Dark Lord (2018)

Windmill helps balance out things in NWI. I think they have done well brewing what people want - NEIPAs and fruited IPAs and sours. I don't think it is always successful, but they seem to have embraced the niche that is popular right now, whereas FFF has only dipped their toe in, and 18th Street took a while.

I recommend New Oberpfalz in Griffith. They do lots of German styles you don't see many other places brew while still having great IPAs. Taproom is super relaxed, food is great, and the people are awesome. I live equal distance to New O and Floyds and, even if I like FFF beer more, I go to New O far more.

 

I couldn't help but laugh pretty hard when I saw a guy in a Kikkoman shirt last year. Per list, I definitely fall in the "anything metal" group. Nothing like the look on drunk peoples' faces as they try to read the indecipherable logo on my shirt.

 

3 pours

 

I had just grabbed my Jackie O's when Derivation was tapped so back in line i went

 

That semi trailer by the band area had a really good run of Beers in the early afternoon

 

A few thoughts:

1) If you’re looking for NE IPA’s near 3Floyds, 18th Street’s game is legit whereas Windmill is gimmicky. Just IMHO as a NWI local.

2) Was chatting with a kiosk guy at the brewery and he claimed “between him, me and the wall” that a rye whiskey barrel variant would be a big one this year. For what it’s worth...could be false but it was a brewery employee.

 

I agree with you. Some of Windmill's IPAs have been superb- last fall's batch of Pale Dutch Boy and Two if by Citra blew me away. Their milkshake IPAs and beers brewed with gummy bears are brewed knowing that is a popular shtick right now, and not my thing so much (though that double mango was bonkers after a few weeks).

If you're not from the midwest and don't trade, I'd say Noon Whistle (currently drinking a Gummy Vortex), Transient, Hailstorm, and Hop Butcher are worth tracking down in terms of NEIPAs and DDH IPAs. Transient can be a bit irregular between batches, but overall great. Their recent collab with Hailstorm Boat Socks is another home-run.

The Open Bottle in Tinley is a rad place. I also think Torrence Liquors in Calumet City just over the IL/IN border is great. In NW Indiana, Liquor Stop in Highland (where I live) has a great selection, just check the bottle dates. And of course if you're spending time in Chicago, go to Binny's.

 

You named some of my favorite places lol.

 

I didn't go through all 59 pages of this thread, but does anyone know if there will be a shuttle from Midway Airport to Dark Lord Day? I'm trying to avoid renting a car this year and might plan to just stay near Midway if possible. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Heard rumors of a rye whiskey one as well after they let employees taste test the variants.

Same person also mentioned port, sherry and Portuguese apple brandy. Take it for what it's worth.

 

ISO Apple Brandy DL....Port and sherry are meh...overdone dessert wine fff styles. The Rye Whiskey might be abrasive enough to offset the DL sweetness, but it also might be a mess like people claim the Scotch was.

 

I wasn't overly impressed with 18th last year on Friday.

 

No way...never had a Rye BA Stout I didn't like more than a regular Bourbon, for some odd reason.

 

Must be complimentary to your wry sense of humor.

 

and Hailstorm should be on the agenda if you want some great beer.

 

dusting off my spuds mackenzie tank top...sun's out, guns out.

 

Enough of the f'ing sherry and port, good god

 

This was almost me last year...

 

Port barreling is amazing! You heard about the wine pirates, right? Sailing west along the northern Spanish coast, they ran out of good wine, so they turned hard to port.

#TeamPort

 

No, I'm afraid not. There is a generic airport shuttle that goes from Midway to Highland, IN. Then you would need to get a cab/uber from Highland to FFF. That might be a pain though. https://www.airportsupersaver.com/

Option B, take the Orange line downtown to Qunicy/Wells stop in the loop and walk a mile to 130 S Green St for this shuttle: https://festdrive.busbank.com/dark-lord-day/

Option C: Take a Cab down to Open Bottle in Tinley Park (probably not too much cheaper than taking a cab all the way to Munster honestly) and then take their shuttle: http://theopenbottle.com/store/?product=dark-lord-day-2018-shuttle-bus

Option D: Fly into O'Hare instead and take a short cab ride to Beer on the wall in Park Ridge, who also have a shuttle. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dark-lord-day-shuttles-tickets-44729272458

Option E: Just suck it up and rent a car or cab/uber/lyft the entire trip.