Chicago Seasonal Releases Thread

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by HawksBeerFan, Oct 15, 2019.

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  1. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Picked up a bunch more Oktoberfest's last weekend and Weihenstephan's Festbier was the clear winner to me. Absolutely delicious.

    Does anyone have any good brown ale suggestions? Craving a Tumbler right now but just haven't had anything that good in a while. I found Founders BA Sumatra to be really disappointing (although I couldn't tell what color it was at all :wink: ).

    Other than that relaly pumped to try the P3 Autumn Ale tonight too.
     
    #21 HawksBeerFan, Oct 25, 2019
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  2. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I did also try and get some Fruhauf but didn't have any luck :slight_frown:
     
    #22 HawksBeerFan, Oct 25, 2019
  3. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cigar City Maduro is my go to.
     
    #23 FBarber, Oct 25, 2019
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  4. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I really like Short's Bellaire Brown...is that still a thing? @Tripel_Threat
     
    #24 GuyFawkes, Oct 25, 2019
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  5. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    See I'm not a big Maduro fan, just never clicked with me for whatever reason. Good Gourd though...
     
    #25 HawksBeerFan, Oct 25, 2019
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  6. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It is a unique brown ale - always got lots of tobacco notes from it - but I loved it. I see Bellaire brown around occasionally @GuyFawkes - thats a solid one. Also, how about Bells Best?
     
    #26 FBarber, Oct 25, 2019
  7. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I'll keep an eye out for Bellaire brown.

    I had some Bells Best last year and it didn't really do much for me. Maybe I don't like browns as much as I thought I did :flushed:

    I forgot about Bender and Coffee Bender, those I really like. It hasn't been made in ages but GI's old Nut Brown Ale was a favorite of mine. Samuel Smith's as well.
     
    #27 HawksBeerFan, Oct 25, 2019
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  8. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bells is too hoppy for me. Its a tough style to find these days.
     
    #28 FBarber, Oct 25, 2019
  9. P739397

    P739397 Zealot (548) Feb 13, 2017 Washington
    Trader

    I always liked 4 Hands Cast Iron Brown, though I haven't had it in a while. Seemed to blend the lin3le between brown and porter.
     
    #29 P739397, Oct 25, 2019
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  10. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader


    Hell yeah it is! Cans, bottles and tap.

    I see this thread is mostly about Oktoberfests, but if you're looking for a seasonal/limited in Chicago Half Acre has Captain Fantasy (saison) and Freedom of 78 (IPA with guava) (collab brews with Short's) that are some of my favorites. Although I've seen 78 released more regularly than Fantasy.
     
    #30 Tripel_Threat, Oct 26, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2019
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  11. jmk

    jmk Savant (1,021) May 8, 2008 Illinois
    Trader

    My two favorites: Samuel Smith's Nut Brown and Ale Smith Nut Brown. Traditional English style. Both fantastic.
     
    #31 jmk, Oct 26, 2019
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  12. Wolvmar

    Wolvmar Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2014 Michigan
    Trader

    Surly Darkness showed up at me SE MI shop. Worth trying? Generally I’ve heard good things.
     
    #32 Wolvmar, Oct 26, 2019
  13. ChiPez66

    ChiPez66 Pundit (775) May 21, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    It was really good last year, but I used a gift card to buy it, so I didn't feel bad lol. I feel like there are better options out there at a cheaper price point. It's pricey for what it is, IMO.
     
    #33 ChiPez66, Oct 26, 2019
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  14. Wolvmar

    Wolvmar Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2014 Michigan
    Trader

    thanks for the feedback.
     
    #34 Wolvmar, Oct 26, 2019
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  15. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I just heard Celebration has started popping up!!! One of the best beers of the year every year.
     
    #35 HawksBeerFan, Oct 28, 2019
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  16. ChiPez66

    ChiPez66 Pundit (775) May 21, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    This is great news. One of my favorite holiday/seasonal beer appearances. I go through at least a 12'er every year.
     
    #36 ChiPez66, Oct 28, 2019
  17. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Did they use the same spices in it this year?



    :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
     
    #37 FBarber, Oct 28, 2019
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  18. pudgym29

    pudgym29 Zealot (634) Mar 14, 2009 Illinois

    I haven't tasted it yet, but if you go to Aldi (yes, Aldi), you should find a 4-pack of 16-oz. cans of Third Street's (a/k/a Cold Spring [MN.]) Lost Trout Brown Ale for $6.99. :slight_smile:
     
    #38 pudgym29, Nov 7, 2019
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  19. DLDlulz

    DLDlulz Zealot (614) Feb 15, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Ha!! Cause all those Trader Joe's beers(aside from xmas ale) have been winners. Get back to your laptop
     
    #39 DLDlulz, Nov 7, 2019
  20. HawksBeerFan

    HawksBeerFan Maven (1,378) Dec 24, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Anyone have good Christmas/winter ales they like to keep an eye out for? Obviously Celebration is one of my faves.

    I've been looking for a Mild Winter replacement for a while too, loved that beer.
     
    #40 HawksBeerFan, Nov 14, 2019
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