im coming to Chicago for a week or two next week. I am looking to drink as many BA beers as possible. I love Bourbon County and would love to get some of that. But I also love revolution, 3 flloyds... Anything local and BA or SOUR I want to buy it. I'm coming to town with a per diem so I will have money burning a hole in my pocket. Bars and bottle shops are what I'm looking for. I'll travel anywhere. If I have time ill even rent a car. I've been to Beer Temple before and I plane on coming back again. Also, west lakeview liquors. What are the bedroll aced for BA beer and sours? But mostly BA... Guys, I think you in advance for your help!
This isn't 100% the ideal time to scour the earth for BA stuff since it's still technically summer (and the BA biz really heats up...no pun intended...in the colder months), but if any place is going to have something, it's the Goose Island taproom on Fulton. They have BA stuff relatively frequently (just had a blend of BCS variants on tap a weekend or two ago), and also have their sour Sisters rotating on tap (I forget if it's still just weekends, but either way, they have them every week, I think). Another place that's a pretty solid option for finding BA stuff on tap is Local Option on Webster; they frequently have Friday beer events with pretty hardcore taplists. Also, Hopcat has their grand opening this weekend (I think), and I know they have some badass BA stuff they're planning on tapping. You won't have much issue finding sours on tap throughout the city, so if there's a specific neighborhood you'll be hanging out in, let us know, and people can give you some good places to check out. Sours are usually readily available at the big beer shops, as well (Goose Island, Cascade, etc.).
I didn't know Great Lakes had a BA Scotch Ale, just their regular called Loch Erie. You will want to try Central Waters BA Scotch Ale - it's great and 4pks of their 12oz bottles should be around. Check out www.BeerMenus.com and search for the area you will be in and local places and beers. Monk's always has a great tap list and events: http://www.monkspubchicago.com/ and https://www.beermenus.com/places/1808-monk-s-pub Special tappings and other news can be found at: http://www.chicagonow.com/the-beeronaut/ https://www.facebook.com/Beeronaut/
Wow guys! This is already awesome! Love the support! I know summer is not main stout season. Crossing my fingers though!
@VinHalen54 makes a good point about CW; that's one that should be available at least somewhere when you get here. I've also seen one of Revolution's BA Gene porters (I forget which one) at a local Whole Foods, for what it's worth (this was yesterday). Those tend to be shelf turds (relatively speaking), and they're good beers, so definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Without trying to get off topic, there have been many infection reports with the "Gene" series and Very Mad Cow, and all mine were bad in the past 2 years. Revolution has even removed the "Gene" series from their website. But Deth's Tar, Straight Jacket, and Ryeway to Heaven are super and you may be able to get bottles at the brewpub, but nowhere else since their release dates were earlier in the year.
@VinHalen54 is correct about the infections - I'd avoid the Gene and Mad Cow you see on the shelf. Some of the other ones can be found if you get some luck. I found a Straight Jacket (BA barley wine) last month. Central Waters Scotch ale is everywhere, and given the amounts sitting, you should be able to get some. Ive been to 3 binnys in the last week and all had 5+ cases on the floor. I actually know of at least one place with bourbon county out on the shelf, but as it wasn't "an infected date", Im not sure it will last. Morenos Liquor has some nice BA stouts last time I was there including one from Maplewood that is an exclusive there. And as people have said, check beer menus - stuff gets tapped all the time.
Sh!#...my apologies, I meant Central Waters BA Scotch Ale. Apparently I was a little distracted earlier.
