Chicago Stout Releases (2018)

Damn, only saw a tweet via Chicago beer geeks. See u dudes for a draft pour. Last year they were doing full growler fills. Hope they do some distro with this in the future like they did with their other can stuff.

 

I would imagine it's only a matter of time. They have the ability to can, which is usually the largest hurdle, and they have to see the writing on the wall, looking at what places like Rev and Half Acre have done. Clare's is usually relatively low volume, so it might take a little longer for that, but Indignant (which is an excellent BA stout, in my opinion, and the 2 year-aged one reminded me of mini-Rare) has to be a consideration for canning. There's no way Haymarket doesn't want in on the winter hype-market.

 

I've been watching Drew Carey reruns and have seen way too many Simpsons episodes. I immediately imagined a scene where a reporter is interviewing the owner, and the owner says "I don't want in on the winter hype."

 

I wouldn't be surprised if a few kegs show up for special events/fests, but Sump variant bottles are taproom only/not distributed

 

All jokes aside, this is basically PW response.

 

Grand & Western has some insane stuff on the shelves right now. Passed on the CBS. Pipeworks 12 oz bottles of interesting stuff.....

 

Coffee EOD is super good. That is all.

 

It's one of the best shops in the city but usually gets overlooked because they're not in a flashy space and don't self promote

 

Yeah, I suspect it is long gone, but BA murderous and BA Last Kiss... are those from 2013 or something? Pretty cool!

 

Anyone try those new Ram stouts?

 

I thought they were both solid. Flavor as advertised, sweet without being cloying. Some felt they were a bit thin but I thought the mouthfeel was decent. Grabbed bottles and had a pour of each. Halfway through, I blended. The cuvee is legit. I'd say 2 part PB 1 part Bramble is the way to go. The Milkshake NE IPA with Graham Cracker they just tapped is pretty good too. Definitely worth a stop.

 

Was there a line for those releases?

 

Everyone was waiting in their cars before the first person got out to start the line about 10 min before opening. I'd say there were initially 30 people when they opened. Very light flow of people coming in grabbing bottles during the first couple hours.

 

Is Ram doing a fest this year? (Chaos Day?)

 

I thought both Ram stouts were very subpar. They're both really thin, and the flavors in them tasted way too "fake", for lack of a better term.

They've only done one beer that I really liked since Shaun left. First Bloom was damn good - everything else, including these stouts, just falls short.

 

Anybody else going to the Coffee Dinosmores release the 14th? Reservations went up at 12pm today.

 

I suppose there's any number of threads this could be left in, but I choose this one. Happy shopping!

 

Binny's LP had BCBS, Firestone Walker Anniversary, Rev VSOD on shelves today

 

Prestige in Westmont has all of these as well, and Velvet Merkin

 

Anyone heard anything on the Pirate Bomb and Pirate Noir? I meant to get into Binny's Grand today to inquire if they've heard anything, but didn't get a chance to.