Dovetail Brewery (2022)

I imagine that was taproom only?

But... could you (traditionally) take away a jug?

 

Hagen waxes poetic about the inspiration for it in the video, re-imagining the ideal lager they dream about from their time living in Germany. Not copying any specific brewery or style, just a general concept of the "perfect lager". Sure, it borrows from Helles and Kellerbier styles, but exists somewhere in between. They have mentioned tiny family-run German breweries in small towns that only make 1-2 beers, and that was an inspiration when they first opened with only 3 beers.

Re: Zoigl
They did a "tour" around neighborhood bars where they tapped a small wooden barrel of Zoigl at each one. I think it was at the taproom briefly too.

 

Sounds like how I describe Landbier -- and how I imagine so many of those small German brewers develop their Light Lagers (whether they actually call them Helles).

Adds unique character, as well as similarities, to them all.

I try to keep this in mind whenever I review a new Helles-style; there needs to be certain characters, but then there are variances.

 

Thanks @FBarber and @emerge077 for the info regarding their straight up Lager. Really got lucky coming across the beer in cans, and now I know why I never seem to find these cans since. Will look for draft at their taproom (it’s not on their current list) and head down when it returns.

Also tried the Haymarket Chicago Tavern Beer for the first time the day before, making it a very nice Chicago beer weekend (though technically this Haymarket beer like most of their offerings is brewed and canned in Bridgman, MI).

 

Great time to mention the Dovetail Lager is on draft at the Hopleaf!

 

Can't recall your location, but the Dovetail beer-finder shows a lot of spots that carry their beers on tap.

I have mine at an Irish pub (of all places) in Barrington -- McGonigal's, but I've heard there's a spot closer to me... been wary of finding out for sure because it's too close for safety!

 

Even though McGonigal's web site says they have it, Dovetail's finder doesn't show it as an account anymore.

 

Spears in Wheeling had it on their list as of 9/10...maybe worth a shot if not too far.

 

I like to say never say never, but it may have been just a moment in Dovetail time. It was fun. If we do it again, I'd like to make Zoigl flags for the bars that have it on tap at the time to put outside to let the people know it's time to drink Zoigl.

RE: Lager
It's a "styleless" beer. It has no neat style it fits in to. That's why it's just called Lager. It's our house beer. Emerge077's summary of the video a few posts up did a good job explaining that.

We started to use the word Franconian more to describe it for a couple of reasons: 1) to differentiate it from the Helles (people only see the word lager sometimes) and 2) to tie back to our method of using a coolship in the Franconian tradition. Most beer drinkers who know of coolships usually only know them to be used in the Senne Valley tradition.

Anyway, it will be back on tap next week at Dovetail -- we ran out before our new batch was ready!

Also I'm trying not to be offended by the person who compared our spon beers to quick sours even though I know you can't make everyone a fan

 

I should be at Dovetail in a couple. I'll let you know how the Helles is tasting.

 

I'm taking that as a sign that Goose Island Black Eagle is finally seeing the light of day.

 

Couple what?

 

I'll be in Chicago 1st-6th October.

 

Having the Dovetail Lager on draft at the Hopleaf.

Sourdough bread, raw oats & faint lemon.

Keller/zwickel appearance.

Creamy, smooth mouthfeel.

A phenomenal lager, IMO.

 

Sorry, I couldn't find the old thread.

Someone was disappointed with Dovetail Helles. And it was mentioned that I was a fan. Had it declined in quality?

I had a big glass of it at the brewery a few days ago and it was as good as I remember. Really drinkable, but not boring. They also had a really good Dunkles on.

 

Czech Dark Lager (draft) and Holiday Bock (draft & cans) are both at Dovetail now. CDL is even better than I remember. They also had Glühkriek and some new spirit barrel variants of Vignette on the menu.

 

is CDL draft only this year or did the cans already sell out?