Chicagoland Lagers (2021)

Pretty sure it was an IPA. What else?

Other may have been a sour? I just remember neither were lagers, was disappointed because I was going on someone's recommendation. Someone.

FWIW -- Binny's in my area doesn't have any AH in stock at all.

 

I was planning to stop but unfortunately they don't open until 4pm so they are off the list. According to the Binny's website the Gurnee location does indeed have a couple AH lagers in so I will replace Beermiscuous with a stop there on the way back to Mke. Thanks for your advice and assistance.

 

I looked at the Gurnee Binny's list yesterday and it showed zero AH availability. What am I missing?

 

Major, Gravitas, and Brauhaus show at Binny's when I search Art History -- and all 3 are out of stock at Gurnee.

Does their search engine work better on a desktop computer than a phone?

FWIW -- Here's the page I get when I search Art History on my desktop.

 

I just left minus any Art History cans and was told by an associate (who seemed like he needed hug on account of the moaning and groaning) that the website is never accurate. Lol. Oh well it wasn't far out of my way and I did get my Goldfinger cans, BCBS Fourteen, and some other fun stuff to try so IL beer mission accomplished!

Edit: when I was looking at the Gurnee Binny's page this morning before leaving I swear it said they had 3 AH selections in stock. Oh well no biggie.

 

Didn't realize you were headed there today -- should'a warned you about that stupid Binny's parking lot.

 

You wouldn't be referring to the steep one-way up hill that goes in from the side would you? I was thinking that would be not so much fun in the winter.

 

Hah, while that's interesting -- more so being one-way, no. I meant the oddly spaced, very tight lot in front. Gets interesting when it's real crowded. I've had to perform 6 point backup turns to get out of a spot before, so as not to hit other cars on the side and behind.

Now I just park at Old Navy.

How'd you get to that one-way anyhow? Checkin' out the Mariano's, or turn off Grand early?

 

Google maps app...

Anyway looking forward to drinking through this haul of Chicagoland lagers. Really envious of the lager revolution going on down there. Have loved almost everything I've had based on the recommendations in this thread.

 

It's a real thing. Chicago breweries are making everyone else look foolish in the stout game and were ahead of the curve with lagers. It's borderline mean.

 

Dovetail Holiday Bock -- wow. I had relegated them to an afterthought with the emergence of Goldfinger, Art History, Roaring Table etc. as newcomers killing the lager game.

This was like MJ coming back from minor league baseball. One 4 pack won't be enough.

It's malty and substantial, but with crispy edges and certainly not cloying. Balanced, tasty and addictive.

 

Speaking of which...I had Roaring Table's Czech Dark Lager, 12 degrees (it's actually the symbol for degrees, but I can't figure out how to insert that. Did I mention my condition?)

A) This was a real treat. Flavors of sarsaparilla, cream, mild black licorice & faint caramel. Mouthfeel was easy enough to kick back, but not so thin that the flavors couldn't assert themselves.

B) I need to know more about Zumbier, the brewery in Waukegan they collaborated with to make this!!

 

Glad to see someone from another state realizes how crazy our beer market is right now. It’s been uniquely fast growth for a decade, but it’s truly become the worlds best beer city in the last few years. The quality and diversity in Chicagoland is second to none. We have the some of the best regional breweries and some of the small breweries in the nation. I keep waiting for the crash but it’s been better year after year for like 10 years. It’s crazy. The quality of product, and the price points are both the best in the nation. Chicago, in general, has no idea how good we have it

 

I was surprised to see RT collab with ZumBier, just because ZumBier always seemed to be more on the extreme edge of brewing: high ABV, lots'a hops and all (yeah, even with a German twist name) -- not exactly subtle.

That said, I've heard good things about the 12° and RT hasn't disappointed yet.

 

Uh oh... hope the Southeast Penn contingent doesn't get wind of this opinion!
@FBarber

 

I’ve become a huge fan of the lagers coming from Hopewell. I know nothing about if they’re “to style” or not, but I really enjoy them. Erde being the latest example.

 

"Erde is a German-style Pilsner that takes cues from various interpretations seen across the country."

What country, Germany or the U.S?