Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

I really liked the Vortex. This one also has me curious.

 

Had the last batch of Juicy last night.... it's incredible... if it's still on you want it..

 

Wholeheartedly agree. This is why I went there last night and filled a growler.

 

I'm trying to see if I can get out to Noon Whistle tonight to check it out. Is $14 their typical crowler price?

 

Just to be clear, has anyone enjoyed the two new HB's? I would normally try them if I see them, but haven't seen a good review on here yet.

 

had both last night.. I wouldn't spend the money..

 

Doesn't look our sound (resin?) like a NE to me; did I miss something?

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

Probably saw what the other guy in their contract brewery was charging for 4 packs and raised prices accordingly...sigh.

 

I had one today as well - I do agree about the mouthfeel, but I got quite a lot of bitterness on this one, similar to Gummy Vortex.

I thought it was amazing, and I scooped up a few crowlers for the weekend!

 

Sorry to post a link to Facebook, but looks like a "NE style" release + tap takeover will be happening March 8th at DryHop

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1006498529483380

 

my bad wrong thread (long day)

 

Anyone try that Tighthead NE IPA which was recently released, Pitcher of Necter?

 

I did, it's solid. Bitter bite reminded me of gummy vortex. The hops did "pop" like the top notch NEIPAs. Legit first attempt and sounds like they are doing more. I easily sat and enjoyed 3 of them last weekend

 

I picked up a blazed orange 4 earlier. Not knockin' my socks off.

 

I've heard the guys at Hop Butcher are messing around with different yeasts and learning what they like and don't like.

People should realize Hop Butcher is not even a full time brewery. These guys have full time jobs still in "corporate America".

I expect their "style" or "styles" will become more defined and "dialed in" as HB grows

The drinkers community is on a little bit of a journey here in Chicago, learning what the like and don't like, and I think that we as drinkers should realize that these Brewers are on the same journey. The New England style is undefined. People are making it up as they go. New England breweries have been making these styles for several years now. The beers we hear about from New England are often long projects that took several batches before they garnered any true hype, and the beers we are drinking locally are going through that same learning process that most New England brewers likely went through when they started creating this style.

We all know the hype in Chicago in almost unprecedented and that creates unwarranted expectations, whether that is fair or not.

Not to throw shade, but I think the guys at Noon Whiste, Mikerphone, Ram, or any other local brewery attempting this style went through growing pains early on. The difference is, that the social media hype in Chicago is crazy and we all know when local breweries put out their first attempt... so we go try it.

This didn't happen in New England like it's happening now in Chicago. We don't allow for any learning curve. I think, for instance, HB might be getting hurt by the success of their first attempt. The expectations after that were through the roof, when in actuality, HB and many others are learning the style as they go.

The Chicago beer scene is progressing right now, at an alarming rate. I'm pumped to see how this New England style matures over the next year or two