Midwest
Fischman Liquors Reopens in New Location Today
November 17, 2017 | Mike Zoller
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.
MadTree Brewing | Thundersnow
November 17, 2017 | Craft Beer Joe
By definition, Thundersnow, also known as a winter thunderstorm or a thundersnowstorm, is an unusual kind of thunderstorm with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain.
I’ve never witnessed Thundersnow in my area but I have witnessed the frenzy of people excited about the release of MadTree Brewing’s Thundersnow.
Begyle Brewing to Release their Barrel-Aged Beers Starting Friday
November 16, 2017 | Mike Zoller
In Chicago, in November, it’s almost impossible to not run into a great barrel-aged beer. Begyle Brewing will release two of its own starting on Friday (Nov 17) and both are worthy of standing in line to get. Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas will be released on Nov 17th, with Batch 500 being released the following Friday.
Five Observations from a FoBAB First-Timer
November 14, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
I’ve been to numerous beer festivals, including the massive production that is Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp, but I’ve never been to a celebration like FoBAB, and now I think I know why. On a cold Saturday, I arrived to the UIC Forum to a line of at least 150 people, anxiously lined up for Saturday’s afternoon session, which didn’t start for another… two hours. Seeing this first-hand raised my eyebrows, but taking the first sip of barrel-aged beer a little past noon almost made my eyes water. This stuff was not for the faint of heart, and that high-octane appeal brought out only the most fanatical beer lovers to the 15th annual Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers. After getting a good buzz from imbibing in a few more sub-5oz sips, I realized FoBAB was a different beer festival than anything I had experienced before.
Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series Gets Major Overhaul
November 14, 2017 | Mike Zoller
If you’re in Chicago in November you’ll find a never-ending lineup of great barrel-aged beers being released seemingly every week. In addition to constant releases, you also have FoBAB in the beginning part of the month. This year, one release to not overlook is Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series which gets released Nov 17.
Event Recap | 2017 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB)
November 13, 2017 | Mike Zoller
As you rub your eyes and nurse that pounding headache, it’s time to reflect on another year of FoBAB. The nation’s largest gathering of barrel-aged beers is always the marquee event to hit Chicago’s beer scene. Once again, FoBAB lived up to the hype by bringing together some of the country’s most sought after beers and putting them under one roof for thousands to enjoy.
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Revolution Brewing | Coffee Eugene Porter
November 9, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
In the ever-crowded Chicago beer scene, Revolution Brewing decidedly stands out from the rest due to their dogged pursuit of unique flavors and new versions of old staples. True to form, one of Revolution’s classics, its Coffee Eugene Porter, is back after a two-year hiatus with a new recipe and a new packaging presentation: 12oz cans.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. | Lollygagger Pale Ale
November 8, 2017 | Susan Engebretson
In Minnesota, the phrase “heading up north to the cabin” and its many variations are uttered constantly between June and September. Most families pack up and drive to a cabin two to five hours away from the Twin Cities. My family takes this concept just a bit further, though – eight hours north farther, into Canada. While on our way, we pass through Duluth, Minnesota, the home of Bent Paddle Brewing Company. My retired parents now spend May through September in Northwestern Ontario and a six-pack or two of Bent Paddle’s Lollygagger Pale Ale is always in the fridge while my siblings and I visit during the last week of July.
FoBAB—A National Barrel-Aged Party
November 7, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Barrel-aged beers are the dope suits of the brewing world—looking good and ready for a party. Across the nation, brewery’s special releases and anniversary parties frequently involve something from a barrel, and bottle share parties are routinely marked by ice-filled buckets of barrel-aged whales. The Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (FoBAB) involves a sea of brewing alchemy; it’s the A-list party of brews. One will find special beer after special beer produced by some of the nation’s best breweries and barreling programs.
Surly Brewing Co. | Abrasive Ale
November 7, 2017 | Mike Zoller
As the hunt continues for the haziest and fruitiest New England IPA, it was nice to crack open Surly Brewing’s 2017 batch of Abrasive. A double IPA that says no to haze and fruit, but instead hits you with hops and malt. You know, the way an IPA used to be.
Chicago Quick Sips | November 6
November 6, 2017 | 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].
Event Preview | 2017 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB)
November 6, 2017 | Mike Zoller
With the 15th annual Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) less than a week away, the weeks and months leading up to this year’s event have been different than in the past. With a price increase and the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild releasing the brewery lineup before the event for the first time ever, there seems to be more talk about FoBAB than in recent years.
Brewery Showcase | Scorched Earth Brewing
November 2, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The wall of barrels, two-deep and floor-to-ceiling, that stretches along the length of the brewhouse captures the eyes of those walking through the Scorched Earth Brewing taproom doors. The tantalizing tower of aged beer induces salivation in a manner that would make Pavlov proud. Still, the diverse beer menu and exceptionally warm, inviting taproom environment amounts to a brewery that is attractive to just about every type of beer drinker.
Little Fish Brewing | Sunfish
November 2, 2017 | David Nilsen
Little Fish Brewing sits at the western tip of Athens, Ohio, a small college town in the southwest region of the state. It’s at the very edge of town, with the county fairgrounds and a small state park separating it from the city proper and its compact and cozy downtown. The location geographically represents the philosophical space Little Fish occupies as a brewery, straddling the culture of the college town and the wilds of the southeastern Ohio Appalachian foothills. Little Fish Brewing Sunfish Saison serves as a shining example of the brewery’s dedication to conserving the resources found within that unique, beautiful location.
Short’s Brewing Made a Stranger Things-Inspired IPA
October 31, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Netflix’s retro horror series Stranger Things quickly became a cult classic due its to campy aesthetic, mysterious storylines and great acting. Now in its second season, Stranger Things has inspired cool merchandise, popular Halloween costumes, and even a special IPA from Short’s Brewing named after a Stranger Things fan favorite: Chief Hopper. Read More
Founders Officially Announces Re-Release of CBS, Canadian Breakfast Stout
October 30, 2017 | Tristan Chan
From Utopias to Pliny the Younger, Dark Lord to Bourbon County Rare, Duck Duck Gooze to an unending new wave of glorified rare beers emerging from the likes of Surly, Hill Farmstead, Side Project, Tree House, Trillium, Casey, Toppling Goliath, Fremont, WeldWerks and beyond. In craft beer’s current stage of hype and circumstance it can be difficult transcending the clutter of buzzworthy beers as an established brand. Founders Brewing, who celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year, will do just that on December 1 with the release of Canadian Breakfast Stout, or CBS.
Chicago Quick Sips | October 30
October 30, 2017 | 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].
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3 Floyds’ 2018 Dark Lord Day Announced
October 30, 2017 | Mike Zoller
3 Floyds Brewing Company has announced that 2018 Dark Lord Day will be on May 19th. This is a week later than last year when the event was on May 13th, and the second straight year the event is in May after traditionally being in late April.No date has been announced for tickets to go on-sale, but tickets for the 2017 Dark Lord Day were available for purchase on March 18th and sold out quickly.
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BREWS For Harvey Looks to Raise Funds for Leukemia Battle
October 30, 2017 | Mike Zoller
You can always count on the beer community to rally together to help one of its own. When Calvin Fredrickson of Spiteful Brewing found out his nephew Harvey was diagnosed with Leukemia, he wanted to do whatever he could to help. This motivated him to organize Brews for Harvey.
Perrin Brewing Co. | Malted Milk Ball Imperial Porter
October 27, 2017 | Jessica Spengler
As a kid, I absolutely loved Whoppers. I’d beg my parents to let me get them every chance I could, and if they gave in, I’d have a small box gone in about 10 minutes. I can still remember the way they melt in your mouth, and am now pretty sure I’m going to the store to get a box. Wait. It turns out, there’s something even better.
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