Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

I had a fresh stratus last night and I highly recommend it. It's nice to see it hit shelves and a pretty approachable price. I think I paid 12.99. This is the first NE style IPA I've had from hailstorm and I plan on seeking out more.

I just got a NE slapper from RAM and I prefer it over the stratus and previous RAM offerings (hops on hops and morning fog). I tried the NE slapper on nitro, pretty good too, almost too creamy for the mouthful.

 

I picked up a 4pk of Stratus, canned 2/8, and I'm just not a fan. Super dry and overly bitter for my preference of the style. I think it suffers from too many hop varieties, there's 5, which makes it challenging to distinguish any of them. It's like a jumbled mess of competing hops and at 90 IBUs, with the dryness, I feel like I'm drinking a hazy WC IPA. They have nailed the appearance though, beautiful beer, just not to my liking for the style.

 

Yea I picked up a 4 pack a few months ago and wasn't a big fan either, although I do remember hearing that the particular batch was a tweaked recipe and they reverted back to whatever they changed...

 

Yeah, I've had a prior batch and just don't remember it being this bitter, but I get all the cloud series confused likely because none really stand out to me in a good way. If by juice they mean straight grapefruit juice, then they nailed it. I'm seriously thinking about pouring a shot of vodka into this thing, garnishing with something green, and having a Greyhound.

 

It (Hubbard fresh one hop) is getting distributed

 

Drinking my crowler of Gummy Vortex now, and I definitely like it more than when I had it on tap last Thursday (and it was good then, for sure). A little time to mellow out the hop bite definitely did this brew some good. One of the best local entries in the style, in my opinion.

 

Me and a couple of guys are doing a little Chicago IPA share tonight. NE Slapper, Gummy Vortex, Stratus, Sharks with Laser Beams, and the Marz Chi-PA. I'm interested to try a few of these next to each other. I've done quite a few shares with the big boys, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes.

 

Let us know how it turns out!

 

Definitely will do. Shit. We forgot the Hubbard's Cave. One of us might try and pick that up too.

 

Pineapple Gummy Vortex is getting tapped on Friday, for anybody who is interested!

 

Excited to visit this brewery for the first time this weekend. How much do crowler fills of Gummy Vortex cost?

 

Gummy crowlers are $14.

A new growler fill is $27, it's $24 if you bring in a growler. I'm not sure if they fill non-NW growlers or not

 

Was checking out Noon Whistle's Twitter and saw they will be at a beer event this weekend. Given the line-up it usually would be a "meh", but given it is outdoors and projected 63 degrees, anyone doing this as an excuse to take advantage of the unseasonably nice weather?

https://www.porchdrinking.com/artic...wers-guild-winter-wonderland-of-beer-preview/

https://www.universe.com/events/icbg-presents-winter-wonderland-of-beer-tickets-JD0R7V

 

They said they will, as long as they are clean and can be sealed. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to call ahead and make sure, especially if someone would like to use a non-64oz growler.

 

Anyone had the newest batch of stratus (~2/6)? Is it on par with the last batch (~12/26)?

 

Yes I confirmed the same with staff on the day of the Vortex release

 

Just bought a 2/8 by h having next let you know if it compares to the late dec batch which I thouht was superb