Rating: 3.50
Location: Bloomingdale, IL
Founded: 2018
Last visited: November 2018
This was a large brewpub in the Stratford Square Mall. A couple of other restaurants had occupied this space and failed. Sadly, 25 West closed permanently in early 2020.
The pub has an L-shaped footprint. If you walk in directly from the parking lot, you see a long bar and tables, lively and crowded. But if you walk in from the entrance in the middle of the mall, it appears almost deserted, because the tables directly adjacent to that entrance were not being used. It was unfortunate for all the folks waiting for tables on the opposite side.
Eight house beers, plus guest taps. Full bar.
BEER:
Bloomingdale Blonde (2.75) – Very light bodied, low hop bitterness (almost non-existent); ideal lawnmower beer.
Copperpot Lager (3.00) – Medium-bodied, straw yellow lager, bitterness evident in the aftertaste; rather mild.
Flashy Ways New England IPA (4.25) – Fruity in the front, malty and full, excellent balance between hop bitterness and malt character.
Pilsner (2.00) – Very, very, very light pilsner; not reminiscent of the German style.
Topsy Turvy Witbier (4.25) – Solid example of witbier style; fruity, citrus aspects abound.
Time and Space Oatmeal Milk Stout (4.75) – Big, bold, roasted flavor dominates; the kind of beer to enjoy in front of a fireplace on a cold night.
FOOD:
Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees; just a few options in each category, but something for everyone. Good burgers. The beet salad with mixed greens, beets, fennel, goat cheese and pistachios was tasty, but a bit skimpy.