Beers to look for in IL/WI

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013.

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  1. BurgeoningBrewhead

    BurgeoningBrewhead Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Hey BAs, I'm heading to the Chicagoland area of Illinois (Crystal Lake/Algonquin/Lake Zurich/etc.) to visit my girlfriend's brother and his wife, and heading somewhere in Wisconsin but not sure where yet to check out some breweries with them.

    What breweries/beers should I be on the lookout for (besides the obvious Bell's and FFF which don't make it out where I live in PA) while we're out there? Looking for any and all recommendations on breweries to visit, bottle shops to stop at, etc.
    So far my only specific target is Two Hearted Ale, since I've heard so much about it on here. I suppose there's a tiny chance I may find the last pack of Hopslam too, but I'm not hopeful.
     
    #1 BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013
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  2. Benish

    Benish Pooh-Bah (2,446) Mar 13, 2013 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Easy, New Glarus. Beautiful brewery. It's only distributed in WI.
     
    #2 Benish, Jul 30, 2013
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  3. BurgeoningBrewhead

    BurgeoningBrewhead Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Forgot that one, that's a definite.
     
    #3 BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013
  4. powz87

    powz87 Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2012 Illinois

    Anti Hero from Revolution and as the others have mentioned you have to hit NG or a gas station, Liquor store, or grocery store. Pick up some Sour Wild Ale and Strawberry Rhubarb
     
    #4 powz87, Jul 30, 2013
  5. Distroman

    Distroman Initiate (0) May 20, 2013 Illinois

    Revolution, Half-Acre (Illinois) New Glarus, Potosi (not a huge fan of their commons, but the tap room has killer imperials) in Wisconsin.
     
    #5 Distroman, Jul 30, 2013
  6. roselandbm

    roselandbm Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2011 Illinois

    Half Acre, Revolution, Dryhop, Goose Island, Pipeworks,
     
    #6 roselandbm, Jul 30, 2013
  7. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    I hope you brought your own Semi. Where the hell do we begin
    Ale Asylum
    Central Waters
    Lakefront
    New Glarus
    O'so
    Tyranena
    Pipeworks
    Revolution
    Spitefull
     
    #7 Ri0, Jul 30, 2013
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  8. BurgeoningBrewhead

    BurgeoningBrewhead Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I've heard from a really old thread that Revolution isn't distributed in the county of IL we'll be in, any locals mind enlightening me on that situation?
     
    #8 BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013
  9. evilcatfish

    evilcatfish Pooh-Bah (2,116) May 11, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pipeworks. That's all I gotta say

    Good luck with getting any FFF
     
    #9 evilcatfish, Jul 30, 2013
  10. BurgeoningBrewhead

    BurgeoningBrewhead Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I know, but it's not like I'm expecting to find Dark Lord or something. Really anything from them would be cool, as they're not distributed in my area.
     
    #10 BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013
  11. VictorWisc

    VictorWisc Maven (1,379) Jan 2, 2013 Massachusetts

    Do you get Ale Asylum in PA? And if you're going to WI, just make the trek to the actual breweries, don't bother with stores (although some common items are cheaper in stores, you'll end up spending a lot of time in angst).
     
    #11 VictorWisc, Jul 30, 2013
  12. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    Ale Asylum doesn't make it out of WI.
     
    #12 Ri0, Jul 30, 2013
  13. Benish

    Benish Pooh-Bah (2,446) Mar 13, 2013 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Don't know about IL but you'll have no problem finding FFF in WI. At least in the Madison area for sure. Stuff like Alpha King, pride and Joy, and bunch of others. No ZD though.
     
    #13 Benish, Jul 30, 2013
  14. evilcatfish

    evilcatfish Pooh-Bah (2,116) May 11, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Last couple times I was in Chicago I had store employees practically laugh at me when I asked if they had any FFF. I wasn't expecting anything limited, maybe just some Alpha King. A friend of mine was in Chicago last week and was gonna get me some FFF but couldn't find any
     
    #14 evilcatfish, Jul 30, 2013
  15. VictorWisc

    VictorWisc Maven (1,379) Jan 2, 2013 Massachusetts

    That was, ahem, the point...
     
    #15 VictorWisc, Jul 30, 2013
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  16. OnWisconsin

    OnWisconsin Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012 Wisconsin

    Agree with this post 100%

    You can get FFF in both Madison and Milwaukee as both cities had dreadnought and Blackheart on the shelves. Was even able to grab a few more barleywines this past week. If you need to know more let me know. Oh and pick up central waters new release...their BB Scotch Ale just hit shelves this past week. You can thank us WI BAs later!!
     
    #16 OnWisconsin, Jul 30, 2013
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  17. sahd-1

    sahd-1 Savant (1,179) Jul 2, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    Go to binnys.com
    They're a large liquor store chain in Chicagoland. That'll give you an idea of what's avilable on the IL leg of your trip. I've been seeing FFF a little more lately since their operation is back up and running (especially Dreadnaught and Arctic Panzer Wolf). Zombie Dust is only available on tap lately.
    Pretty much any gas station or liquor dispensing store (in WI only) sells New Glaurus.
     
    #17 sahd-1, Jul 30, 2013
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  18. BurgeoningBrewhead

    BurgeoningBrewhead Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep 'em coming. And thanks for moving the thread Todd, I forgot there were regional forums :grinning:
     
    #18 BurgeoningBrewhead, Jul 30, 2013
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  19. Fusebuddy

    Fusebuddy Pundit (978) Mar 14, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    You'll be near two Binny's stores, one in Lake Zurich and the other in Lake In The Hills (near Crystal Lake). Hit one of those and you'll find some goodies, most of the chicago stuff, great stores. Also, take your girlfriend to Duke's Ale House in Crystal Lake, generally these guys have insane stuff on tap. Two Saturday's ago, they had BCBCS and Parabola. They regularly update their tap list on beermenus.com.
     
    #19 Fusebuddy, Jul 30, 2013
  20. JulianC

    JulianC Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2012 Illinois

    There's plenty of Rev and some Pipeworks in Lake and McHenry county.
     
    #20 JulianC, Jul 30, 2013
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