One Trick Pony

ja1022

Indiana

4.44/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $

New little brewery in an industrial park. First ones there on a Saturday afternoon with time for one quick one. One guy there running the show (not the brewer), who tells us "if the flag is flying, we're open." Small tasting area with a couch and some chairs, a large table, and a raised counter along one of the walls.

The guy manning the tap was very cool. Samples are free and encouraged, and he's happy to give you the back story on the place.

Most importantly, what we had was very good. Had an excellent English IPA, sampled a better than average Black IPA and an outstanding bourbon barrel aged Old Ale.

Hopefully the rest of what they put out is as good as what I tried. Went in with low expectations. It seems right now lots of people seem to think they're brewing good beer, so they open a brewery. These guys were right (so far).

07-18-2012 23:16:18 | More by ja1022

sudsy2drunk

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $

great place right outside of IN not far from fff friendly faces and even friendlier service i love their american black ale and spotted saddle ...beers change pretty often so check it out soon as you can taps may have change already...small tasting room but small place are usually preferred with me like fff...pint and half pints and nothing is an arm and a leg...reallly check them out before they get big and something changes drastically

06-20-2013 02:07:20 | More by sudsy2drunk

Rogorama

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | $

This is a nice little gem tucked away in Lansing. It's still very small, about 15-20 seats, but the beer is great, and the brewers are awesome. It's only a few minutes off of 80-94 so it' very accesible. The spicy pretzels on each table make up for the lack of food. Definitely worth a try if you are in the Chicagoland area.

05-08-2013 22:54:18 | More by Rogorama

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.69/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | $$

Stopped in after a recommendation from some locals we were chatting with at Flossmoor and very glad we found it.

Very quaint tap room located in an industrial park in Lansing a town I didn't know existed until our visit. Drove right by it at first. First thing I noticed was a line of mismatched lawn chairs sitting outside with some patrons sipping beer. Lots of growlers line the walls from breweries near and far.

Went down the line and sampled every beer they had. Not every one wowed me, but every one was solidly average at worst. Ended up going home with a growler of the StormCat an all mosaic amber ale and one of the better hoppy ambers I've had.

We also spent quite a while talking to the owner while running through our samples. He was very gregarious and a treat to be around as was everyone we interacted with there. Change was given in $2 and half dollars as well.

Had around 9 beers on tap IIRC with all available for growler fills at reasonable prices. Pretzels were available for snacking and also had pickles for sale.

Very glad we found this place and I absolutely love places oozing character like this. Just a small brewery operation run by people passionate about making beer. I will definitely stop by here my next time near the area.

05-03-2013 13:32:30 | More by jmarsh123

MasterSki

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

I've been to One Trick Pony a couple times and it's slowly becoming one of my favorite Chicago-area establishments.

A - This is an old school tasting room, and it really represents the personality of the brewery. The collection of mismatched yard sale furniture accommodates about 15, and there are some nice vintage wooden tables on which to set one's beer. There's a delightful old-school record player and milk cartons full of records from which to choose, as well as some board games and magazines. I also dug the palm tree in the corner. Decorations include a massive collection of growlers and various brewery-related posters and shirts for sale. Demographic seems to be mostly older locals getting off work and looking to socialize - largely devoid of hipsters, bandwagon jumpers, and fanboys.

Q - All the beers I've had from One Trick Pony range from good to excellent. I dig the use of Imperial pint glasses for most beers, and I'd try virtually any beer there without hesitation.

Sr - Service is speedy and friendly. I also got my change in $2 bills?! Definitely suited the off-beat vibe of the place. The bartender, who I think may also be the owner loves to chat and makes everyone feel welcome and at home. Generous pours and willingness to give samples is appreciated.

Sl - They had about 10 different beers on, and it'd be impossible to try everything and drive home afterward. Thankfully all but the Kentucky Mountain were available for growler fills.

Very affordable beer prices, with free pretzels to snack on and a variety of take-out/delivery menus if you want something more substantial. There were also free pickles for the DD, which was a nice touch ($2 otherwise). Great place to stop by - especially if you're doing a Flossmoor to 3 Floyds pub crawl.

03-28-2013 20:37:33 | More by MasterSki

Fetching

Indiana

4.73/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | $$

I love this place. The only thing holding them back is how small they currently are. I only see good things in their future and I'm glad I'm around for the ride. Please, please go give them your money. They are super humble and just glad people enjoy their beer. Their beer is very good and worth your bucks. You're welcome.

03-26-2013 06:33:38 | More by Fetching

--Dom--

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

The Place-
When someone told me about the brewery in Lansing Illinois I honestly didn't believe them at first. This place is seriously about 2 minutes away from my house and I didn't even know it was there. You'd miss the little sign off the main road to the industrial park if you weren't already looking for it. I must've driven by it dozens of times. Something about the fact that it's tucked away in an industrial park is strangely alluring to me, don't know why but it is.The tasting room is rather small, maybe room for 25 people, with fewer actual seats than that. Which makes me wonder if they're either not so focused on walk-in business, or if they just never thought they'd need a bigger tasting room. I digress. It's cozy, it's friendly, it is not hipster... this I like. No tv's playing 70's cult films, no paintings of half-naked goat women on the walls. No skulls, no death metal, no egocentric doorman. No overworked/underpaid waitstaff. Instead you're greeted by a modest yet tastefully arranged room. Complete with growlers from craft breweries around the country adorning the walls. And a person or two in the window, eager to give you a sample.

The People-
I'll not go into detail about my experiences with staff at other breweries I've visited. I'll just say the folks at one trick pony are friendly, welcoming, and make you feel like they're truly happy you came to try some of their creation. You get a sense talking with them, and standing in this place, that these people take a great deal of pride and joy in what they do. And they seem excited to share it.

The Beer-
I only had time to try one beer my first visit. But all it took was one sip to know whoever makes this beer knows how to craft a masterpiece. Being a fan of belgian style ales, it only took a moment to decide what I wanted to sample. The "Belgian Dark Strong Ale" caught my eye immediately. Full bodied, yet still crisp enough for each drink to finish itself. Full of raisin, banana, fig and a bevy of other flavors. Perfectly balanced, I could go on about this beer for another paragraph, but I am after all, reviewing the place. It was over a month ago I had this beer, and yet it's memory is as fresh in my mind today as it was only minutes after this delightful nectar first danced it's way across my palate. I can but only assume the other offerings are made to the same standard.

The Final Take-
Good beer, good people. The higher end beers... a little pricey around 8 dollars a snifter, but hey I'm sure we've all been around long enough to know you get what you pay for in this world. And if it takes 8 dollars from me to allow you to make such a fine beverage, by all means sir, charge me 8 dollars. There are of course other beers to be had at 5-6 dollars a pint for those who are so inclined. But I didn't come to knock back mugs of lager, I came to sample greatness. And I was not disappointed. In closing, you may very well be a one trick pony, but it is a damn fine trick. Don't you go changin on me.

12-22-2012 17:37:33 | More by --Dom--

whiskeystout

3.91/5  rDev -11.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

Visited this small tasting room, which is highly unusual for the Chicago area, located in a Industrial area & was quite pleasantly surprised. They had 6 beers on tap today and all were very drinkable, especially a nice Ginger Peach Hefe, which hit the spot on this 95 degree day. Had a very nicely balanced APA made with Simcoe Hops but the last thing I expected to find in a new start-up brewery was an Old Ale aged in a Kentucky Bourbon Barrell which was outstanding, the owner Dave gave us a very interesting story about how it was created by his Brewer, Mark.I can't wait to see how this place will evolve once they acquire more equipment because they have done an excellant job so far, which can't be said for many new breweries.

07-23-2012 05:09:48 | More by whiskeystout