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Beer Garden at Blind Pig Brewery on Neil Street. Photo by James Kyung

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Blind Pig Co., The »
Address: 120 N. Walnut St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 398-1532
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Not since Joe’s stopped brewing its own beer more than 10 years ago has CU seen its very own draft trickle down the side of a pilsner glass. That’s all about to change with the new Blind Pig Brewery, which opened its doors in downtown Champaign this past June. Though the custom brews are not yet available, the new brewery boasts 14 beers on tap, four being reserved for the “soon-to-come” house drafts, and over 100 bottled options ranging from ales to wheat and everything in between.

But if the brews aren’t a-brewin’ quite yet, why then head to the Brewery? The beer selection isn’t significantly different from the original Pig and mixed drinks at either are nothing noteworthy. Even more, the new Brewery looks almost identical to the old Pig, with a wood-paneled, Irish pub inspired interior. The answer: the beer garden.

Nestled in the ally behind the bar, the garden is secluded between two large, ivy-covered brick buildings, blocking it off from the hustle and bustle of busy Neil Street. The tiled patio area strung with overhead lights gives the garden a sexy European vibe, or at least provides an escape from the I’m-in-the-middle-of-the-cornfields feeling. The whole experience is heightened by the rocking chairs, which lull the imbiber into a state of relaxation, making the drinking experience that much more enjoyable.

This beer garden is also one of CU’s biggest, with the capacity to seat 75 people and hold over 100 standing, but don’t let the crowd deter you. The open ally doesn’t trap noise, making conversation easy even with the garden at capacity. The crowd here ranges from the recently legal to the survivors of the days when drinking was illegal, bringing beer enthusiasts of all ages together to enjoy the incredible selection. And though the array of options could easily lend itself to the pretentious atmosphere that often accompanies bars for serious beer drinkers, the Brewery escapes this with a friendly, knowledgeable — and most importantly honest — staff of people willing to impart their knowledge on even the most uneducated of drinkers.Though their house beers are not quite brewing, the Blind Pig Brewery, at 120 North Neil Street in Downtown Champaign, has one of, if not the best beer garden in town. Make sure to check it out.

How does their garden grow?

Beer Selection: 4 - Only because the house brews aren’t ready yet. As of now, the Brewery is almost exactly the same as the Blind Pig in terms of selection, only with less to choose from on tap.

Noise level: 5 - There’s a constant buzz of conversation, but not so loud that it becomes overwhelming.

Atmoshpere: 5 - There’s a very relaxed feel, even when the garden is crowded. No one comes here to show off. People are here to drink.

Ambience: 5 - The lights, brick exterior of the buildings and tiled floor transport the imber out of the cornfields. And remember, grab the rocking chair.

Service: 5 - The staff is knowledgeable about the drinks they serve, and honest as well. They’ll tell you if something is no good.

Average: 4.8 - Hands-down the best beer garden is CU.