The self-pour taproom trend seems to be growing as Chicago recently welcomed it’s second to the city.
Navigator Taproom opened in Logan Square, one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods and home to several breweries.
My husband and I were doing a bike tour through the city and stopped in for a visit during their grand opening. We had a blast! My husband said that it was easily his favorite stop of the day. This place was hoppin (yep hoppin, lol)!
Co-Owner Erik Swanson
Co-owner Erik Swanson is a self-proclaimed beer nerd who’s traveled the world. He noted that an enjoyable highlight of any trip was visiting the local breweries and speaking with the brewers. Navigator Taproom came about from his desire to share his passion and love of beer in his hometown of Chicago. His enthusiasm was contagious and enjoyable!
Opening Day at Navigator Taproom
Navigator has 48 beers on tap under constant rotation. Many Chicagoland breweries are showcased. In addition to beer, guests can enjoy cider, wine, and a full-service bar. There’s something for everyone here!
There’s a bar for those who prefer cocktails
In my opinion self-pour taprooms are genius and here to stay! While I love frequenting my favorite breweries, sometimes a girl just wants to indulge in a buffet…a little of this and a little of that. Pour-your-own taprooms enable you to try multiple styles and brands of beer with little risk. You don’t have to pay for a whole glass of beer if you don’t end up liking it. Try an ounce or two and see what you think?!?!! Who knows, you may find a new favorite. Also, you don’t have to wait to be serviced because the bartender is too busy.
Once you receive your pour card you’re good to go! Selecting which beer to try first is the biggest challenge. Fortunately, there’s plenty of information to help you in the choosing process. Each of the tap screens allow for you to tap to read about the beer, where it’s from, and the price per ounce.
Here’s a tip! In the above photos, you’ll notice an IBU number. IBU stands for International Bitterness Units, the higher the percentage the more bitter the beer. I like to keep my IBU between 60-70%.
Another tip is to rinse your glass before you pour. This allows the glass to cool down and prevents CO2 from expanding and creating unwanted foam. The cooler and tap heads are kept at 38 degrees to ensure less foam and cold brews.
After rinsing, tilt that glass 45 degrees and go for it!
Guests are encouraged to stay a while to enjoy the atmosphere, making use of the games and televisions. This is a great spot to meet up with friends to catch up and hang out a while.
Navigator Taproom is a wonderful addition to the Logan Square neighborhood and a favorite new spot! Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to check it out soon!
FYI, this awesome Chicago Mural is pretty much across the street. Make sure you stop by and snap a few pics!
Navigator Tap Room is located at 2211 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
