Chicago Availability Help

Give our beer finder a try:

http://www.boulevard.com/beers/beer-finder/

 

With Pipeworks, it's hard to tell what will be out in a couple weeks, since they release new beers seemingly daily. I'd keep my eye on the Pipeworks release thread here, and maybe check them out on Twitter/Instagram. They release plenty of stouts, if that's your thing, and a lot of their DIPAs (the Ninja series, Unicorn series, the different fish-themed beers, etc.)are highly regarded.

FW - You probably won't find much of their BA stuff on shelves (just checking Beer Menus.com it looks like it's at a few bars around here, but not in stores really), but you can easily find their 6-packs. Jermis covered Boulevard, but you'll definitely find some of their stuff at Binny's (depending on what you're looking for).

For Rev/Half Acre/etc. - Fist City is just hitting in canned 6 packs this week, so I'd recommend looking out for it. You'll have no issues finding Daisy Cutter, but you'll have a better shot at some of the Half Acre stuff if you make it to their store/tap room up on the Northside (not sure that's an option, but figured I'd mention it). If you're going to Binny's on Grand you'll probably be set for the local breweries, but obviously going to their actual locations gives you a better shot at the harder-to-find stuff.

If you do have any travel options in the city, I'd recommend considering something like LP Binny's/Goose Island Clybourn; Lincoln Park is the flagship Binny's, and as such has the best selection, and also happens to have a great tap room (good stuff on tap, friendly people, big, nice space). GI Clybourn is obviously a classic, and you'll be able to try a LOT of beers you can't have elsewhere. It's one of the nicer pubs in the city, for my money, and it's historic.

Boulevard will be covered at Binny's, as will Central Waters; what they have will again be subject to when you get there (I think CW's BA stuff is gone by now). I don't see a lot of Alesmith in Chicago; checking Seekabrew (http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/index.html?b=AleSmith) it looks like we only get limited disty here (I see them more in Wisconsin).

In terms of what else we get--You probably already have access to Surly given where you're from, so that's not something to worry about. I'm sure you'll be looking for FFF (and there's plenty around)...Do you guys get Mikkeller? If not, I'd keep an eye out for some of his stuff; Beer Geek Vanilla Shake hit recently, and if you like stouts, I highly highly highly recommend looking around for a bottle. Also, Middle Brow (another Chicago-area special) released Milk Eyed Mender, which is a nice twist on a chile milk stout, so keep an eye out for that.

There's a million things to look out for, so if you want other recommendations, let me know. If you're sticking to the Loop-area, you'll also find a lot of bars with nice beer lists, so I would highly recommend looking around on Beer Menus for beers you're looking for (for example, BCBS Prop '14 has shown up in the Loop recently, as has CBS).

 

Sigh, I wrote that before the caffeine kicked in, and feel extremely stupid now; of course you don't get Surly, sorry. For some reason, Michigan = Minnesota early in the morning. Anyway, yeah, I'd keep any eye out for Surly, for sure, then. Abrasive might be hard to track down, but Furious and various Benders should be around all over. I would highly recommend using Beer Menus if you're sticking to around where your hotel/conference/etc. is, because it'll open your eyes to a lot of little places that might be really convenient to you.

Also, you're not too far from Portillos (assuming proximity to Binny's on Grand), so I'd check them out if you want a good hotdog or cheeseburger. Also, Al's Italian beef is in the area, which, for my money is the best Italian beef in at least the city. It looks like you're also staying close to Michigan Ave, and if so, I highly recommend Do-Rite (a block or two East) for their chicken sandwiches (or donuts).

Warehouse Liquors and Printer's Row Wine Shop are also within a couple miles of your hotel, if you don't feel like doing Binny's, and they've both got solid beer lineups. Binny's is definitely the #1 stop, though; follow Beth on Twitter if you want to know what's going on there.

 

I don't use either particularly often, and started using Twitter specifically because of its benefits in my beer hunts.

In terms of NYF's Rootbeer, if you mean the 5.9% version, you should still be able to find it by then; places like Jewel (local grocery chain) have cases upon cases still.

 

Make sure to check out 3Floyds, not sure if they distribute to Michigan. You will want to try and get your hands on some Zombie Dust for sure.

 

I was just at that Binny's on Sunday. I loaded up on Revolution beers as I went to both their taproom and brewery on Saturday. Both were awesome and had different beers on tap.

Plus Binny's had more revolution for sale than even the brewery (taproom doesnt sell bombers).

I also purchased sculpin, victory at sea, grapefruit sculpin, union jack, daisy cutter, serita, and dorado at Binny's. Great store with a vast selection.

If you want a nice meal head to Revolution though. The taproom was great and their beer was phenomenal.

 

FYI, Prairie is now available in Chicago as well, so you should be able to find some of their stuff at Binny's, too.

 

Solemn Oath is a good local brewery as well. You should be able to find some bombers at Binnys.

 

I was out in the burbs a couple weeks ago and saw VaS sixers and bombers at several different places. Not sure if it's the same situation in the city, though. The basic Surly stuff (Furious, Bender, Coffee bender) seemed readily available.

 

Yeah there was a huge drop of VaS several weeks ago across the area. I still see sixers about the burbs. Give Binnys Grand a call and see if they have it in stock.

 

If you have time to go to a brewery you can go to Haymarket Pub and Brewery which is just west of downtown, Revolution Brewery (great burgers) which is close to the Blue Line if you are taking public transportation, Half Acre has a nice tasting room, Piece Pizza makes their own beer...again off the Blue Line. There are literally dozens of brew pubs in Chicago now to choose from. My favorite places to buy bottles and cans are Beer Temple and Fishmans Liquors. There are a lot of other good local breweries around town like Spiteful, Lake Effect and others that don't get wide distribution, but are very good.

 

I have seen VaS quite a bit at beer shops over the past few weeks. If you're worried at all about finding it, just message me and I would be more than willing to grab some for you. I work in the loop, and would gladly meet you somewhere to give it to you. If you get a chance to make it to a place like Map Room, Sheffield's or Local Option - they are all bars with great beer selections.

I'd recommend overall checking out the various Binny's and Whole Foods you can get too, as well as swinging by one of the smaller shops like Printer's Row. I also agree you should check out a brewery in person like Revolution or Half Acre....skip as much of that work stuff as you can!