Matilda, Big Sky, Great Lakes, fairly typical stuff. A lonely Founders Cerise relegated to a back corner, but no other Founders beers.

As a converted former grocery store, there were little conveyor belt checkouts, and a tiny display of cheeses and cured meat by the registers. No one was on the floor to help, as the store was 80% devoted to wine.

If your hotel is right outside, then you have reason to grab at least a decent beer here for the hotel. Not really a place to stock up on what Illinois has to offer though. Pass this place and check out Drinks Over Dearborn or Binnys if you're staying downtown.

Sunday 15th of July 2007 11:34:52 AM

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Uncork It is in the Near North Side neighborhood and it is right across the street from a Fox and Obel store and the AMC 21 Theater on Illinois Ave.

They have a parking lot that will allow you to park there for free if you are spending more than 30 dollars in the store. Otherwise, it is a short stroll from the Grand Stop on the Red line (there is a free trolley that comes from the grand line to navy pier and passes directly infront of Uncork It).

The beer selection was pretty good. It wasn't as vast as Sam's, or a well stocked Binny's, but this store seems to be less frequented by beer nerds because there were some beers available here that had been long gone from other places in the Chicago market.

There is one aisle dedicated to craft beer, but strangely enough there were other US craft beers mixed in with the imports and domestic macros. I saw quite a bit of Old Foghorn and Goose IIPA which I haven't seen still available at other stores.

I wouldn't suggest traveling downtown simply to visit Uncork It, but if you are already down there, it is worth a visit. Also, make sure to head across the street to the Fox and Obel to browse a good gourmet food store (Fox and Obel's beer selection is only so-so).