Hop Butcher (2022)

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by ChicagoTarheel, Jan 1, 2022.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. mando31

    mando31 Savant (1,018) Oct 15, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    Couldn’t agree more! Definitely one of the worst beers I had last year. And as you mentioned, all I tasted was synthetic liquid mint extract. There was nothing close to resemble a Frango chocolate mint about this beer.
     
    GuyFawkes and Beer_Economicus like this.
  2. Nbrock24

    Nbrock24 Pooh-Bah (1,736) Mar 11, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    HB says the upcoming Meet the Citras is in the running for their best beer of 2022. So put this one on the to do list this week
     
  3. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (4,073) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Not sure if zoning law limits the amount of space they could offer for their taproom, as their bottle / merchandise shop is almost the same size. Seems if the entire front of house was their taproom with a large refrigerator or two of four packs available at a host station similar to Revolution's Brewpub set up would be the most efficient use of their space, and allow an increase in accommodations on busy weekends / evenings.

    I went this Sunday morning to avoid the crowds and there was a steady dozen or so patrons throughout my stay. I do like a few of their hazy beers, but typically not a big fan of that style. You can find enough variety in the styles offered to satisfy just about every craft beer fan.

    I really enjoyed all three pints I tried, and was impressed they nailed styles you typically wouldn't associate with their brewery:
    • HB Cricket Hill (ESB): More hoppy than a typical ESB, but well balanced (4.5/5.0)
    • Roaring Table / HB Collab Far Out Cool Pool (WC Pilsner): Tangerine, Pineapple, Pine. Interesting take and one I digged. (4.5/5.0)
    • HB For The World Destination Moon (DIPA) - Old school, citrus / pine, very dank. Surprised it had the lowest score of the three, as it was my favorite, but I tend to judge WCIPAs more harshly. Would have brought this home if I had room in my refrigerator (I do not). (4.25 / 5.0)
    Tried the 10th Anniversary Beer at Spiteful after (A Decade of Spite) and it was very similar to the HB The World Destination Moon in terms of dankness, flavor and crushability.

    Definitely recommend the new taproom, love that they have early hours throughout the week (like nearby Dovetail). I will be back.
     
  4. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Apologies for the thread tangent, but I'm kicking myself I had not known about the Spiteful anniversary beer when I was at HA on Saturday (was in the city to pick up my DW beer but stopped to pick up Nelson DDC, which ended up being a disappointment to me especially considering the price. So lose-lose I guess). Unfortunately, it does not appear they are distributing it. Sigh.
     
    ChicagoJ likes this.
  5. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,554) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I admit I've not been a huge fan of HB and can likely count on one hand the number of beers I've had from them this year, but I quite enjoyed this beer. It certainly hits what I look for in the haze category (i.e., flavorful but not overly sweet) and being 6.5% to boot, well, nicely done HB. And thanks for sharing this comment else I would certainly have not picked it up. Only grabbed a single but may have to grab another, or even a 4 pk perhaps. :wink:
     
  6. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    Been liking their "meet the" series. I'm a sucker for a good Citra IPA. If anyone has had this, how much does it differ from Snorkel Squad?
     
    FBarber and ChicagoJ like this.
  7. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    Gave a few cans of it to a couple of buddies and they were of the same opinion (ok but wouldn't try it again). I applaud the effort from HB to do something different. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

    There was a write up in last week's Chicago Tribune about Xmas brews and this one made the list for some reason.

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/dini...0221202-jo4qnd732bfsriv3uzdfg2lf2u-story.html
     
    Beer_Economicus and ChicagoJ like this.
  8. galos11

    galos11 Savant (1,018) Jan 21, 2015 Illinois
    Society Trader

    I’d say there’s a little more hop bite on meet the Citras. Still wonderful though.
     
    Max_Powers and ChicagoJ like this.
  9. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    Read in their newsletter that HB is having a NYE tasting of sorts that includes a new BA brew. I've only had one HB barrel aged brew at a beer festival about 4 years ago and it was pretty good.

    [​IMG]
     
    BrandonK and galos11 like this.
  10. BrandonK

    BrandonK Devotee (332) Jul 15, 2012 Indiana
    Trader

    I had a couple at FOBAB that were pretty lackluster, but had one at their taproom recently that was pretty good. So I think they got their barrel game sorted out.
     
  11. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,629) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    1 good barrel aged beer is a fluke. When they can put out 5 good ones we can say they have sorted out their barrel game.
     
  12. BeerPrince22

    BeerPrince22 Pundit (781) Feb 21, 2016 Illinois
    Trader

    I’m still waiting for one good stout.
     
  13. ShawnoftheD3ad

    ShawnoftheD3ad Savant (1,066) Mar 20, 2016 Illinois
    Trader

    Zing!
     
    BeerPrince22, ChicagoJ and GuyFawkes like this.
  14. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    I may be in the minority, but I've always liked their stouts. Granted they don't have the rich legacy as say Goose Island, Rev, Half Acre or even P3. But brews like Fat Bear, Coffee Bear, Dirt Bath, Course Grind Hustle or Dark Black were pretty solid.
     
    #234 Max_Powers, Dec 21, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2022
    audis4gasm, ChicagoJ and galos11 like this.
  15. audis4gasm

    audis4gasm Devotee (337) Oct 19, 2017 Illinois

    Fat Bear probably the single most Reese's PB Cup-like beer out there, despite many attempts. But I get it, they are pretty damn sweet, so not for everyone. I do like that they have a somewhat roasty backbone to the beer, so that it's not pure sugar.

    Nonetheless, their FOBAB showings have made me less than enthusiastic about their BA beers, so it's an area that they're working on, I'm sure.

    To add to the list, Dark Black was awesome too. Maple was pronounced, but the sea salt aspect broke through that sweetness again, so cool. Innovative in many ways, too, I haven't had any sea salt stouts at that point in time... It'd be cool if they threw ramped up and added some roast to Fat Bear and Dark Black bases and threw them in the barrel.
     
    ChicagoJ and Max_Powers like this.
  16. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader


    Agree that most of their recent stouts are sweet, which is not everyone's preference. I remember they released a stout way back in 2016-17 called The World's Colombian Exposition which was a coffee stout (may have been their first stout release). It wasn't as sweet compared to their recent offerings. I'm hoping that they bring something like that back next year.

    Hoping with the new Taproom they can up their BA game going forward.
     
    #236 Max_Powers, Dec 22, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2022
  17. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,161) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    That beer was what got me hooked on South Loop Brewing ... sadly it sounds like its not coming back any time soon.
     
  18. audis4gasm

    audis4gasm Devotee (337) Oct 19, 2017 Illinois

    Absolutely, and more specifically, the small brewhouse that comes with the taproom. That's why we're seeing all these "taproom only" beers coming out now like Destination Moon (so crushed I missed this).

    Their main production is at the old 3 Rabbits facility where they crank out the weekly distro releases, but the HA location is probably the location where they're making the Hefeweizen, lagers, one-offs. Hopefully this opens up a lot of room for stout experimentation too!
     
    Max_Powers and ChicagoJ like this.
  19. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Aspirant (272) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    Was talking to a HB rep over of the summer when I was at a brew festival, and there is speculation that when the new tap room is up to speed and all the kinks ironed out they may be opening up a small outpost in the Bedford Park facility. If it ever happens it will probably be a few years off.
     
    #239 Max_Powers, Dec 23, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2022
    audis4gasm, FBarber and ChicagoJ like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.