If there’s one thing we can say about this summer’s winning Reader Review Crew , it’s that they wanted it bad. So bad, in fact, that they took their campaign to international levels. (We’re serious: Their lead member rallied support while vacationing in Russia.) We kept the polls open for 10 days, and both teams’ camps voted fast and furious, logging a combined total of more than 45,000 votes.
In the end, a flyer campaign and round-the-clock voting (thanks to multiple time zones) helped your new Beer Garden Guides eke out a victory.
Meet the team at Wednesday’s Metromix Summer Kick-off Party, then check back every Wednesday in June to read their critiques of what’s cool in outdoor drinking. Your job? Let us know if you agree with the crew by leaving your own reader reviews at metromix.com. Happy drinking!
Jessica Christenson, 30, pharmaceutical sales rep
‘hood: Avondale
Summer beer of choice: Whatever’s cold. Otherwise, Amstel Light.
Fave spot to drink outdoors: My back deck, which I share with Shannon. I can provide an unending supply of food and drinks. What more could you ask for? My own personal beer garden would have: Lots of Czech beers. They’re the best in the world. And plenty of greenery: plants, grass, flowers, etc. And the menu would be simple but spectacular. Craziest alfresco experience: Hmm … I’ve been having a lot of them in Russia. Historically, I have been known to take dares involving running around sports complexes and landmarks.
What role will you play in the Beer Garden Guides? The Boss. Who else is going to get Kevin there on time, help Shannon pick out her outfit, detach Ted from his dog long enough for a mission, and navigate Liza’s ER schedule?
Ted Perlstein, 31, Beer Garden Analyst
‘hood: River North
Summer beer of choice: Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat
Fave spot to drink outdoors: The bleachers at Wrigley. You can never be accused of drinking alone, and occasionally you get to see a baseball game.
My own personal beer garden would have: Access to beer, a fire pit, foliage, water features, good tunes (not the kind that Jess likes) and a skyline view, plus games such as tetherball and hide-from-Jess-so-she-has-to-pay-the-bill.
Craziest alfresco experience: Drinking American beer and listening to live music after sneaking onto the grass-covered rooftop deck of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on the 4th of July.
What role will you play in the Beer Garden Guides? The no-means-yes and yes-means-twice guy. I can’t turn down a beer. Plus, I bring rapier wit, dashing good looks, and extensive knowledge of bad bar trivia.
Shannon Ridgeway, 29, marketing director
‘hood: Avondale
Summer beer of choice: Anything out of a tap — anything.
Fave spot to drink outdoors: Chief O’Neill’s Pub. Lots of seating, good food, great music — and stumbling distance from my home.
My own personal beer garden would have: Comfortable seating, tiki torches, good music (not the kind that Jess likes), good food and good men. Lots of good, single men.
Craziest alfresco experience: Did you know that tequila makes you curious? Did you know that when you’re outdoors in an unfamiliar environment, your internal compass doesn’t work? Did you know that Cubby Jail isn’t all the fun it’s cracked up to be? Well, now you do.
What role will you play in the Beer Garden Guides? The butt of Ted and Kevin’s jokes. And I will also play lobbyist for clothing-optional beer gardens. Also, I bring my willingness to try anything once — anything.
Kevin Hastie, 31, software architect
‘hood: Lincoln Park
Summer beer of choice: Corona, more for the vibe than the taste. That or a 40 of malt liquor.
My own personal beer garden would have: A reggae house band, a margarita fountain and hammocks by the pool.
Fave spot to drink outdoors: In a canoe, with fishing poles that never get used. And the bleachers at Wrigley!
Craziest alfresco experience: By definition, I can’t remember three of the top five, and the other two won’t make it past the censors. But No. 6 was: watched Liza do a naked keg stand.
What role will you play in the Beer Garden Guides? The Designated Drinker. I’ve lived in Chicago since I’ve been of (legal) drinking age. I can’t not be in a beer garden come 5 p.m. on a sunny afternoon, so I think I’m well-qualified to help kindred spirits find that new place they can’t wait to tell their friends about.
Liza Bunting, 30, ER doctor
‘hood: Lakeview
Summer beer of choice: Shiner Bock, for my fellow Texans.
Fave spot to drink outdoors: Will’s Northwoods Inn, outfitted with one very large moose that always makes for good conversation after a hard day of drinking!
My own personal beer garden would have: Comfortable chairs, misters andFoley catheters for sale.No more long linesat the bathroom.
Craziest alfresco experience: Girls trip to Greece. Went to a bar on the beach to watch the sunset, and as the nightwore on, people started showing up dressed in leather.Guess the bar name — Bondage — was a clue. Note to self: Bring leather whip next time.
What role will you play in the Beer Garden Guides? The Caretaker. After a hard night of drinking, eatingand critiquing, I know how to take care of someone who has been worshipping the porcelain god all night.
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Metromix Summer Kick-off Party
What: Meet the Beer Garden Guides
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Citizen Bar, 364 W. Erie St. 312-640-1156
Price: No cover
Specials: $5 select Svedka cocktails, $5 sandwiches and panini, plus complimentary beer cups and $3 Peroni drafts
Bonus: Put on a big smile because CLTV’s “Metromix” will be filming live at 7 p.m.
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kmbudell@tribune.com
