Midwest
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery | Cold Chisel IPA
October 7, 2021 | Dave Drury
Chicago’s Maplewood Brewery & Distillery just released a new Cold IPA, Cold Chisel, that is fermented and conditioned at colder temperatures, similar to a lager. As the temps begin to drop here in the Midwest, it’s the perfect time to try this new brew from one of the best Chicago breweries. Read More
Ska Brewing | Barrel Aged Old Fashioned – 25th AND 26th Anniversary Edition
October 5, 2021 | Dane Skousen
Breweries like to go big on their anniversary. Usually a party, special tappings, food trucks, and sometimes, a special beer. Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado celebrates their anniversary with live ska bands and around 25 guest breweries pouring shaker glasses full of beer for thirsty partygoers. With COVID in full swing last September, the team made the tough decision to cancel the party. This year, they went big… really big. (And I’m not just talking about the Mighty Mighty Bosstones headlining the sold-out party.)
2021 FoBAB Returning to In-Person Event at New Location
October 2, 2021 | Mike Zoller
The country’s premiere barrel-aged beer festival returns this year as the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) will take place November 12-13 with some changes in place because of the ongoing pandemic.
Hopewell Brewing | Endgrain Oktoberfest
September 30, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
The fact that Märzen-style beers aren’t offered year-round is devastating. Even if we all had to come together and choose just one local offering to hold onto outside of the season, I’m convinced that Endgrain by Hopewell Brewing would have a strong chance.
Taft’s Brewing Co. | Oktubberfest
September 29, 2021 | Jereme Zimmerman
With so many Oktoberfest beers to choose from, it’s challenging to sample them all, but we’re trying. Oktubberfest, a Festbier from Cincinnati’s Taft’s Brewing Co. is a fine example of a light, easy-drinking Lager-style Oktoberfest beer.
Beards Brewery | Hop Up North Imperial Red IPA
September 28, 2021 | Eeva Sharp
In a season that has many brewers rummaging through their spice cabinets to pull together something pumpkin spiced, Beards Brewery in Petoskey, Michigan chose a different path. Hop Up North Imperial Red IPA is a welcome addition to autumn beer.
Griesedieck Brothers Brewing | Golden Pilsener
September 27, 2021 | Brian Margiotta
When I get a quality Pilsner, I forget all about the juicy Triple IPAs and overly fruited Sours that are often all the rage. There’s something timeless about a quality Pilsner that feels right, from the aroma to the light, crisp mouthfeel.
Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Executive Director Steps Down
September 22, 2021 | Mike Zoller
Nearly five years to the day that she joined the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Executive Director Danielle D’Alessandro has announced she will be leaving the Guild for a new opportunity on September 30.
Urban Brew Labs Taproom Now Open
September 17, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
You’ve heard of Dad Bod. If you haven’t, it’s worth crawling out of the rock you’ve been living under to grab some. For starters, Dad Bod is back. More importantly, the brewery behind Dad Bod Hazy Lager, Urban Brew Labs, recently opened their first taproom. Since 2018, Urban Brew Labs has been distributing beer in the Chicagoland area. They began as draft-only and have since evolved to offer cans and draft beer to the market. Now, you can enjoy their beers (along with guest taps) at their very own taproom in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago.
Marz Brewing | Jungle Boogie American Pale Wheat
September 13, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
If you haven’t had Jungle Boogie by Marz, I’m sorry. Jungle Boogie, like Marz Brewing itself, has a cult following. It’s deserved. It’s an American Pale Wheat beer brewed with rooibos tea. The beer is perfectly rounded by the subtle sweetness from the mixed wheat grain bill and the stone fruit flavors of the rooibos tea. Light enough, at 5.5% ABV, that you can keep drinking it. Which is convenient, because you’ll want to go for another pint. Jungle Boogie is a flagship and staple at Marz. It’s the middle of the road in terms of the brewery’s long list of hoppy offerings, fruited sours, and clean lagers. The beer itself has thankfully stayed the same. Beyond infrequent adjunct offerings from mango to the more recent blueberry release, you know what you’re getting with Jungle Boogie, the very best.
Illinois Ties State Medal Record at 2021 Great American Beer Festival
September 11, 2021 | Mike Zoller
Illinois brewers put on a show at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival Award Ceremony taking home 16 medals, tying the state’s all-time record set in 2007.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. | TropiCoastal Tropical IPA
September 1, 2021 | Kevin Risner
The audacity of time, to go super fast! It’s already September, and it feels like summer just got here. Thankfully, one of Cleveland’s finest breweries has a solution, with a new year-round offering to quench your thirst whether grilling for your next backyard BBQ or huddling up around the fire on a cold winter day. Great Lakes Brewing Company TropiCoastal Tropical IPA has a juicy mixture of flavors and hoppiness, enhancing the brewery’s expanding repertoire of spectacular IPAs on tap.
BUG Requiring Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID Test
August 26, 2021 | Mike Zoller
This year’s Beer Under Glass (BUG) will be unique for a variety of reasons but the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has put into place precautions to make sure the event can go on as safe as possible despite the Delta variant. Read More
Event Recap | 2021 Great Taste of the Midwest
August 16, 2021 | Mike Zoller
Since 1987, the Great Taste of the Midwest has been a chance for Midwest breweries and beer lovers to converge on Madison, Wisconsin to enjoy some of the region’s best beers. This past Saturday the tradition continued with some new safety precautions, but that didn’t impact the festival which once again brought the beer community together.
Goose Island Announces 2021 Bourbon County Stout Lineup
August 10, 2021 | Mike Zoller 1
2020’s lineup of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout was widely considered one of the best from top-to-bottom for the brewery in years; 2021’s lineup looks to take what worked last year and use a similar theme: Showcase the barrel.
Event Preview | Great Taste of the Midwest 2021
August 6, 2021 | Mike Zoller
One of the most well-known and beloved beer festivals in the country returns! Great Taste of the Midwest will be happening on August 14, albeit at a much smaller capacity.
Everything will be at 50% capacity, from guest attendance to breweries, in order to make the event as safe as possible. 5,000 tickets were sold and 100 breweries were invited to pour and, even though that meant a lot more people had to be turned away and a lot more breweries were not able to participate, Chairman Jason Walters said that everyone has been very understanding with the limitations.
Hidden Hand Brewery Operates Within Another Brewery | Both are Thriving
August 5, 2021 | Taylor Laabs
Illinois’ Solemn Oath Brewery is ambitious. Founded in Naperville, the brewery continues to grow its presence through well-crafted IPAs and GABF medal-winning beers like their prestigious Lu Kolsch. Part of that strategic growth was opening up a secondary taproom in the brewery-filled Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The latest strategic venture is the establishment of their Hidden Hand Brewery operation, which exclusively brews IPAs and DIPAs inside the four walls of the larger Solemn Oath operation.
Little Thistle Brewing Co. | Brave Woman Scottish Ale
August 5, 2021 | Erik Eidem
For some people, a beer is simply a beer. For others, beer is a sensorial or spiritual experience. The texture, the taste, the delivery and the presentation all lead to a unique encounter. Often, there are times when the history, or backstory, brings a deeper meaning to the beer you imbibe. Brave Woman, a Scottish Ale by Little Thistle Brewing in Rochester, Minnesota is such a beer. The ingredients, the presentation and the historical significance of the name of this brew all combine to make this Scottish Ale an exceptional libation. Read More
Ultimate 6er | Six Beers for Your Role in League of Legends
August 4, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
League of Legends, by Riot Games, is a game that likely needs little introduction. It’s taken the globe by storm and become one of the most popular Esports in the world over the last decade. If you don’t know, consider yourself lucky for the time suck and renown toxicity of the community that you’ve saved yourself from. If that last sentence struck a chord with you, then greetings, Summoner.
The basic premise is that the game is free to download and play, and is updated biweekly with patches. There’s a large and active community, and queue times are relatively short. Each game has a level of familiarity although every game plays differently due to the variety of characters and player (enemy and teammate) habits. Read More
Metropolitan Brewing | Krankshaft German-Style Kölsch
July 29, 2021 | Mathew Powers
In 2008, long before breweries populated every Chicago neighborhood and suburban town, Metropolitan Brewing opened its doors. Today’s Chicago beer market now supports several Lager-focused breweries, but Metro served as the city’s trailblazer. There’s nothing pretentious or Bourgeoisie about Metro; it’s a come-as-you-are brewery. (And a Malört-friendly place, too.) And one can revel in the brilliance of its brewing at its gorgeous taproom and patio spot located on the Chicago River, a location they opened in 2017. Among the many beers they produce, there’s one that isn’t technically a lager: Krankshaft German-style Kölsch. Drinking Krankshaft provides insight into why Metro has evolved into one of Chicago’s most respected and recognizable breweries.
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