Homerun ales at The Ram
Few bars successfully mix large-scale sports fair with decent microbrew. And, barring Walter Payton's stake in Soldier Field diehards, why would they need to? Homebrewed beer caters to a special breed of brew seekers, and when it's the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and the designated hitter is at the plate, it doesn't matter what kind of beer you're drinking as long as it's cold and close at hand.
Perhaps that's why The Ram's brand of signature beer is all the more impressive. From its year-round cast of award-winning house ales to its seasonal selections (currently including brews such as Barefoot Wit ale and one of the tastiest maibocks this crew has sampled), The Ram not only prides itself in food that exceeds typical bar eats and high-def televisions that cover the sports-themed bar. It considers itself purveyors all three, and at its Schaumburg home base pulls it off.
Fresh out of work one evening, the Cocktail Crew mustered its microbrew chops and bellied up to one of the open booths in the otherwise crowded bar. The Sox game was broadcast on the main screen (much to the chagrin of Cub fans at the table) and U2 and Lynyrd Skynyrd provided the soundtrack. Monday is $1-off beer night, and one round of maibocks in, the Crew's opinions were set. Here's what they had to say:
Danielle, 27, Schaumburg
Beer: Seasonal maibock
First Impression and overall taste: Delicious. It's full of flavor without being too intense. It's a really good beer, and I'm not a huge beer person. I'm usually pretty picky. - It's not your typical grocery store beer. They have a wide range that's suitable for everyone's tastes.
Presentation: I do appreciate the customized glasses. I feel like they're bigger than an average pint. They're solid (glasses); it's going to be very hard for a drunk person to knock it over.
Intoxication level and bar comments: 3, but I'm a lightweight. And I only had one beer! But they're pretty big. - It's your typical bar/restaurant. They have a good number of televisions, so for a sports bar, it's good. It's a nice place to grab a beer after work, a nice starter place if you're going out later on.
Kyle, 28, Schaumburg
Beer: Littlehorn Light
First Impression and overall taste: It has its own unique taste that I'd say is better than Miller Lite but maybe not as good as, say, Amstel Light. It's not pretentious. - If this was sold in the grocery store next to other local beers like Goose Island, I'd probably pick it up from time to time.
Presentation: The glasses are specific to the place, and that's nice. They look delicious. Even the (beer) sampler is nice.
Intoxication level and bar comments: 2, I drank a lot last weekend. The tolerance levels are up. - For the pre-game, this is definitely the place to be. I like the beer pairings that were in the menu as well. Good place to watch a game. It has a young=professional vibe.
Kristin, 26, Oswego
Beer: Buttface Amber Ale
First Impression and overall taste: It's very bold, robust. I just want to (makes cupping motion) grab onto it. I just want to grab it and drink it. - The consensus is it's "bootylicious." Surprisingly, it's very good. It's a step above regular microbrew quality. It definitely stands out among other microbrews. Ladies and gentlemen, it's not Corona.
Presentation: Toast to the frosty glass. They obviously go the extra step to really invite you to enjoy the beer.
Intoxication level and bar comments: 1.5, I'm not as RAM-ed as I thought I'd be. - If I was a Ram, I'd hang out here. No seriously, if I was a Ram, I'd drink here. It's got a cool, laidback vibe, the same vibe I feel when I'm perched at the top of a mountain.name, age
The Ram
1901 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 517-8791 theram.com