Off Color Brewing Taproom- “The Mousetrap”
The Mousetrap is the taproom for Off Color Brewing that opened in November 2017. It is tucked in a semi-industrial area behind Whole Foods on North/Clybourn, which means it’s also close to the red line stop. I’d had their beers Apex Predator and Troublesome at various bars around town, and was super excited to finally check out their taproom.
Beer: 9/10
I LOVE their beers. Very possibly my favorite variety of beers in the city. As someone who isn’t a big IPA lover (but does appreciate a good sour), seeing a Tiki Weisse beer with Passionfruit, a Hibiscus Gose, and a Wild Ale with Sudachi and White Tea had my heart aflutter. My only disappointment was the lack of a flight option, as I literally wanted to try every beer they had (which was like 15!). For the hop-heads out there, they seem to have purposefully avoided making anything that resembles an IPA.
Food: N/A, however they are BYOF friendly
Ambience: 8/10
They have a spacious taproom with glass windows that give you a glimpse into their operation. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. They also have outdoor space with patio tables, although you’re essentially in a parking lot (which is still better than most breweries in Chicago that do not have any outdoor seating). They have a little bottle shop tucked into the taproom with a variety of to-go options.
Overall: 9.5/10
Pros: Excellent beers in a variety of unique styles, outdoor seating, close to the red line
Cons: No flights, no tasty snacks
