Barrel-aged beers in Chicago?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by tennisjoel, Jul 24, 2022.

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  1. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    I'll be heading through Chicago in mid August. Planning to stop at Binny's in Lincoln Park. Looking for some good finds, ones that don't break the bank. So far on my list, I have (to look for):
    • Two Brothers Domain Dupage
    • Local Option Outlawger
    • Revolution Straight Jacket
    • Revolution Deth Tar
    • Pipeworks Unicorn galaxy IIPA
    • Off Color Apex predator
    • 3 Founteinen Oude Geuze Cuvee Armand & Gaston
    • Pipeworks Lizard King
    Other suggestions?

    I should add that I am really into barrel aged beers (not necessarily bourbon barrel). So any suggestions along those lines would be great.
     
    #1 tennisjoel, Jul 24, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 24, 2022
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  2. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Do they really not have any of those in your distro range? Solid beers, but most of these are such available common staples here this is almost the beer equivalent of asking what the best thing to try at McDonalds is. If they aren’t available in your distro range by all means proceed and enjoy.
     
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  3. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    Domain DuPage is a solid, tasty, easy-drinking beer. Probably the one of the best beers to have with pizza. Definitely worth bringing back home. Two Brother's Ebel's Weiss is an awesome Hefeweizen, if your tastes run that way.
     
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  4. Max_Powers

    Max_Powers Crusader (466) Jul 3, 2022 Illinois
    Trader

    I would also check out Hop Butcher For the World and Phase 3 brewing if you like the hazy IPAs (they also brew some some pretty good stouts). Probably 2 of the hottest brewery's in the Chicagoland area for the last several years.
     
  5. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most of these should be pretty easy to find - you can check out the Binnys website and search the beer inventory for Lincoln Park before you go. Also, Off Color is maybe 3 minute from there, so might be worth stopping in there as well if you have the time.

    so yea, if you like some more variety with you barrel aged beers Off Color will have some cool stuff to-go. https://app.upserve.com/s/off-color-brewing-chicago

    Binny's LP will also have a big selection of local stuff - I'm sure you can find something there that interests you.
     
  6. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    OP, the only thing I can add is Pipeworks Galaxy Unicorn (aka Unicorn Galaxy) hasn't been brewed since 2019 I don't think. So if you happen to see it on a shelf...run...run away. :wink:
     
  7. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    We get a few Half Acre beers, obviously Goose Island, and Destihl in MN. That is about it for Illinois.
     
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  8. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    Thanks. I'm definitely more of an old school West Coast IPA fan, but will occasionally enjoy a hazy IPA.
     
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  9. ktr5010

    ktr5010 Savant (1,028) Dec 12, 2014 Illinois
    Trader

    I don't know where in Minnesota you are but Revolution distributes up there now so Straight Jacket and Deths Tar should be findable.
     
  10. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    Probably their distribution is in the twin cities. I am in Rochester and don't get up to the cities on a regular basis.
     
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  11. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    Off Color looks interesting. I'll try to stop by since they are conveniently located near Binny's in Lincoln Park. Do they have dedicated parking?
     
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  12. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes, they do - right out front.
     
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  13. Jagrmaister

    Jagrmaister Zealot (609) Jan 13, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    Grab Dovetail or Goldfinger if you are into more traditional styles of "old world" beer.
     
  14. miniditka77

    miniditka77 Pundit (953) May 21, 2015 Illinois
    Trader

    If you're going to Binny's in LP, Goose Island Clybourn is right across the street. They have a pretty good selection of vintage Bourbon County bottles, although some of them cost an arm and a leg (or at least a particularly valuable finger).
     
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  15. beardown2489

    beardown2489 Pooh-Bah (1,966) Oct 5, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Regarding west coast IPAs with Galaxy - you won’t find any. Galaxy hops are not the same as they were 4 years ago.

    The only Galaxy ipa that consitantly impressed me these days is Rev Ddh Galaxy hero. It returns this week so you should grab that if you want to have a nice Galaxy beer. They blend other hops into it, which really makes a difference
     
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  16. beardown2489

    beardown2489 Pooh-Bah (1,966) Oct 5, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    What styles of barrel aged beers are you looking for? Your list confuses me a bit, as many are not barrel aged.

    Post some styles you love, and we can get this thread back on track and help you find some excellent options
     
    #16 beardown2489, Jul 26, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 26, 2022
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  17. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes, and this is a damn shame. There was a stretch back then when all I seemingly wanted to drink was PW Infinite Galaxy. It was drinking that well. Other great galaxy hopped IPAs as well but that one really stood out for me. Maybe one day galaxy hops will recapture their past glory. Craft beer drinkers would certainly be better off for it.
     
  18. beardown2489

    beardown2489 Pooh-Bah (1,966) Oct 5, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    It was the greatest hop in the world for 3 or 4 years. The Galaxy era ended in ‘18 or ‘19 depending on what harvest your favorite local brewery was using. Since then, the crazy passionfruit/peach notes get muddled by earthy notes like dirt and grass.
     
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  19. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    Yeah sorry I was just looking for some higher rated beers that I don't have regular access to. I do like a lot of styles. So just mentioned barrel aged as more of a favorite.

    Some of my favorite styles are:
    West coast IPA/IIPA
    Belgian (pretty much any except I'm picky on sours....don't mind tart but I don't like puckering sour)
    Smoked
    Barleywine/Rye Wine/Wheatwine
    Impy Stout
    a good Hefeweizen or Weizenbock

    Actually I probably should list the styles I don't like as the list is shorter.

    Don't like
    Milkshake IPA's
    any beer with lactose
    picky about NE/Hazy IPA
    extremely sour beers
    picky about fruity beers or pastry stouts
     
    #19 tennisjoel, Jul 27, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2022
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  20. tennisjoel

    tennisjoel Crusader (401) Nov 21, 2007 Minnesota

    I distinctly remember a galaxy hopped beer from Alaskan brewing that I enjoyed back a number of years ago.
     
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