Barrelhouse Flat and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®
WHAT: Barrelhouse Flat (Lounge) and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®
WHERE: 2624 N. Lincoln Ave.
OUR RATING: Do it!
(barrelhouseflat.com)
A few weeks ago, Storefront City had the unique opportunity to attend a Kentucky Bourbon Ale® Tasting Party hosted by Time Out Chicago at Lincoln Park’s Barrelhouse Flat.
Downstairs (barrelhouseflat.com)
As soon as you walk into Barrelhouse Flat, you may be slightly overwhelmed. The downstairs is quite crowded and when you’re seated you are forced to become quite friendly with your neighbors. The space wants to greet you with a feeling of intimacy, but the hurried waiters and the crowded tables divert the atmosphere from its intended impression. However, this was only our initial reaction, as we were never actually seated downstairs. Instead, we were ushered upstairs into an entirely strange, new world from a time we can’t call our own.
Upstairs (bizbash.com)
Once you get upstairs (and we suggest you try your darndest), you transition from a hectic world into a crazy-cool speakeasy lounge, with low lighting, 1920’s/30’s wallpaper, velvet chairs and hardwood floors. There’s a small bar, lots of seating and billiards in the back room, complete with a roaring fire. Sets of high-backed chairs subsume their occupants, so that once you are seated, you and your compatriots can have a completely private experience.
Upstairs (barrelhouseflat.com)
As we were much too involved in our ale tasting, we didn’t get the opportunity to order anything from Barrelhouse’s menu, but we’ve heard wonders about their 70+ cocktail menu that ranges anywhere from the traditional to the not-quite-so usual. We also seriously eyed the Poutine (headcheese, house gravy, cheese curds, intoxicated fruit, crispy potatoes) and Seared Quail (rutabaga puree, celery barigoule, cassis), and would definitely get either the Spice Bread (apple butter, golden raisin chutney, sarsparilla fluff) or the Trifle (sweet potato, pumpkin seed granola, whiskey cherries, whipped cream) for dessert.
Upstairs (bizbash.com)
Unfortunately, we were instead ‘treated’ to what was supposed to be nibbles from their menu…which turned out to be some plain popcorn and an underwhelming crostini canape. Rather surprising, considering such a new establishment should be taking every opportunity to exhibit its food to would-be customers, but perhaps they have some secret logic of their own. With these disappointments, we focused our attention on the ale flowing freely from the bar.
Served in a classic snifter, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® is one of the most unique drinks to touch our lips. Simply put, the ale is a sipping beer with a nose of bourbon. The Kentucky Ale is aged for up to 6 weeks in bourbon barrels at Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company in Kentucky.
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® (talkingship.com)
The ale is smooth and robust, with flavors of vanilla and oak. A word to the wise – this baby is strong, but we think it’s pretty darn versatile. We would drink it before, during, or after dinner, but the food pairing would have to be well thought out. This is no down in one affair, and must be afforded a certain amount of respect to be fully appreciated.
We would definitely recommend this ale to be served along with more hearty dishes, and perhaps it would be best enjoyed along with a fire and some good friends. As for Barrelhouse Flat, we would really love to try the restaurant downstairs, but make a point of visiting the lounge for a more authentic, antique experience.