Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

The guys that are really separating from the rest of the pack for me are Corridor, Noon Whistle and FR. If I can reliably get them and then occasionally trek up to Transient I think I'll be seriously cutting down on the number of places I try.

 

I'm perfectly happy drinking FR and Corridor, but you guys keep throwing M-43 around in this forum and I don't see anyone disagreeing, so like any good beer snob I have to avoid FOMA. Where is the closest place to get M-43 to Chicagoland (closer to the Lake Michigan side of Michigan the better)?

 

I was denied atomic and snooze in growlers saying that west fest was the reasoning only was able to obtain ghost train

 

Someone is getting an ass beating today

 

Idk if anyone else went to the Dark Matter Anniversary Party this weekend, but it was an awesome day for non-distro IPAs. Hoof Hearted handed out a few cans including EWS Galaxy which wasn't even released to the Ohio Public until the day after. Modern times had about 4 cans, Dinosaur World being a very nice standout. And then from Chicago, Trendii was on and super delicious.

 

Is this being canned?

 

I went for a few hours in the afternoon. Its honestly one of my favorite events of the year, a lot of which is due to being able to walk to it. It doesn't seem to get enough hype for being a donation only beer event, but I understand it doesn't get a lot of the heavyweight local beers people are after. I did like it better when it was on Maplewood instead of the lot it was on this year. Being from Missouri originally, I'm a big 2nd Shift fan, so getting a huge pour of BA Cat Spit was cool. I had Trendii and thought it was just OK, but definitely enjoyed being able to drink it on tap, outdoors, on a beautiful day.

 

Barney's in New Buffalo. About 2 minutes from the IN-MI border.

 

I will say that there are some folks that haven't quite cared for M-43 that much, but it's been pretty well received across the board. I know that Barney's in New Buffalo is on their list of retail stores, but that is literally the closest store to IL, so it probably gets picked over quickly. If you want to go enjoy some of SW MI, you can venture further in...I am pretty sure that Sawyer Home & Garden gets it (this shares a parking lot with Greenbush), Liquor Cabinet in St. Joseph gets it, and I think a handful of Meijer stores are now carrying it as well.

Feel free to DM me if you want some - I've got some from a few weeks ago at the brewery that I'd be happy to share, or I can have family bring some with me in a couple weeks when they come visit.

 

Count me in as someone who has not been too impressed by M43. I believe it to be quite overrated, but I understand why since Michigan has few real solid versions of the neipa. (Please Michiganders don't take that as a dig, I'm a U of M homeboy). I'd drink forbidden root over m43 any minute of any day.

 

Think either will make it to this friday?

 

If you really dig through the distribution list on their website you can probably optimize your trip. But it seemed pretty plentiful in Kalamazoo which is where I found a 4-pack.

 

I posted in the Michigan NE IPA thread about M-43. I won't repeat everything what I posted. Needless to say, it's a good enough beer to be sure, but I don't think it holds a candle to anything I've had around here. Very little mouth and a weird burn when it warms a bit.

 

Snooze will be a photo finish for Friday. Atomic will be on.

 

Same. I was sad.

 

This definitely shows why all palates are different...I would say just about the exact opposite about it!

I probably need to check out Noon Whistle at some point...but it's just so inconvenient for me. I did have Gummypocalypse at Ultra Fresh during CCBW and it didn't really do anything for me.

 

M-43 is a nice solid beer for me. But unless I have a reason to go to Michigan, I won't seek it out because I think what Forbidden Root, Corridor, and Noon Whistle are doing is far ahead of it. But if I am already in the area, I will pick up some if I see it.

 

Of the Chicago beers, which one does M-43 most closely resemble?

 

FOR ME, they remind me of Maplewood Son of Juice. I love the flavor, but the body is a bit thin for me.

 

I'd say Squeezit/Van Hazen.

Fruity but with a mild hop bite.