I didn’t see a thread for Church Street, but man these guys and girls are absolutely killing it out here in the burbs! Do not sleep on them. I was impressed earlier this year with the Maibock and Pilsner. Now I’m blown away by this Porter called EGLe they collab’d with Illuminated Brew Works on. Holy shit this is a damn good beer. Hold your chocolate. Hold your coffee. Especially hold the Aunt Jemima maple syrup! This is a what a dark beer’s potential can be. This is a big beer, traditional Baltic Porter (I’m no expert so forgive me). 9.96/10. Taste is bold, big time robust porter, yet goes down very smooth finish at the same time, even for a 9.5% abv beer. Color - dark in the glass with a hint of transparency when drinking. Smell - smells a bit aged almost, like a liquor or cigar. I’m not an expert beer rater so forgive me if I’m missing something, but I I’ll probably crack a 2nd after sharing this first with the ole lady. Kudos to CSB and IBW.
I finished my first 4-pack awhile back, so picked up another 4-pack about two weeks ago. It is now gone as well. I'll be looking for a 3rd
Nothing wrong with making local solid beers. Not every brewery has to pump out hype weenie hazies and expensive barrel aged stouts.
Bingo. Solid German beers may not be everyone's cup of tea but it works for me. I frequent this place often, nice to have solid fresh pils, maibocks, lagers available so close.
Idk if I’m reading his post wrong or what, but yes imagine some folks palette actually gravitates towards something resembling a traditional BEER style vs the newest flavor of the season that markets to “hazy” or “barrel-aged vanilla maple strawberry coffee coconut hot dog stout”. I appreciate all the love for IPAs and the barrell aged beers - it’s the biggest market of craft beer at a premium price. I don’t mind a barrel aged stout, hell once in a great while ill try a new fangled IPA. But thank god for breweries doing their own thing to give the minority drinkers excellent options.
What @Stl705 said. Yes, Church Street will likely not make any, or at least many, of the latest "in" style. But they always make a really dang good beer that tastes like beer.
I can tell you aren't a pastry fan, because everyone knows that coffee and hot dog don't go well together.
What is their relationship with Foreign Exchange, does FE brew out of their facilities with no cross ownership, or is it a separate brand within a single brewer like Une Annee / Hubbard's Cave? I mention because I've liked the Foreign Exchange I tried. Will pick up Church Street next time I come across the beer based on the several positive posts in this thread. Similar feedback for Foreign Exchange was why I gave them a try.
Church Street contract brews for certain brewers, including for Energy City (some type of relationship where brewing is done at CS). I’m not familiar with Foreign Exchange, however I’m pretty sure it’s a similar arrangement was with FE and they are a separate entity/ separate ownership. Lol mini ditkas, we talking Pastries or Beer?? :-) haha.
I believe Foreign Exchange is opening a taproom/brewery in Aurora, and they are contract brewing out of Church Street until FE's brewery opens. I think FE is going to shift production to their brewery soon, but I don't know when their taproom will open.
It does if you put green peppers on your hot dog. But seriously, glad to hear Church Street is still making solid stuff. I'll have to revisit them soon.
