tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76428181125387048062024-03-05T05:50:57.698-06:00HIGHWAY TO ALEJKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-27738160545148296902011-05-25T16:32:00.012-05:002011-05-25T19:12:39.338-05:00Chicago Craft Beer Week - Day 6 (Tuesday May 24, 2011)<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://jakstap.com/">Jak's Tap</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/">Bridgeport - Kingpin Double Red Ale</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">half empty</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.haymarketbrewing.com/events">Haymarket Pub and Brewery</a></span> (has very good food).<br />1. <a href="http://www.pizzaport.com/">Pizza Port</a> (16 beers on tap)! This was definitely the most well organized and enjoyable tap tasting of this scale that I have ever been too! I had a lot of the beers - too many to list. It was especially cool to briefly meet with Haymaket brewmaster Peter Crowley and Pizza Port brewmaster Jeff Bagby and thanks to them for being so nice and letting me sit and have a beer at their table!! <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The glass is full</span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://www.haymarketbrewing.com/beers">Haymarket - The Alarm Double American IPA</a>. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The glass is full</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">3. <a href="http://www.haymarketbrewing.com/beers">Haymarket - Fear American IPA</a>. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The glass is full</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-52026325254649170352011-05-24T13:10:00.012-05:002011-05-25T18:31:57.177-05:00Chicago Craft Beer Week - Day 5 (Monday May 23, 2011)<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.highdivechicago.com/">High Dive</a></span> (has good food)<br />1. <a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=094ade03-d69e-43cb-b125-7aad279c7d8c">New Belgium - Dunkelweiss</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">The glass is half empty</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cleosbar.com/info.php?R=OWS">Cleo's</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.summitbrewing.com/brews/gold-sovereign-ale">Summit - Unchained 06: Gold Sovereign Ale</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">The glass is half empty</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-twisted-spoke-chicago">Twisted Spoke</a></span> (sadly, I missed all the Goose Island barrel-aged stouts that were available earlier this night)<br />1. <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/arrogantbastard/">Stone - Arrogant Bastard"</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The glass is full</span> </span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-52137804924923652632011-05-23T18:12:00.016-05:002011-05-25T18:33:46.441-05:00Chicago Craft Beer Week - Day 3 (Saturday May 21, 2011)<a href="http://www.thesmallbar.com/logan/?tag=logan-square"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;">Small Bar</a><a style="font-weight: bold;"> - Logan Square</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.twobrosbrew.com/all%20year%20beers.htm">Two Brothers - Cane and Ebel (firkin)</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br />2. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/69139/?ba=ChugginOil">Two Brothers - Askew Sour Ale</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">half full</span><br />3. <a href="http://www.halfacrebeer.com/beer.php">Half Acre - Gossamer Golden Ale (firkin)</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The glass is empty</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(at least for the firkin version)</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.quenchers.com/">Quenchers Saloon</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.bearrepublic.com/ourbeers.php">Bear Republic - Racer 5 IPA</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.owenengine.com/">Owen and Engine</a></span> (my first time here - highly recommended)<br />1. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/56889">Two Brothers - Oak Aged Resistance IPA</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://coleschicago.blogspot.com/2010/02/coles-chicago.html">Cole's</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beer/an-exceptional-family-of-beers/year-round/dortmunder-gold-lager">Great Lakes - Dortmunder Gold</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://revbrew.com/">Revolution Brewing</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://revbrew.com/beers">Dos Osos West Coast IPA</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.rockinghorsechicago.com/">Rocking Horse</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beer/an-exceptional-family-of-beers/seasonal/lake-erie-monster">Great Lakes - Lake Erie Monster</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is half full</span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-53073225053062099842011-05-23T17:54:00.016-05:002011-05-25T18:31:03.607-05:00Chicago Craft Beer Week - Day 2 (Friday May 20, 2011)<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.thesmallbar.com/fullerton/">Small Bar - Fullerton</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.halfacrebeer.com/beer.php">Half Acre - Baume Rye Stout</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full</span><br />2. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/56889">Two Brothers - Oak Aged Resistance IPA (firkin)</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br />3. <a href="http://www.metrobrewing.com/beers/index.html">Metropolitan/Small Bar - Gold Star for Robot Boy (single hop pilsner)</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.paddylongs.com/">Paddy Longs</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.3floyds.com/">Three Floyds - Alpha King</a>. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-44285158917367886952011-05-20T20:32:00.012-05:002011-05-25T18:30:46.301-05:00Chicago Craft Beer Week - Day 1 (Thursday May 19, 2011)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9gCmBZNy_3TQtlSQVP4QIAXuqNAgi71urXj_OuUnc80ctBjcGm5YapZe8gEv_ENVnHdZk-hCo1-poqO1YfpB8IWMAX8bjfEHnLEPlB175Gkoz3t0RDtxYmpaJqs4FozzkOZYboH4ylIN/s1600/Chicago+Craft+Beer+Week+May19-27+2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9gCmBZNy_3TQtlSQVP4QIAXuqNAgi71urXj_OuUnc80ctBjcGm5YapZe8gEv_ENVnHdZk-hCo1-poqO1YfpB8IWMAX8bjfEHnLEPlB175Gkoz3t0RDtxYmpaJqs4FozzkOZYboH4ylIN/s200/Chicago+Craft+Beer+Week+May19-27+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608986295636683426" border="0" /></a>I kicked off the first day (yesterday night) of <a href="http://www.chibeerweek.com/">Chicago Craft Beer Week</a> in my own spontaneous way.<br />The 4 bars that I visited and the draft beer that I had at each place:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://community-bar.com/">Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/littlesumpin.html">Lagunitas - A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.thevillagetap.com/">the Village Tap</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/cellar-series/envious/">New Holland - Envious</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is half empty</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.jerryssandwiches.com/">Jerry's Sandwiches</a></span> (highly recommended)<br />1. <a href="http://www.portbrewing.com/our-beers/wipeout/">Port - Wipeout IPA</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.thebeerbistro.com/">The Beer Bistro</a></span><br />1. <a href="http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/undercover.html">Lagunitas - Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br />Tonight (right now!) I'm off to <a href="http://www.thesmallbar.com/fullerton/">Small Bar - Fullerton</a>, and then maybe Paddy Long's or Sheffields.<br /><br />Happy Chicago Craft Beer Week!JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-57725136199810772662010-09-04T21:49:00.009-05:002010-09-04T23:04:15.639-05:00Sticky Fat from Half Acre<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw10vlYLcbPvWzWoyygRZB2UBukaiPbxdL01BZwuzD2sBCsDTf1r9W1IW0zKmnyy_9aRyhhKigNqmwaJClQxHsKaWXNmlJuXh7F8d8wUXQGKDMJ-4AkTEbb8mJkmCXB8U226c3bnul93YT/s1600/Sticky+Fat+Half+Acre.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw10vlYLcbPvWzWoyygRZB2UBukaiPbxdL01BZwuzD2sBCsDTf1r9W1IW0zKmnyy_9aRyhhKigNqmwaJClQxHsKaWXNmlJuXh7F8d8wUXQGKDMJ-4AkTEbb8mJkmCXB8U226c3bnul93YT/s400/Sticky+Fat+Half+Acre.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513267569880847778" border="0" /></a>I'm enjoying these first few days of autumn-like weather and the Labor Day weekend with a growler of Sticky Fat from <a href="http://www.halfacrebeer.com/home.php">Half Acre Brewing Company</a> in Chicago. It was just released and will probably have a very limited availability (in growlers only at the brewery). Read their <a href="http://inyourguts.blogspot.com/2010/08/sticky-fat-american-dark-ale.html">tale of the Sticky Fat Bear on the Half Acre blog here. </a><br /><br />I always love ales brewed with fresh/wet hops, which Sticky Fat most certainly is. But it is also a very nice dark ale along with the hoppiness, so it has fantastic balance of flavor.<br /><br />Sticky Fat was released on Friday September 3 and <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18006/60938">already has a grade of A (outstanding) on BeerAdvocate</a>.<br /><br />It may be the perfect kind of ale to get in a growler. With the ABV at a reasonable 6.5% and with the fantastic flavors in each pour, you can keep drinking this one all weekend.JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-33672890420196915772010-04-07T23:50:00.006-05:002010-04-08T11:07:05.696-05:00Happy Brew Year's Eve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0NkbcucvYKGyH-GHASrR0qomlCBP01hoX2J4des_OF6Aki95NXg4ld4p1Nahfxr2_McZYkaF-7D7D0sK4YZ0MlyYrGEL-Dm3BgGfTICJJwVDPmFm0pFAbAcIsGU0oZT_-DKSi7Wy3S3c/s1600/happy+days+are+here+again+April+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0NkbcucvYKGyH-GHASrR0qomlCBP01hoX2J4des_OF6Aki95NXg4ld4p1Nahfxr2_McZYkaF-7D7D0sK4YZ0MlyYrGEL-Dm3BgGfTICJJwVDPmFm0pFAbAcIsGU0oZT_-DKSi7Wy3S3c/s320/happy+days+are+here+again+April+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457632426529502994" border="0" /></a>Read this <a href="http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/04/dayintech_0407">Wired article</a>, to learn why today is the 77th anniversary of Brew Year's Eve, April 7, 1933. It's better if you are enjoying a cold beer while you do!<br /><br />The pic to the left is a shirt that I have, made by <a href="http://www.yesterbeer.com/">Yesterbeer</a>, which is a cool company that makes and sells vintage beer-related shirts and other products.JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-45475633743263889032010-04-06T17:20:00.003-05:002010-04-12T17:34:28.889-05:00Pub Pics - Paramount Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3CgTWViUv3sxM2eTxIlpaPtYTBpryFNCVFv_uTNo_kUT7zZVq5kAzWftixnfAn5BtkmgfBNQZWvH-PsTtN9KdzKn95KdwnAq3y2TACjksvz9tU8DUWIetbsKJVQ3BxekeJiy43_s6-5n/s1600/Photo0139.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3CgTWViUv3sxM2eTxIlpaPtYTBpryFNCVFv_uTNo_kUT7zZVq5kAzWftixnfAn5BtkmgfBNQZWvH-PsTtN9KdzKn95KdwnAq3y2TACjksvz9tU8DUWIetbsKJVQ3BxekeJiy43_s6-5n/s400/Photo0139.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457153147826514754" border="0" /></a>Since my birthday in March 2008, I have enjoyed many times at <a href="http://www.paramountroom.com/index.html">Paramount Room</a>, which opened in Fall 2007. Paramount Room is about 2 blocks southeast from the Grand/Halsted/Milwaukee intersection and just near a train track bridge (and it always smells like chocolate outside because of Blommers Chocolate nearby). I enjoy their frequently rotating taps of craft beer (always with an updated list), their excellent Kobe burger and tempura fried green beans, and the comfortable modern pub atmosphere. We usually sit in the underground lounge space, but this time we sat at the first table by the front door. Featured in this edition of "Pub Pics" is a pint (being thoroughly enjoyed, hence the "glass is half full"!) of the recently available <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/56938">Two Brothers Long Haul Session Ale</a>. This ale is light in body and alcohol (only 4.2%) but has such fantastic flavor with oaky notes, due to the aging in French oak fermentation tanks (foudres). Maybe I need a little break from all those strong IPA's lately, but I seem to be enjoying this one a lot more than other reviewers. Plus it's a great session ale to have while watching all the Chicago Blackhawks games - who are hopefully "in it for the long haul". And that's why it's my Beer of the Month this April 2010.JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-83148112970198012332010-04-03T15:18:00.013-05:002010-04-03T19:17:18.794-05:00And it Stoned Me at the Spoke (Stone Brewing at Twisted Spoke 04-01-10)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zm2HMh_C5E20RzwlNWjbuvtRMnVlYUE900LOxC3rLtjjUR5uUmSGE0-6TF91wF-PAAZQutsA2ffUvvpC35u6jxQiSL8DLpLgvg4YQ4HnXUGwGkfHA60nqKRQ8e9WJThb5C1c0Ce3DcGH/s1600/Stone+Brewing+Twisted+Spoke+04-01-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zm2HMh_C5E20RzwlNWjbuvtRMnVlYUE900LOxC3rLtjjUR5uUmSGE0-6TF91wF-PAAZQutsA2ffUvvpC35u6jxQiSL8DLpLgvg4YQ4HnXUGwGkfHA60nqKRQ8e9WJThb5C1c0Ce3DcGH/s320/Stone+Brewing+Twisted+Spoke+04-01-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456010433457369810" border="0" /></a>This past Thursday, April 1 2010, I went over to one of my favorite beer/bourbon bars, Twisted Spoke (Grand and Ogden) for a special event with Stone Brewing. As many of you have probably heard, Stone Brewing is pretty much taking over many bars/taps/stores this week with a large selection of their beers, which have never been sold in Illinois before now. On that note, I have never before had the chance to try any beers from Stone Brewing before this event, which was the first day to kick-off the <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/find/chicago/">"Stone Beer Week in Chicago"</a>. All 20 of the taps were Stone beers! I got there around 5:45pm, and by about 6:15pm the place was packed as you can see from the photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCxZham_rfGzaiY-ONLgiYtk-N1e9cufSQSZtpvnoTwtUu4HinZChzo16_W5FxwHySc8YUlpRcglQz9uBAhIZ3XFiJxgprAGuvI4vi_sK691FSdC2M_AVZt5TTPw9UepkQF2pf2UrUpEu/s1600/Stone+Brewing+Twisted+Spoke+list+04-01-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCxZham_rfGzaiY-ONLgiYtk-N1e9cufSQSZtpvnoTwtUu4HinZChzo16_W5FxwHySc8YUlpRcglQz9uBAhIZ3XFiJxgprAGuvI4vi_sK691FSdC2M_AVZt5TTPw9UepkQF2pf2UrUpEu/s320/Stone+Brewing+Twisted+Spoke+list+04-01-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456011983845935458" border="0" /></a>Even though we had to wait a while for our first round of beers, it was worth it and the bartenders were trying their best to accommodate the early crowd. We first got the Double Dry Hopped IPA (which was excellent and maybe my favorite), Sublimely Self-Riteous Ale, 13th Anniversary Ale, and Smoked Porter (which was also excellent). Second round was Arrogant Bastard Dry Hopped, Levitation, Ruination, and Vanilla Porter. You can find lots more great information about all the <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/beers/">Stone beers on their website here</a>.<br /><br />The beers that we tried are noted (by check marks) on the full list of beers available, which is shown here in this post (click it to view larger). We also met a very nice and knowledgeable guy who marked on list which beers you can find in bottles or not. Glad I got that Double Dry Hopped IPA before the tap ran out! I might attend another Stone beer event next week, where I may try some of the other rarer/stronger beers such as the Bel-Go Barley Wine or the Russian Imperial Stout Barrel Aged. But I just couldn't handle these during my time at Twisted Spoke. All the beers I had there were a great introduction to Stone Brewing for me, and they left me, well, kinda stoned!JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-34198294862918046502009-07-14T21:04:00.011-05:002009-07-14T22:32:15.746-05:00AleFest Chicago 2009 Follow-Up and PhotosJust as it was last year, AleFest Chicago 2009 (3rd Annual) was a fantastic time this past Saturday, on a beautiful day near Soldier Field. There were about 150 beers from which to sample, although I have actually had a lot of them before, so there wasn't much beer new to me. I still enjoyed tasting beers that I haven't had for a couple years or having some of my old favorites. Some of my favorite breweries were there, including Two Brothers, Lost Coast, Dark Horse, Charles Wells, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Unibroue, Wychwood, Lagunitas, and Founders. A brewery that's newer to me is Barley Island from Indiana and I very much enjoyed their Barfly IPA and Dirty Helen Brown Ale (which I favorably reviewed last year) which were poured from their great looking taps. Unfortunately, one of my favorite breweries Three Floyds was not there again this year, so it seems they are never interested in participating in this AleFest, even though they are so close to Chicago. For the special ReplicAle 2009 event, for which many breweries brewed their version of a Belgian-style wit beer, I only tried the ones from Piece Brewery & Pizzeria and Emmett's Tavern & Brewing, which were both excellent (as expected). Enjoy my slideshow of photos that I took during my time at AleFest Chicago 2009, along with my girlfriend Lin and her dad Denny:<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjoelwiseguy%2Falbumid%2F5358153582612634241%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCPzoqaeX3dGWXg" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-64651994027976825802009-07-09T18:27:00.008-05:002009-07-09T19:20:20.428-05:00AleFest Chicago (3rd Annual)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErJogFOpOZy2KctLe2swJrApHgMTcSqLuGim59N91ZobDiIJntCEMpd6Kncj7mMVGd3J4jDh7xyjmM2JzGikPdswO2xO4tyt99P1iZyRciUyS3Zr-Faq0LLgxs5MtrV2zzAJURzhgutuP/s1600-h/alefestHome2_CHICAGO2009.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErJogFOpOZy2KctLe2swJrApHgMTcSqLuGim59N91ZobDiIJntCEMpd6Kncj7mMVGd3J4jDh7xyjmM2JzGikPdswO2xO4tyt99P1iZyRciUyS3Zr-Faq0LLgxs5MtrV2zzAJURzhgutuP/s400/alefestHome2_CHICAGO2009.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356619366936770418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3hGisAQpQMGKwss7zFRRFrkWc75mG6er5gk4dsAhOJj8okXFFcl_cgpSpOcyN23Xq2a99Vq28K4gTciJ4PxjSwxBKzJ-xJZmeo4gCSlH7smMlQ1Qm14VtIIQ3o6DOUghTXhf9MTvwrGh/s1600-h/alefestHome1_CHICAGO2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3hGisAQpQMGKwss7zFRRFrkWc75mG6er5gk4dsAhOJj8okXFFcl_cgpSpOcyN23Xq2a99Vq28K4gTciJ4PxjSwxBKzJ-xJZmeo4gCSlH7smMlQ1Qm14VtIIQ3o6DOUghTXhf9MTvwrGh/s400/alefestHome1_CHICAGO2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356613294164940674" border="0" /></a>This Saturday July 11 will be the 3rd <a href="http://www.alefest.com/chicago.htm">Annual AleFest Chicago</a>.<br />It will be in a large field just outside of Soldier Field Stadium from 2pm to 6pm.<br />We went last year and had lots of fun and overall thought it was excellent. Therefore, I am definitely going again this year.<br /><br />It is $40 for admission, but that gives you 20 samples from a selection of over 150 craft beers, a commemorative AleFest sampling glass, and <span class="style6">e</span><span class="style6">vent sampling guide with infor</span><span class="style6">m</span><span class="style6">ative beer and brewing references, along with many other features. </span>This year, the proceeds will go to support the <a href="http://www.illinoisbeer.com/">Illinois Craft Brewers Guild</a>, and on their website they elaborate on this year's special "ReplicAle" which will be the style of Belgian Wit.<br /><br />If you love beer like me, and this time and location is convenient for you, you should try to make it.<br /><br />Last year, I wanted to write about my AleFest 2008 experience but never got around to it, even though I had plenty of material (reviews, photos). Hopefully I will write about my AleFest 2009 experience, soon after attending this Saturday.<br /><br />I also have literally tons of new photos and beer reviews that I have been meaning to post, but have been extremely busy for the past 6 months. I will have to figure out a way to get this blog up to speed this summer.JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-35934066185746608902009-02-07T18:00:00.004-06:002009-02-07T20:23:10.967-06:00Pub Pics - Elephant and Castle Pub in Chicago<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvO7FI2QelKaEPOsO4R8rglwcRvC5lBzMTZmoE91mryPMqGwrplCxBj6JJ6hHzR3xVnpBQdESy6glAq2YqqLDUZv4Yli-N7PT7ucBnSyQB3acvUTr2IyfKSq8CrKGfvnFnGTvehMshS7h/s1600-h/Elephant+and+Castle+Chicago+-+July+2008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvO7FI2QelKaEPOsO4R8rglwcRvC5lBzMTZmoE91mryPMqGwrplCxBj6JJ6hHzR3xVnpBQdESy6glAq2YqqLDUZv4Yli-N7PT7ucBnSyQB3acvUTr2IyfKSq8CrKGfvnFnGTvehMshS7h/s400/Elephant+and+Castle+Chicago+-+July+2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300210649998788898" border="0" /></a>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-51530158458215096632008-10-22T19:18:00.004-05:002008-10-22T19:28:05.026-05:00Pub Pics - Small Bar in Avondale, Chicago<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9QIWHePnEx3hyRdZi3JrpwDnjNCx7iKDZ4YHYdwMjr0zauSJK_5kUZHNNFmO2zTzeLQKrDecxR1G0AWF4qJ-F7VB602fotfV1UAD3OTToTNncjFzgJpHsTCcmw4RTIOBAkRuX_03xEAN/s1600-h/Small+Bar+-+Avondale+Chicago+-+May+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9QIWHePnEx3hyRdZi3JrpwDnjNCx7iKDZ4YHYdwMjr0zauSJK_5kUZHNNFmO2zTzeLQKrDecxR1G0AWF4qJ-F7VB602fotfV1UAD3OTToTNncjFzgJpHsTCcmw4RTIOBAkRuX_03xEAN/s400/Small+Bar+-+Avondale+Chicago+-+May+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260139130753336882" border="0" /></a>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-34080005998118012612008-10-13T12:42:00.009-05:002008-10-13T16:41:34.969-05:00Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beer at Delilah's Follow-Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAI9ltGpMTy9GdvPlxMxLD3NL-jjOlhzgwhnuex-2P3i38ATBH19qybqrWW1UoI0OL6q1jgawP6wzr-1qVB5FQ35txRkbx6gzd0v_BnlQbYL5DdV2IF22lS6cyFNFdiJHSTqM5b6NFfOk/s1600-h/Delilahs+list+09-23-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAI9ltGpMTy9GdvPlxMxLD3NL-jjOlhzgwhnuex-2P3i38ATBH19qybqrWW1UoI0OL6q1jgawP6wzr-1qVB5FQ35txRkbx6gzd0v_BnlQbYL5DdV2IF22lS6cyFNFdiJHSTqM5b6NFfOk/s400/Delilahs+list+09-23-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256697781582053378" border="0" /></a>A couple weeks back (I gotta write more often on this blog!) I went to Delilah's in Chicago for their Oktoberfest & Pumpkin (& Autumn Beer) "Festival". I did not buy the $20 tasting for all the beers (2 oz. each, I think). I have already had many of the beers on the list. So, I just had four beers that I have never had before. I also tried to get some photos, but as expected Delilah's is just too dark.<br />To the left, you can view the list of beers offered at Delilah's - just click it to view larger.<br />Here are my ratings.<br /><br />Weihenstephaner Festbier - <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><br />Arcadia Jaw Jacker Spiced Ale - <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is half empty</span><br /><br />Breckenridge After Rakin' Autumn Ale - <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">half full</span><br /><br />Lakefront Pumpkin Lager - <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">empty</span><br /><br />In general, I am not really into pumpkin ales. I say ales, because as you can see from my rating of the pumpkin lager above, I just don't think pumpkin works well at all in a lager. Recently, I had a pumpkin ale that I thought was really good and enjoyable to drink, so I made it the Beer of the Month for this October. It's <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/74/">Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale</a>.JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-63127475786262942522008-09-23T12:21:00.015-05:002008-09-23T15:43:47.283-05:00I'm back! And probably going to Delilah's tonight.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUQqf4z-eG-rGBbvfYz3WPLQaxxOsLFkPoxj-UUSCn_c2sl99jupru1i3ZM22lzKG5xHXZywICzP-g4DUi7hk4mZTIUplWsl2F-qYPDBFlJN0chS9w9H69CM5rQqxFEgTz0GJpuF3jUnx/s1600-h/Delilahs+Chicago.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUQqf4z-eG-rGBbvfYz3WPLQaxxOsLFkPoxj-UUSCn_c2sl99jupru1i3ZM22lzKG5xHXZywICzP-g4DUi7hk4mZTIUplWsl2F-qYPDBFlJN0chS9w9H69CM5rQqxFEgTz0GJpuF3jUnx/s200/Delilahs+Chicago.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249285516030550914" border="0" /></a>Don't worry. Highway to Ale is not dying. I had to take a break for a while, since I was moving and starting a new job. I am all settled in now and actually making some decent money, so I have some new interesting beers about which I will write. However, I haven't really figured out my internet situation outside of work, so the minimal internet access at home has definitely contributed to a decrease in my posting. Looks like I will combine July, August, and September for what will be my most recent "Monthly Beer Review and Rating" at the end of this month. For the past two months, I have actually been minimizing beer bottles that I would have to recycle by drinking primarily growlers of different styles of beer from Emmett's Brewery in West Dundee and Piece Brewery in Chicago. I do have some regular bottled beer to also review and rate.<br /><br />Just now I put up my pick for Beer of the Month for September on the right sidebar - it's one of my favorite seasonal beers and it's called Heavy Handed brewed by Two Brothers. I didn't get around to posting a Beer of the Month for August before, but there will be one in the list. I also have many more things that I have been meaning to post, such as some beer related events that happened way back in the Spring and Summer. And, of course, I have lots of "Pub Pics" and a few new "Weird Beer Thursdays" lined up for the near future.<br /><br />Ok, regarding tonight, <a href="http://www.delilahschicago.com/">Delilah's in Chicago</a> is having an "Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Beer Festival". This is rather perfect since I haven't had the chance to write about Oktoberfest beers in particular this month, and I am also still trying to determine which pumpkin beer I like the best. So I will probably check this out. I'll try to get some photos, but not sure if they will show up well since it is usually so dark in Delilah's.<br />From Delilah's website, here's the info for tonight:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://www.delilahschicago.com/2008/oktoberfest-pumpkin-beer-festival/">Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beer Festival</a></span><br /><p>On Tuesday, September 23rd, Delilah’s will be hosting a comprehensive tasting of Oktoberfest, Harvest, & Pumpkin beers. We will be tasting every possible version of these beers available in this market – plus a five year vertical of Ayinger Oktoberfest.<br />Beers to be tasted include but are not limited to:</p> <ul><li>Ayinger Oktoberfest</li><li>Paulaner Oktoberfest</li><li>Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest</li><li>Becks Oktoberfest</li><li>Goose Island Oktoberfest</li><li>Summit Oktoberfest + Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale + Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale</li><li>New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale</li><li>Dogfishead Pumpkin Ale</li><li>Lakefront Pumpkin Lager & O’Fallen Pumpkin Ale</li></ul> <p>This is guaranteed to be ideal for both the new enthusiast as well as the long term aficionado – and talk about becoming an educated shopper.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Tuesday, September 23th, 5pm - 9pm<br />Delilah’s - 2771 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago<br />(773) 472-2771<br />There is no cost to attend and the various beers will be available to purchase by the 2oz sample or whole bottle/pint - information about the beers will be available. Call with any questions.</p>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-45624726572617695702008-08-01T03:59:00.002-05:002008-08-01T04:02:21.357-05:00Things are very busy!!! More exciting posts soon.I am currently moving. It is a lot of work. When I am done, hopefully by Sunday, I will write more posts. Such as the Monthly Review and Rating for July, a new Weird Beer Thursday, and many more. And, of course, I will celebrate by drinking some good beer. Cheers!JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-20594947737367472152008-07-26T21:03:00.006-05:002008-07-26T21:35:12.939-05:00Pub Pics - M.T. Barrels in West Dundee<a href="http://www.mtbarrels.com/index.aspx">M.T. Barrels</a> is in West Dundee, Illinois, and has a rather comical name. It is just steps away from what has turned into one of my favorite breweries (and tavern/restaurant), <a href="http://www.emmettstavern.com/">Emmett's Tavern and Brewing Co. in West Dundee</a>. So if don't live way out northwest from Chicago, and you make the trek out to West Dundee, then you could try both while your out there. Thanks to my girlfriend's family, I am now an official member of Emmett's Beer Club and we have been going pretty regularly for dinner and mug night on Tuesdays. <br />On Saturday June 14, we attended the Elgin Brewfest 2008, which I haven't yet written about and probably will not write about. I know of it because my friend/fellow beer connoisseur Seth lives in Elgin and tells people about it each year. You can check out a great <a href="http://sethwerks.blogspot.com/2008/06/brewfest-2008_15.html">slideshow of photos that he took of the Elgin Brewfest 2008 on his blog here</a>. After the fest ended, I headed over to West Dundee to have some ale at Emmett's, but they were closing, so we went to M.T. Barrels and enjoyed their American Pale Ale (pictured below) and Amber Ale, both of which I can recommend. I cannot recommend their other beers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRSq6Ih3mKDunBVBhOf4GYfWMiv0JkWuS1Q9pvD4gUipX089N-_VJy6peeHrMDWEGRq0kBHVjTZN0xUcI9M-u2Bg1iEA-l-pHFWX9TK4roF52PGFnahPw2Ehlk8woR7eWSZcUIDw_YvZq/s1600-h/MT+Barrels+-+American+Pale+Ale+-+June+2008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRSq6Ih3mKDunBVBhOf4GYfWMiv0JkWuS1Q9pvD4gUipX089N-_VJy6peeHrMDWEGRq0kBHVjTZN0xUcI9M-u2Bg1iEA-l-pHFWX9TK4roF52PGFnahPw2Ehlk8woR7eWSZcUIDw_YvZq/s400/MT+Barrels+-+American+Pale+Ale+-+June+2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227515304485255314" border="0" /></a>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-46087419195139049012008-07-10T00:39:00.011-05:002008-07-10T01:23:36.751-05:00AleFest Chicago - A Celebration of Craft Beer this Saturday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FD96TGgAc5rw8QeTd_nI3mWfun2agz2kZFE7F4NTdu3xxckbC2lnvG1krJDJmGiElEna7D0nBzzHrWmh2HW8aLsPw3mcpcY8igfVWKZ6LtXDDmBAnxC_ndNcq_otQed_T1UJVvQ4DtQU/s1600-h/alefestHome1_CHICAGO.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FD96TGgAc5rw8QeTd_nI3mWfun2agz2kZFE7F4NTdu3xxckbC2lnvG1krJDJmGiElEna7D0nBzzHrWmh2HW8aLsPw3mcpcY8igfVWKZ6LtXDDmBAnxC_ndNcq_otQed_T1UJVvQ4DtQU/s200/alefestHome1_CHICAGO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221265949090979698" border="0" /></a>Sorry, this is kind of late for anyone out there who didn't know about this yet. <a href="http://www.alefest.com/chicago.htm">AleFest Chicago</a> is happening this Saturday July 12 from 1pm-6pm at Soldier Field Staidum Green (just outside Soldier Field). Apparently this is the 2nd annual one, but I don't remember hearing about it last year at all, and I was pretty busy, so obviously I didn't go before. This year, I have seen posters for it up in some beer bars that I have visited recently, so I figured it must be pretty good. Then I found the nice website where it has all the details. Admission is $40, but includes a bunch of stuff such as 20 samples of craft beer, a <span class="style25">commemorative tasting glass, a stainless steel bottle opener, </span>and it's also for charity for the The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter (LFAI). Then I looked at the list of breweries that will be there (I have them listed below), and I was quite impressed! I'm still not sure if I will definitely go, but I am seriously considering it. Now I have some free time, but not much money, since I'm between jobs right now. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal and a good way to spend this Saturday, though, so I may go for it. Anyone else already planning on going, or wanting to go?<br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="450"><tbody><tr><td width="25"><br /></td> <td style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;" class="unnamed1" height="50" valign="bottom"><div align="left">Participating Breweries Include: </div></td> <td width="25"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="450"><tbody><tr> <td width="25"><br /></td> <td class="alefestfonts" width="190"><br /></td> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td width="190"><br /></td> <td width="25"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25"><span class="style1"></span><br /></td> <td class="alefestfonts style1" valign="top" width="190"><p>Abita<br />Allagash<br />America’s<br />Arcadia<br />Avery<br />Ayinger<br />Belhaven<br />Bent River<br />Black Sheep<br />Blackthorn<br />Blue Cat<br />Boston Beer<br />Boulder<br />Breckenridge<br />Brooklyn<br />Chang<br />Charles Wells<br />Chimay Trappist<br />Destihl<br />Dogfish Head<br />DuBocq<br />Emmett’s<br />Flatlanders<br />Floris<br />Flossmoor Station<br />Flying Dog<br />Gaffel<br />Goose Island<br />Gordon Biersch<br />Gouden Carolus<br />Great Lakes<br />Greens<br /><br /><br /> </p></td> <td class="alefestfonts style1" valign="top" width="20"><br /></td> <td class="alefestfonts" valign="top" width="190"><p class="style1">Hirter<br />Jever<br />Kaiser<br />Kasteel<br />Lagunitas<br />Lefebvre<br />Left Hand<br />Lindemans<br />Lost Coast<br />LunaR<br />McAuslan<br />Metropolitan<br />Mickey Finn’s<br /> MT Barrels<br /> New Holland<br /> North Coast<br /> Piece<br /> RAM/Big Horn<br /> Rock Bottom<br /> Samuel Smith<br /> Southern Tier<br /> St. Louis<br /> St. Peters<br /> Stiegl<br /> Three Floyds<br /> Two Brothers<br /> Unibroue<br /> Wexford<br /> Wychwood<br /> Young’s<br /> Zatec </p> <p class="style1"><br /> </p></td></tr></tbody></table>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-29197188735526016512008-07-09T23:59:00.005-05:002008-07-10T00:37:34.760-05:00Pub Pics - Poor Phil's in Oak ParkItems that are awesomely contained within this "Pub Pic" from May 2008 at <a href="http://www.poorphils.com/">Poor Phil's in Oak Park</a>:<br />1. Tasty popcorn<br />2. Delicious soft-shell crab sandwich and creamed spinach<br />3. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/42770/?ba=jpm30">Two Brothers' Bare Tree (Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer)</a> (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Glass is Full</span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8s040uMklHJk4gJYFiwWl9tiAGHHEUQGxH0h0TGKs7hamB3TD4LTfmJ-oTTMhjSvi3jW2TgOR3ABuq0HXx9YfkFkiI4GuMmfX1RcAUPmcdNbOCtJ_6p7Lg5ipdKPHyTEhUEhM-OQHBcg/s1600-h/Poor+Phils+-+Two+Brother+Bare+Tree+and+Crab+-+May+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8s040uMklHJk4gJYFiwWl9tiAGHHEUQGxH0h0TGKs7hamB3TD4LTfmJ-oTTMhjSvi3jW2TgOR3ABuq0HXx9YfkFkiI4GuMmfX1RcAUPmcdNbOCtJ_6p7Lg5ipdKPHyTEhUEhM-OQHBcg/s400/Poor+Phils+-+Two+Brother+Bare+Tree+and+Crab+-+May+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221254881743365602" border="0" /></a>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-52192227123724816822008-07-01T01:13:00.020-05:002008-07-04T20:09:45.763-05:00Monthly Beer Review and Rating - June 2008<span style="font-size:100%;">It was little slow here this past month of June, as far as postings go, but I was still enjoying many great beers. And I was too busy yesterday (last day of the month) to post this. Here we go with the monthly ratings.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />At Home:<br /></span><a href="http://www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de/index.php?page=home_2_1&"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Weihenstephaner - Hefeweissbier Dunkel</span></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />One of my favorite beers from the world's oldest brewery. The regular hefeweissbier is</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> awesome too. I just like the dunkel (dark) even more. That's why it was the Beer of the Month</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> for June 200</span><span style="font-size:100%;">8.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-09xQDoGoASML4taHB46b9A6tTYUDjKsSbMu4EMbjNKFp2HLRGdJ8RsLRK-kSMDV3kecqZc2WBB_NWx-CRfrQlyadAIWR2bwS1bgcdc6uQaouWUu1SVEnqxg8UiKyHVk4_1RvC8lHTPZ/s1600-h/Weihenstephaner+Hefeweissbier+Dunkel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-09xQDoGoASML4taHB46b9A6tTYUDjKsSbMu4EMbjNKFp2HLRGdJ8RsLRK-kSMDV3kecqZc2WBB_NWx-CRfrQlyadAIWR2bwS1bgcdc6uQaouWUu1SVEnqxg8UiKyHVk4_1RvC8lHTPZ/s200/Weihenstephaner+Hefeweissbier+Dunkel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218163073187586482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?pid=28507">Harpoon - IPA</a><br />This is my second beer to try (first one was their Munich Dark, which was quite good) from this Boston brewery. Their India Pale Ale is pretty good. Nothing all that memorable or special but just a solid IPA. To me, it seemed more like an English-style IPA, than a more hoppy American-style IPA. It works quite well as a refreshing summer ale, and will still help you take the edge off at 6%.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfYoVPgG8Uhbs-FQya-s1hpWXflwZNUB1WP1ckn-Mmi7FC5JRqCQSpoLwyoc0X17M7kdwxTBwo0ervmyBAyRObaUSl_1MlGZNwwVBmW9laQS0sjmHKjEoqR0-1Snwv9OpR1rrMEW5KNwP/s1600-h/Harpoon+IPA.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfYoVPgG8Uhbs-FQya-s1hpWXflwZNUB1WP1ckn-Mmi7FC5JRqCQSpoLwyoc0X17M7kdwxTBwo0ervmyBAyRObaUSl_1MlGZNwwVBmW9laQS0sjmHKjEoqR0-1Snwv9OpR1rrMEW5KNwP/s200/Harpoon+IPA.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218170296795848706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.breckbrew.com/beer/summerbright.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Breckenridge - Summerbright Ale</span></a><br /></div>This beer wasn't all that bad, but I just didn't care for it much. Unfortunately, it was the only beer I had cold when my folks were over, so we drank it anyway, since it was kind of refreshing on a hot day. It was too grassy and skunky for my tastes. Maybe the 6-pack I got wasn't all that fresh. Definitely not worth it, if that's how it's intended to be.</div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">half empty</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-fYAA1plslgiYw5uOB76broZ0210ijIXNCdTKBSqq8OnQwf5gZm3r2OAIduPpFhSaey98hqol4To8xrsa95018oOf75qJtSX7ILKrkLYHnFDVmsMb1c0FGVkNhb8nUJ2qeZhJshme2I4/s1600-h/Breckenridge+Summerbright+Ale.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-fYAA1plslgiYw5uOB76broZ0210ijIXNCdTKBSqq8OnQwf5gZm3r2OAIduPpFhSaey98hqol4To8xrsa95018oOf75qJtSX7ILKrkLYHnFDVmsMb1c0FGVkNhb8nUJ2qeZhJshme2I4/s200/Breckenridge+Summerbright+Ale.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218166360954695986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/beers_springboard.php"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.twobrosbrew.com/Artisan%20choices.htm">Two Brothers - Oh Brother! Tripel Ale</a><br />Oh Brother! is the May 2008 Artisan Beer release for Two Brothers (one of my favorite breweries), so I was sure to pick it up when I saw it at Binny's in June. I poured it into the distinctive Kwak glass, if you're wondering. I thought it was very good, and a good example of the Tripel Belgian-style from an American brewery. Maybe a little sweeter, a little hoppier, and more oily/viscous than Tripels made in Belgium. Lots of spice and fruit flavors going on. Good amount of alcohol too, at 8.5%, which is hidden by all the flavor, so watch out.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRIK7Qdw023FxTFGWlWV971xKGMKW9EsUSdOFmnQ_9IMkNkcPkS76yJ0_5vLGUEtSyRDaSDPyhvDv5-gjKzYtD8IxeAAki2fq8KGw9YLDWP0J5zODEQGX0vDS7oSXjzWVxetW4LSqjN2/s1600-h/Two+Brothers+Oh+Brother.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRIK7Qdw023FxTFGWlWV971xKGMKW9EsUSdOFmnQ_9IMkNkcPkS76yJ0_5vLGUEtSyRDaSDPyhvDv5-gjKzYtD8IxeAAki2fq8KGw9YLDWP0J5zODEQGX0vDS7oSXjzWVxetW4LSqjN2/s200/Two+Brothers+Oh+Brother.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218175215629848034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26/41716"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Three Floyds - Blackheart</span></a><br />This is a very strong (9%) English-style IPA, so it can actually be called a Double IPA. So, if you feel like having a strong beer, I would highly recommend this excellent ale from an excellent brewery. It's made with English malts, hops, and yeast, and even aged slightly in oak for that "19th century taste". A taste which I very much like. There are interesting and complex fruit and spice flavors, especially as it warms a bit. It's bit pricey ($10 for 22 oz.) but I would say it's worth it, and may be hard to find now. Oh, it also has the most insane label that I've ever seen on a beer bottle. Click on the photos below (as you always can) to view larger versions of the left and right sides of the label.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9vBJq7D1a5Vbvkl8ns8RKWeiCCFrbaGHREyHYjJSBdCt5ZwQuO-7ysHj9sC159hj1vGp_u5jtHVkU5q1mSkqXCdEmRkIbaxcfFPL_rDLNIN5tT_zHlIwXdjPOFGgLo5bLy5pTE3Xw0zH/s1600-h/Three+Floyds+Blackheart+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9vBJq7D1a5Vbvkl8ns8RKWeiCCFrbaGHREyHYjJSBdCt5ZwQuO-7ysHj9sC159hj1vGp_u5jtHVkU5q1mSkqXCdEmRkIbaxcfFPL_rDLNIN5tT_zHlIwXdjPOFGgLo5bLy5pTE3Xw0zH/s200/Three+Floyds+Blackheart+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218180837487943522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkz4AKjMQbf41X8AhbEbimVVoOb7xwnDbUKLQ1e8WD0GmeEeRTQOeCz_U1cQOBFIW_sts6f7CHgqx1ZJsE3kW4JDALCuR8XOAj00PjsH3ivUltcyCwN4ZBefDJKS7ywy3z2gbLbWdfl6g/s1600-h/Three+Floyds+Blackheart+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkz4AKjMQbf41X8AhbEbimVVoOb7xwnDbUKLQ1e8WD0GmeEeRTQOeCz_U1cQOBFIW_sts6f7CHgqx1ZJsE3kW4JDALCuR8XOAj00PjsH3ivUltcyCwN4ZBefDJKS7ywy3z2gbLbWdfl6g/s200/Three+Floyds+Blackheart+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218180978512375458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/beers/pop-ups/5_312.html">Goose Island - 312 Urban Wheat Ale</a><br />I used to not like this beer that much, but now I am a fan. It is, of course, a great summer beer and even tastes very good right out of the bottle (with a bottle cozy to keep it cold), without needing to pour it. A 12-pack is quite affordable at about $12. Although I prefer the flavor of Three Floyds Gumballhead, which uses delicious Amarillo hops but is more expensive, Goose Island's 312 is a good beer on a hot day and a great deal as a 12-pack.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKuB09fltOc4iVeJpPeM9C261gsDX6NUBZT4ynHbsffT4GZUmUcbrtBLzOM_0iLMCtnRmX9UyN3-e9cRzmiFZaPv44ihP0cHxHRjNXLuqi37S0ZqblZY1R39Ijdln1BvbKL2f2gMphg6t/s1600-h/Goose+Island+312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKuB09fltOc4iVeJpPeM9C261gsDX6NUBZT4ynHbsffT4GZUmUcbrtBLzOM_0iLMCtnRmX9UyN3-e9cRzmiFZaPv44ihP0cHxHRjNXLuqi37S0ZqblZY1R39Ijdln1BvbKL2f2gMphg6t/s200/Goose+Island+312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218189353594160738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/beers/pop-ups/5_312.html">Emmett's - McCarthy Red Ale</a><br />Available in growlers from Emmett's Tavern and Brewing Co. (we go to the one in West Dundee). Just an excellent red ale. Actually all the beers made by Emmett's are great.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTMUUnMfPaSdMZyBZQfCiheEbIq_Ti9xKD0_aGKpxcWyI4i0BIhI3kCq4-qj17F6BxEJ5TgfXkDzsoX8bKxLDDsh42ZRcjmhRz6HEM63TSx1caEh2TCyxcer9O46a3Ty4rglP_uMYRZAi/s1600-h/Emmetts+McCarthy+Red.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTMUUnMfPaSdMZyBZQfCiheEbIq_Ti9xKD0_aGKpxcWyI4i0BIhI3kCq4-qj17F6BxEJ5TgfXkDzsoX8bKxLDDsh42ZRcjmhRz6HEM63TSx1caEh2TCyxcer9O46a3Ty4rglP_uMYRZAi/s200/Emmetts+McCarthy+Red.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218194139348673490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a href="http://www.threefloyds.com/dspAlphaKing.html">Three Floyds - Alpha King Pale Ale</a><br />Still one of my all-time favorite beers, especially regarding pale ales. Awesome.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcCxq5R7rUZyKKcHGWlAL05BrEFC7uQFry3ZNzZiVrnWzYYn_LjTan5pO30eIFHd9v6BAbwk-NWYvL1BmMfkpDFk7bBoBdD8n98-oJptHpu6WLhxJjigEu3IUjsVNdCuuE2I_zVKlz1qk/s1600-h/Three+Floyds+Alpha+King.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcCxq5R7rUZyKKcHGWlAL05BrEFC7uQFry3ZNzZiVrnWzYYn_LjTan5pO30eIFHd9v6BAbwk-NWYvL1BmMfkpDFk7bBoBdD8n98-oJptHpu6WLhxJjigEu3IUjsVNdCuuE2I_zVKlz1qk/s200/Three+Floyds+Alpha+King.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218195522796114562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beerProfile.php?beer_id=2">Great Lakes - Burning River Pale Ale</a><br />Another fantastic pale ale from an excellent brewery. Less hoppy and more malty than Three Floyds Alpha King, but I like it just as much.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1hyphenhyphenJwxdbzs4iay25viMWHgiNiWQ09GhT-ECFwarJsmVIrvRVh_5VBKgYp0bbd8LSjO0X7pO-yPqFMZHZ-v6ritwKwvTiTNpbOOAC8DfOcuK-n6U06ohbz4oxJzUvXFGVo2jdVbKxW0o-/s1600-h/Great+Lakes+Burning+River.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1hyphenhyphenJwxdbzs4iay25viMWHgiNiWQ09GhT-ECFwarJsmVIrvRVh_5VBKgYp0bbd8LSjO0X7pO-yPqFMZHZ-v6ritwKwvTiTNpbOOAC8DfOcuK-n6U06ohbz4oxJzUvXFGVo2jdVbKxW0o-/s200/Great+Lakes+Burning+River.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218196219347628578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/harvest_southern.html">Sierra Nevada - Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale</a><br />I don't have much time to go into a lot of detail, but I really like fresh/wet-hopped ales.<br />Usually, fresh-hopped ales are only available by certain American breweries in the Fall, because this is when the hops are harvested in the northern hemisphere and must be used quickly while they are fresh. Sierra Nevada can now offer this fresh-hopped ale in the Spring by getting fresh hops from New Zealand. This is a good offering from Sierra Nevada, but it didn't taste as good to me as other fresh/wet-hopped beers that I have had, such as Two Brothers Heavy Handed or Left Hand Warrior IPA, which had more sweet malts for balance. Unfortunately, these are the only fresh/wet-hopped beers that I have seen available to me in Chicago. I will probably write more about fresh/wet-hopped ales another time.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpv5Z-Mc4oCnpCGFR7CX8ulY9tSiigko-NBgiGAu9CVBtX0FJ0pFa279TmyaAhOQx8iqn3RGyfvFfKmDk6_GRMArGFNjdJppHywbxwN9Ohg9Iy5pyGD3oCR1y_4DjC-tBSvbLAjIWQm-z/s1600-h/Sierra+Nevada+Southern+Hemisphere+Harvest.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpv5Z-Mc4oCnpCGFR7CX8ulY9tSiigko-NBgiGAu9CVBtX0FJ0pFa279TmyaAhOQx8iqn3RGyfvFfKmDk6_GRMArGFNjdJppHywbxwN9Ohg9Iy5pyGD3oCR1y_4DjC-tBSvbLAjIWQm-z/s200/Sierra+Nevada+Southern+Hemisphere+Harvest.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218211423915281682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.eabl.com/brandsinner.asp?cat=tusker&subcat=brands">East African (Kenya) Breweries Ltd - Tusker Lager</a><br />I think this is the first lager that I have put on this blog. Well, besides that post about Schlitz. (By the way, the "new"/original recipe of Schlitz is pretty good, but for the price, I would rather drink microbrewed beers.) Anyway, I remember Tusker was a refreshing and good light lager for hot days a couple Summers ago. It's from Kenya, and I think it's a little better than most American macrobrewed lagers. But, there are lots of much better lagers from around the world. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">half empty</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6xhTvVukq4UnZwhOH6Ztjtt8Q7czlbtQUf_1vMlZthh7P8a7WFKX7q6jcs-AHmIPTdd3zadL47lX9z6cblTN63YKakqES1DYz2M10rFh-Gq-v3Gp2rcrMsxFcGjbjAOT1uF4iDmF22uj/s1600-h/Tusker+Lager.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6xhTvVukq4UnZwhOH6Ztjtt8Q7czlbtQUf_1vMlZthh7P8a7WFKX7q6jcs-AHmIPTdd3zadL47lX9z6cblTN63YKakqES1DYz2M10rFh-Gq-v3Gp2rcrMsxFcGjbjAOT1uF4iDmF22uj/s200/Tusker+Lager.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218216645697022178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >On Tap:</span><br />at <a href="http://www.maproom.com/">The Map Room, Chicago, IL</a><br /><ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/">Charles Wells - Bombardier</a> - Great English bitter - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.lostcoast.com/">Lost Coast - Downtown Brown</a> - This is the first beer I've tried from this brewery from Eureka, California. It was really good! -<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.monkscafe.com/body.cfm?nav=beers&data=beers">Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale</a> - This Flanders-style sour red ale is brewed by the Van Steenberge Brewery in Belgium for Monk's Cafe/Belgian Beer Bar in Philadelphia. Normally I would not even order a sour ale, but surprisingly I actually liked this one and it's worth a try at least once. Especially during these Summer months. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48/10482">Here's what others think on Beer Advocate.</a> - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">half full.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></li></ol>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-68735601665600826682008-06-29T02:37:00.009-05:002008-07-10T00:39:18.387-05:00Pub Pics - Duke of Perth in ChicagoMy favorite pub in Chicago is not Irish. It's Duke of Perth. It's Scottish. Took this pic a while back, on April 17, 2008. I remember that not only was this a random Thursday that I fortunately decided to go out to my favorite pub in the middle of the afternoon, but it was one of the first nice/warm days of this year that we had here in Chicago. It was perfect. The pint in the photo is a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, which I had after a pint of Belhaven Scottish Ale. Along with the second half of the pint shown, I thoroughly enjoyed a plate full of the best fish and chips that I've had (at least in Chicago). They also have, of course, a large selection of scotch whisky. Check it out for yourself if you've never been: <a href="http://www.dukeofperth.com/">http://www.dukeofperth.com/</a><br /><br />Enjoy this first edition of "Pub Pics" on Highway to Ale.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJWECCtMtLCLsGQ_QvT651dUmkqPmJzZPVHXRQ5ttr93O3Ib849g3RGGRMeH2GnOpdLe31CaXkeF0sxAs9r3KipMCD6zvmj0_b1DqNZXixO8nEz44j8re9IdiZ5mRmCJ9HzvP3Wh_Xe8X/s1600-h/Duke+of+Perth+in+Chicago+-+Bellhaven+IPA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJWECCtMtLCLsGQ_QvT651dUmkqPmJzZPVHXRQ5ttr93O3Ib849g3RGGRMeH2GnOpdLe31CaXkeF0sxAs9r3KipMCD6zvmj0_b1DqNZXixO8nEz44j8re9IdiZ5mRmCJ9HzvP3Wh_Xe8X/s400/Duke+of+Perth+in+Chicago+-+Bellhaven+IPA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217205140233411874" border="0" /></a>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-32589409933421127612008-06-12T04:06:00.004-05:002008-06-12T04:52:58.847-05:00Weird Beer Thursday - Dark Horse Raspberry Ale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc0_UEwK34ZivnnYupWOW__L4lnvWOLGF_lBlMXuk_85q_j1LH0fUNp6_UyPTzk4CfBF9P1ju3UfuJdZg6Q-q5bKcCEaq1xC8vOKCx7vF0CXytUAjWbMhsYV8sK2EiebcCXaFO1pcip8c/s1600-h/Dark+Horse+Raspberry+Ale.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc0_UEwK34ZivnnYupWOW__L4lnvWOLGF_lBlMXuk_85q_j1LH0fUNp6_UyPTzk4CfBF9P1ju3UfuJdZg6Q-q5bKcCEaq1xC8vOKCx7vF0CXytUAjWbMhsYV8sK2EiebcCXaFO1pcip8c/s320/Dark+Horse+Raspberry+Ale.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210922362093859170" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/our_brews.asp"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dark Horse Raspberry Ale</span></span></a><a href="http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/regenboog/wostyntje/overview.php"><br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Why it's weird:</span></span><br />Ale brewed with real raspberries.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >What's up with this beer:</span><br />Back to the fruit beer this time. This Raspberry Ale comes from Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall, Michigan. In the recent past, I have enjoyed their Amber Ale and their Crooked Tree IPA. I have to say that the Raspberry Ale was pretty refreshing when served cold (so it could make a great Summer beer), but in general I just wasn't that into the flavor. It seems that I am more fond of <a href="http://highwaytoale.blogspot.com/2008/05/weird-beer-thursday-bar-harbor.html">Blueberry Ale</a> than Raspberry Ale. Although I do like raspberries quite a bit, I don't think that they work that well with beer. There is some tartness, which is OK, but there is another taste / aftertaste that I didn't really enjoy - and I can't really explain it. Just something about the mix of flavors from real raspberries with the beer ingredients didn't work for me. Also, the amount of carbonation seemed too high to me. In general, Dark Horse is true to their word (in details below) in that their Raspberry Ale is definitely more of a real ale than just being a fruity malt beverage. But I didn't think the beer itself was that great. It's not that bad, just something I would not buy again. If I was given it for free, I would probably drink it, especially served very cold on a warm Summer day. <br />The label reminds of illustrations from a book that I liked when I was a child - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/faffcreations/1392831452/">The Giant Jam Sandwich</a>. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Details: (from the brewery)</span></span><br />A lot of people have asked us "why are there Bee's on the label?” Well, we don't really have an answer for you other than they just look cool. This is a light bodied easy drinking ale. We only use <u>real</u> raspberries so the flavor is very mild fruit and balanced, not what you would expect from a "fruit" beer. The way we see it is we're brewers so lets make good beer, not some fruity carbonated malt beverage. Oh yeah, our motto..."beer first fruit second".<br /> ABV 5%<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span><br /></span><span class="post_text"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">half empty.</span><br /></span></span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-30769129496210675372008-05-31T17:43:00.012-05:002008-05-31T18:44:07.111-05:00Monthly Beer Review and Rating - May 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4EDmlrDMsrDORcJ0Qx1VlWs7WtzYs7P9cUDJVXpZ72GnJrELrEAmZjvRTE7MV5GF0eFH7Hq4Q_BtacY7_SU2wyAvIicHY_MJMuBtcu0x22IrDwiDC_zJTTN5qX91v02EFZILFc23SpGS/s1600-h/My+Rating+Guide.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4EDmlrDMsrDORcJ0Qx1VlWs7WtzYs7P9cUDJVXpZ72GnJrELrEAmZjvRTE7MV5GF0eFH7Hq4Q_BtacY7_SU2wyAvIicHY_MJMuBtcu0x22IrDwiDC_zJTTN5qX91v02EFZILFc23SpGS/s320/My+Rating+Guide.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195363885096153842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />At Home:</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.southerntierbrewing.com/beer_2.htm">Southern Tier - IPA</a><br />A solidly good IPA. A little off balance for me.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">half full</span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCE1Isvc1aUQaHwi64HmlYcCJ18yDsfyuPgjd1T81eszxEUbxoojfNKus4lvvSJCKu-EG6AOuDOl8i1pNFttrdobHMuaUw2kHZpXHkxAuvI_OTRH4IqPCoN_vh9unKEgfo3df9dH80Hwe/s1600-h/Southern+Tier+IPA.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCE1Isvc1aUQaHwi64HmlYcCJ18yDsfyuPgjd1T81eszxEUbxoojfNKus4lvvSJCKu-EG6AOuDOl8i1pNFttrdobHMuaUw2kHZpXHkxAuvI_OTRH4IqPCoN_vh9unKEgfo3df9dH80Hwe/s200/Southern+Tier+IPA.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206677778880243778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/beerProfile.php?beer_id=00000055">Great Lakes - Moondog ESB</a><br />A very good beer, but not excellent.<br />You really can't go wrong with any<br />beer from Great Lakes Brewery.<br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">half full<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJBzqW_7nn1dj5Q7c08Gsem1k45ABFGRakiSkXsu_fkC-6w6KRSNSJLS_loyfaRZGesWjpk-oB_kOSFhjyKscPLgM1c3v13KAkIFt87Gz9qU001Jkp6B_X2gR02l6caINofbczr_SCxmc/s1600-h/Great+Lakes+Moondog+ESB.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJBzqW_7nn1dj5Q7c08Gsem1k45ABFGRakiSkXsu_fkC-6w6KRSNSJLS_loyfaRZGesWjpk-oB_kOSFhjyKscPLgM1c3v13KAkIFt87Gz9qU001Jkp6B_X2gR02l6caINofbczr_SCxmc/s200/Great+Lakes+Moondog+ESB.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206678092412856402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/beers_springboard.php">New Belgium - Springboard Ale</a><br />This is indeed a good beer for Spring and Summer,<br />but the unusual ingredients of wormwood, lycium, schisandra,<br />and 2% ale aged in oak barrels just didn't work together that well<br />to taste that good to me. It was interesting to try, but I will likely<br />not want it again.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">half empty</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCUxnATcktjVQwNZPKaBra0BghC_doSvU3O98Jinyp_OWxto8vf9-1LVblSj2gu0rRNZmZfjumb5B1BHYVgNkeV7Ud_cC6_coz4ndliLGwGhkJ6S_SdEbSY8xiQIS1IrPmJCvsYu-y6Sm/s1600-h/New+Belgium+Springboard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCUxnATcktjVQwNZPKaBra0BghC_doSvU3O98Jinyp_OWxto8vf9-1LVblSj2gu0rRNZmZfjumb5B1BHYVgNkeV7Ud_cC6_coz4ndliLGwGhkJ6S_SdEbSY8xiQIS1IrPmJCvsYu-y6Sm/s200/New+Belgium+Springboard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206679471097358434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.foundersbrewing.com/beer_styles.php?recordID=2">Founders - Centennial IPA</a><br />This is one of the best IPA's that I have ever had. Awesome.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGrNQRZzoBT7bMUJs9AuHnZvVrKiY5nJpwshaorE3CfgvgT5DoHO4g7liFh55R2I8hrEpNN3J_g1qKD06gT912i9P3S4OBSHYMG0M-yrMn8CiXhciD1i7OhTEP9NNs6sUFa4PwjUibQJK/s1600-h/Founders+Centennial+IPA.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGrNQRZzoBT7bMUJs9AuHnZvVrKiY5nJpwshaorE3CfgvgT5DoHO4g7liFh55R2I8hrEpNN3J_g1qKD06gT912i9P3S4OBSHYMG0M-yrMn8CiXhciD1i7OhTEP9NNs6sUFa4PwjUibQJK/s200/Founders+Centennial+IPA.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206679638601082994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/35397">Lagunitas - Lucky 13</a><br />A great beer and a great deal ($5).<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5AyB4-Metx2bKBV96BuCUipMSaHC1D-VMW3ihTakRBggZjA2oB3a4LBE5PA0jl0tDMua-wk46zUGc6Kd2qNIwdYXosHYEAkEOwRS55wRoOziw7rzwffGnXbcQdA8iG6fy-kAXJc5SVC5/s1600-h/Lagunitas+Lucky+13.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5AyB4-Metx2bKBV96BuCUipMSaHC1D-VMW3ihTakRBggZjA2oB3a4LBE5PA0jl0tDMua-wk46zUGc6Kd2qNIwdYXosHYEAkEOwRS55wRoOziw7rzwffGnXbcQdA8iG6fy-kAXJc5SVC5/s200/Lagunitas+Lucky+13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206680050917943426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >On Tap:</span><br />at <a href="http://www.poorphils.com/">Poor Phil's in Oak Park, Illinois</a><br /><ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/42770">Two Brothers Bare Tree Barley Weiss</a> - first time having this, I really enjoyed it - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-RedSeal.htm">North Coast Red Seal Ale</a> - one of my favorite overall great ales -<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/corp/beer/high_gravity">New Holland Existential</a> - intense and strong, and I like hoppy beers, but doesn't taste very good overall, as it is very off balance to me - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">half empty</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></li></ol> at <a href="http://www.thesmallbar.com/">Small Bar, Avondale/Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois</a> <ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/ipa.html">Lagunitas IPA</a> -<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">half full</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.victorybeer.com/pils.html">Victory Prima Pils</a> - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">The glass is </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">half full</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></li></ol>at <a href="http://www.hopleaf.com/">The Hopleaf, Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois</a> <ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.surlybrewing.com/beers.php">Surly Bender</a> - <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.foundersbrewing.com/beer_styles.php?recordID=4">Founders Red's Rye</a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- another awesome one from Founders - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The glass is </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">full</span></li></ol>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-82710446471877648732008-05-29T23:26:00.008-05:002008-05-30T05:19:23.972-05:00Weird Beer Thursday - Wostyntje Torhouts Mustard Ale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OeE9c3hQU-2ezm6qV-A8zXAHIvatNbHL-CFO6wxgyHV9GO8is99avimC5O7hGMhuwBIOD1vIUCQ8A5PrIvKJ8SDHSOtigOb35jTARiN6ghoFfydngO8ExQFVyvYfu_DR-xe-Kx1YX1wK/s1600-h/Wostyntje+Mustard+Ale.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OeE9c3hQU-2ezm6qV-A8zXAHIvatNbHL-CFO6wxgyHV9GO8is99avimC5O7hGMhuwBIOD1vIUCQ8A5PrIvKJ8SDHSOtigOb35jTARiN6ghoFfydngO8ExQFVyvYfu_DR-xe-Kx1YX1wK/s320/Wostyntje+Mustard+Ale.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206095630423009330" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/regenboog/wostyntje/overview.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Wostyntje - Torhouts Mustard Ale</span></span></a><a href="http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/regenboog/wostyntje/overview.php"><br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Why it's weird:</span></span><br />Ale brewed with mustard seeds.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >What's up with this beer:</span><br />So last week we had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppercorn_%28fruit%29">black and green peppercorn</a> beer. This week, we have a different spice - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_seed">mustard seeds</a>.<br />Picked this up from Binny's the other day. I think it was about $4. You should be able to find it in the Belgium section of beers. I also remember having this a couple years ago at <a href="http://www.hopleaf.com/bottle_menu.html">Hopleaf, which has it there on the bottle menu.</a><br />The flavors are rather subtle. I think it is a pretty tasty beer, but was expecting more pronounced flavors. Specifically, from the mustard seeds, of course. It has a creaminess to it, which I've noticed seems to be a trend with beers brewed with seeds. There is some sweet fruitiness. There was also some unique bitterish and barely spicy finish, due to the hops and mustard seeds. It's interesting that is has a cloudy yellowish/orangish color, kind of a little like the color of fancy mustard, like Grey Poupon or something. Maybe it was just my tasting of it this time, but I was expecting more flavor. There are some funky little flavors going on, but again, they are slightly detectable. Overall, it is very nice quality beer, which I would expect from Belgium, but nothing to get all that excited about, and not even that "weird". It is rather light and pretty refreshing, and I could see it as being quite good to have in the summer with a bratwurst topped with mustard and sauerkraut or sweet onions. Here's what others are saying about <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/322/9749">Wostyntje on Beer Advocate</a>.<br />Brouwerij De Regenboog also makes a very good and flavorful witbier called <a href="http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/regenboog/vuuve/overview.php">Vuuve</a> (Flemish for "Five").<br />"Regenboog" is Dutch for "Rainbow".<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Details: (from the brewery)</span></span><br /><span class="beer" id="53"></span>Wostyntje Torhouts Mustard Ale<br />Brewed & Bottle by <a href="http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/regenboog/brewery/overview.php">Brouwerij De Regenboog</a><br />Brugge, Belgium<br />Wostyntje is a dark blonde ale brewed with 90% barley malt, 10% munich malt, 2 sorts of hops (Kent Goldings and Challenger), light and dark candy sugar, and (crushed Torhouts) mustard seeds.<br />7% Alc./vol.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" class="post_text"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">The glass is half full.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7642818112538704806.post-4491925943126609142008-05-22T20:47:00.010-05:002008-05-23T02:08:28.059-05:00Weird Beer Thursday - Route Des Épices<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrz-Hv3xV9XC6xYqS0IyWRSgNNw-5_ltbwF0Whyphenhyphene_BtdtBVVb4rVJ1lXGd4zMolBQYbya7DxQmXjG-fWLKDh5om5TCNVLiw1o0RzDArM19L3E0loDGuoTXastgp89hBXdSshW6tYVCSo4/s1600-h/Route+des+epices.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrz-Hv3xV9XC6xYqS0IyWRSgNNw-5_ltbwF0Whyphenhyphene_BtdtBVVb4rVJ1lXGd4zMolBQYbya7DxQmXjG-fWLKDh5om5TCNVLiw1o0RzDArM19L3E0loDGuoTXastgp89hBXdSshW6tYVCSo4/s320/Route+des+epices.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203442294116821026" border="0" /></a><a href="http://micro.dieuduciel.com/en/beers.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Route Des Épices (Spice Route)</span></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Why it's weird:</span></span><br />Rye beer brewed with black and green peppercorns.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >What's up with this beer:</span><br />I almost went with another fruit beer this time but fortunately I found this one, to take us on a different route. Last time I mentioned that I really like rye ales. Well, here's one with a peppery kick! This is my first time to have a beer from the Dieu Du Ciel microbrewery from Canada. The helpful clerk at the beer store recommended this to me, saying they just got it in and that it was unique, and he was so right. It is a delightful beer and fun to drink. It is definitely a lot less hoppy and hearty as the American rye beers can be, and the pepper lingers and tingles on your tongue - fun! It poured with a great creamy white head that stuck around throughout drinking. There is some sweetness, and some real rye flavor, but the pepper dominates, which is fine by me as it is an interesting flavor that works well with this beer (and for this post!). The overall body of the beer tastes lighter than it appears and I like the amount of carbonation. Somehow, the pepper flavor intensified as I got to the last sips, and actually my tongue was slightly numb when I was done. Yeah, of course this isn't a beer that I would have all the time, but - this is Weird Beer Thursday. It is not a very strong beer, at only 5%. It is definitely worth a try if you have the chance. It's a very high quality beer. I would try their <a href="http://micro.dieuduciel.com/en/beers.php">other beers</a> too, such as their (I'm just going to use their names in English) "Mortal Sin" and "Smoke Screen". I like their beer labels too! And I haven't been to Montréal yet, but when I eventually go, I can stay in this <a href="http://www.dieuduciel.com/en/lodging.php">cool apartment for rent above their brewpub</a>!<br />Just as I finished writing this, there was still a little bit left in the glass, so I shot it real quick in my mouth, but it kind of went to the back of my throat. Whoa! There's that fun pepper flavor again. What can I say, I guess I like-a the fresh-a pepper.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Details: (from the brewery)</span></span><br /><span class="beer" id="53">Route des épices (Spice route)</span><br /><span class="type">Bière de seigle au poivre - 5% alc./vol.<br />341 ml (11.5 fl. oz.)</span><br />Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel!<br /> St-Jérôme and Montréal, Québec, Canada<br /><br /><span class="desbeer">Routes des épices (French for "Spice Route") is a rye beer brewed with both black and green peppercorns. Initially, the beer reveals flavours of fresh grain and malt, which give it notes of chocolate, caramel, and fruit. The pepper flavour and aroma is fully revealed in the finish, which leaves a pleasant, spicy, tingling sensation on the tongue.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My Rating:</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="post_text"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The glass is full.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></span>JKWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784695043323436256noreply@blogger.com1