Chicagoland Lagers (2022)

It must have come in in the last week, because it wasn't there last week -- and I hit them up about it a month ago.

Then again... I don't trust the Binny's web inventory at all.

 

Are there any breweries or bars in Chicago that specialize in cask beers?

 

Interesting question for the Lager thread.

However, Roaring Table (suburbs, so not the city proper), cask conditions a couple of their English-style ales.

Also:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/barrel-aged-beers-in-chicago.668099/

Might be worth perusing.

 

I guess you’re right, although I have had cask lager a good amount. Thanks - I’ll check out that thread.

 

Beer Temple typically has a beer on cask.

Owen and Engine used to have multiple cask beers on, but since shutting down for over two years I'm not sure if they got them back up and running yet.

 

Were they actually conditioned in the cask, as Real Ale is, or were they traditional krausened lagers added to a keg and served with a natural carbonation (as Augustiner does with their Helles)?

I'll have to ask my favorite local how they're prepping their draft lagers.

 

I believe the ones I’ve had are probably like Augustiner’s (was there a couple months ago!). But I’m not 100% sure.

 

I messaged Goldfinger about this: both will be taproom only - on draft + crowlers / growlers to go

 

:-(

 

Bah.

 

Fair State is dropping a bunch of beer into Chicago this weekend. Lots of great lagers.

https://fairstate.coop/news/fair-state-in-chicago/

 

Paging @DoppleDork

 

Artoberfest drops 9/1 for those who celebrate

 

Assuming this is Art History's Oktoberfest, I've never celebrated but I'd damn sure like to start.

Do you happen to know if they package / distribute it?

 

I mentioned in the RT thread that they have a Märzen lagering, but it will be draft only.

 

Case in point, I saw Sam Octoberfest at the Gurnee Binny's, but they don't even list it on their website.

And sorry, I completely forgot to check for Goldfinger. Just a little distracted, I guess.

 

I was under the impression it was being packaged. Will dig for intel this weekend (good excuse to stop in for some pils and their new shirts)

 

I shared this experience with @FBarber yesterday, and just posted my Goldfinger Original review, so I thought I'd share it with the Chicagoland masses.

So... I just focused on the Goldfinger Original for a review -- then followed it with a Roaring Table Helles to compare.

Well, hell -- you ready to get all German-style geeky?

The Goldfinger really reminds me of Weihenstephaner Original (I think that's what they call it -- coincidence?), and the RT reminds me of a cross between Spaten Premium & HB Original.

I didn't think the RT would stand up to the doughy breadiness of the Goldfinger, but there's a definite breadiness in the RT, if not dryer overall.

Bottom line: I'm living in the beer Renaissance I wish was around 10 or 20 years ago, and I feel too old to take advantage as I might have then.

Damn, these beers are good.

FWIW -- I did not look at my RT Helles scores when rating the Goldfinger Original. Telling about my palate?

 

Art History has theirs out on 9/1. It will be kegged and canned with some distro. There isn’t a ton of it so don’t pass on it when you see it if you’re interested