Inside the Tank | Alarmist Brewing

Whenever I thought of Alarmist Brewing, its Entrenched IPA can stuck out. It’s probably the brewery’s most highly available beer and is distributed in the city. Located in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago – an area I typically don’t visit often, I had never been to the brewery before.
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Taft’s Ale House | Santa’s Bribe

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Beermas!

Is there anything better than a Christmas ale? I mean really when you think about it, is there another style of beer made for a single day?

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Maplewood Lounge | A Taproom Example Worth Emulating

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery didn’t merely open a taproom and tasting space, it opened a thoughtful representation of the entire Maplewood experience — and that’s how all breweries should approach taproom designs.

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New Holland Brewing Company | Dragon’s Milk Reserve Mocha Mint

Just in time for the holidays, New Holland Brewing has given us another in their Dragon’s Milk Reserve line, Dragon’s Milk Reserve Mocha Mint. This bourbon barrel-aged Stout sits at 11% ABV and is just as delicious as it sounds.
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Around the Bend Beer Company | Pretty Lights

Just when you think you know what to expect from a Christmas Ale, Around the Bend Beer Company comes along and provides a unique holiday surprise — the Pretty Lights Belgian Tripel with Cranberry and Almond. Although this beer is exceedingly capable of standing on its own, it would be tough to find a beer more suited for pairing with a holiday feast.
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Revolution is Rolling Out New Deep Wood Variants + League of Heroes IPAs

Revolution Brewing has ensured that craft beer lovers won’t go lacking for quality craft beer options this Christmas. After the recent successes of their League of Heroes IPA line and the first cans of their Deep Wood series, Revolution is back with more options from both lines – so get excited.

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Great Lakes Brewing Company Announces 2018 Beer Release Calendar

The hits just keep coming today as Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company has also announced their 2018 Beer Release Calendar in celebration of the brewery’s 30th anniversary year.
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First Draft Taproom & Kitchen Expands Pour-Your-Own Taproom to Minneapolis

Imagine walking into a taproom and being able to sample as much, or as little beer as you want from nearly 54 draft lines. While it may sound more beer festival than beer bar, First Draft Taproom & Kitchen features a pour your own draft system, similar in concept to an adult version of a froYo shop.

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First GABF, Now Netflix: On Tour Brewing is Featured in Season 2 of “Easy”

On Tour Brewing has quickly made a name for itself on the national craft beer scene. First, they won gold in the Very Small Brewing Company and Very Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year categories at GABF; now, their quaint brew spot in West Town is featured in Season 2 of the Netflix show, “Easy,” which is a Chicago comedy featuring the likes of Aubrey Plaza and Dave Franco.

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MadTree Brewing | Ye Olde Battering Ram Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

MadTree Brewing is a major player in the Ohio beer scene, and among the largest breweries in Cincinnati’s thriving craft market. The company built a new production brewery in early 2017, and have grown rapidly, but sustainably in the half decade since their founding. Their quirky but smart beer portfolio and attractive packaging are now available all around Ohio, as well as some areas of Indiana and Kentucky.

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Founders Brewing’s Stevens & Engbers Cap Off Massive 20 Year Anniversary

Calagione, Avery, Jordan, Oliver, Koch, Grossman, Cantwell, Bell, Maytag, Firestone, Bouckaert, Cilruzo. Over the past 20 years craft beer has experienced its greatest boon, and with that explosive growth, there have emerged figures so iconic and influential, that they have risen to become household names. However despite their steadfast ascent to becoming the 16th largest brewery in the country, Stevens and Engbers don’t command the same celebrity as their fellow industry luminaries.

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Chicago Quick Sips | December 4

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].

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Founders Brewing Announces Year-Round Distribution for Breakfast Stout & Backwoods Bastard

It’s been a busy few weeks for Michigan-favorite Founders Brewing. First, they opened up a swanky new Detroit taproom; then, there was the release of their highly-coveted Canadian Breakfast Stout. Now, they’ve decided to one-up themselves with some high-octane distribution news: Breakfast Stout and Backwoods Bastard will be available year-round starting in 2018. Here are the details.

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Fast Facts on Cruz Blanca’s New Barrel-Aged Series: Luchador Club

Chef Rick Bayless’ revered Chicago-based Cruz Blanca Brewery and Tequiera is most-known for its contemporary Mexican cuisine and daring craft beer creations. Now, they’re getting into the barrel-aged game with the debut of their barrel-aged series: Luchador Club, launching December 2^nd. Cruz Blanca’s new barrel-aged offerings will add a unique, Mexican-infused element to Chicago’s vast assortment of barrel-aged powerhouses like Goose Island BCBS, Half Acre Big Hugs and Revolution’s Deep Wood series – and I for one can’t wait to try it. Here’s what you need to know.

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Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Passion Fruit Guppy

Once known for bombers of big IPAs and the Abduction series, Pipeworks Brewing Co. has changed quite a bit over the past few years. The variety of beers coming out of the brewery in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood have increased not just in volume, but styles. Its session IPAs have become quite popular and Passion Fruit Guppy is the latest to be available in cans.

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Black Friday Barrel-Aged (and Other) Beer Releases in Chicago

For beer fans, notably in the Chicago region, Black Friday means dark beer releases. The day, dominated by Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, offers numerous opportunities for beer fans to indulge in some of breweries’ finest creations. For those that love Bourbon County — big beer or not — it’s the day to stand in line or find a bar party, of which there are many. For those who have no interest, it’s a time to Uber-it-over to breweries and bars for an immense, diverse selection of barrel-aged, or sometimes big-hopped, beer. Forget shopping. It’s beer time! Happy Holidays!

Have an event we missed? Email us — we’ll update this through Thanksgiving. Check back for updates!

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Black Wednesday: Dark Beer, Releases & Parties in Chicago

A raging-river’s worth of barrel-aged beer flows through Chicago during November and December. Breweries often release special beers and throw plenty of parties on both Black Wednesday and, even more-so,  Black Friday. But, it all starts with the day before Thanksgiving, allowing beer drinkers an opportunity to party, as well as purchase some Turkey-Day goodies!

Events are listed as we received them
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Half Acre Beer Co. is Opening Early for the Premier League

Soccer and suds on a Saturday morning. It’s a weekly tradition for U.S. soccer fans as they head to their favorite bar every weekend to watch their designated Premier League team play. Now, Half Acre Beer Co. is getting involved, which should excite soccer fans in the Chicago area.

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Destihl Releases Dosvidanya at Their New Production Facility

As the month of November continues, the barrel-aged stout releases continue as well. On Saturday, Destihl hosted Dosvidanya Day at their new production facility and celebrated their 10th anniversary as well.

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Fischman Liquors Reopens in New Location Today

When Fischman Liquors announced they would be closing in July 2016, it didn’t take them long to announce a new location. In fact just 24 hours before the old location would close forever, they had already announced a new location would open sometime in 2017.

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