Midwest
Schlafly Marks the Return of One of its Originals
August 28, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
I’ve always been intrigued by pilsners. I feel this category of beer has sort of gotten the shaft. Like its first cousin, the lagers, pilsners may be suffering from a case of mistaken identity. As the population of beer lovers continues to embrace the art of craft brewing, it is this writer’s belief that lagers and pilsners are often incorrectly linked to macro breweries, especially in St. Louis, the city that Budweiser built. Read More
Urban Chestnut’s Annual Oktoberfest St. Louis Returns for its 7th Year
August 28, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
As the cooler temperatures of fall ascend on our city, it will soon be time to welcome back fall beers and of course, fall beer festivals. That’s right, it’s time to drop the C in October and replace it with the K, and welcome back all of the area’s best Oktoberfests, starting with the one that actually takes place in September.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company’s (UCBC) annual Oktoberfest St. Louis returns for its 7th year on Friday, September 22, running through Sunday, September 24, at its Midtown Brewery & Biergarten. The festival will span three full days and about two full city blocks. Bier begins pouring and the fest grounds open on Friday at noon, but Oktoberfest St. Louis officially begins during a ceremonial keg-tapping at 7PM. The special guest keg-tapper to be announced.
Read More
Jackie O’s Brewery | Scrip
August 28, 2017 | David Nilsen
Athens, Ohio, is a small college town hidden in the hills of southeast Ohio’s coal country that plays host to several excellent breweries, the oldest and most notable of which is Jackie O’s Brewery. Jackie O’s beers cover the spectrum of styles, from sessionable pale ales to barrel-aged behemoths, and rustic saisons to elegant barleywines. Nothing is off limits for this eclectic brewery, and it’s fitting that one of their most celebrated new beers this summer is a style that’s just beginning to creep into the consciousness of American craft beer drinkers—Grisette.
Founders Brewing Releases Mosaic Promise in 15-packs
August 25, 2017 | Jessica Spengler
When a brewery uses one malt and one hop to brew a beer, it is commonly referred to as a SMASH. This Single Malt And Single Hop style showcases the basics and purity of brewing. There are no tricks, but often the result offers plenty of treats. Founders Brewing Company’s Mosaic Promise is just that, a treat for the fall season the breaks away from the more complex and popular Märzens, pumpkin spice and harvest ales.
Added officially as Founder’s fall seasonal in 2016, Mosaic Promise is available from August to November in six-pack bottles and now, in 15-pack cans.
Event Recap | Half Acre Beer Co. Big North II
August 24, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
On a weekend usually dedicated to the high-flying Air and Water Show, Half Acre Beer Co. delivered its own high-octane experience at their second annual The Big North beer festival. The Big North II was a celebration of Half Acre’s 10 years of business; and it also was a moment to open its Balmoral facility to the public for the very first time, and it did not disappoint.
Brewery Showcase | Charleville Brewing Company & Tavern
August 22, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
As a solo beer writer with a full time job, I’ve come this realization—I won’t be able to attend every new brewery opening, and I won’t be able to drink every new beer.
This has been worrisome, but after speaking with a few owners and managers of local craft breweries, I now understand that most beer media will cover grand openings, but that the effect wears off pretty quick. It’s reminding the beer loving public months later about what’s happening and what’s new that will pay off for everyone. So with that in mind, I’m not going to worry about missing the grand openings, but rather let each new brewery work out its kinks before writing a feature on them, their beer and potentially their menu. This will also allow you and I, the reader, to benefit from multiple visits to the brewery, which is frankly more fun anyway.
Recently, I paid a second and third visit to what is now the closest craft brewery to my home, Charleville Brewing Company & Tavern located at 2101 Chouteau Avenue in St. Louis, MO..
Noon Whistle Brewing is Helping Bring Fully Removable Beer Can Lids to Illinois
August 18, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Whether it’s in a can, bottle or on-draft, craft beer can be consumed in many ways. Now, thanks to a new state law backed by Chicago suburban brewery Noon Whistle Brewing, there will be a new way to drink: cans with completely removable lids.
Founders Brewing Company | PC Pils
August 18, 2017 | Jessica Spengler
Founders Brewing Company’s PC Pils has become my summer go-to beer. I’m not certain how that came to be–I didn’t search it out. I simply picked it out one day when looking for an easy drinking brew, and was pleasantly surprised with the light, refreshing style. Before long it became the natural beer to pick up when we were looking to drink something reliable and quenching.
Brewery Showcase | Ferguson Brewing Company
August 17, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
Brewpubs are not a new trend by any means, as they have been in business in St. Louis since at least 1991, when The Schlafly Tap Room opened just west of downtown. However, the practice of pairing a limited or full menu with beer brewed under the same roof continues to grow more popular in St. Louis, and few do it better than Ferguson Brewing Company.
Green Flash Brewing Opening 3rd Brewery Location in Nebraska
August 16, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Almost exactly a year removed from announcing their second brewery location in Virginia Beach, VA, Green Flash Brewing isn’t content with resting on its laurels. The San Diego, CA-based brewery announced this morning that it has acquired a 10,000 sq ft brewery, taproom and restaurant facility in Lincoln, NE.
St. Louis Entrepreneur Crafting Take-Home Kegs for Draft Beer Lovers
August 16, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
With so many of us enjoying more and greater craft beer, it’s only natural that we would want to share the great beer we find with others. Bringing a cooler filled with your favorite cans and bottles is fine, but what about the great brew we love on tap? Read More
2 Days, 2 Nights | Detroit’s Craft Beer Scene
August 15, 2017 | Danny King
Detroit: You’ve heard of us. We’re making a comeback! The real story is Detroit never really left, but the leaps and bounds it has made in the last decade are astounding to anyone who has lived in the area since the rebellion. The Motor City has so much history, art, music, and culture to share, but most importantly for our readers it has tons and tons of beer too!
Read More
Tribes Beer Company to Honor First Responders All September
August 15, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Craft brewing and community are synonymous, but no community can exist without its first responders, the brave souls who serve and protect the town. Both Tribes Beer Company and Tribes Alehouse (suburban Chicago) will honor Police, Fire and EMTs/Paramedics, as well as their spouses and children, throughout September. First responders can enjoy 25% off their food bill as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work for which they bravely perform each day.
Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series is Coming to Cans
August 14, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
It has been a busy week for Chicago’s largest independently owned brewery. After announcing the exciting news that they will officially begin distribution to Michigan starting August 21st, Revolution Brewing recently announced even better news for craft beer lovers: the expansion of their Deep Wood barrel-aged brew series into cans.
Half Acre Beer | Wooden Teeth Brett Saison
August 14, 2017 | Bliss Billingsley
Half Acre brings the funk with its Brett Saison, Wooden Teeth. This complex small batch beer, has the sophisticated feel of a champagne coupled with the casualness of a cider. The mixture of flavors brings the old brewing world together with new techniques. Wooden Teeth is funky, sour and a bit sweet for a perfect balance, resulting in an interestingly fun drinking experience.
Sneak Preview: New Belgium’s Specialty Brands & Single Foeder Oscar No. 65
August 10, 2017 | Chea Franz
A little over a month ago, we reported on New Belgium’s decision to reimagine their specialty brands with the suspension of their popular Lips of Faith series and the implementation of their Wood Cellar Reserve series. Two weeks ago while attending the debut of Le Kriek Noir, the first entry in their new cork & cage Wood Cellar Reserve line, we were also treated to a sneak preview of what’s coming down the pipeline as well as a familiar brand that will also receive some fresh new packaging.
On Tuesday New Belgium Brewing Company announced that the second beer from its highly anticipated Wood Cellar Reserve series will be released this upcoming Saturday. At 8.5% ABV, single Foeder Oscar No. 65 is an unblended dark sour that has been maturing for 12 months in a 100 percent Missouri white oak foeder. According to the brewery, the beer pours dark walnut red with subtle notes of vanilla and coconut. These notes play beautifully with notes of plum skin and cherry Coca-Cola. This is a first run through using this foeder and only fresh beer will touch the American oak for the first time, thus the flavors for this release cannot be replicated—making this release truly special. Read More
Event Recap | Welles Park Beer Fest
August 8, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The third leg of the Illinois Craft Beer Guild Festival Grand Slam occurred on Aug 5, 2017 at Welles Park on the north side of Chicago. Festival goers enjoyed sun, 78-degree temperatures, terrific beer and a venue that was tough to beat. Sadly, though, for various reasons, attendance seemed a tad lackluster for Welles. It’s unlikely that will be the case at the next one; the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers (FoBAB) is the Wimbledon or Masters of Illinois beer fests.
2 Days, 2 Nights | Green Bay Craft Beer Scene
August 8, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 2
Green Bay, Wisconsin (aka Titletown, U.S.A.) offers visitors an appealing combination of beer, brats and football. I’m a huge Packers fan, in fact, my recent visit to Green Bay signaled my 20th straight pilgrimage to Packers training camp. If you travel to Green Bay, you’ll find that the residents religiously follow the Packers during the season, through the offseason and into training camp. And while the Packers offer cheeseheads the best show in town, the beer scene in Titletown is also something worth cheering for. Here is what you should see and drink when you’re in Green Bay – preferably for a Packers home game.
Off Color Brewing | Sparkles Finds (Some) Trouble Hibiscus Gose
August 8, 2017 | Sarah Duffy
Off Color Brewing offers some of the best craft beer in the country across their portfolio, in my humble opinion. And how could you pass up a beer named Sparkles Finds (some) Trouble? This poor kitten got himself into a little, but not too much trouble. Check out the basically amazing description of the beer from the brewery itself (I feel like there’s no way they’re paying their marketing person enough!):
“Curious kittens sometimes get themselves into trouble. What they find out is some things are best left alone. Likewise, curious brewers sometimes add flowers and junk to their beer to see what’ll happen. What they find out is those flowers will add a sweet note and stunning pink color to an otherwise tart and salty beer.”
Event Preview | Half Acre Beer Co. The Big North II
August 7, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 1
As you may know, Half Acre Beer Co. is opening up a big and shiny brewing facility on Balmoral Avenue, which means more delicious beer and food from one of Chicago’s premiere craft beer destinations. To help launch the facility, Half Acre is hosting the 2nd annual Big North festival at the new digs, which will include over 35 Half Acre beer options, including a bunch of rare and experimental brews, drool-worthy food from the Half Acre kitchen, live music, and more. Here are the full details on Big North ’17.
recent comments