Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

damn where did you find it?

 

Maybe Hop Butcher should just brand their IPAs as Belgian NEIPAs....

 

Isnt HB using London Ale III yeast? Ive never considered that a yeast that finishes drier?

 

So we've got this to look forward to.

 

I know he’s first transition was away from the imperial yeast he started with to London strains. I’m not sure what yeast is used more of recently though.
(The imperial was a blend of a Conan strain and a sacc strain, it’s what Mikerphone was using for special sauce )

His early batches were a little juicier, but attenuation was inconsistent and sometimes a little phenolic, or at least that was the perception. That hasn’t been an issue over a year now though

The change could be from many variables. Mash temp would be another obvious adjustment he could have made to help

 

Was at Maplewood last night to try the new collaboration with Corridor and Omega yeastlab. Chief Skeef's Keef was pretty awesome. Hazy, Dank, Tropical, Bitter and a little alcohol burn. Grabbed a crowler to go it was so good.

 

speaking of Maplewood did anyone try that new Husky Pants version? I passed on it at Binny's cause I wanted to grab some other stuff instead. Anyone had it?

 

Definitely plan on attending this one baring any unforeseen circumstances. Should be a good time.

 

I know I'm just hopping in here but,
TG Hopsmack I found very tasty and very bitter.
FR Ghost Tropic I found flavorless and oily.
I still don't think Hopsmack warrants a $12 bomber, so spend as you see fit but.. eh

 

I guess on a related note, for those of you who are weird like me and follow youtube beer review videos, my dumbass friends and I have started one doing chicagoland beers
if you happen to give a fuck, here's the link
basically 3 assholes in their 20's trying beer.
Cheers!

 

That is much catchier name than Red Head Beers....just saying. Almost like "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."

 

I didn't want to set the bar too high

 

Hopsmack was my least favorite of the recent hazed-up Toppling Goliath bombers; it was super bitter to my palate. Smelled good though!

 

As of 8pm tonight, ~ 4 cases of Gummy Vortex at Binnys.

 

Did they do another batch I don't know about? Or is this one really old?

 

There were a few flats of this sitting on the floor at OP Binny's yesterday. I passed because I just don't need more hops in my fridge (i.e. no more room) and they use that dumbass best by date stamp. Just put the canned on stamp people. Or both. The end.

EDIT: In the spirit of trying to be somewhat helpful, it had a best by date of mid-May IIRC.

 

It taste pretty damn fresh. I also saw beer temple post a pic a few days ago of the same beer.

 

Hot take alert!

BrewDog’s Hazy Jane is better than most hazy beers being made in Illinois right now. As they say, it’s really “dialed in”.

It is one of the most repeatably drinkable hazy beers I’ve found. It finishes so clean, which seems to be very rare these days. Another sneaky one was Collective Arts IPA #5, but if Hazy Jane is going to be a year round beer I’m going to be a very happy man