The bar: Sharing a building with the High Life Lounge, el Bait Shop is a mixture of Mexican food, beer flights, fishing tackle, "Where the Wild Things Are" and many other things. Like the High Life, el Bait Shop is very much a kick-back-and-relax spot to enjoy a brew and a conversation. With 105 varieties of beer on tap at all times, the bar is sure to have a brew to suit your tastes. Thursday nights are Jimmy Carter Happy Hour nights, where local homebrewers share their booze - for free - with the thirsty masses.
The crowd: Nearly every table and booth was already full at 6 p.m. on the Thursday I visited, and getting more crowded as the night went on. The turnout was a mix of after-work social gatherings, homebrewers and small groups coming in for a night of fun.
The regulars: The salute to the 39th U.S. president kicks off at 6 p.m. and continues until 8:30 p.m. - though the free beer sometimes runs out earlier. The night is a celebration of every average Joe being able to legally brew their own. Each night features a different local homebrewer sharing his or her creations. Mike Tierman, a regular of the event, was the featured guest on my visit, and I sampled his English Pale Ale. "I haven't had a bad brew come through," assistant manager Ashley Guillaume said.
As if that's not enough, a new Thursday feature is the commercial beer night from 5-7 p.m. Samples are given out and draws of the featured brewer are on special for $3. On my visit, Goose Island was the featured brewer.
Are we happy? Of course. It's already an excellent place to throw back a few beers. Throw in some homebrew varieties, and Thursday becomes a possible learning experience for anyone looking to create their own beer.
