Midwest
Editor’s Picks | My Favorite Chicago Beers from 2016
December 8, 2016 | Mike Zoller
It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of another year. 2016 was full of highs and lows for Chicago breweries. We saw a bunch of new breweries open up, some close, new beers sending waves throughout the industry and some well-known breweries recall a lot of beer. After all the dust cleared there were some great Chicago beers that came out this year.
BrewLights 2016 | 12 Samples of Christmas Beer
December 7, 2016 | Mathew Powers
What better way to get acquainted with Holiday beer than a December beer festival offering local, national and imported selections? For instance, BrewLights 2016 — a craft beer festival held amidst Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo’s animal family, adorned by a plethora of holiday lights and accompanied by plenty of holiday tunes. The scene at BrewLights made it tough not to get into the holiday spirit. Throw in a little nip in the air and the smell of Christmas beer, and it’s as if Santa himself has arranged the party. As you shop this year, it may be difficult to know what holiday-seasonal beers to purchase, so let’s go through the 12 beer samples of Christmas provided at BrewLights 2016.
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing | In the Flesh: Blueberry
December 7, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing has released the newest beer in the In the Flesh series. Started earlier this year, the series is a line of American sours and each beer highlights a different fruit used in the brewing process. The latest beer is re-fermented with real blueberries and is available in stores now.
Released! 2016 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Lineup
December 6, 2016 | Carly Mento
It’s finally here! With the Black Friday crowds still swarming retail stores post-holiday, head out for Goose Island‘s 2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup, which is now available for purchase! (as limited release)
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Cademon Brewing Co. Announces Their Permanent Closing
December 1, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Two years to the day that they opened their doors to the public, Cademon Brewing Co. has announced that they are permanently closed.
Moody Tongue Brewing Shaved Black Truffle Pilsner Returns December 2
December 1, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Moody Tongue Brewing in Chicago, the brainchild of Jared Rouben, a graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America and Seibel, recently opened its new, cozy taproom on the city’s west side. With that opening, Moody can now provide its coveted Shaved Black Truffle Pilsner on draft – a sinful holiday beer treat for either the naughty or nice this year.
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Begyle Brewing | Begyle Blonde
December 1, 2016 | Bliss Billingsley
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 20
If you’re like me and not ready to put summer behind you yet, try a lighter beer that would be a good transition from summer to fall. The Begyle Blonde, a deep gold colored American Blonde Ale, is a perfect beer for the transition of the seasons.
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Off Color Brewing Announces Plans for Second Brewery
November 30, 2016 | Mike Zoller
John Laffler of Off Color Brewing has officially announced that the brewery will be opening up a second location with a taproom in Lincoln Park.
Arcadia Ales | Jaw-Jacker
November 29, 2016 | Timston Johnston
Photo courtesy of Arcadia Ales.
To quote a past professor: I reserve the right to be wrong.
In sixth grade I only once cleaned up after a friend’s Tamagotchi Giga Pet. I belonged to a school district around a farming community and found it was not uncommon for students to walk through cow or horse or pig manure in the morning before school. We knew what sticks were for and this egg-looking pixilated-dog toy had no use-stick button. I had cast aside my childhood then and welcomed cynicism. Since then, I have not succumbed to fads: my first cell phone was out of necessity at twenty, as apartment landlines became expensive and impracticable and employers immediately threw away applications without a phone number; I still have a flip phone, find the constant use of smart phones offensive; I avoided Twitter for eight years; I still don’t exactly understand Tinder or Reddit or what a millennial is or what their duties are or why one young man felt the need to tell me not to whistle while doing laundry because I was appropriating unpaid-labor culture; only now do I think a Tickle-me-Elmo would be fun (however, Gak was great, though I never owned any). And as of recently, I had no desire to fill the void in my life with anything pumpkin-spiced.
Former Goose Island Brewmaster Behind Virtue Cider
November 28, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Back in the 1990s Greg Hall was seen as a pioneer in craft beer. At a time when the industry was beginning to grow, Hall helped Goose Island become a national leader in craft beer. In 2011 Hall left the brewery to enter a space that was on the verge of experiencing large growth just like the craft beer industry years ago – cider.
Burnt City Brewing Introduces Freight Handler Milk Stout
November 25, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Most of the leaves have vanished, the nights are getting longer, and Jack Frost has been seen wandering around North America. There’s no stopping it – winter’s coming. You know what that means, right? Cheers to stout season! It may be getting cold outside, but the appropriately named Burnt City Brewing in Chicago is one of many brewers ready to combat each cold front with robust beer — take that, Jack! If you are in Chicagoland or Alabama, get ready to enjoy some Freight Handler Milk Stout. And on New Year’s Eve – Burnt City and Arcade Brewery are ready to help Chicagoans ring in 2017.
Platform Beer Co. | Yammy Yammy
November 23, 2016 | Mary Ellen Finnegan
ABV: 7.7%
Pair with: Friendsgiving gatherings. Thanksgiving leftovers.
‘Tis the season to embrace all things fall. If you’re burnt out on pumpkin-spiced everything, Yammy Yammy by Platform Brewing Co. features another … Read More
Revolution Brewing | Deep Wood Series: Ryeway to Heaven
November 22, 2016 | Mathew Powers
ABV: 14.5% | IBU: 20
Revolution Brewing explains its Deep Wood Series Ryeway to Heaven as perhaps a “doorway to an existential awakening, or maybe it’s just a damned fine beer.” One could argue it’s a little bit of both. This rye ale aged in rye barrels serves as the quintessential example of how the art and science of barrel-aged brewing can result in elevated deliciousness – and it’s a perfect treat for Thanksgiving and holiday festivities.
Great Lakes Brewing Company | Barrel Aged Christmas Ale
November 21, 2016 | Kevin Risner
It is Christmas ale season: a festive time of year many people anticipate with a frothy fervor! However, it may be that you would rather hide away from the hubbub of ginger and cinnamon and all things Christmas. I enjoy a little bit of holiday cheer in my beer from time to time, and the weather has finally become chilly enough around these parts to warrant a few Christmas ales in my tummy. This year, Great Lakes Brewing Company is not simply rolling out their most popular beverage for all the good little boys and girls. They are also bottling their barrel-aged Christmas ale right after Thanksgiving for everyone to sip around the mistletoe. I received a nice 22-ounce bottle to try in advance of the bottle release later this week, and I am here to give you the details about the beer and what will take place very soon.
Ultimate 6er | Best Beers to Hibernate with in St. Louis
November 17, 2016 | Jordan Palmer
Walking down the sidewalk last week with my son, we literally saw a squirrel with an acorn in his mouth. “He’s stocking up for the winter,” said the 12 year old. “How cool would it be to hibernate?” Wow. Hibernate. I could deal with that. Take off for a few months, do nothing but sleep, eat and drink beer. But the key to a successful hibernation is that you can’t go out. Actually I think that is the definition of hibernation.
Rhinegeist | Hugh Hefeweizen
November 17, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Let’s talk about a beer that any bunny can appreciate — Hugh Hefeweizen, from Rhinegeist. Hugh likes the finer things in life: Silk lederhosen, pretty junge Fraus, and sitting by the pool in a palatial Bavarian castle — where else would you find a noble hop? One sip of Hugh Hefeweizen and beer drinkers will immediately realize what Hugh is all about — pleasure.
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Event Recap | 2016 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB)
November 16, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Now that my liver has had a few days to rest I’m able to look back on the 2016 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers. Once again the beer selection at FoBAB was incredible. In fact 2016 seemed to highlight more “whales” than last year. There were definitely some beers worth highlighting that didn’t take home medals this year. Read More
Cidery Showcase | Right Bee Cider (Chicago)
November 15, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Leave it to a Siebel Institute graduate to ferment a plan to impress a girl. Charlie Davis attempted to win Katie Morgan’s heart with hard cider. It worked. She not only fell in love with him, she married him. Katie also fell in love with the cider. In fact, the two of them thought so highly of that magical moment that they turned it into a business — Chicago’s first cidery. Today, you’ll find Charlie right-beside-her — Right Bee Cider, churning out well crafted cider to a growing fan base. He wooed her, and now they are wooing Chicago. You might say, it is cider at first site.
The Festival of Barrel Aged Beers | FoBAB 2016 Awards
November 12, 2016 | Mathew Powers
The world’s largest barrel-aged beer competition, held at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (FoBAB) in Chicago, is underway. However, the FoBAB 2016 awards are now official, and our Chicago/Midwest editor, Mike Zoeller was there. Here are the results — congrats to all the winners!
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Triptych Brewing | These Aren’t The Blueberries You’re Looking For
November 11, 2016 | Craig Gonciarczyk
Stormtrooper: “How long have you had these blueberries?”
Luke: “Just picked them up this summer.”
Ben: “I’ve got a 4-pack of it in the back if you’d like some.”
Stormtrooper: “Let me see your brewing permit.”
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