Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Checks calendar 5 days from now and sees stale beer.

Please throw a FFF Lazer Snake in there for fun. I just need a reference point as I can't find the Galaxy Bowl, Mikerphone, Juicy. Has anyone cracked their bottle yet?

 

Ha. Beer Temple closes at 8 otherwise I'd see you but Capone's got it as well and they're open until Midnight so I'm heading there now.

 

I think I'm gonna swing by Beer Temple to grab another 4 pack (or two) tomorrow - I really enjoyed it and planned on giving one of my 4 packs to my brother, so I need more myself! I'm assuming they will still have a decent amount tomorrow, as they close at 8 and their IG showed a good deal of it in the picture.

 

Tried Galaxy Bowl tonight....and wow. So saturated in Galaxy hop flavor and aroma. This and Juicy are the two standouts for this style around Chicago right now. I'd put them just the slightest bit over the Mikerphone beers and Hubbards V4, then those over Hailstorm, but I've only had Stratus.

I grabbed the Galaxy Bowl at Beer Cellar today, but I'd love to grab another four pack. I'll be anxious to see when the Binny's in the area start rolling it out

 

Jesus man, I could bottle some of my piss and call it a NE IPA and it would sell out in this city faster than a model giving free rimmers.

 

It's pretty damn good. And I'm not the biggest fan of galaxy hops. (I strongly prefer Haze and Julius to Green) To my palate, they're a little too grassy.

Juice is Loose is still at the top for me, then Juicy and GB are next with SS #1 and #5 right there as well. I still have a SS #7 that I plan on doing side-by-side-by-side with Juicy and GB.

 

On my second can of hop galaxy bowl right now. Overall, it is phenomenal. So stoked to see this hit the shelves. I will drink it regularly if they continue to make it.

My only complaint is there seems to be a lack of carbonation. It tastes a little watery. Up the carbonation though, and it is world class.

Out of all of the NE IPAs in Chicago I've had juicy (didn't get any cans but tried it on draft), around 6 mikerphones, and hubbard's cave (still need to try some transient).

I would rank them as follows juicy > galaxy bowl (juicy and gb are pretty close) > Hubbard's Cave > Mikerphone. Mikerphone last is subjective though. Mike's top notch versions (some of the special sauces and get fresh flow) beat out galaxy bowl (but maybe not juicy). However, I've found more times than not, Mikerphone beers rank below Hubbard's Cave usually due to an astringent hop flavor (likely dry hopping for too long or too many hops early in the boil). Side note, Mike's "I Want My IPA" was probably the best "non NE" style IPA I've ever had and beats out most of the NE style IPAs I've had.

For Hubbard's Cave (Batch 4), it's just a little too bitter for my taste. Dial that back a bit, and it will move up the list.

Juicy is amazing. It has a unique and complex hop aroma/flavor, perfect carb, a great mouthfeel, perfect sweetness, and a good peachy yeast flavor.

I've also had quite a few others (a half dozen from treehouse, TG King Sue, a half dozen from trillium, several alchemist, and lots of hill farmstead), and I still think we have a little ways to go here before we're in the big leagues here. Our top representations of the style are similar in quality to some of the least favored versions from trillium and tree house (which are still phenomenal beers).

Just one man's opinion.

Also, I'd like to clarify that what makes a NE style IPA (in virtually every situation that you guys have confirmed is part of the style) is the yeast. This is what gives the beers that haziness and adds that juicy, peachy hop aroma. Virtually every beer said to fit the style in this thread uses a similar yeast strain that is significantly different from the strains used in traditional IPAs.

 

I just grabbed some GB at Capones. They had about 6-8 cases left. They also had a few Techno Gorillas also.

 

I thought Lazer Snake was a really drinkable IPA/APA/whatever it is. It's completely clear, so not anywhere near a NE IPA. I'm not going out of my way for it, but it is solid. I'd probably take Zombie Dust, Navaja, or Brickstone APA over it, but as something different, it would be a good choice. And at the lower price point, that helps. If you were paying $10, $12, or more, then I'd probably pass.

As always, that's just my palate. Others may feel differently, which I could totally see. And I'm sure some people give it a little boost because of the FFF name.

Tl;dr version - Meh

 

I'm hoping this was meant to be funny. Cuz it is.

Guys don't even own their own place yet. They are brewing out of aquanaut.

 

I thought GB nailed the mouthfeel the most of all the locals attempts I've been able to try (all but Juicy). It's so soft. Really enjoyable, maybe the best.

Seems like there's enough of this style floating around to a side by side. GB, Juicy, HCB4...

 

It's truth in comedy. As a Chicagoa history fan and beer lover, Hop Butcher to the World is one of the best names I have heard. Much better than South Loop Brewing.

Don't get me started on Aquanaut. Why anyone would support a Phil Tadros company with all the investors he has ripped off and documented shady business practices is beyond me.

 

Had the Galaxy Bowl last night. It's pretty good, but I still prefer Juicy. Going to sit on the GB for a week or two to see how it changes. These were canned Wednesday afternoon.

 

Doesn't seem like any Binnys are getting Galaxy Bowl any time soon. Lakeview said maybe in the future. Similar response from Grand. Anyone know where I could grab this in the Loop today? Would love to bring this for Mornin Delight release.

 

Hop Butcher is a daring name. If they made awful beer the joke would be on them as butchering hops.

Phil is an owner in Aquanaut. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/arti...ntrepreneurs-has-made-more-than-a-few-enemies