I'm landing in Madison on Thursday. Gonna be driving to Chicago, Gary, Grand Rapids, and all the ideal beer spots. Any events going on that's worth checking out? Any news on special beer taps? I'm 100% unfamiliar with all these places, so it would be cool if I got some suggestions! 1) Where can I get some Upland sours without driving too south of IN? 2) What bars/pubs are a must? 3) Where in the world is BCBS? It seems like it's all gone haha. Any places where I can score some? I'm bringing a bunch of west-coast sours and stouts as bait/leverage in case some bars keep their rarities hidden haha. Thanks a bunch!
Unless someone has a secret spot they wish to share, I am pretty sure you will not find Upland sours anywhere, bar or liquor store. As for BCBS you may get lucky and find it on tap somewhere this week as the second batch of 2011 is just now hitting taps, but they did not send out any more bottles at all. You will not find it on any shelves, but you can find a bar or two that has it bottled. You could possibly set up a trade but do it before you leave!
If you are going to be driving thru NW Indiana (i.e. past Gary) my suggestion would be FFF (Calument Ave. exit) of course. If you are heading to FFF might as well hit up Beer Geeks in Griffith (pretty decent rotating tap list). Depending on the time you could also hit up Shoreline in Michigan City, IN on your way up to Michigan. As far as Upland sours, unfortunately they are very limited to begin with and up here we see limited distribution. You would be better off setting up an IP trade on your way thru.
Goose Island usually keeps some of their barrel aged beers back to leak out at events/releases (Vanilla at the King Henry release, etc) so your best bet to score some BCBS is to plan an elaborate break in and grab as much King henry and Rare as you can. I can be the driver. I give you a five minute window. Anything happens in that five minutes and I'm yours. No matter what. Anything happens a minute either side of that and you're on your own. Do you understand? Also I get 35% of the score.
Rev Brew has a few excellent beers on tap right now, but if you are here next week too, Sheffields has a GI Tap Takeover on Wed that has BCS Vanilla, etc. Must try in Madison: Malt house, brick house, Brassire V (cant spell that place), great dane (for the food), Weary traveler (for the food), dexter's pub. Must try Chicago: Rev Brew, Kuma's Corner, GI Clybourn Pub, Small Bar, Fountainhead, Long bar, map room, sheffields, trader todds (best karaoke in the city), and rocking horse As for BCBS: good luck!
I agree with jegross and pschul, Madiso, Great Dane has great food. I'd also check out Woodman's for beer. Also check out Blue Moon, divey low key bar near the university. best cheese curds. Ale Asylum is also great.
I live right next to there. What am I missing lol. They usually have Edmund Fitzgerald and a Sierra Nevada on tap....
gross, blue moon? I forget what they have on tap, i always do spotted cow up there, i know i know. but the curds are the bomb.
