Chicagoland Lagers (2021)

Man I guess I got lucky that my friend started brewing beer/ working for breweries in our early 20’s.

I also feel you on the real time waist size increase on some of these stouts. Having an infant isn’t helping the waistline either. I can barely get two workouts a week in now without jeopardizing my marriage.

 

File Under: Person who should not be opining about lagers, opining about lagers

I tried the Goldfinger Maibock tonight. Now, being ignorant of lagers, but open to trying just about any beer I can have a single can / draft pour of, I noticed a theme in my Maibock reviews...I thought (all 3 of them) had strong candy corn vibes that I didn't really enjoy. Working backwards here, I'm assuming this is a very malt-forward lager, but still using light colored malts.

The Goldfinger Maibock DOES have some candy corn vibes, but they are off-set by nice notes of fresh flowers & some faint (VERY faint) hop bite. So, more balanced than what I'm used to.

I'm still an absolute philistine when it comes to lagers; in fact, I may like this version better than the others I've tried simply because I'm actively trying to be more open to the(se) style(s).

This is a lot of words to say: I think you should try the Goldfinger Maibock, especially if you can buy a single can. Shout out to Bottles & Cans.

 

So have been loving the maibock explosion this spring! Here are my personal rankings of the locals, immensely enjoyed the top 3. Cheer and jeer away!
1. Dovetail
2. Riverlands
3. Goldfinger
4. Hailstorm

 

Looks like Phase Three has entered the Maibock game, as well! Haven't tried it...

 

Old Irving has Goat Destroyer, their Maibock available as well.

 

I had Church Street's maibock last night, and it was pretty good. Dovetail's is the gold standard for me.

BTW, the one time I have ever been to the Munich Hofbrauhaus, they had their maibock on tap. I ordered a glass, and the waiter asked me whether I was sure I wanted it, because it was like 7% alcohol. Then when he brought me the glass, he warned me again that it was 7% alcohol. I laughed a little and told him it was OK, but they must have been getting tons of Americans used to swilling AALs coming in there and getting messed up on their maibock. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, I was in a lot better shape back then and didn't look like a guy who domes bombers of BA stout.

 

Got a line on P3, Old Irving, and off color. What a time to be alive!

 

Phase Three is releasing their "Haus Lager" this week; seems new. Only seeing it on OZNR, with no real information on what kind of lager it is.

Their maibock was really good, by the way! Tried it on draft last weekend.

 

Haus is a helles at a lot of places, so that would be my guess to what it is. They do go great with warm weather...

I’m picking up the Maibock this weekend and going to do a side by side by side with DT and GF.

 

Dovetail’s Maibock may just be a perfect beer. It’s becoming one of my favorite Chicago seasonal releases.

 

BiXi has a solid Schwarzbier out now called Mid Aughties.

 

last night I had a couple of the Chug Life sparkling lagers from Marz. I thought it was solid!

 

So blind taste test by me and me only (wife numbered the cups, and cans)....

DT >>>>>> GF>>>P3

so pretty much what I expected. DT’s Maibock is my favorite, and stood up in a blind trail. GF’s was very good, but def a step below DT. Surprisingly, or at least to me, P3’s was very respectable attempt, and not as far off from GF as I had expected.

 

Had both Off Color and Phase 3 maibocks and thought both were solid, but not in the same league as Dovetail, Riverlands and Goldfinger

 

I just had a Tooth & Claw yesterday for the first time in ages (I think since they changed format). It really hit the spot. Just… right. Balanced, flavorful. Off Color can really nail a wide range of traditional based stuff even though they are sort of known for the other stuff. And even when they add a slight twist to traditional stuff, it just dials right in. I was thinking that if Tooth & Claw was back in 12 oz it would probably be a daily drinker. Not sure about the psychology of that, but there it is.

 

Agreed, tooth and claw is a summer staple in this household!

 

Had Metro Arc Welder Rye Dunkel Lager and really enjoyed. Anyone else had a local lager they enjoyed recently?

 

Chicago Tavern Beer by Haymarket Brewery and Original Lager by Goldfinger were two great Lagers I really enjoyed the past few days. Will definitely pick up both again.

Love Lager season!

 

Art History, Dovetail and Goldfinger are my go to right now

 

Haymarket doesn’t get credit. They do have a proper lager program. Everything they do is pretty proper actually. Just a matter of finding it relatively fresh because it seems few people recognize it. Hazy is Lazy is one of the best clear ipas on the market, plain and simple. Blood Orange Blonde is beautiful, Defender is great American stout, Oscars Pardon could be a candidate for retirement but it’s great too.