#ChicagoCraftBeer Archives – Page 8 of 9 – PorchDrinking.com
Event Preview | Crystal Lake Brewing, Chicago’s Signature Room at the 95th Floor
April 26, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Crystal Lake Brewing may feel awfully far from downtown Chicago, located more than an hour’s drive away, but from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building, Crystal Lake is easy to see. It’s pretty small, but you can find it. But, on May 2, you won’t have to look very far — Crystal Lake Brewing is bringing its seasonal beer selections to Chicago’s 3rd largest building. Patrons will enjoy Crystal Lake beer and a four-course dinner provided by Chef Cardel Reid. Read More
Brewery Showcase | Noon Whistle Brewing
April 11, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Photo Credit: Noon Whistle Brewing via Facebook
The Noon Whistle Brewing story resembles one enjoyed by innumerable craft breweries, especially in Chicago. The brewery first sought to create a niche within the booming craft beer market by becoming Chicago’s premier session-beer location. But, now in its third year, abundant success has forced the Noon Whistle Brewing crew to adapt its vision, both to accommodate its growing business, and also satisfy a desire to brew a variety of great beer. Noon Whistle has transitioned from audience-seeker to a trusted name brand.
Event Recap | Tullamore D.E.W. & BuckleDown Brew: The Beauty of a Boilermaker
March 24, 2017 | Mathew Powers
A true celebration of fermentation — centuries of craft knowledge enjoyed one boilermaker at a time. I mean, who needs leprechauns and pots of gold when Tullamore D.E.W. rolls into town on March 15 with its decked-out tour bus and visits BuckleDown Brewing in the suburbs of Chicago? A host of people with thick Irish accents provided music to thirsty patrons’ ears with a chorus of Irish toasts and whiskey. Even better, the whiskey paired harmoniously with BuckleDown Brewing beer, orchestrated by its brewmaster and founder, Irish-American Sean Mahoney.
Begyle Brewing is Moving to Cans
March 23, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Cover Photo Credit: Begyle Brewing
Now in its sixth year of operation, Begyle Brewing has become a community-favorite of Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Like any optimistic brewerery in its early years, expansion is key, which is why it’s exciting for Begyle fans to see the brewery taking the next big step by announcing that it has begun to can its beers.
Event Preview: SideDoor/Lawry’s & Lagunitas: A Five-Course Beer Dinner
March 21, 2017 | Mathew Powers
SideDoor, the popular gastropub adjacent to Lawry’s The Prime Rib, is joining forces with Lagunitas Brewing Company on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Located in a building steeped in history, Executive Chef Leonard Delgado will provide guests with a five-course menu that will pair with Lagunitas beer or beer-based cocktail ($75/person). It’s a night for foodies and beer geeks.
Tullamore D.E.W. & A Brew Tour: Chicago-Area BuckleDown Brewing on March 15
March 14, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Tickets: Click here to register for free
Few places embody the Irish spirit more than the local pub, which historically served as more than a place for grabbing a pint or sipping Irish whiskey; Irish pubs once stood as the community center, town hall, and anything else one can imagine. Americans, notably those without lineage tied to Ireland, are often accused of stomping on Irish traditions each St. Paddy’s day. But, that is changing, and few things demonstrate that evolution towards authenticity more than Ireland’s own Tullamore D.E.W Whiskey Distillery touring the United States. On March 15, that tour will take them to the bastion of blue-collar, neighborhood-style watering holes — BuckleDown Brewing in Lyons, IL (Chicago).
March Beer Madness: Brewery Bracketology at Brass Tap Orland Park (Chicago)
March 13, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Few places embrace local breweries like Brass Tap in Orland Park, Illinois (Chicago). But, this is no time to celebrate community — community, smoonity! This is March Beer Madness and it’s all about competition! One dozen breweries enter the tournament, but only one leaves a winner (and the lucky fans who picked it correctly). It starts with Chicago’s Maplewood Brewery vs. suburban Darien’s Miskatonic on day one, March 16th.
It’s free to fill out a bracket… so, who ya got?
Half Acre Beer Co. | Topanga Gulch DIPA
March 10, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Featured image courtesy of Half Acre Beer Co.
ABV: 8%
Half Acre Beer Co. is known across Chicago as a forward-thinking brewery that produces big flavor throughout all of their beers. Their newest release, Topanga Gulch DIPA, is the next iteration of this trend, delivering Citra hopped tastiness and fruity notes throughout every sip.
Around the Bend | Vera Pistachio Cream Ale, New Cans and Parties
March 3, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Around the Bend Beer Co. keeps expanding and releasing new beer. In 2016, Around the Bend introduced Mr. Marmalade IIPA with bitter oranges from Seville, Spain; Villainous IPA with its four yeast strains — two British and two West Coast; and a little beer called Vera, a pistachio cream ale. Vera, though, was not packaged. Why would anyone think a Pistachio beer would be popular? Well, it was. It really was. So, in spring of 2017 the beer returns and will be sold in cans. In fact — as of this spring all of the beer from Around the Bend will arrive to stores in the form of 12 oz canned goodies.
Around the Bend will be part of, or hosting, several events to commemorate the return of Vera and introduce its cans to the world.
Fast Facts on Revolution Brewing’s New League of Heroes Variety Pack
March 1, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Revolution Brewing is a Chicago beer staple, most known for their fantastic Hero IPA series. With seven beers currently in their Hero line, Revolution has decided to shake things up by packaging four of these Hero varieties into one, well-named, variety pack: The League of Heroes.
Brewery Showcase | Nevin’s Draft Company
February 23, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Nevin’s Brewing Company (NBC), located in Chicago’s suburban Plainfield, is a restaurant, banquet hall, music venue and a brewery — and now that brewery has its own name, Nevin’s Draft Company. The “B” in NBC, occasionally got lost in the mix, so the brewing arm of NBC created a new, separate identity. The beer has always been good, but now more people are going to know about it.
Event Recap | Illinois Winter Wonderland of Beer (#ILWinterFest)
February 22, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The mighty rodent and his all-powerful shadow cannot defeat the mighty force that is the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. On February 18, the temperature soared to 70 degrees as beer fans flocked to the Guild’s Winter Wonderland of Beer Festival (#ILWinterFest). Then again, in a winter where Chicagoans haven’t seen more than 1″ of snow since mid-December, maybe this is six more weeks of winter, 2017! Out with Chiberia, in with Chindiago! Read More
Event Preview | Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Winter Wonderland of Beer
February 10, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Saturday, February 18
1 PM – 4 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM
MB Financial Park, Rosemont, Il
Tickets Still Available
“I think an outside festival in February is CRAZY! But, I guess there are a lot of people that really like the idea so we wanted to provide an opportunity to enjoy the best of both!”
And so, Danielle D’Alessandro, Executive Director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and her crew are throwing their first outdoor beer party on February 18 — the Winter Wonderland of Beer (#ILWinterFest). Get out the long johns, throw on the scarf, and get ready to throw caution to the winter winds!
Brewery Showcase | Sketchbook Brewing
February 7, 2017 | Mathew Powers
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, Sketchbook Brewing is worth 1,000 stories.
For this writer, whose job it is to frequent breweries and watering holes several times a week, it is sometimes difficult to be impressed. However, Sketchbook Brewing, located in Chicago-suburban Evanston, Illinois, impressed mightily – great beer, admirable business philosophy, and a wonderful, cozy taproom.
Odell Brewing is Coming To Chicago | Several Events to Celebrate its Arrival
January 26, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Original skyline photo taken by Daniel Schwen – modified for the purposes of this story.
My first excursion to the Odell Brewing taproom occurred nearly fifteen years ago while on a trip to Colorado. Impressed would be an understatement. However, I, like many Chicagoans, had to rely on bottle hauls for a chance to enjoy Odell creations.
But not anymore.
Odell Brewing is bringing its beer from the Rocky Mountains to the city of Big Shoulders and to kick off the eastward expansion, Odell will take over the taps at three bottle shop & tasting rooms — Bitter Pops, The Cellar, and The Open Bottle.
(Edit: Other events have been added since this was first published. Those items have been added at the end of this piece.)
Two Brothers Brewing | Northwind Imperial Stout
January 20, 2017 | Mathew Powers
ABV 9.1 | IBU 45
The sun dipped below the North Pole’s horizon long ago — not to be seen again until March. The relentless darkness creates indescribable arctic cold that marches southward all winter. But, there’s more than just frosty breezes arriving from the north, there’s Imperial Stout — Two Brothers Brewing Northwind Imperial Stout.
Event Recap | Noon Whistle Brewing Second Anniversary (Chicago)
January 19, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Noon Whistle Brewing | Photo Credit: Mathew Powers
Suburban Chicago’s Noon Whistle Brewing is located in an old strip mall and barely visible from the main road; a location unlikely to garner a passing grade in a Business 101 class. Makes no matter because in the craft beer world, it’s not location, location, location that’s essential; it’s libation, fermentation, innovation.
The beer emerging from Noon Whistle Brewing pulls throngs of thirsty patrons through its doors. And that is why when I arrived a few minutes after the noon hour on a Friday — the first of two days dedicated for its two-year anniversary — I was far from the only person ready to indulge in a parade of special releases. By the time I left that night, the place was packed.
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery Spirits Launch
January 16, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Maplewood Brewery, as it is rountinely referred, officially goes by the name, “Maplewood Brewery & Distillery,” and on January, 18, those in Chicago will finally be able to experience Maplewood’s multi-faceted focus on imbibing. At Chicago’s Fountainhead — a hip craft beer and whiskey bar, one can attend and enjoy what is officially being called, “Maplewood Spirits Launch & Boilermaker Night.”
Mikerphone Brewing’s Upcoming Taproom
January 12, 2017 | Kane McLoughlin
Featured image courtesy of Mikerphone Brewing
4,000 square feet, custom wooden table recently stained grey, black chairs, brown cardboard boxes and a small palate wrapped tight in shrink wrap – all carrying the recent additions to Mikerphone Brewing’s upcoming taproom.
12 Beers of Christmas | Baderbräu Christmas Bliss Baltic Porter
December 16, 2016 | Mathew Powers
French hens, ladies dancing, swans swimming and, of course, a porter in a beer tree. These are necessary components for a successful 12 days of Christmas. For this writer, the beer found under the tree is Baderbräu Christmas Bliss Baltic Porter with vanilla and orange peel. Because, in Chicago, Jack Frost does more than nip our noses, it darn near renders them red enough to qualify us to guide Santa’s sleigh. Hence, any porter good enough for those traversing the frigid waters of the Baltic Sea is good enough for us living on the ice-covered shores of Lake Michigan.
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