Armitage Awesomeness

I wanted to try Table, Donkey & Stick for a long time. I love crusty bread and fire, and a little brandy certainly can't hurt. So when I heard that Penrose and Solemn Oath were doing "Armitage Awesomeness" - a Humboldt neighborhood party - I figured there was no better time to get my butt down there and check it out. Going into Armitage Awesomeness I had not yet made the connection between Table, Donkey & Stick's story and the story of our theatre company. Table, Donkey & Stick refers to the Brothers Grimm tale in which three brothers leave home to apprentice for a carpenter, a miller and a turner. Our theatre company, The Billy Goat Experiment, is named after 'playtime' improv games we devised centered on storytelling and folklore. Had I made the connection sooner I would have made this an outing for our entire company. Well, I guess I already have a great reason to go back for more! 

Some of my favorite moments of awesomeness involve our theatre company's retreats, 'The Goats' all standing around a bonfire after a good solid dinner, some drinking and a whole-lotta-smack-talk. That feeling of 'nothin' else to worry about'. The warmth from the fire frontin' you, fending off the cooler air of the night wafting around. The comfort in seeing your friends' smiles through flicking embers. The laughter. The tomfoolery. The lingering smoke smell days after still residing on that hoodie. The bandages, the stitches. But back to Armitage...

Table, Donkey & Stick absolutely rocked out three awesome courses paired perfectly with some of the best beers.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Welcome Beer: Solemn Oath Brewery, Butterfly Flashmob, Belgian IPA.

The 'welcome beer' - hands down one of my favorite beers ever - was a Belgian IPA from Solemn Oath, Butterfly Flashmob. A great way to get things rolling. 

The first course delivered on that crusty bread (which was awesome) and some great meat. The caraway salame was just amazing. I know, I wish I was more articulate, too. There was also this incredible kale stem sauerkraut that went along with it. That's the stuff right there.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Pork Rillettes, Caraway Salame, Schweinkopf, House Baguette.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Papa Goat. aka Todd.

With the first couple of courses we got to enjoy Penrose's Proto Gradus, a Belgian-inspired single ale. Crisp. Clean. Another favorite and a perfect compliment to some delicious fattiness. (ps: they've recently begun bottling this so look for it, ask for it.)

Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandana, American IPA, was in there too. Citrusy Fun is RIGHT!

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Shaved Vegetable Salad, Cold Fried Chicken Livers, Pea Dressing.

Took us a minute to wrap our collective heads around Cold Fried Chicken Livers. How do you cold fry something. No. It's cold. Having been previously fried. Right? I don't know. Delicious. That I DO know. 

Followed by this roasted duck and crispy risotto that just had us shaking our heads like, "Really? How is this even possible?" Exquisite. Take me back to that fire. Man. And in this simple beautiful setting of a large naturally lit, glass enclosed room which somehow just cracks open so you have fresh air wafting around, this table focus... for a moment you're transported to that bonfire. The comfort.

The duck paired beautifully with Penrose's P-2, another favorite. Belgian-inspired pale ale. Clove. So good.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Roasted Duck Leg, Crispy Risotto, Chamomile, Peas.

It was great to sit and talk with Rob and Eric from Penrose. It was also really exciting to me to learn about Table, Donkey & Stick's story. And to discover what it is we have in common.

A love for storytelling. Fellowship.

From there we moved on to Parson's. Yeah, you know you love you some Parson's. I love those umbrellas! Red and white. That patio is so laid back. Those shipping containers. That El Camino! No Todd, you cannot steal the logo of their car. Hands off.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
Folks just chillin'

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
A cool evening, a cooler patio.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
I saw Ryan back there chilling, too. Cool.

While at Parson's, too full to order any chicken (daig-nab-it! Next time!) we ordered Solemn Oath's Whisper Kisses because who doesn't want to experience Whisper Kisses, French Saison. I love the names these guys come up with. Whisper Kisses, honey, whisper them. Just don't steal them. Actually, you can steal a couple...

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
No, Todd. Just leave it.

The final stop for us was Scofflaw, another place I've been chompin' at the bit to try. Walked in. Felt right. Nice vibe. Next up and our final taste for the night: Penrose Brewing's Devoir. I really like the subtle tartness and the dry finish. They describe it as effervescent and airy, that is absolutely right!

Scofflaw - Armitage Awesomeness.

Armitage Awesomeness indeed.

Storytelling. Fellowship.

Craft Beer - The List

I have this thing about detail and I like to gather information to understand the landscape so I can orient myself. As such, given what's happening in the craft beer world I had to make a list. I hope it's useful or interesting to you. Or BOTH! My hope is to add more breweries, notes & info as time progresses and as I have a chance to experience them all.  So here we go, in no real particular order other than by state:

ILLINOIS

Marz Community Brewing  Chicago, IL

Revolution Brewing  Chicago, IL

Half Acre Beer Co.  Chicago, IL

Moody Tongue Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Lake Effect Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Dry Hop Brewers  Chicago, IL

Off Color Brewing  Chicago, IL

Pipeworks Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Spiteful Brewing  Chicago, IL

Haymarket Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Ale Syndicate Brewers  Chicago, IL

SlapShot Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Aquanaut Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL  (fka Strange Pelican)

Empirical Brewery  Chicago, IL

Une Année Brewery  Chicago, IL

Atlas Brewing Co.     Chicago, IL

Baderbräu Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Argus Brewery  Chicago, IL

6th Floor Brewing  Chicago, IL

Low Dive Brewing  Chicago, IL

Local Option Bierwerker  Chicago, IL

Rude Hippo Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Motor Row Brewing  Chicago, IL  (fka Broad Shoulders)

Panic Brewing  Chicago, IL

Begyle Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co.Chicago, IL          

Forbidden Root Brewery  Chicago, IL

Ten Ninety  Chicago, IL

Hopothesis Beer Co.  Chicago, IL    

Green Line Project  Chicago, IL

Middle Brow Beer Co.  Chicago, IL

Big Chicago Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Goose Island Beer Co.  Chicago, IL

Lagunitas Brewing Co.             Chicago, IL

Finch’s Beer Co.  Chicago, IL

Vice District Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

South Loop Brewing Co.  Chicago, IL

Andersonville Brewing  Chicago, IL
Piece Brewery              Chicago, IL

All Rise Brewing Co. Chicago, IL

Peckish Pig Brewery  Evanston, IL

Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.  Evanston, IL

Sketchbook Brewing Co.  Evanston, IL

Temperance Beer Co.  Evanston, IL

Flossmoor Station Brewing Co.Flossmoor, IL

Penrose Brewing Co.  Geneva, IL

BuckleDown Brewing  Lyons, IL

Hailstorm Brewing Co.  Tinley Park, IL

Galena Brewing Co.  Galena, IL

One Trick Pony Brewery  Lansing, IL

Cahoots Brewing  Oak Park, IL

The Blind Pig Brewery  Champaign, IL

Two Brothers Brewing Co.  Warrenville, IL

Urban Legend Brewing Co.  Westmont, IL

Lake Bluff Brewing Co.  Lake Bluff, IL

5 Rabbit Brewery  Bedford Park, IL

Destihl Brewery  Bloomington, IL

Brickstone Brewery  Bourbonnais, IL

Solemn Oath Brewery  Naperville, IL

Only Child Brewing  Northbrook, IL

Church Street Brewing Co.  Itasca, IL

Tighthead Brewing  Mundelein, IL

Imperial Oak Brewing Willow Springs, IL

MICHIGAN

Pleasant House Brewing Co. Three Oaks, MI

Brewery Vivant Grand Rapids, MI

Bells Brewery, Inc. Kalamazoo, MI

Founders Brewing Co. Grand Rapids, MI

Arcadia Brewing Co. Battle Creek / Kalamazoo, MI  

Greenbush Brewing Co. Sawyer, MI

Oddside Ales Grand Haven, MI

Dark Horse Brewing Co.   Marshall, MI

Atwater Brewery Detroit, MI

WISCONSIN

Tyranena Brewing Co. Lake Mills, WI

Angry Minnow Brewing Co. Hayward, WI

Capital Brewery Co. Middleton, WI

Mobcraft Beer Madison, WI

Central Waters Brewing Co. Amherst, WI

Stevens Point Brewing Stevens Point, WI

INDIANA

18th Street Brewery Gary, IN   

3 Floyds Brewing Co. Munster, IN

Figure Eight Brewing Valparaiso, IN

Upland Brewing Co. Bloomington, IN

Shoreline Brewery Michigan City, IN

Back Road Brewery La Porte, IN

MINNESOTA

Surly Brewing Co. Brooklyn Center, MN 

Harriet Brewing Co. Minneapolis, MN

IDAHO

Laughing Dog Brewing Ponderay, ID

KENTUCKY

Against the Grain Brewery Louisville, KY

OHIO

Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cleveland, OH

Fat Head’s Brewery Middleburg Heights, OH 

PENNSYLVANIA

The Church Brew Works Pittsburgh, Pa

Victory Brewing Co.   Downingtown, PA

East End Brewing Co. Pittsburgh, PA

Hop Farm Brewing Co. Lawrenceville, PA

CALIFORNIA

Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA

North Coast Brewing Co. Fort Bragg, CA

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Paso Robles, CA

Fireman’s Brew Woodland Hills, CA

Almanac Brew Co. San Francisco, CA

Ballast Point Brewing San Diego, CA

Ladyface Ale Companie Agoura Hills, CA

MISSOURI

Charleville Vineyard & Microbrewery Ste. Genevieve, MO 

Crown Valley Brewing Ste. Genevieve, MO 

Baesangmyun Brewery Niles, IL  (I love all things Korean)

Mother’s Brewing Co. Springfield, MO

4Hands Brewing Co. St. Louis, MO

Side Project Brewing  St. Louis, MO

2nd Shift Brewing New Haven, MO

Flat Branch Brewing Co. Columbia, MO

COLORADO

Crooked Stave Brewery Denver, CO.

Upslope Brewing Co. Boulder, CO.

Funkwerks Fort Collins, CO

VIRGINIA

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery Goochland, VA

Center of the Universe Brewing Co. Ashland, VA

Strangeways Brewing Richmond, VA

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Richmond, VA

NORTH CAROLINA

Wicked Weed Brewing Asheville, NC

OREGON

Deschutes Brewery Bend, OR

OKLAHOMA

Prairie Artisan Ales Tulsa, OK

MAINE

Maine Beer Co.  Freeport, ME

NEW YORK

Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY

FLORIDA

Engine 15 Brewing Co. Jacksonville Beach, FL

Hollar if I messed up your brewery's info or if you got some more for me to add. Word.

Craft Beer

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! 

ORD Pizzeria on Montrose in Ravenswood

So I'm wondering along Montrose Ave. in Ravenswood one snowy April night and I happen upon ORD Pizzeria. At first glance I like the decor and I think, "Someone has put a lot of thought and care into the appearance, let me go inside and check it out." I look at the menu. I quickly decide as much, if not more care has gone into selecting the ingredients and the names of their specialty pies. Among the most popular are the Venus, Rose and the Louie. I also notice that the salads listed on the menu appeal to me greatly. So I plunk myself down and order an Oscar salad (half - $5): arugula, red onion, roasted red pepper, shaved Parmesan with a lemon-honey vinaigrette and a Colt pizza (12" - $15.99): herb roasted chicken, smoked bacon, sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted garlic, mozzarella and crushed tomatoes. Daniel, the proprietor, gives me an overview of his root beer choices and I realize, this guy has attention to detail (something I treasure and value greatly!) and he has very good taste. I go with his "old school" suggestion even though I also thoroughly appreciate the range offered. Frostie Root Beer. Yes! Not too sugary sweet. Mellow. Just like he said it would be. I have to add that my phone battery had died and I really wanted to 'check-in' so my Twitter followers knew where I was ('cause, you know!) and I wanted to take some photos, Daniel kindly offered to allow me to charge my phone. 

ORD Pizzeria 1607 W. Montrose Ave.

I sat and as I waited for my pie I watched Daniel in action. I saw him interact with his crew, he actually made a coffee run at one point during my visit and he called the team to ask what they wanted. I heard him answer calls on the phone and walk customers through their options. I watched him interact with sit-down guests as well as pick-up order guests who he positively ensured were completely satisfied. Suffice it to say: Daniel is incredibly gracious and he cares immensely, he wants his customers to be happy. He is immediately likable. He knows what he is doing and he shows a genuine interest in his customers and the community. 

Colt: Chicken, Bacon...

Okay, so my salad comes. Now, I love arugula, as any of my co-workers know because they see my own personal - I'll say it - amaze-balls - arugula salad creations on an almost daily basis. This Oscar salad that I ordered at ORD Pizzeria comes out and it is so perfect that I need someone to hit me. It is perfectly dressed in a wonderful vinaigrette, the red onion is just the right amount and perfectly sliced - how you slice red onion is of massive importance because it dictates the overall impact of the onion on the dish at hand - there is an ample amount of good parmesan cheese. Daniel offers me freshly ground pepper. Yes, please! It is also a very generous portion and it is only the half size order! So to start, I am pretty thrilled. 

Kevin and Stephanie.

When my pizza comes I let it sit. I can see it came right out of the oven and needs some time to cool down a bit. The ingredients are carefully arranged, not all sliding to the center, the cheese looks delicious, not too much sauce… I can not wait to sink my teeth in! 

I give it about 10 minutes. I've learned and I'm not about to burn the roof of my mouth being overly eager. Then I dig in. I use a fork for the first bite because the piece is sizable enough that the inner most corner has a lot to hold up and I don't want anything sliding off. The flavor delivers me. The bacon! The cheese! The chicken! The garlic! This pizza reminds me of something kind of forgotten in pizza land... that a crust is something that is to be enjoyed! I don't like thick crusts, I like thin crusts but I don't like cracker thin crusts, I don't want blistered dough. HOLY COW is this the perfect crust! This is not some skimpy cracker-crust. It is also not some overly doughy crust that fills you up and makes you all bloated way too soon leaving you no room for more pizza, hello! Mighty fine crust. Mighty fine.

The full menu includes even more pizzas and they do a 'guest' pizza!

I tell you, a friend once told me that bread is the perfect palate cleanser when you're tasting wines. Now this place is BYOB and you are going to want to bring some wine. This is pizza to be savored. 

I only ate half of my pizza. So I took the rest home. Day later, when I opened that bad boy up to have me some left overs… let me tell you what!! It was JUST AS GOOD if not better than those first bites. And the crust held up perfectly!

Opened at the end of 2013 this establishment is set to offer unparalleled pizza to the surrounding area. They have a crazy huge-ass cool oven - which you have to see - with six tiers of capacity so order up! If there's one thing that I know better than any other it is customer service and hospitality and Daniel has that down. And his crew is pretty fun loving and dedicated too. Go get you some ORD Pizza, and ENJOY!

ORD Pizzeria