ChiTown Beer

Admittedly, I’m not a huge hockey fan. But a recent Tribune article made me pause and consider the Blackhawks.

Daley has made a friendly wager with whoever the heck runs the city of Vancouver on the upcoming Blackhawks/Canucks series for the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Both teams are putting up big packages, but Daley is risking a case of Goose Island’s Red Felt beer, with Chicago taking home three different types of Canadian beer if/when they defeat the Canucks.

It seems like a good deal for Chicago… but who would want to drink Canadian beer?

I’ve reviewed 2 oak-barrel aged beers, and I’m getting curious what other people think of them.

The Verdict: 10

Finally, I’m reviewing an honest-to-God Chicago made beer. Bourbon County Stout is Goose Island Beer Co.’s 1000th batch of beer and was made to commemorate that special event. It’s advertised to have more flavor in one sip than most beers do in a six pack. I’ve been eager to try this beer since it rolled out last October, so let’s get to it!

Smell (2): I may have to give bonus points on this one. My mouth is watering just smelling the licorice and caramel odor wafting from the beer on the other side of my tasting desk (aka, my work station).  Along with those heavy scents are notes of the chocolate and coffee that you expect from a stout, but these are definitely dark and heavily roasted.

Color (2): I like my stout’s black, and if this were any darker it would be a black hole.

Drink (5): Wow! It’s pretty clear why they call it Bourbon County (aside from the fact that it’s aged in Bourbon barrels). This stout immediately attacks you with the smooth, smokey flavor of bourbon. If you weren’t paying attention when you caught the smell, you are now. As the bourbon recedes, a hint of blackberry and chocolate guide you towards the finish of roasted coffee and darker chocolate.  It’s a beer to be sipped, as the 13% ABV and bourbon flavors won’t let you chug this one.  It demands to be enjoyed.

Incidentals (1): Attractive packaging, a great history, and the novelty of oak barrel aging more than make up for the high price (about $25 for a 4 pack) and lack of a good head on this beer.

I’m giving this beer a perfect score, but I must add a caveat.

Bourbon County Stout is not an all occasions beer. This beer should be consumed among close friends at an after dinner conversation, or while relaxing on a summer evening. This beer will overpower any food you present it with, so simply enjoy it as a replacement for a scotch.

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I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.

This video has been making the rounds of the craft beer community. Greg Koch from Stone Brewing stars and other craft brewers from around the country speak glowingly about the mission and purpose of the craft beer industry.

This video was part of Koch’s keynote address at the Craft Brewers Conference held in Boston last week.

As part of my own research into brewing, and to help connect a little more with all the home brewers out there (and because I love beer) I’ve decided to try to create some beer of my own.

Because I don’t have any real experience brewing my own beer, I’m going to start where most people start, with an at-home beer brewing kit.

Surprisingly enough, there are many kits out there, from the 2-gallon Mr. Beer to the standard 5-gallon 2-stage fermentation kits for beginners. These run between $60-$150 for a basic set. However, it’s important to note what you’re getting for that price.

Some come with bottles, some don’t. Some have ingredients in the kit, some don’t. It’s important to make sure the kit you’re looking at has everything you want at a price you can afford.

I’m still in the process of selecting my kit and beer style, but don’t worry, details will be coming….

Don’t miss Delilah’s Lambic Beer Festival.

On Saturday May 16th, noon to 5pm, you can pay $20 to try over 60 types of lambic beers from Europe and the United States.

Your 20 bucks will give you 20 sample tickets and informational materials. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Lambic beers tend to be sour, dry and cider-like.  Lambics are brewed through spontaneous fermentation, in which wild yeast strains ferment the beer, instead of the specially selected strains most brewing methods use.

Some lambic beers are brewed with fruits, such as raspberries and cherries, to get a distincitve flavor

The wonderful people at New Belgium Brewery have finally been able to push their product (including the ever-popular Fat Tire) into Indiana.

The Northwest Indiana Times reported that North Coast Distributing in Valpo has begun carrying the beer, and residents seem pleased.

New Belgium beer is currently poured in 20 other states (including Illinois) with plans to expand to South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Carolinas and Georgia.

Enjoy it, Indiana.  You have one more reason to go Back Home, Again.

The Verdict: 9.0

Dogfish Head caught my attention in the Beer Wars movie. I’d not tried many of their beers in the past, and thought it was about time to aquaint myself. I chose their Raison D’Être, which the bottle describes as being brewed with “Belgian beet sugars, green raisins & a sense of purpose.”

Smell (1.7): This is a fruitier smelling beer with a rich bouquet of  aromas. Their are strong grape notes and a caramel quality to it as well. There is another quality to it which I can only describe as “rusty” but in a good way…

Color (1.8): This ale has an attractive reddish hue when held up to light, but otherwise remains a dull brown. The head dissipates almost instantly.

Drink (4.5): The taste is a little enigmatic. It sits lightly on the tongue, but feels heavy as you drink. What you are left with is a sweet initial taste in which the raisins and sugars are really present, followed by a stronger, fuller ale flavor. The aftertaste can be a bit tinny, and continued sips tend to bring this to prominence. But at 8% ABV, you probably won’t notice by the end of the bottle.

Incidentals (1): The labeling and price of this beer are agreeable. You get what you expect. I enjoyed this beer with a mexicana pizza from Ian’s Pizza, and the lighter mexican seasonings went well with the heavier beer.

Notes on rating: I use a 10 point system. 5 points for drink, 2 for smell and color, and 1 for “incidentals” which include  cost, packaging and my general mood after drinking it.

Don’t have enough beer-inspired riots in your life? The German and Irish immigrants to Chicago in the mid-1850’s had it better.

On this day in 1855, Know-Nothing Mayor Levi Boone assembled the police to repel a mob of North Side Germans and Irish protesting the trial of local tavernkeepers who were arrested for selling beer without a license. Boone had raised the cost of a liquor license to $300 (about $6,700 in 2009 dollars), with renewal fees every three months,  in an attempt to shut down the immigrant’s watering holes.

Nine of the crowd’s participants were arrested as the police tried  to clear the courthouse area. The crowd got angry, and tried to save their comrades, but it was not to be. As the Encyclopedia of Chicago tells us:

An armed group from the North Side German community decided to rescue the prisoners, but Boone held them off by keeping the Clark Street drawbridge raised until he was able to assemble more than two hundred policemen. When the bridge was lowered and North Siders surged across, shooting began. Boone called in the militia, and the riot ended in minutes.

One man died and 60 more were arrested. This riot, while brief, is remembered today as the Lager Beer Riot.

Ultimately, the immigrants were able to put their beers down long enough to get the Know-Nothings voted out of office in 1856. But today, as you enjoy your favorite brew, remember the men and women who rioted to keep Chicago suds flowing.

Looking for a place to grab a good beer this May? Check out some of these events:

• May 2-3 – Chicago Beer Society presents Big Brew Day 2009 – A get together with homebrewers to drink, eat, laugh and enjoy good beer
  
• May 7 – First Thursday – CBS offers critiques of your homebrew and a chance to rub elbows with Chicago brewers
• May 12 – Beers of Belgium - South Loop Wholefoods hosts an introduction to Belgian beer. Free
• May 16 – Beer Tasting – Binny’s in Highland Park hosts a beer tasting event. $5 w/ Binny’s card
• May 16-17 – Green Festival Chicago – Includes organic beer and wine garden. $10-$15
• May 20 – Third Wednesday – Another CBS get together