Getting a little burned on the hazy IPAs and have been craving some pales ales of late. Any local fresh Chicagoland recommendations?
#following. My litmus test for any brewery that I venture into is a pale ale. I figure if they can do that ok, then the rest of the lineup should follow. Unfortunately, a simple ale sometimes isn't easy to do.
Daisy Cutter, Fist City, Lizard King, BrickStone APA, Gumballhead. There are so many, but these are the notable Chicago flagship options. There are tons of other lesser known options like Hopewells Ride or Die, Alarmists Pantsless, Spiteful Alleytime, Pollyanna Four Chord, Art History Lincoln Highway, Noon Whistle Cosmo. also, there’s a company in California making a pale ale with only cascade hops. It comes with a green label and a fair price tag. Sierra Nevada. Sneaky good brewery. Worth a shot. nearly every good brewery in Chicago has a non hazy pale ale. You’ll be able to find what you are looking for at any good brewery or bottle shop. Enjoy getting back to the classics
I feel like the quintessential Chicago pale ale is Daisy Cutter. The first time I ever visited Chicago and then went home I had stress dreams about never being able to have that beer ever again.
I was always very partial to Tuna and was sad to see it out of Half Acres year round group, but love it for a pale ale. Definitely one to drink when it comes out. That and BP Grunion were such nice small Mosaic treats.
Three I've recently enjoyed and not yet mentioned above: Pipeworks Unicorn Cowboy, Alarmist Pantsless, Hubbard's Cave Clean Pale Ale.