Wrigleyville

Around Wrigley stadium, where the Cubs play, is a neighborhood known fittingly as Wrigleyville. Anyone who's been to Yankee stadium knows a sense of how a market for baseball paraphernalia will grow to strangle all the adjacent business. What I did not see in the Bronx, however, was block after block of drinking establishments. What Philadelphia and many cities with newer ballparks lack in organically grown local business and neighborhood establishments, Wrigley makes up for and then some.

After the Cubs, we decided on a Goose Island satellite brewpub. Unfortunately, Goose Island does not serve flights on home game days, so we select our brews carefully. Leigh went with the Wrigleyville White, a beer served exclusively at this location. The White was refreshingly crisp with lots of spice and a solid wheat base. I was surprised at the amount of character, and we made quick work of the pint between us. I chose the seasonal Maibock, a rich, malty offering with a maple-syrup like nose.

Today, we'll make our way downtown to Grant Park and the waterfront, take pictures in front of The Bean, and possibly hit up Goose Island's primary facility. A Chicago boat tour sounds promising, which will be preceded or proceeded by some artery-threatening deep dish.