Beer Showcases
PD’s own dissect beer. Leave the pretentiousness on the curb.
Indulgent Beer Series | Hubbard’s Cave Coffee & Cakes
November 17, 2020 | Stephanie WardWho says you can’t have your coffee and cakes… and drink them, too? The folks over at Hubbard’s Cave are here to prove that you can, in fact, do just that. This Chicago-based brewery has dished up something straight out of boozy brunch dreams and let’s just say: We’re here for it.
Indulgent Beer Series | Foreign Exchange Brewing Kittywampus Brunch
November 16, 2020 | Dan and LizzieYoung people and old folks across the nation may not agree on much these days, but we can agree that brunch is the best meal. Sure, you’ve got 2nd breakfast, elevensies, afternoon tea and 4th meal, but none of them can compete with brunch. Mimosas, Screwdrivers, and Bloody Marys are frequently the weapon of choice at brunch. However, for the beer fanatics, a coffee-imbued porter with breakfast focused adjuncts will be an enticing option.
Launch Pad Brewery | Pumpkaccino Imperial Pumpkin Espresso Stout
November 13, 2020 | Nathan JahnsLet’s be honest, pumpkin beers are hit or miss. That random six-pack you grabbed at the liquor store on your way to your buddy’s place for Friendsgiving? Likely disappointing. But good news, the highly underrated Launch Pad Brewery knows how to make a hit pumpkin beer and has been doing so for five years in their aeronautics and space-themed location in Aurora, Colorado. In fact, the business was more or less founded on pumpkin beer with Dave Levesque, owner and head brewer, brewing for pumpkin-themed parties before even thinking of opening a business. Launch Pad also knows how to make Russian Imperial Stouts, with a new release each month in 2020, and other big beers, including their “Eight Crazy Nights” of barrel aged beers starting December 16. Add this together with Espresso Torro from West Coast Roasting Co. and holiday pumpkin spice, and Launch Pad brings their delicious Pumpkaccino, Imperial Pumpkin Coffee Stout. It’s no wonder that this beer has made it to the final table at GABF multiple times. Eat your heart out, Starbucks!
Spencer Brewery | Monks’ Reserve Quadrupel Ale
November 12, 2020 | Brian Hennighausen 1Are you looking for a decadent and indulgent holiday treat? Look no further than Spencer Brewery, America’s only Trappist brewery!
Wild Leap Brew Co. | Birthday Month Triple IPA
November 11, 2020 | Dave DruryWild Leap Brew Co. decided that just one day wasn’t enough for their birthday so, instead, the LaGrange, Georgia brewery decided to celebrate their third anniversary over the entire month of September.
Baere Brewing Company | Proceed to Memory IPA
November 10, 2020 | Meghan HowesIn the beer world, the “trend” pendulum never stops swinging and it’s often some variation on an IPA that tops the latest list. While breweries keep cranking out hazy and milkshake IPAs, there remains a large swath of consumers who yearn for the classic, bitter IPA with that telltale bite. Proceed to Memory IPA from Baere Brewing Company in Denver, CO was made for those consumers and for anyone seeking a superbly balanced, flavor-filled exemplar of an IPA.
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Workhorse Brewing Company | Russian Imperial Stout
November 9, 2020 | Kurt BevilacquaA style that continues to be a fan favorite among craft-beer drinkers is the Russian Imperial Stout. In Pennsylvania, Workhorse Brewing Company makes their own Russian Imperial Stout that provides complexly rich flavors sip after sip. Read More
Lo Rez Brewing | El Paseo Pale Ale
November 6, 2020 | Christiana TorresWhy do people love craft beer? You could narrow it down to a few major factors: Quality ingredients, community support and promoting a local economy. Those reasons are why people gravitate to craft beer, to be a part of something bigger. If any beer can hold all of that under its belt, it’s El Paseo Pale Ale from south side Chicago-based Lo Rez Brewing. Read More
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery | Campfire Amplifier
November 5, 2020 | Taylor LaabsDogfish Head Craft Brewery has built their brand around off-centered beers. While their IPA often drives consistency in their portfolio, it’s the consistent addition of adventurous new offerings that keep their brand fresh.
The brewery’s latest, seasonally-inspired addition is Campfire Amplifier, a 6.5% ABV milk Stout brewed with marshmallows, graham crackers, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, Madagascar vanilla beans and a dose of smoked malt. Built to invoke the timeless memories of roasting s’mores over an open campfire, this beer is an ambitious undertaking that appeals to fall flannel-lovers and craft beer nerds alike.
Bell’s Brewery | Juicy Gossip
November 4, 2020 | Jessica SpenglerHave you heard the Juicy Gossip? Turns out, Bell’s Brewery has a new beer just in time for the holidays. Nope, it’s not a coffee or dessert stout, or even a nice Christmas ale. In fact, the only thing Christmasy about this brew is the amount of tea you spill to your family members about how much you love this – pale ale? Yup. Juicy Gossip is just that – a juicy pale ale all ready to squeeze some good stuff out of your holidays.
Ravinia Brewing Company | Wizard Van Apricot Sour IPA
November 3, 2020 | Rachel MorrisonIt’s that time of year in Chicago where none of us are quite sure what season it is. Our 8 A.M. outfit is often inappropriate by noon. ‘BYOB’ now means ‘bring your own blanket’. Our Instagram feeds are either flooded with complaints about snow or praise for a random stint of sunshine. Should you still grasp onto the very few remaining Oktoberfest beers floating around the city, the often-polarizing pumpkin offerings, or go full-on stout season? There’s no wrong answer. However, may I offer a recommendation? Apricot Sour IPA.
4 Noses Brewing Company | Fly to the Polls
November 2, 2020 | Seth GarlandHopefully you’ve already voted, or made plans to cast your vote for the 2020 election (if not, it’s ‘Bout Damn Time you do). In one final push to motivate voters, 4 Noses Brewing Company released their newest Hazy IPA, Fly to the Polls, on Friday.
Bluejacket | Mexican Radio
October 30, 2020 | Stephanie WardWhat do you think of when you think about the D.C. beer scene? The answer may be drastically different for everybody based on their tenure in our Nation’s Capitol. You see, it wasn’t until 2009 that DC gained a true brewery since the last one closed in 1956. That’s one BIG gap in time.
Väsen Brewing Co. | Triple Peach Saison
October 29, 2020 | Casey StreetTis the season for Saison, and Väsen Brewing out of Richmond, Virginia, has put out one of the best in the mid-Atlantic. Their Triple Peach Saison hits all the right notes for the cooler weather and shorter days, perfect for leaf-peeping along the Blue Ridge Parkway or sipping next to the year’s first bonfire.
Wolf and Warrior Brewing Company | B127 Double NE IPA
October 28, 2020 | Marc Beckley“Autobots, Transform And Roll Out!” B127 is a Double New England IPA brewed by Wolf and Warrior Brewing Company in White Plains, New York. As it should be, this NEIPA is juicy, brewed by packing together malted oats, red wheat, flaked oats, a pinch of milk sugar, pilsner and pale malts. This base then marries a double dry hop of Tahoma, Sabro, Mosaic, and of course, the inimitable Citra.
4th Tap Brewing Co-Op | Stay Gold
October 27, 2020 | Dan RenfroThe Black Pumas were nominated for “Best New Artist” at the 2020 Grammys, and they wanted to try something different in 2020. The Austin, TX-based group decided to collaborate with 4th Tap Brewing Cooperative, with the goal of brewing a beer for shows that would benefit their community.
According to John Stecker, President and Co-Founder of 4th Tap, the goal was to create something “accessible and drinkable for summer shows.” That said, they didn’t want to simply put the Black Pumas name on a random beer. Rather, both entities wanted the group to be a part of the brewing process.
Blackstack Brewing | Patent Pending
October 26, 2020 | Jason EhrreichInnovation is all around us, and there is so much innovation that goes into making great craft beer. Innovation can be the equipment at each brewery, or the hand-selected ingredients by the brewers, or those trendy new labels on each can. You find yourself wondering, how the heck did they do that, or what made them think of that? Doing a Google search for “beer patents” returns 603 patents just in the brewing process alone. If you keep digging down that rabbit hole, you will start to find other patents related to craft beer, items as genius as the Beerbrella. The beauty of craft beer, it will always innovate.
Phase Three Brewing and Affy Tapple Collaboration Beer | A Bushel of Apples
October 23, 2020 | Alex SerticPhase Three Brewing, located northwest suburbs of Chicago (Lake Zurich), is arguably one of the hottest breweries in the nation. Some of their beers lean to the obscure and experimental side (Crème Series, Nectar Series), but they also produce well-executed classics (Helles Lager, Märzen, Pils). that largely receive high grades among beer geeks and professionals alike. The brewery recently garnered attention for its collaboration with Affy Tapple: A Bushel of Apples. We talked with Phase Three about their brewery, the pandemic and the sweet, Halloween-treat beer release.
Halloween Beer Treat | Spiteful Brewing Mrs. O’Leary’s Chocolate Stout
October 23, 2020 | Mathew PowersThe famous Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871, in a barn owned by Catherine and Patrick O’Leary. The city went ablaze for 36 hours, destroying 18,000 buildings and leaving 100,000 Chicagoans homeless. A frightful October story, to say the least! But, Spiteful Brewing has taken that story, mixed it with some cow-blaming folklore and turned into a sweet Halloween treat: Mrs. O’Leary’s Chocolate Stout.
Halloween Beer Treat | Pelican Brewing Midnight Malt Cocoa Porter
October 22, 2020 | Caroline King and Lauren RaymondAs Halloween approaches, treat yourself to Pelican Brewing Company’s newest release, Midnight Malt Cocoa Porter. As the late Michael Jackson sang, “Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand.” In this case, the Midnight Malt Cocoa Porter should certainly be in your hand. Brewed with Meridian Cacao Company nibs, which are sourced from farmers in Tanzania, this Porter boasts a rich, dark chocolate flavor with subtle caramel undertones, coupled with light roasted coffee notes and a classic malt finish. Whatever your Halloween plans might be this year, crack open a can of Midnight Malt Cocoa Porter under the full moon and let it thrill you.
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