Skip Fat Tuesday Lines: Beer Store Sells Paczkis To Go

CHICAGO — Prayers have been answered for Chicagoans looking for ways to avoid the long lines associated with snagging their prized Paczkis on Fat Tuesday.

Bitter Pops Original Beer Shoppe, 3345 N. Lincoln Ave., has partnered with Goose Island Beer Company and Dinkel's Bakery to create the SPF Paczki. A spin on the traditional Mardis Gras staple, the bakeshop-made pastry is infused with Goose Island's latest SPF beer — an ale comprised of natural passion fruit flavors.

Nick Gil, marketing manager for the beer store and tap house, says he embraced the opportunity to collaborate with fellow local businesses while also offering a convenience to neighborhood residents, commuters and paczki lovers.

Bitter Pops is located steps from the CTA's Paulina Brown Line stop on Lincoln Avenue, just a few doors north of Dinkel's. Patrons are known to form long lines inside the nearly 100-year-old bakeshop every Fat Tuesday to secure their coveted Mardis Gras sweet treat. Now, they won't have to.

"This is a fun way to take part in the excitement of Mardis Gras while supporting a local mainstay like Dinkel's," Gil said, adding that looping in Goose Island was a no-brainer. "Each business organically supports our mission to serve as a welcoming, friendly place where both beer lovers and novices can come together."

Bitter Pops will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, to sell its first batch of SPF Packis and in-house Nitro coffee to go. For those evening commuters, the store will release a second batch of the limited-time pastry at 5 p.m. along with six-packs of the new SPF beer.

"We hope this is a seamless way for people to pop in and grab their pastries and coffee," Gil said. "We look forward to seeing our regulars and hopefully some new faces, too!"