Beer Thread

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#126      
KBLEE
I've been spending time lately with the varied selection from Two Brother Brewing Co. (Warrenville, IL). Their Cane & Ebel is a very tasty red rye ale. Their Domaine DuPage has quickly become my go-to beer.
 
#127      
IlliniBob89
A bit of a tangent, but a good place to sample Two Brothers beers is at the Two Brother Tap House in Warrenville. Really good burgers.

They offer tours of the attached brewery as well on Saurday & Sunday.

Get directions because the brewery/tap house is located in an industrial park. The chances of just happening to find it are very slim.
 
#128      
Illinell
BasketOfKittens said:
IO, have you ever been to Basil T's in Red Bank? Best micro ever (besides Goose Island) IMO. A must try.
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I have to give it to 3 Floyds. As long as you can handle the hipster culture, the beer is awesome, the food phenomenal, and the crowd gregarious.

Location is another story.
 
#129      
Illinell
Also, Piece Brewing in Wicker Park is out of this world. They have won a ton of awards for their beers, and their pizza was just voted second best in Chicago by Chicago Mag.

I know that sounds like an ad but I promise it isn't. I live a couple of blocks away and go there all of the time. I recommend getting their early, as it is super crowded.
 
#130      
BananaShampoo
Illinell said:
Also, Piece Brewing in Wicker Park is out of this world. They have won a ton of awards for their beers, and their pizza was just voted second best in Chicago by Chicago Mag.

I know that sounds like an ad but I promise it isn't. I live a couple of blocks away and go there all of the time. I recommend getting their early, as it is super crowded.
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Cool. I'm going to be in Chicago this weekend. Might have to check it out.
 
#132      
illiniphil85
BTW, no trip to Denver in the baseball off season is complete without a trip to the award winning Sandlot Brewery @ Coors Field.

I prefer big full flavor beers.

I got turned on to a Michigan brewery a couple of months ago, Founder's Brewing. Local H2O hole (Doghouse B&G) getting in cases for me of Dirty Bastard, a Scotch Ale (8.5 ABV, 50 IBU) . They also brew Backwoods Bastard (10+ ABV, out of stock currently).

Doghouse also stocking Sierra Neveda Pale Ale, Porter and sometimes Stout. Acceptable options until the seasonal brew are available, Celebration Ale (usually available before Christmas) and follow it up with Bigfoot (usually available in mid-January).

Octoberfest should out soon. I prefer the traditional German varieties such as those from Spaten and Paulaner, but Sam Adams is a barely acceptable substitute.

Try Friar Tuck's for Samichlaus, a Swiss Christmas beer brewed only on Dec. 6 and finishing in time to be release the next year. Samichlaus is one of the strongest lager beers in the world at ~14 ABV. At $20 US for a 11.2 oz 4 pack, it may sound a little pricey, but the big boys probably turn the fermentation tanks over 15 times in the same amount of time.

Some other beers I recommend

Paulaner Salvator
Spaten Optimator
Anchor Porter
Anchor Liberty Ale
Anchor Old Foghorn
Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome
North Coast Brewing's Old Rasputin
Mackeson Stout
Rouge Old Crustacean
Kulmbacher Brewery's EKU 28
McEwan's Scotch Ale
 
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#133      
Illinell
I just hit up Founders in Grand Rapids yesterday and it was awesome.

The Red Rye was great, as was the food.

Definitely a good spot.
 
#134      
BananaShampoo
I really want to check out both Founders and Three Floyds one of these days.

My favorite breweries I've been to:

1. O'Dell - Fort Collins
2. Hales - Seattle
3. Red Hook - Woodinville, WA
4. Deschutes - Portland
5. Rogue - Newport, OR
6. Goose Island - Chicago
7. New Belgium - Fort Collins
8. Breckenridge - Denver
9. Wynkoop - Denver
10. Rubicon - Sacramento
11. Elysian - Seattle
12. Blind Pig - Champaign
 
#135      
Illinell
Nice, and great topic.

My favorite breweries are (in no order):
1. Rogue
2. Deschutes
3. Ithaca Beer Company (very small, but awesome)
4. 3 Floyds
5. Ommegang (It is basically a farm)
6. Red Hook
7. Wagner (Upstate NY)
8. Any small brewery in Germany
 
#136      
BananaShampoo
Ommegang is another brewery I'd like to hit someday. I read an article on it in Beer magazine and it looked like an interesting place.
 
#137      
KBLEE
This thread needs a good bump.

Anyone try anything new recently that they'd like to recommend? I've got a great store with a huge selection of craft beers that I will be stopping at on my way home from work tonight.
 
#138      
Illi0105
Recently I have been trying a lot of Dogfish Head because of the Brew Masters show on Discovery Channel. It's a must see for any fans of brewing beer. I haven't had many bad beers by them yet. I got Midas Touch for my brother in law over the holidays and he had good things to say as well.

Another one that I was mildly obsessed with earlier this year was Abita - Purple Haze which I got hooked on during a recent trip to New Orleans which is near where they brew it.

Also, if you are from Chicago, I have been wanting to try the new Haymarket Brewery in West Loop. It some guy from Rock Bottom who is trying to go out on his own. I have never been impressed with Rock Bottom's brews but I figured I would give this place a try. Anyone been there?
 
#139      
IntenselyOrange
KBLEE said:
This thread needs a good bump.

Anyone try anything new recently that they'd like to recommend? I've got a great store with a huge selection of craft beers that I will be stopping at on my way home from work tonight.
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Nothing new recently. I've been working on a couple bottles of scotch.

Bruichladich (12yrs) and Glenfidich (18yrs). Shall we turn this into a more general discussion of liquor? Does anyone have any recommendations? These are both a bit sweeter than I typically drink.
 
#140      
haighter
For anyone in San Francisco, the City Beer Store is pretty great. They even have a few beers from Goose Island (a rarity out here).

If anyone knows a way to get 3 Floyds shipped here, I'd be forever indebited...
 
#141      
bdutts
Where is the City Beer Store located? Which Three Floyds brews are you interested in? We could work a trade for some Pliny the Elder. :)
 
#142      
haighter
City Beer Store is on Folsom between 7th and 8th. Kinda Soma-ish...

The don't sell Pliny in Illinois?
 
#143      
bdutts
I have been to SF a few times, but I'm not really familiar with where that is. The next time I'm in town I'll have to check it out.

No, we can't get Russian River brews in Illinois. I wish we could. Pliny the Elder is one of the best beers I have ever had.
 
#144      
haighter
bdutts said:
I have been to SF a few times, but I'm not really familiar with where that is. The next time I'm in town I'll have to check it out.

No, we can't get Russian River brews in Illinois. I wish we could. Pliny the Elder is one of the best beers I have ever had.
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http://www.citybeerstore.com/
 
#146      
Illinell
Hopslam was just released by Bell's and is available around Chicago.

It is super expensive, but sells out VERY quickly. I have already stocked up on enough beer to get me through the next couple of months.
 
#147      
haighter
Illinell said:
Also, Piece Brewing in Wicker Park is out of this world. They have won a ton of awards for their beers, and their pizza was just voted second best in Chicago by Chicago Mag.

I know that sounds like an ad but I promise it isn't. I live a couple of blocks away and go there all of the time. I recommend getting their early, as it is super crowded.
Click to expand...

Agreed..I lived a block away from 2001 to 2008. It is wonderful grub.

Little known fact...Santullo's next door has won several "NYC Style" pizza awards.
 
#148      
bdutts
haighter said:
Agreed..I lived a block away from 2001 to 2008. It is wonderful grub.

Little known fact...Santullo's next door has won several "NYC Style" pizza awards.
Click to expand...

I'm not really into NYC style pizza. But I have heard their beer is quite good.
 
#149      
BananaShampoo
haighter said:
For anyone in San Francisco, the City Beer Store is pretty great. They even have a few beers from Goose Island (a rarity out here).

If anyone knows a way to get 3 Floyds shipped here, I'd be forever indebited...
Click to expand...
If ever in San Fran you have to go to The Monk's Kettle. Best beer selection I've ever seen. Amazing. Great food, too!
 
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