Chicago Stout Releases (2018)

Solemn Oath is having a BA beer release November 10th.
http://solemnoathbrewery.com/news/the-goldmund-experience/

 

If we're just trying to demoralize people here, Sketchbook is also getting into it on the 15th:

 

The BA just keeps on coming.

 

Especially considering last years version only spent 6 months compared to this years 11 months.

I did the BCBS journey through the barrel thing where you taste Bourbon County at different aging intervals. 6 months vs 12 are two entirely different beers.

 

Yeah, I did a similar thing with Haymarket's Indignant stout. 11 or 12 months is definitely one of the sweet spots.

 

That must of tasted horrible. My apologies.

 

Love GL Blackout. We should also see Cigar City's Marshal Zhukov get distro here come November. One of my fave non-BA/adjunct stouts.

 

We will be rolling into Chicago tomorrow for the Nine Inch Nails show and I was wondering if there are any must-hit bottle shops near the Aragon Ballroom? We aren't looking to pregame or drink taps, just hit a shop if there is one nearby or on the way from I-94. Hoping to grab a Code Switch or 2 plus whatever local stuff catches my eye.

And I'm 99% sure I'm jumping the gun but I'm going to ask anyway: Any chance of BA Expo being around?

 

Odds on BAE being around are probably pretty low. Guys at a few of my local Binny's hadn't even heard when they were supposed to get it yet. I would say middle of next week is the earliest. You just never know, though. Always a possibility.

As for bottle shops, I'm not super familiar with the city. I'm a suburbanite. Beer Temple isn't too far from there, but don't know of any others.

 

Andersonville Wine & Spirits is probably the closest good shop I can think of.

Depending on how you are heading back to 94 you could hit Bottles & Cans, and/or The Beer Temple, both would be great options. Both are south, and might be slightly out of the way, but not too bad.

Alternatively, if you are going up 94, you could just get off at Dempster and hit the Binny's in Skokie which is right off the highway. Or the Binny's in Lincolnwood which is off Touhy.

 

Just talked to the Mrs and looks like a quick Binny's stop it will be. We don't know your ginormous city at all so thanks for the advice!

 

Easy pass. Their previous smores stout added nothing to the beer world.

 

Nice, I was impressed with the bottle I had from the October release

 

Dark & Stormy from Firestone Walker has hit Chicago; it's a blend of Velvet Merkin & Helldorado (my least favorite of their barrel-aged beers), aged in Rum barrels (uh-oh) with lime & ginger added (full yikes).

To my pedestrian palate, it tasted like a watered down mixed drink made with tequila. Full pass for me moving forward.

 

Dark & Stormy was one of the few guest taps I tried at DLD, sounded real intriguing but tasted like a Rum/Ginger cocktail, super gross.

This one interests me, anyone know how many people typically show up at their releases?

 

Lime & Ginger....

 

I'm local and have never gone at opening. They are open till 3 and I have always got a full allotment around 1 or 2.

People lineup but I don't think its ever gotten crazy, maybe ~75-100 at most? The fact they are offering a case and "MIGHT" lower the allotment after the first 100 makes me think they have a ton. They aren't really a hype brewery yet and the $15 2-packs will probably allow this one to last the day.

I will probably show up around 1230-1.