Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Heading from NYC to Chicagoland for the holidays. Brother-in-law wants to know if he can pick up any beer for us. We're used to the top shelf NYC NEIPAs like Other Half and Grimm, and bringing some to share. Any Chicago comparables?

 

“Top shelf”? Maybe 2-3 years ago, it’s a new day and age homie

 

No, nothing like Grimm here. Half Acre would be the closest, but those tend to lean a bit more towards the West Coast IPAs. Chicago NEIPAs are similar to our pizza style- we go over the top. Pizza it's thick,deep dish. Chicago NEIPAs tend to be much sweeter/thicker.

 

I don’t know what is going on with my bottles of Super Special Sauce. Almost a mint flavor. Not what this beer once was

 

I had one last night and there was no mint whatsoever, though this was my first batch of this one so couldn't tell you if it holds up to past offerings.

 

The 11/20 batch is really good as well. Guess they are putting SOJ out fresh every two weeks. Would love to see other breweries we discuss here put out a regular offering like this. I guess Mikerphone might be heading in that direction with the contract brewing.

 

What beers and where is Mikerphone contract brewing?

 

Best bet would be going to Forbidden Root/Corridor and grabbing crowlers/growlers to bring back.

 

Unofficial official response "We have reports that bottles of Super Special Sauce are experiencing a new flavor profile. Rest assured these bottles are drinking in mint condition...."

 

Is it just this beer that makes you think they are heading in the contract brewing direction, or have there been other comments/indications by them? Considering their expansion and the fact that hardly any of their non-adjunct or non-BA stuff sells super quick, it seems strange that they wouldn't keep everything in house.

 

There were rumors of expansion into Wisco before so I just assume they are going the contract brewing route instead.

 

I don't think the Wisconsin thing was even a rumor. My memory is hazy, but I think Mike had even announced it via some platform, and then announced when it was decided not to purse the Wisconsin location. I wouldn't assume that just because he had eyes on Wisconsin that he is now planning on contract brewing.

I'm not saying they definitively aren't going to contract brew more, but I didn't think the Wisconsin thing was a connection to it.

 

That's a lot of time, energy and paperwork if that was going to be a one time contract job.

If Mikerphone is sitting on excess inventory there is an easy solution- expand into new states. Watching 4 packs of hops from Hop Butcher, FR, Corridor, and More fly off shelves/out of the buildings, they probably recognize consumers want 4 packs of cans and this is their way of getting them out so they aren't left behind.

 

I have no idea how much time, energy and paperwork it entails, so I can't speak to that. It'd be interesting to hear how much, if you have that insight.

They have a canning machine waiting in the wings, though, don't they??? I thought they were just waiting for it to become fully operational. But maybe that is delayed while they do the expansion, which seems like it is coming along pretty well.

I thought maybe they did a canning run with whomever they did it could have been a chance for them to get a full on experience of canning one of their beers, even if it wasn't on their own machine. Who knows...

 

I remember when they opened they said they wouldn't brew an IPA

 

So this thread is 226 pages and i don't see a list.

Coming to Chicago for the first time in 2+ years. I'll be in the city for one day, 12/23. Where can i get a good NEIPA, either in cans or on craft. In the city, not the burbs. And is there anybody in the city making good sours? Thanks,