Congratulations Chicagoland!

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nat...bmSqQSxTV-4TgDvstpEX58ve_jrVJ9Viwa0WquBYsAUlI

8. Illinois
Goose Island's sale was one of the first to make big waves in craft beer, and while it undoubtedly altered the Chicago beer landscape, it doesn't change the fact that Bourbon County Stout is STILL one of the most hotly anticipated releases on the annual beer geek calendar. But focusing on Goose Island does a bit of a disservice to what's happened around the rest of the state, with Revolution, Half Acre, and Pipeworks all expanding rapidly and attracting the attention of beer lovers nationwide. Ex-Goose Island brewers have gone on to start boundary-pushing breweries like Off Color and Moody Tongue. Mikerphone and more are turning the suburbs into a serious force, and Destihl's standout sours are making sure no one ignores what's happening downstate.

 

There are 200,000 residents of Aurora who would have an hour-long commute to downtown Chicago right now (approximately noon on a Friday). Drive an hour out of downtown Portland, Oregon, and not only are you 15 to 20 minutes past the outer limits of the Portland metro area, there's a good chance you're in a national forest. Employ a little common sense.

 

You must be fun at parties!

 

Why is this a concern for you? How many chicagoans are wasting their time scouring the not-so-relevant MN forums?

 

Why is this offensive to you? I didn't realize I was dealing with Bill Swerski's Superfans here. DAAAA BEERS!

 

Counterpoint: Who gives a shit how long it takes Aurora residents to get to my breweries?

 

Counterpoint 2: Drive 4.5 hours west of Chicago and there’s a good chance you’re in Decorah. Drive 4.5 hours west of Portland and there’s a good chance you’re in the ocean.


Usefulpoint: I think everyone realizes that on a per capita basis, Chicago, New York, and LA are far behind Portland. To me that just means there’s plenty of room to grow.