It's a great time for Chicago taprooms—over the past few weeks, Metropolitan, Half Acre and Jolly Pumpkin have all opened new outposts where guests can enjoy freshly-brewed beer on premise. Today, Off Color Brewing is joining the fray with the official opening of its Mousetrap taproom, located at 1460 N Kingsbury Street—just down the street from the iO Theater. Doors opened at 11am this morning, which means that you could have been drinking Apex Predator on a stool in the taproom's bar hours ago.
You'll find 16 beers on tap at Off Color's new digs, including year-round varieties like the Apex Predator farmhouse ale and seasonal selections such as the Dino S'mores stout (as of this writing, the taproom currently has a barrel-aged version of Dino S'mores on tap—it won't last long). Thumb through the menu and you'll also find guest drafts from the likes of Three Floyds and a selection of cocktails that are inspired by Off Color beers, such as the Don't Be Scurred, which captures the flavors of Scurry honey ale with oats-infused rum and a bit of molasses. There's also a dill aquavit and fino sherry martini called Extra Fancy, served with a bit of caviar.
Mousetrap won't be serving food, but guests are welcome to bring their own (there's a Whole Foods next door) or get food delivered to the bar. If you need some souvenirs to imbibe after your visit, there's also a bottle shop on-site (Off Color's original bottle shop at its 3925 W Dickens Ave brewery will remain open).
Go ahead and add another local taproom to your list of drinking destinations—the Off Color Mousetrap will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am to midnight.