Midwest
Middle Brow Beer Co. Opens Its Taproom After Five Years of Waiting
January 31, 2019 | Mike Zoller
Motor Row. Ten 90. Lo Rez. Church Street Brewing. Great Central. Big Chicago. After contract brewing in six different locations and putting over 20,000 miles on their cars over the past five years, Middle Brow Beer Co. finally has a home of their own.
Wellspent Brewing Co. | Bonanza Theatre
January 31, 2019 | Jordan Palmer
One of the first things you’ll notice about this beer is the sleek jet black bottle. One of the first things you’ll wonder about is the name: Bonanza Theater. So, let’s cover that first. Wellspent Brewing Company, which opened on March 2, 2018, is located in a beautiful, century-old building that was home to a movie theater a hundred years ago. There is still some evidence of the old movie theater at this new brewery. As you walk in, you’ll still find the marquees, fully restored to their former glory.
“It opened in 1907 and was called the Bonanza Theatre,” said Kyle Kohlmorgen, owner of Wellspent Brewing.
Brewers Rock Festival | Beer, Music and Preserving the Great Lakes
January 30, 2019 | Mathew Powers
Hosted by Kinslahger Brewing, The Brewers Rock Festival at the Wire in Berwyn on Groundhog Day celebrates the essence of “craft.” With proceeds going towards the Alliance for the Great Lakes Alliance, more than one dozen bands, all associated with breweries, will play from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, and they’ll bring their beer with them.
One can purchase a ticket that allows one to come and go, watch a dozen bands, choose from at least 25 different craft beers (or more) at the breweries’ booths, order beer and drinks from the bar and enjoy Bricks Pizza. And, of course, one gets a fun sampling glass.
18th Street Brewery | Disciple’s Revenge
January 30, 2019 | Daniel Moran
At the beginning of a new year, resolutions are a constant. Beer drinkers are no different. While I haven’t made the commitment that Midwest editor Mike Zoller has to “no hazy IPAs” in 2019, I have decided that I’m going to push myself to drink new styles and try new breweries.
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3 Tried and True Ale Adventures-Approved Hangover Cures
January 28, 2019 | Adam Rozanas
You know that feeling: The foggy head, pounding migraine and bloated gut the morning after, reminding you of all the fun you had out drinking the night before.
We’ve been there before, too; it sucks.
Then again, maybe it is good to feel that way every now and then, just to remind ourselves how awful it feels and to serve as a cautionary reminder for next time.
Will Travel For Beer | One Man’s Quest to Visit 100 Breweries Every Year
January 25, 2019 | Robert French 4
Do you plan your travel around beer? I do. In fact, I visited 100 breweries last year, and I plan on doing that every year.
In the past, when possible, I’ve always tried to include at least a few local brewery stops while on vacation. Four years ago I made a list of all the breweries I visited that year. Without knowing or even planning, I visited 99 different spots. The following years, I started to track more diligently, with the arbitrary goal of hitting 100 each year–that’s a lot of local beer. To be a little more precise, that’s 8.33 different spots each month, which may sound very do-able until you have a few hectic months and you hit zero new breweries.
Barleywine | West Side Brewing
January 25, 2019 | Craft Beer Joe
There’s craft beer and then there’s special-release craft beer. And for the enthusiasts, getting these special-release beers is one of the most entertaining parts of the hobby. Breweries love indulging the passion of their fans by releasing a specific beers only once a year.
F*** Your Hair Explores the Story Behind 5 Rabbit’s Chinga tu Pelo Beer
January 22, 2019 | Mike Zoller
For a short period during the 2016 election, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria was producing one of the most talked-about beers in the country. From being the house beer at Rebar in the Trump Tower to cutting ties and openly mocking then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, the One City Films documentary “F*** Your Hair” tells the story of Chinga tu Pelo.
Beer Lover’s Guide to Evanston, IL’s Craft Beer Scene
January 21, 2019 | Mike Zoller
Just a short train ride from Chicago, Evanston is home to Northwestern University. Downtown, you’ll find lots of shops and restaurants, as well as some great breweries.
Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cassian Sunset | Central Waters Brewing Co.
January 18, 2019 | Paul Lewis
Despite its neighbor to the south being named Beer Capital of America, Wisconsin’s breweries are plentiful and still sling some pretty damn good beer. While New Glarus might be the destination of choice for those on a Wisconsin beercation, braving the shivering Midwest January weather and making the drive a little farther north brings you to the small town of Amherst, home of Central Waters Brewing. Expect the journey to be arduous as you attempt to avoid snowdrifts, slippery country roads, rogue cows and Green Bay Packer Fans. However, you’ll be rewarded by visiting a brewery that brews one of my favorite winter beers from America’s Dairyland.
Zipline Brewing | Bourbon Barrel-Aged The Stout
January 17, 2019 | Lori Kitzing
When the chill of winter sets in, in the Midwest, we all pile on the layers. Wool socks, scarves, non-ironic stocking caps. But with the sun still setting before you can make it home from work, there’s one more trick to help warm you up – bourbon. One sip warms you from the inside out and takes away that chill that never seems to subside.
Event Preview | Chicago Ale Fest — Winter Edition
January 14, 2019 | Paul Lewis
We’re entering another Chicago winter. The wind, lack of sun and bitter cold tend to keep Chicagoans indoors. But before you enter hibernation mode, it’s time to drink some of Chicago’s finest winter beers. What better place to do so than at the Chicago Ale Fest on February 2. This year, the festival makes its way to Pilsen, where Lacuna Artist’s Lofts will host. The festival boasts live music, food trucks and more than 100 beer pours from over 40 breweries. It will be a day off full of fun, surprises, mouth-watering munchies and plenty of strong, hearty ale to keep you warm until spring.
Schlafly Beer Releases Flagship Beer in Cans | Pale Ale
January 14, 2019 | Karen Mills
Have you heard? Schlafly Beer will be releasing their flagship beer, Pale Ale, in 12 packs of 16 oz. cans! This is a big move from the largest, locally owned St. Louis brewery, that introduced the Midwest to craft beer in 1991. This announcement comes just ahead of Can Appreciation Day, which is coming up on January 24. Since their flagship beer has stood well over the test of time, Schlafly made the move to distribute in cans so that it’d be even more accessible to current and future craft beer lovers.
Ultimate 6er | Home in Minnesota for the Holidays
January 9, 2019 | Hannah Carlson
When most people hear the word Minnesota, I can imagine that a few stereotypes are top of mind. Some people might imagine a frigid Antarctic-like landscape. Others may have a vision of, Scandinavian men and women, blonde and blue-eyed, dressed in floor-length jackets and Vikings gear screaming skol. Thanks to the Coen brothers and their brilliant Fargo, some might immediately hear Francis McDormand’s spot-on accent in their ears and get a vision of an unfortunate woodchipper in their minds. But when I think of Minnesota, I think of my home and my wholesome, Midwestern parents and my not-so-little bearded brother – three people who enjoy nothing more than enjoying a craft, Minnesotan brew around our fireplace. Read More
Chicago’s Barrel-Aging Pros Answer: What’s Next for Barrel-Aged Beers?
January 8, 2019 | Mike Zoller
When calendars turn to a new year, the barrel-aged beer craze tends to die down just a little with most of the breweries having already released their clean bourbon barrel-aged rarities to the public. With so many breweries now producing barrel-aged beers not just in the winter months, but year-round, where does this style go from here?
Chicago Quick Sips | Jan. 7 Chicago Beer News & Events
January 7, 2019 | 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].
4 Hands Brewing Company | Single Origin
January 3, 2019 | Jordan Palmer
The latest brew from St. Louis’ 4 Hands Brewing Company comes just in time for a palate switch up. After getting my fill of bourbon barrel stouts the past few weeks, I’m ready for the switch to big coffee stouts. In the case of St. Louis beer lovers, we have two biggies coming out, both with a common link: St. Louis’ own Sump Coffee Company. One of which being 4 Hands’ Single Origin.
2nd Shift Brewing Company | Katy
January 2, 2019 | Jordan Palmer
Katy was the beer that introduced me to 2nd Shift Brewing Company, back in late 2013, when they were based in New Haven, Missouri. Their reputation proceeded them, as I had been looking to try their beers in St. Louis, but had no luck until I found Katy at a house beer tasting event for Pedal The Cause.
Untitled Art Brewing Angry Chair Brewing Collaboration | Gas Station Coffee Imperial Stout
December 31, 2018 | Constance Del Rio
It’s the holiday season and everyone is buzzing around trying to find the best beer to share with friends and family. Most of us are also traveling to visit family—which means planes, trains and automobiles (like the movie, but hopefully less crazy). I personally took Amtrak to Grand Junction, Colorado, to visit family and it was great! What I did miss was the gas station coffee during pit stops. Thankfully, I was able to get the flavor without the hectic drive from California to Colorado!
PorchDrinking’s Best in Beer 2018 | Chicago Metro Region
December 28, 2018 | Taylor Laabs
What a year for Chicago (and it’s neighboring suburbs). Amid winning a bevy of medals from high-profile events like GABF and FOBAB, the Windy City also took home the title for most breweries (167) within the metro region – an impressive feat indeed. With so many breweries making so many amazing beers, it’s safe to say Chicago beer drinkers were more than spoiled this year as they indulged in some of the best barrel-aged stouts and hazy IPAs in the U.S.
PorchDrinking’s Chicago crew diligently drank through many amazing beers this year. Some wowed us, others impressed with their creativity and several just made us warm and fuzzy.
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