Midwest
BuckleDown Brewing | Barbaric Blood Red Ale
December 12, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
BuckleDown Brewing and Vault Comics recently collaborated on Barbaric Blood Red Ale, launching Friday, Dec. 15. It’s an American Red Ale, offering rich malt flavor, subtle sweetness and a blood-reddish hue. It’s a well-balanced, approachable beer, clocking in at 6.5% ABV. Fans of BuckleDown Brewing and Barbaric can be the first to taste the beer at the BuckleDown Brewing taproom in Lyons, Illinois, on Friday, Dec. 15.
Half Acre Beer | Green Torch Lime Lager
December 1, 2023 | Jason Murphy
We are rapidly approaching the winter season. The mildly warm nights have turned into crisp night air. Summer is long gone, and beach trips now are only to get away from the frosty air. If you find yourself feeling the winter blues already, we have a solution for you. Of course, it is in the form of a delicious craft beer. Read More
What They Do Best | Funkytown Brewery Is Crafting Dreams
November 27, 2023 | David Nilsen
Funkytown Brewery founders Rich Bloomfield, Zack Day and Greg Williams met in 4th grade in Chicago and grew up together. They went to historically Black Grambling State University in Louisiana together, and returned to the Windy City together to begin their lives and careers. While attending parties, backyard barbecues, baby showers and other get-togethers in their twenties, they realized something else together: they were the only Black people bringing craft beer to these events.
Speciation Artisan Ales | Underbru Saison
November 14, 2023 | Eric Griffin
In an ever-changing industry with constantly varying trends, breweries often struggle to figure out how they can stand out. Michigan is a particularly competitive state when it comes to craft beer, and Underbru is a perfect example of some of the unique and exciting products that have been coming out of the Midwest. More specifically it’s a testament to Speciation Artisan Ales as a whole, a brewery rooted in the idea of displaying nature’s creativity and diversity.
Brewery Spotlight | Sandy Valley Brewing Co.
November 6, 2023 | Brian Margiotta
Sandy Valley Brewing Co., located in Hillsboro, MO, is a family-owned and operated brewery making waves with its unique foraged beers and commitment to sustainability.
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2023 FoBAB Results | Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers Award Winners
November 4, 2023 | Tristan Chan
It may not have fully felt like barrel-aged beer season this year in the Windy City. However, the onset of November always signals the perfect time to down some barrel-aged Stouts, Porters, Wilds and Sours to commemorate the return of one of the festival’s best showcases of barrel-aged beers.
The results are IN and we now know all of the big award winners from this year’s 2023 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB). This year’s 21st annual FoBAB was once again a spectacular success showcasing the country’s absolute best producers in the wood and barrel-aged beer categories.
Collaborating for a Cause | ALEX KIDD IS LIFE!
November 3, 2023 | Eric Griffin
While Mikerphone Brewing out of Chicago is the latest brewery in this series, they were one of the first to take action in support of Alex Kidd and his family following the news of his cancer diagnosis. Just like what we saw most recently with Bob D’Angelo and Esker Hart Artisan Ales, Mikerphone Brewing was founded from a passion for homebrewing. Now, eight years since their first commercial beer, Mikerphone has become a Chicago beer staple and Owners Mike and Lisa Pallen have been fortunate enough to travel the world making and sharing beer. Upon hearing Alex’s devastating news, they knew they wanted to do what they could for him and his family during this unprecedented time. We were able to talk briefly with Mike and discuss a little more about the special single barrel English-style Barleywine released for the man behind the Barleywine is Life movement.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery Now Open in Chicago
October 10, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
While Guinness originally hoped to open its Chicago taproom in time for Saint Patrick’s Day, it experienced some delays, which moved its official opening date to Sept. 28. Immediately stepping foot into the new Chicago location, it’s easy to see that the wait was worth it.
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery is now open in Chicago. This marks the second U.S. location for Guinness. The other U.S. location is in Baltimore, Maryland.
Pulpit Rock Brewing | EIGHT Imperial Stout
October 6, 2023 | Eric Griffin
Some may find it hard to believe that eight years have already come and gone for Pulpit Rock Brewing. Having recently showcased their high-gravity program in the Barrel Room Spotlight, it’s no secret that they’ve really honed in on mastering all things big and malty. Pulpit’s 8th Anniversary was celebrated on August 19th and featured live music, food vendors, and eight brand new craft beverages to honor the special occasion. For this showcase, we take a look at their headliner EIGHT, Pulpit Rock’s first Barrel-Aged release of 2023 and one that not only pushed the boundaries of their program, but also looked to support a local Iowa organization. Read More
First-Timers & Familiar Names Pace Ohio’s Record-Setting Day at GABF
September 29, 2023 | David Nilsen
Ohio craft breweries earned 19 medals and one Brewery of the Year award at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival, a new record for the state. The list of Ohio GABF winners included stalwarts like Fat Head’s, Hoppin’ Frog and Brink, as well as newcomers like Narrow Path, Eudora and Seventh Son.
Finding Passion Again: Ohio’s Third Eye Brewing Returns to Beer’s Biggest Stage
September 28, 2023 | David Nilsen
Third Eye Brewing was the second name called during the 2023 Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony, signaling the start of a momentous day for the small brewery from Sharonville, a northern suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their beer Mounds of Importance—brewed in collaboration with nearby Narrow Path Brewing—took home silver in the Collaboration Competition, the first category awarded. After brewmaster Kelly Montgomery and his wife Maureen, along with brewers Andrew Moore and Tom Argo, accepted the medal with their friends from Narrow Path on beer’s biggest stage, they barely had time to return to their seats before hearing their names again.
Precarious Beer Project | Bronze Thunder Twins IPA Collab
September 25, 2023 | Brandon Cohran
Baseball, at its core, is a wonderful game that generations of kids have played in the backyard or in dirt parking lots. For as many Hollywood stories and movies that have helped in the romanticizing of baseball, it certainly gets a lot of hate in sports conversation due to its “lack of excitement” and length of play among other reasons. Hey – there’s a pitch clock now! The love of baseball runs deep for some, though, and the experience of going to a ballgame makes for good plans damn near any night of the week during the season. Read More
22 Northmen Brewing Co. | Barrel-Aged Night Axe Imperial Stout
September 15, 2023 | Jason Murphy
As you walk into the cave, the air turns cool and damp, and the sounds of the outside world fade away. The darkness envelops you, but as your eyes adjust, you begin to see the glimmer of stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the rugged texture of the cave walls. The scent of earth and minerals fills the air, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. It is an adventure into the unknown, where every step brings anticipation, wonder and in this case, beer!
Great American Beer Festival 2023 Preview | Ohio Beer
September 12, 2023 | David Nilsen
Ohio is a fantastic craft beer state, with over 420 craft breweries that together make the Buckeye State the sixth highest in craft beer production in the country. Numerous Ohio breweries will be pouring their best beers at this year’s Great American Beer Festiva. Here’s our guide to the Ohio beers you can taste at the Great American Beer Festival 2023!
Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago
September 8, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
Oktoberfest season is upon us whether you’re ready for it or not. Oktoberfest styles start getting released in August, and celebrations tend to follow in September. While not all Chicago breweries are hosting official Oktoberfest celebrations, there are many opportunities to celebrate the two-week festival that originated in Munich back in 1810. If you’re not able to make the trip to Germany, you have a lot of options right here in Chicago.
St. Louis CITY SC Star Tim Parker Collaborates with 4 Hands Brewing Co. for Parker Pilsner
September 6, 2023 | Brian Margiotta
St. Louis CITY SC fans can now add a new beer to their game-day repertoire. Tim Parker, center back and all-star player for the team, has partnered with St. Louis-based 4 Hands Brewing Co. to create Parker Pilsner. This American-style pilsner made its debut at 4 Hands before St. Louis City SC returned to CITYPARK to defeat Austin FC in a stunning 6 – 3 victory!
Brewer’s Triangle Announces Oktoberfest Event
August 31, 2023 | Emma Wargolet
Back in May 2023, three Chicago breweries, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Ravinia Brewing Co and Metropolitan Brewing, joined forces to create the Brewer’s Triangle. Now, as we are heading into September, we will be in full swing of Oktoberfest season in no time. To celebrate, the Brewer’s Triangle will be holding an all-day event at the three breweries on Saturday, September 23 starting at 11:00am.
Exploring Honeywine | Schramm’s Mead
August 18, 2023 | Eric Griffin
Craft beer is not the only industry to see a huge boom recently in both production and popularity. As drinkers today are always on the hunt for something new and exciting, the versatility of honeywine has found large appeal with a range of different demographics, and has led to the opening of countless full-production meaderies across the United States. Schramm’s Mead has been a top producer of honeywine for a decade now. They’ve helped to pioneer the continued growth of the style as well as set the benchmark for quality and success. We had the privilege to sit down and talk with Ken Schramm, co-founder and head meadmaker of Schramm’s, to learn more about their roots, program development, and some of the other pivotal factors he has pioneered that have further impacted the sweeping mead revolution that our country is seeing.
612Brew Sold, Original Minneapolis Taproom Will Become Padraigs Brewing
August 14, 2023 | Max Sundermeyer
612Brew, one of Minneapolis’ and Minnesota’s first taprooms, has been sold.
A fixture in the Northeast Minneapolis Brewery District, 612Brew will be renamed and transformed into Padraigs Brewing under new ownership. Padraigs will shift the brewery’s focus to Irish-style beers through partners Patrick Carey, Jason Myrold, and Steve Wankewycz.
Collaborating for a Cause | Kidd Beer
August 7, 2023 | Eric Griffin
Alex Kidd and his family have been incredibly humbled by the support they continue to receive from the Beer Community. With this installment, Collaborating for a Cause is highlighting HOMES Brewery, a small but progressive program out of Ann Arbor, MI. Maybe most famously known in recent years for Smooj, their line of all natural fruited seltzers, they also boast a varied and impressive portfolio of uniquely nuanced traditional beer styles. For their ode to Alex Kidd in support of his fight with cancer, they knew they had to go big. We had the chance to chat briefly with Nick Panchamé, Head Brewer at HOMES, about this recent charitable effort and how Alex was able to inspire the amazing gesture. Enter KIDD BEER.
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