So here’s goes… Craft beer. If you haven’t heard about what’s happening with craft beer you’ve probably been hiding under a rock. It’s exploding. All over the country. I’ve been working on this post for a while now and realized… it’s never gonna be ‘done’ because there is just so damn much happening right now in Chicago's craft beer scene alone, let alone the rest of the US. And it’s AWESOME! While I don’t proclaim to be anything close to a Cicerone whatsoever, I have been paying really close attention and trying’ all kinds of new brews (loving them, too, I might add!) so for anyone who has no idea about this delicious tsunami which has hit our wonderful shores, let me attempt to provide a bit of an update.
Once upon a time, I never would have considered myself a beer drinker because, well, to me most beer tasted like crap. But, mind you, 'back then' I only knew about 'big' crappy beers. You know the ones. I’m not even naming them. Slowly, however, I began discovering beers that I liked, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon, Fat Tire and Amber Bock. This story is not mine alone. Tons of people are geeking out over the amazing craft that is occurring around brewing. Around 1999 friends introduced me to the Hopleaf in Andersonville, where I - like so many others - learned about Belgian ales. I tasted a Delirium Tremens and OH THAT CUTE LITTLE DAMN PINK ELEPHANT REALLY GOT ME with that 8.5% ABV! So cute. So cute.
Needless to say my palate began to evolve! Hopleaf expanded, seats something like 270 now, has like 71 draft lines and 350+ beers. I mean it’s an institution. Then came the waves of new breweries. I first learned of Revolution Brewing when friends wanted to meet there before a concert, then of Half Acre (who will be expanding, building a second brewery near Damen/Balmoral) and then… oh my goodness, there's no telling the order. Great Lakes, Metropolitan Brewing (who are collaborating with Green Acres Farm on new tasty treats and who just established a new relationship with a distributor, Wolf Distributing (of Marketplace Selections), Lake Effect, Spiteful, Off Color, Solemn Oath, and Pipeworks (who are adding a bottle shop and growler station).
Then I learned about Bridgeport, home to Pleasant House Bakery and Art and Chelsea Jackson’s Royal Pies. I also discovered the amazing institution next door, Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar. So many bottles from all over, breweries I had never heard of. I was like, dayum! Stunned by all the art on the labels, too. I learned that Pleasant House had opened up shop in Three Oaks, MI, and had begun brewing their own beers over there. And imagine the thill of learning that Ed and Mike of Maria’s were starting a brewery too, Marz Community Brewing! IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. Hard to hide my enthusiasm, always has been.
In January I attended Artists 'N Ales at Bridgeport's Co-Prosperity Sphere where I got to see the awesome artwork of Dan Grzeca, Michael Kiser, BJ Olson, Peat Eyez Wollaeger, Josh Rowan, Jourdon Gullet, Jim Zimmer and Phineas X. Jones. I also got to sample some mighty fine beers by 3 Floyds, 4Hands, Half Acre, Pipeworks and Solemn Oath.
One time at Hopleaf Michael Roper generously gave of his time filling me on their expansion, the needs that it met and the challenges they still faced and what he’s most looking forward to. I remember him telling me ‘Moody Tongue’. Keep an eye out for Moody Tongue.
At the beginning of May I returned to the Co-Prosperity Sphere where I again got to sample another ‘wave’ of amazing new breweries: Marz Community Brewing (YES!), Horse Thief Hollow, Forbidden Root, 18th Street, One Trick Pony, Dryhop, Off Color, Ale Syndicate, Slap Shot, Atlas, Lake Effect, BuckleDown, Penrose, Une Année and others.
I was really excited a few weeks later to get to go to DryHop for the launch of Marz. They collaborated with Dryhop on a brew called Arnie Palmer Meets the Dragon Lady which I loved so much I bought my first ever growler! Word.
At the end of May I got super lucky and got to check out Penrose Brewing in Geneva. It was a really beautiful evening, I took a Metra out there and walked to their brewery. Tom Korder gave us a fun and informative tour, his passion for brewing was apparent. He and Eric Hobbs then told us about their business, their perspectives and they spent a lot of time with us answering questions and sharing their passion for what they do. Jeff Cagle and the rest of the crew graciously kept everyone very happy. I’d met Jeff previously at Co-Prosperity Sphere and learned that he’s not only a really nice guy but he has a keen eye, taking great pics. Passion. Integrity. Purpose. That's what I'll think of whenever I think of Tom, Eric, Jeff and Penrose Brewing.
I just checked out Rude Hippo’s tasting at Burger Bar and liked what I had. Got to meet Ian, he’s way cool, and Marilee, she’s way cool, too. Rude Hippo is a fun mash up of Rude Boy and Twisted Hippo. You can still back their Fundable campaign and find them at 18th Street Brewery in Gary, IN for Sunday Funday.
Of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Lagunitas recently toasted their first beer made right here in Chicago and they’re on the brink of opening Illinois’ largest taproom.
I am most excited now about Moody Tongue which I am going to experience tomorrow in Pilsen at Thalia Hall! I’m also excited about the brewery that is going into Chicago Plant. Soon… soon.
I also can't wait for a beer maker to move into the beautiful Amber building in West Town and for a brewery to move into Edgewater / Rogers Park.
The thing that is so beautiful right now about all these new breweries is not only what in means in terms of variety, entrepreneurship, small businesses but all the COLLABORATIONS which is such a gorgeous thing and really exciting. So many stories of people helping each other navigate mile after not-so-magnificent mile of bureaucratic red tape. The can-do attitude! People working together. Sharing. Learning. Enjoying. Celebrating. I love it.
Cheers!
Credit:
Oh, credit where credit is due. I rely on the following for information and am grateful for all that these good folks share: Mash Tun Journal, Ed & Mike at Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar, Michael Roper, Louise Molnar, et al, at Hopleaf, 'Hoppin' Around With Tom Keith' on The Local Beet (Chicago Edition), my friends Jarran and team at In Fine Spirits and some greet Twitter folk such as The Tasting Room Brews, Chicago Brewery Map, Good Beer Hunting in addition to bartenders and the local brewers themselves. So a major shout out to all these people!