Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

You know how I know SoJ is a NE style pale ale- lower bitterness, fruity flavor, smooth mouthfeel? Because my girlfriend not only drank it, but asks me to pick up more.

 

But see, this goes back to my pricing issue with $20 dollar 4 packs. Though the price per ounce might not be as good in a bomber, I'm only in $12 for a bomber if I don't like it vs $20 for a 4 pack I won't finish if it is bad. For trying all this new stuff- cheaper is better. That's why I liked it when Maplewoods Charleton was $6.99 for a bomber- very nice entry price to try, and then once discovered it was good I was happy to bite on a $12 4 pack. Never would have touched it if it hadn't had a nice entry level price to try.

 

I'll throw $8.99 for a sixer of Charlatan all day any day.

 

I don't have too much of an issue with smaller breweries charging $12 for a bomber. They have about 1/50th the volume of someone like Surly. I agree there are other better values out there, but it's nice to support small local guys.

 

Agreed, especially if it's something that I'm sure to enjoy. I gave SoJ a shot, and thought it was below average as well - enough for me to not purchase it again, but I tried it. I don't mind spending a little extra for something that's local and has a chance to be great.

 

It's a damn fine IPA but more of the traditional sense. The price of a 4pk of 500ml bottles is just insane at $15. I was more impressed with some of the other offerings like the IPL and the food (shrimp quesadillas were super legit). Cruz Blanca will be a frequent stop for me going forward.

 

I hate the bomber option as if it's not good, now you have 22 oz of shitty liquid instead of 12/16 oz.

If you shop at Bottles and Cans, you can actually just buy a can for $5 or so...ideal for trying something new.

I swear I don't work at Bottles and Cans.

 

Too bad. I wanted to inquire about what the person working last week was smoking in the back. Pretty ballsy.

 

Everyone knows edibles are for the workplace.

 

Fingers crossed that we have a new entrant into the game on Friday: Humanimal Stasis.

I took howlers of Snooze Juice and Death by Snu Snu down to Huna Day this past weekend. Enjoyed them both but Snooze Juice was a notch better for me.

 

Heavy Gem could impact the Chicago IPA game big time

 

Does Forbidden Root fill other people's howlers? Specifically the shampoo bottle shaped ones like Half Acre's?

I noticed that their howlers are the same shape as a standard growler just smaller, and with the fancy filling machine I don't know if the shape matters.

 

Who would this be by and where? Haven't heard of it until now.

 

They can't. I brought my 32 oz half acre bottle to fill and they said it wouldn't work. To their credit, they filled one of theirs and didn't charge me for the glass. As always, great service there.

 

Info is here:
https://www.heavygem.com/

And both Half Acre and Tired Hands mention it via their Instagram as well. Seems it's a collab project between the two of them, a "new brewery", sold at the Half Acre location and the Tired Hands location.

 

That is the heavy gen project release at half acre on Friday. Not a confirmed NEIPA, just lacked a DIPA at this point

 

Lol, I think you have the old HA howlers which I have a bunch of. When I went to get a howler filled at HA recently they were only selling the newer wide mouth ones like Forbidden Root uses. Apparently they share the same cap as a standard 64oz growler and it's easier to fill than the more narrow shampoo like ones.

 

Thanks!