Midwest
SchillingBridge Brewing Co. | Irish Coffee Chocolate Stout
May 31, 2021 | Lori Kitzing
The pandemic reminded us about the importance of supporting small, local and family-owned businesses. SchillingBridge is a family-run operation that claims to be the nation’s first farm winery/microbrewery. They are located in Pawnee City, NE, a small town less than 10 miles north of the Kansas border.
What We’re Drinking | May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
It’s been a hell of a two weeks in the craft beer world since we’ve last had a drink check. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then head over to Brienne (@ratmagnet) on Instagram and read the thousands of accounts of sexual harassment, misogyny and unfair treatment to women all across the industry. This movement isn’t something to be funny or cute about, so here’s some of the beers that our staff have had during the last two weeks. Guys — specifically white bearded dudes in the industry who look just like me — be better. Here is What We’re Drinking:
4 Hands Brewing & Veteran’s Community Project Launch Collaboration to Support Vets
May 28, 2021 | Katie Camlin 1
The rivalry between Missouri’s two biggest cities, Kansas City and St. Louis, is well-known and long-standing. From the Royals and the Cardinals to toasted ravioli and barbecue, ask any resident which city is the best, and you’ll be met with an impassioned and detailed defense of their hometown. You’re either a Kansas City person or a St. Louis person — never both.
However, the rivalry is all in good fun — with the exception of the 1985 World Series — and while fierce, it’s not uncommon for the two cities to unite for a greater cause. Whether Team St. Louis or Team Kansas City, residents have a few things in common: they love beer, they love their city and they love their home state.
Arbeiter Brewing Co. | Hoop Jump Cold IPA
May 27, 2021 | Jason Ehrreich
Have you ever had a “Cold IPA?” No, we are not talking about the one that you just pulled from the refrigerator. The history of a Cold IPA is relatively new, but the development is credited to Wayfinder Beer out of Portland, Ore. Cold IPAs are a thing of beauty and smell the part too. On one side, you have that smell of the hoppiness from an IPA. On the other, you have that clean, crisp style of a lager. Do not mistake these as IPLs, which seems to be a common thread. Read More
Ultimate 6er | You Won’t Believe These Things Are Turning 21
May 26, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
They say nostalgia is a hell of a drug, and it certainly brought a shockwave along with it when compiling this list. From movies and songs to world events, the year 2000 did not skimp on the excitement. Get out your party hats and year-shaped goggles while we take a trip down memory lane and hand out some beers to six moments from 2000 now old enough to drink: Read More
Revolution Brewing Doubles Down on Chicago Heritage with Expanded Malort Partnership
May 25, 2021 | Taylor Laabs
Chicago’s largest independent brewer, Revolution Brewing, and its most polarizing liquor brand Jeppson’s Malort (made by local CH Distillery), are again teaming up for some boozy shenanigans this summer. The two Chicago staples first teamed up for an Anti Hero Malort ‘variant’ last spring to save some unused kegs of Revolution’s flagship Anti Hero IPA that weren’t being used due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they’ve decided to expand their collaboration further. Starting in June, adventurous drinkers in the city can expect four unique limited edition labels of Anti Hero Malort that house the famed wormwood-forward liquor with a bit more barrel-character added this time. Here are the details.
Sonder Brewing Releases Collaboration Beer With Kings Island Amusement Park
May 24, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
After an eight hour day of riding every roller coaster and ride possible at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, there was nothing better than ending your day with the infamous blue ice cream while sitting under the Eiffel Tower look-alike overlooking the fountain. While attempting to not spill the blue ice cream on yourself, you realize how much your feet hurt and that you forgot to apply that second coat of sunscreen. At that point, nothing tasted better.
To take us back to those summer afternoons, Sonder Brewing has released Blue Ice Cream Ale, a collaboration beer with Kings Island Amusement Park.
18th Street Brewery | Devil’s Cup Pale Ale
May 21, 2021 | Jesse Valenciana
Just a stone’s throw from the saturated market that is Chicago, and in the large shadow that is cast by craft beer darlings, Three Floyds, sits 18th Street Brewery. Since opening their doors in 2013, 18th Street has kept their nose to the grindstone, cranking out some mighty fine beers for close to a decade.
Despite being just a neighborhood brewery in Indiana, 18th Street is no stranger to national acclaim. They’ve been invited to coveted beer fests such as Wake Fest, collaborated with cool-kid breweries like Mikkeller, and were voted top brewpub in the nation by USA Today in 2019. 18th Street may not have the mainstream popularity of their aforementioned neighbor yet, but the beer they produce continues to earn them industry cred and respect of their peers that hype can’t buy.
MadTree Brewing to Open Restaurant & Bar in Cincinnati’s Historic Over-the-Rhine District
May 20, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the world “alcove” as a small recessed section of a room. That’s exactly what MadTree Brewing‘s newest location is going to be—an alcove. The Cincinnati brewery announced its second location, a bar and restaurant located in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine (OTR) district.
Properly named MadTree Alcove, the new location will feature a full tap list of MadTree beers, cocktails and upscale farm-to-table offerings with two private event spaces. The two-story space will feature a large bar, light-filled lounges, dining areas and an intimate private dining room for small groups.
Ravinia Opens Second Brewpub in Logan Square
May 14, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
Ravinia Brewing opened a second brewpub in Logan Square, nearly two years after the brewery brewed their first batch of beer in the same neighborhood. Ravinia’s second brewpub location opened to the public on Friday May 7. The brewery has been around since 2017, where they began distributing from their Highland Park facility, which later become the location to house their first brewpub.
Botanical Beer Series | Anvil & Forge Brewing Wolf’s Bane Grey Tart
May 14, 2021 | Mathew Powers
It’s natural to seek silver linings in bad situations, but when storm clouds hung above our collective heads during the COVID19, crisis, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling provided Illinois beer drinkers with some helpful grey — Earl Grey Tea, to me more specific. Earlier this year, Illinois Beer drinkers partook in a March Madness bracket-style beer event — #BEERacket — that, yet again, served as a virtual replacement for the in-person festivals we once took for granted. But, amid that reminder of the trouble caused by the evil microbe came a host of good beers, including Springfield Illinois’ Anvil & Forge Wolf Bane Grey Tart, a sour ale with with lemon peel, dried wild bergamot flower and Earl Grey Tea. An exemplary botanical beer, Wolf’s Bane reminds beer drinkers that there are still brewers willing to producing flavorful beers outside the realm of “trendy styles.”
Le Beez Collab Brings Together Gold Medal-Winning Breweries
May 6, 2021 | Mike Zoller
Not only did Chicago breweries win the first two gold medals in the Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival, but Alarmist Brewing and Old Irving Brewing are just 10 minutes from one another. Now they’ve teamed up to collab on a Hazy IPA—Le Beez.
Ultimate 6er | Mother’s Day Gifts
May 5, 2021 | Abby Schmeling
Not sure what to get your mom, wife, sister or aunt this Mother’s Day? How about an Ultimate 6er highlighting some of the most cliche Mother’s Day gifts of years past? Brunch, flowers or wine — we’ve got you covered in this week’s guide to celebrating the most important woman in your life.
What We’re Drinking | April 30, 2021
April 30, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
There’s been no shortage of activity happening recently and it’s a welcomed sight. Sports are back, industries like music and film are starting to expand again. Vaccinations are becoming available and there’s a positivity that we’re almost to the other side of the pandemic. We’re not there yet, though, so in the meantime, stay resilient, grab a beer, and check out what we’re drinking.
Broadway Brewery | Flor Blanca Mexican Lager
April 23, 2021 | Katie Camlin
From Boulevard to Budweiser, Kansas City and St. Louis boast some of the largest breweries in the country. However, Missouri’s Craft Beer scene extends far outside of the most populous cities. There are many breweries in Springfield, the Ozarks and Columbia, Missouri, for example, that are producing quality brews with fiercely loyal local followers. These breweries see distribution across the state, and have begun gaining more traction as the craft beer market continues to grow. One such brewery is Columbia’s Broadway Brewery.
Boys Are From Märzen Podcast | Rhiannon Hoeweler MadTree Brewing
April 22, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
In Episode 39 of the “Boys Are From Märzen” podcast, Kindsey Bernhard converses with Rhiannon Hoeweler, director of strategic impact at MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati, for a special Earth Day episode.
Cruz Blanca Brewery | Mexico Calling
April 21, 2021 | Jesse Valenciana
Mexico Calling from Cruz Blanca Brewery is the beer that Mexican lagers should aspire to be. In recent years, there has been an influx of breweries trying their hand at making a craft version of one the most macro styles of beer on the market. What you’re left with are good beers that end up tasting nothing like a Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo or whatever the brewer drew inspiration from. The beers tend to end up with some punny name consisting of Spanish words that a brewer learned during his high school spring break in Cancun.
Casa Humilde | Maizal
April 19, 2021 | Mike Zoller
When you hear Mexican Lager you might typically think Corona or Modelo, but the style is popular in the craft beer community as well. These Lagers are usually a bit sweeter and made with flaked corn, which usually makes the style drier and crisper.
MadTree Brewing’s Purpose is Rooted in Sustainability
April 16, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
By reading the name and looking at the logo, it is clear MadTree Brewing has a love for trees and the environment. Through this passion, the Cincinnati brewery has committed itself to being a sustainable and environmental-friendly brewery.
Since day one, MadTree has embraced its name and worked to celebrate and protect nature, while at the same time working to reduce its impact on the environment.
Back Channel Brewing Co. | Titles (New England IPA)
April 14, 2021 | Jason Ehrreich
The folks of the North start to rejoice this time of year because it means warmer days ahead and the start of the baseball season. It also means we’ve made it out of the brutal winter and into beers of the warmer seasons. The thick and dark beers are still around. But, we are starting to see a seasonal change to juicer beers that one can enjoy on patios or sitting in the stadium of your favorite baseball team — Back Channel Brewing Titles is the ideal beer for that. Read More
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