Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Seconded comment earlier- definitely was a clear more traditional IPA. A good clear more traditional IPA

 

Love the Inigo in the background

 

Just tried HB I Want To Believe. Very different than the previous offerings put out by HB. For those that had a problem with the t-wang that encompassed every other variety of the "style" that HB put out, you might like this. Personally, I have been digging every single variety HB has had to offer. This one is different. I like it, not love it. Mouthfeel is off compared to the previous offerings. Haziness is a lil weird due to the amber quality of the color. And I might be the weird one that likes a the t-wang, but I kind of enjoyed that aspect of Mellotron and Reply Hazy. For those that has had Snoochie Boochie from Forbidden Root, this taste very similar, which I enjoyed.

 

All I needed. I won't be seeking this one out!

 

So The Open Bottle posted this. Each beer is in front of their cans, respectively. Did they forget to can the "NE Style Double IPA"?

 

I was able to get a bomber of this (DDH Sue) and Xhops Gold today. Very excited to open them up.

 

I just finished mine. Did they add sugar instead of flour? As pictures have shown, it's a touch darker than expected and not really hazy. Mine wasn't clear like the pic above from Open Bottle, but it was only a touch opaque

Flavor-wise, I'll take this in a different direction. To me, it's like GB-lite. Similar flavor profile, but dialed back with no bite. Almost watered-down, maybe? Probably due to the thin mouthfeel. I'll try the other release tomorrow and maybe give this another couple days in the can to change, evolve, fall off, whatever.

 

Just had sharks with laser beams from RAM wheeling. Very drinkable, but undercarbed, too dark, and no citra/mosaic

I hope the brewer at RAM wheeling keeps experimenting though! Only a few minutes away from where I work.

 

Super excited about this. I honestly thought Funny Gummy was one of the best options of the style in the area

 

Couldn't agree more. I had a crowler of it sitting in my fridge for two weeks that I opened last night. Just as hazy and delicious as from the tap.

 

Xhops gold is fantastic. loved it both times i had it. i asked the guy at The Beer Temple today when they expect TG bombers and he told me as far as he knew they were only getting cans, which would be a bit disappointing but having psuedoSue distro here is better than nothing.

i picked up both Hop Butcher beers while there, so looking forward to trying those.

 

Hey I'm up in Gurnee for the day. What are some good bottle shops?

 

I Want to Believe is splendid. Hop Butcher is quickly getting up there in the hype stakes....

 

The more I drink this new version of cromulent, the more I wish they hadn't changed the yeast. Dont get me wrong it's still a world class beer, but I think the base recipe is better using a more "standard" yeast.

From what I remember, the OG Cromulent was one of the best standard pale ales around.

 

Yep it's damn good.

 

Hmm. That's interesting. I know Cromulent is Chris' favorite of all hoppy beers he makes, (even though Flightless and Obligatory are the CLEAR winner) ** so it's weird he would change it up.

If anything, I would guess it's because he likes drinking this recipe more.

**this is where an emoji would go if BA allowed 21st century typing.

 

This is not directed directly at you.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks we're going to get special TG bombers? They were very clear what we would be getting when they announced distribution to Illinois.

 

Did they not announce we get 5 beers including King Sue?

 

Tried Jacob goes to Juicetown last night. It was ok for the style. I'd probably have enjoyed it more if I wasn't expecting the NE mouthfeel. That being said, it was a tasty beer.

Also Forbidden Root is a very cool spot. Highly recommend it.