Goldfinger Brewing (2022)

To me, Dovetail is king of that style, with Art History following. I’m super excited to try Goldfingers take of Czech Pils and what kind of malt character they create, which is usually what sets dovetail apart from the rest.

 

Per Goldfinger's instagram stories...collaboration with Bierstadt Lagerhaus in production!!

Lager nerd bonerz reported all over the Chicago area...

 

Oh very exciting!! Did they say the style?

 

The New Zealand Lager is damn good.

An "IPL" / "Cold IPA" that merges two great qualities: the pleasing, mild dryness of a lager with the soft, fruity accents of an IPA (at least, the IPA's I like). These balance each other so neither controls the flavor.

Recommended if you haven't tried it!

 

Just here to COMPLETELY agree with this!

 

I saw on the 'gram awhile back that Goldfinger will be doing a Marzen AND a Festbier this year. Welcome news!

 

Wow, duos. If only they distributed a little wider.

 

Seriously, don't go out of your way! So many others to look for come fall -- and I'm already overstocked!

 

For city folk like me who don't get out to eastern Iowa* too often but want to try these:

Festbier was just tapped at Beer Temple, and Oktoberfest Marzen was tapped at Hopleaf yesterday.



*Downers Grove

 

What's Lake Zurich, Wisconsin?

My town is probably Canada.

 

Yes, actually!

 

How many beers does Goldfinger have on tap at the brewery usually? Was looking online and it looked like only 4 or 5?

I’ll be in Chicago next Tues/Wed for a meeting, was thinking I’d check them out since I love lagers and maybe go to Beer Temple.

 

sounds right. They had pics on IG today of fresh cans of Dunkel, and a polish pils. So could be coming in at the right time for more than 4-5 beers on tap.

 

Completely agree, Goldfinger and Beer Temple are 2, top tier destinations in Chicalgoland

that said, if you are trying to be efficient, skip the trip to the burbs.

Goldfinger is fantastic, and I’m a big fan…BUT… I don’t think it’s the “end all, be all” of Chicago lagers. For that reason, I’d spend my time in the city, and forge a more efficient path. You could do dovetail and beer temple, adding another top notch brewery in the time you’d spent traveling to and from Goldfinger (downers grove) You could add Half Acre, Spiteful, Bygle, Maplewood, Metropolitan, just to name of few.

my personal suggestion is Dovetail, Half Acre, and Beer Temple. These 3 spots offer a huge collection of excellent beers in a wide variety of styles. But you can’t really go wrong.

again, not a knock on Goldfinger. But, if your time is limited, I don’t think a trip out of the city is necessary. This coming from somebody who constantly brags on how good the suburban Chicago beer scene is.

plus, you could score some Goldfinger cans off the beer temple website, or upon a visit

 

My meeting is in the ‘burbs (Itasca), so it’s going to be a schlep regardless of where I go.

 

Are you staying in Itasca or in the city? That makes a huge difference in what recommendations you’ll get.
If you’re staying in Itasca, Goldfinger is south about 25-30 min south on I-355. Beer Temple is about the same distance east on I-90, but can take 60-70 min due to traffic.
If you go to Goldfinger, Orange & Brew is a cool bottle shop nearby with some stuff on tap.

 

Staying in Itasca. In a Westin right by my meeting at the AAP headquarters.

 

Itasca is a great location for beer - skip Chicago since you'll be close to Pollyanna, Wolfden, Mikerphone, and Church St.
If you have time and go to Goldfinger, then make sure to stop at Orange and Brew as mentioned by @CB_Michigan . Have a safe and fun time!