Midwest
Revolution is Rolling Out New Deep Wood Variants + League of Heroes IPAs
December 8, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Revolution Brewing has ensured that craft beer lovers won’t go lacking for quality craft beer options this Christmas. After the recent successes of their League of Heroes IPA line and the first cans of their Deep Wood series, Revolution is back with more options from both lines – so get excited.
Great Lakes Brewing Company Announces 2018 Beer Release Calendar
December 7, 2017 | Tristan Chan 1
The hits just keep coming today as Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company has also announced their 2018 Beer Release Calendar in celebration of the brewery’s 30th anniversary year.
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First Draft Taproom & Kitchen Expands Pour-Your-Own Taproom to Minneapolis
December 6, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Imagine walking into a taproom and being able to sample as much, or as little beer as you want from nearly 54 draft lines. While it may sound more beer festival than beer bar, First Draft Taproom & Kitchen features a pour your own draft system, similar in concept to an adult version of a froYo shop.
First GABF, Now Netflix: On Tour Brewing is Featured in Season 2 of “Easy”
December 6, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
On Tour Brewing has quickly made a name for itself on the national craft beer scene. First, they won gold in the Very Small Brewing Company and Very Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year categories at GABF; now, their quaint brew spot in West Town is featured in Season 2 of the Netflix show, “Easy,” which is a Chicago comedy featuring the likes of Aubrey Plaza and Dave Franco.
MadTree Brewing | Ye Olde Battering Ram Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine
December 6, 2017 | David Nilsen
MadTree Brewing is a major player in the Ohio beer scene, and among the largest breweries in Cincinnati’s thriving craft market. The company built a new production brewery in early 2017, and have grown rapidly, but sustainably in the half decade since their founding. Their quirky but smart beer portfolio and attractive packaging are now available all around Ohio, as well as some areas of Indiana and Kentucky.
Founders Brewing’s Stevens & Engbers Cap Off Massive 20 Year Anniversary
December 5, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Calagione, Avery, Jordan, Oliver, Koch, Grossman, Cantwell, Bell, Maytag, Firestone, Bouckaert, Cilruzo. Over the past 20 years craft beer has experienced its greatest boon, and with that explosive growth, there have emerged figures so iconic and influential, that they have risen to become household names. However despite their steadfast ascent to becoming the 16th largest brewery in the country, Stevens and Engbers don’t command the same celebrity as their fellow industry luminaries.
Chicago Quick Sips | December 4
December 4, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Quick Sips is our way of highlighting beer events, tap takeovers and other notable beer news around the city of Chicago. If you’d like to submit something to be included in the next Quick Sips, please email us at [email protected].
Founders Brewing Announces Year-Round Distribution for Breakfast Stout & Backwoods Bastard
December 4, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
It’s been a busy few weeks for Michigan-favorite Founders Brewing. First, they opened up a swanky new Detroit taproom; then, there was the release of their highly-coveted Canadian Breakfast Stout. Now, they’ve decided to one-up themselves with some high-octane distribution news: Breakfast Stout and Backwoods Bastard will be available year-round starting in 2018. Here are the details.
Fast Facts on Cruz Blanca’s New Barrel-Aged Series: Luchador Club
November 30, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Chef Rick Bayless’ revered Chicago-based Cruz Blanca Brewery and Tequiera is most-known for its contemporary Mexican cuisine and daring craft beer creations. Now, they’re getting into the barrel-aged game with the debut of their barrel-aged series: Luchador Club, launching December 2nd. Cruz Blanca’s new barrel-aged offerings will add a unique, Mexican-infused element to Chicago’s vast assortment of barrel-aged powerhouses like Goose Island BCBS, Half Acre Big Hugs and Revolution’s Deep Wood series – and I for one can’t wait to try it. Here’s what you need to know.
Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Passion Fruit Guppy
November 30, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Once known for bombers of big IPAs and the Abduction series, Pipeworks Brewing Co. has changed quite a bit over the past few years. The variety of beers coming out of the brewery in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood have increased not just in volume, but styles. Its session IPAs have become quite popular and Passion Fruit Guppy is the latest to be available in cans.
Black Friday Barrel-Aged (and Other) Beer Releases in Chicago
November 22, 2017 | Mathew Powers
For beer fans, notably in the Chicago region, Black Friday means dark beer releases. The day, dominated by Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, offers numerous opportunities for beer fans to indulge in some of breweries’ finest creations. For those that love Bourbon County — big beer or not — it’s the day to stand in line or find a bar party, of which there are many. For those who have no interest, it’s a time to Uber-it-over to breweries and bars for an immense, diverse selection of barrel-aged, or sometimes big-hopped, beer. Forget shopping. It’s beer time! Happy Holidays!
Have an event we missed? Email us — we’ll update this through Thanksgiving. Check back for updates!
Black Wednesday: Dark Beer, Releases & Parties in Chicago
November 21, 2017 | Mathew Powers
A raging-river’s worth of barrel-aged beer flows through Chicago during November and December. Breweries often release special beers and throw plenty of parties on both Black Wednesday and, even more-so, Black Friday. But, it all starts with the day before Thanksgiving, allowing beer drinkers an opportunity to party, as well as purchase some Turkey-Day goodies!
Events are listed as we received them
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Half Acre Beer Co. is Opening Early for the Premier League
November 21, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Soccer and suds on a Saturday morning. It’s a weekly tradition for U.S. soccer fans as they head to their favorite bar every weekend to watch their designated Premier League team play. Now, Half Acre Beer Co. is getting involved, which should excite soccer fans in the Chicago area.
Destihl Releases Dosvidanya at Their New Production Facility
November 20, 2017 | Mike Zoller
As the month of November continues, the barrel-aged stout releases continue as well. On Saturday, Destihl hosted Dosvidanya Day at their new production facility and celebrated their 10th anniversary as well.
Fischman Liquors Reopens in New Location Today
November 17, 2017 | Mike Zoller
When Fischman Liquors announced they would be closing in July 2016, it didn’t take them long to announce a new location. In fact just 24 hours before the old location would close forever, they had already announced a new location would open sometime in 2017.
MadTree Brewing | Thundersnow
November 17, 2017 | Craft Beer Joe
By definition, Thundersnow, also known as a winter thunderstorm or a thundersnowstorm, is an unusual kind of thunderstorm with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain.
I’ve never witnessed Thundersnow in my area but I have witnessed the frenzy of people excited about the release of MadTree Brewing’s Thundersnow.
Begyle Brewing to Release their Barrel-Aged Beers Starting Friday
November 16, 2017 | Mike Zoller
In Chicago, in November, it’s almost impossible to not run into a great barrel-aged beer. Begyle Brewing will release two of its own starting on Friday (Nov 17) and both are worthy of standing in line to get. Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas will be released on Nov 17th, with Batch 500 being released the following Friday.
Five Observations from a FoBAB First-Timer
November 14, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
I’ve been to numerous beer festivals, including the massive production that is Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp, but I’ve never been to a celebration like FoBAB, and now I think I know why. On a cold Saturday, I arrived to the UIC Forum to a line of at least 150 people, anxiously lined up for Saturday’s afternoon session, which didn’t start for another… two hours. Seeing this first-hand raised my eyebrows, but taking the first sip of barrel-aged beer a little past noon almost made my eyes water. This stuff was not for the faint of heart, and that high-octane appeal brought out only the most fanatical beer lovers to the 15th annual Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers. After getting a good buzz from imbibing in a few more sub-5oz sips, I realized FoBAB was a different beer festival than anything I had experienced before.
Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series Gets Major Overhaul
November 14, 2017 | Mike Zoller
If you’re in Chicago in November you’ll find a never-ending lineup of great barrel-aged beers being released seemingly every week. In addition to constant releases, you also have FoBAB in the beginning part of the month. This year, one release to not overlook is Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series which gets released Nov 17.
Event Recap | 2017 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB)
November 13, 2017 | Mike Zoller
As you rub your eyes and nurse that pounding headache, it’s time to reflect on another year of FoBAB. The nation’s largest gathering of barrel-aged beers is always the marquee event to hit Chicago’s beer scene. Once again, FoBAB lived up to the hype by bringing together some of the country’s most sought after beers and putting them under one roof for thousands to enjoy.
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