Beer-loving residents of University Park and Portsmouth neighborhoods have reason to celebrate: a new tap room and growler shop called the Chill ‘N’ Fill has opened on N Lombard. It’s run by two gents who are abandoning the corporate world to indulge their passion for beer and it seems they’ve got the basics right—plenty of enthusiasm, an attractive space and, most importantly, a broad tap list. Currently there are 20 local and regional beers, which range from pilsners and alcohol-light sours to beefy IPAs and stouts, and there are also four ciders on tap (Reverend Nat’s Hallelujah Hopricot is a personal favorite, tasting crisp, dry and not overly fruity); most are available as 10 oz or pint pours and growlers are served in 32 oz and 64 oz sizes. Everything is available to taste and casks are regularly changed up. And while it’s mostly about beer, there are three white/rose wines on tap, with reds coming soon, and conveniently (as there’s not much else on this stretch of Lombard), they keep a few bottles of respectable wine to go on the shelf as well.

The owners are still getting used to their new lives serving beer but have interesting plans for the near future—the next couple of weeks should see them retailing a bottle selection and at some point they will be supplementing the free chips and pretzels with small plates, probably based around cheese and charcuterie. The down side? They close on Tuesday (apparently they need a day off) and you might have to share the room with Duck’s fans on game day; but then again, you can always fill a growler and go. The Chill ‘N’ Fill, 5215 N Lombard, 841-6361, Mon/Wed/Thu 3:30 pm–10 pm, Fri 3:30 pm–11 pm, Sat 12:30 pm–11 pm, Sun 12:30 pm–8pm