Chicagoland Lagers (2022)

Hello LoggerHeads, I am planning another trip south of the border to stock up on Chicagoland Pilsners. I have a few objectives and was looking for input and advice if I need any.

Primary objective: stock up on Goldfinger cans. Will do this at Highland Park Binny's unless there is another more northerly place that carries them.

2nd objective: Track down some Art History. Would love to go to the source but Geneva is way farther than I'm willing to journey. Does the Beermiscuous in Highwood usually have pretty fresh stock? Is there any little locals I might score on this one without going any further south than Highland Park? The Gurnee Binny's seems unreliable despite being told on the phone my last trip they carry them (spoiler alert: they didn't).

3rd objective: Cruise out to Lake Zurich and hit up Roaring Table. Will probably grab a little bit of whatever I can, but any standouts I should watch for? Only thing I've had from them is 12° which I thought was awesome.

4th objective: Any other great lagers or lager brewers I should keep my eyes peeled for on my journeys?

 

Huh? I've seen Art History at the Gurnee Binny's -- bought Bauhaus there.

Look for RT's Keller -- right up there with UC Zwickel and Grevensteiner's Landbier.

 

I believe you on that Binny's. When I was in the store I asked a very disgruntled employee who seemed like he needed a hug and he kind of laughed and scoffed at me they hadn't had any Art History "in months."

 

Ugh.

I have to say that I've been in there a couple times recently and the beer folks have been more helpful than in the past.

Also FWIW -- there's another Binny's right up the road from RT that's usually pretty well stocked.

Also worth mentioning -- be sure to double check RT's hours -- they open late in the afternoon and are closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

 

I am actually reconfiguring my PTO to work around those hours. How bad of a crowd should I expect on a Saturday? If it's super packed can I buy to-go and skip the crowd or do I have to wait to get in? I see Beermiscuous has nearly identical hours so I may stop into that place too just to check it out since I'm already going to be that way when they're open.

 

Never been on a Saturday, but the to-go purchase is at the near side (close to the door) of the bar and usually a pretty quick purchase. But it's worth it to, at least, stick around long enough for a pour from the Lukr tap.

 

@Number1Framer -- this definitely, if you can find it.

And not to complicate your trip any more than it is, but Phase 3 isn't all that far from Roaring Table. Sorry.

 

If you see any Riverlands lagers, I recommend giving those a shot! Haven't let me down yet.

 

+1 to Dovetail Pilsner and all other suggestions. Here's a few more locals:

Seipp's Extra Pale
Maplewood Pulaski Pils
Maplewood In Dark Trees
Local Option Outlawger
Off Color Tooth & Claw
Lo Rez Local Logic
Hopewell First Lager
Pipeworks
Metropolitan

 

Oooh I was going to watch for Pipeworks as I've liked a few of their lagers I've had in the past. Their Schwarzbier is my personal favorite I've ever had.

 

I haven’t been to that one but have picked up orders from their Lakeview shop and haven’t been disappointed. They’re running a special on curated cases, so that might be a good way to get a variety of beers. It looks like their cooler selection is on Untappd.

 

Slightly related in that I was checking the Binny’s site for (unreliable) stock info on Dovetail Pils:

Is everyone systematically raising prices? I feel like every trip there, I see a buck or so increase on another brewery. (My faves had not been… until now.)

 

Probably -- especially if it's new stock.

The one place I like to hit has kept their old stock at last Fall's prices, but new releases appear to be up a buck or two.

 

Pollyanna is releasing an Eisbock Friday! Jötunheimr
Taking advantage of some recent 'good' weather.

 

Czech Pils and Dortmunder from Godspeed Brewing (Toronto) recently landed in Chicago. Beer Temple, All Together Now, In Fine Spirits all have cans, and Světlý Ležák 12° is on guest draft at Ørkenoy. Really nice stuff!

 

a) Very interested in this drop.
b) how the fuck am I just hearing about Orkenoy?!

Double thanks to you, @emerge077 !!

 

Is that another beer release app?