Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

This might have to do with the size of the brewery, hop availability, etc. maybe the same hops are not available for the brewer on a regular basis.

It seems me to the two breweries in Chicago that really focus on dialing in and perfecting their NE beers are Forbidden Root and Corridor, as both have what you could call returning flagship beers on a regular basis which also get improved upon with each release (Snoochie, Radio Swan, Squeeze It, Bendy Straw).

 

How are the burgers at Tree House?

 

I started to quote other messages but realized this sums it up perfectly, and after it everyone on here is mostly agreeing and then adding additional thoughts/perspective. Here's mine.

In my mind, I think of this as the original model Pipeworks had. Brew different beers every week (though a couple years ago they did go to having about 5 or 6 consistent flagships and putting only those in cans). This isn't unique to Hazy IPA offerings - but it seems to be particularly prevalent for that style.

When I first got really into craft beer, I thought this model was cool - there were new beers coming out that my friends or I have never had. Today I'm more tired of it. Particularly for the NE IPAs, because, as others have said, I'd rather have more consistency in that style. If a place brews a beer once a year or once every six months, hell, even once every 3 months, I don't know if that's enough to get consistently good at making that batch of beer every time.

Also have to agree with others, Forbidden Root seems to have picked 4 or so to brew on a rotating basis, with a few experiments thrown in here or there. Not surprising, they are usually in the conversation when someone says "who makes the best NE IPAs".

 

I disagree with Corridor they are way too inconsistent and it seems like their "flagships" are always different hops by batch and then when they make "OG" it isn't consistent with the original. As an early fan, I'd rather take my money to Vegas as I've got a better chance of winning than at Corridor these days.

 

PW was also in a unique place when they started doing that. Local competition in liquor stores was almost nil. It was GI, FFF was only doing 6 packs if you could find them- none of their one off or bombers got distrod, and Half Acre was basically just Daisy Cutter cans.

 

I want to see Mikerphone put out their Nelson Special Sauce again. That was one of my favorites and it seems like it has been ages since it's been released. In fact, it seems like Nelson hopped beers have almost all dried up these days.

The SS series are definitely akin to PDubs Ninja series in that they cycle through the available hops and I think it's a pretty good way to do things.

I do agree with folks saying that breweries are releasing too many similar style beers and they should focus on a couple of flagship beers. I know it's great for ticking, but I'd much rather see a place like Forbidden Root who seem to be dialing in a few solid beers and sticking with them for the most part. I'd love to see Radio Swan & Snoochie making it to the point of being like a Lizard King or NvU in that they're widespread and readily available.

 

Maplewood Son of Juice is probably the closest thing we have to be being consistently great, super easy to obtain, and also last pretty long in the can. SOJ is at a ton of restaurants now and sometimes you get an old can and I'm always surprised by how good it still tastes.

 

Sounds like FR and Corridor need to contact Great Central and work on some contract brewing.

 

I know that's your opinion (and may be shared by others), but I'd have to say I've had the complete opposite experience with Corridor. Their consistency has been top notch with the beers I've had from them. And most of the beers have been high quality. I'd say that of what I've had, Forbidden Root has been pretty consistent, but their beers have just not been top tier to me. Solid, but I find myself going to Corridor repeatedly (granted, this could have a lot to do with location and a preference for the food).

It is interesting that those two do seem to be the ones brewing the same beers repeatedly, and are also generally mentioned as the top two NEIPA breweries locally...I'm sure there is some correlation there.

 

I think mine may have been some messed up cans. The lighting in the picture makes it look kind of orange, but it was really more brown.

 

Cracked a can of my four pack yesterday and it wasn't good.

 

I was actually surprised I liked it. I mean again mine didn't have any noticeable flaws in production, I just really REALLY hated overhaze. it was a salty grassy mess. but straws actually had qualities similar to the recent green I had. Keep in mind, I think the style is way overrated and overhyped across the board, but there was nothing "wrong" with it.

 

2 things

1st, galaxy is not a hop you can just brew with year round, its not that available. But i'm sure we all know that.

2nd, and i think i've mentioned it before, but the yeast HB and Mikerphone were using in Galaxy Bowl and the Special Sauce is SUPER expensive. Because of this, you aren't seeing as many Special Sauce repeats, and im pretty sure HB has moved on from that yeast for every beer except maybe one or two. I don't think anybody in Illinois is brewing with that sacc strain anymore with any regularity. Everyone is using London III from what i can tell

side note, i think the most recent Hob Butcher stuff is going to hold up really well. Im saving a can of Mirrorball for science. Also saving a can of Sailors Kush for the same reason. That beer was so intense i bet it'll still be delicious 4 months from now. Son of Juice also holds up well, split one that was 3+ months old the other day and was pleasantly surprised.

 

Out of curiosity, what strain is the very expensive strain?

London III is Boddington's, isn't it?