Latest Pipeworks Releases and Updates

So I keep hearing a lot of recommendations about Pipeworks. Is there some sort of FAQ somewhere (the website isn't working for me atm) about the location, tasting room/brewpub if available, and what are some good recent brews to try? I don't necessarily have the desire to chase the latest barrel-aged whales but if there's anything that's worth seeking out a pint of when I'm in Chicago this weekend, I'd appreciate any advice!

 

Any of their pales/IPAs/DIPAs are going to be good. You might not have much luck finding those on tap, though. Check a few stores around town.

 

Guys, no tasting room, no brewpub, no tours. Don't know who's spreading the rumor, but people are showing up frequently. Turned away numerous out-of-towners over the course of a week. Nothing to see here, move along...

Map Room or Maria's are safe bets for tap offerings.

 

Let me see if I can summarize some info (to the best of my knowledge).


Pipeworks FAQ:

Website: http://www.pipeworksbrewing.net/ Currently under construction It's best check them out on Facebook & Twitter.
Where is the brewery? 1675 N Western Av. Sorry no tours
Tasting Room? no tasting room....yet tasting room is in the works but no official opening date
Brews, which ones should I try?: All are good, all are worth trying. They brew in smaller batches and constantly rotate and/or try new recipes so it's hit or miss as to what beers are available at any given time. They've always has solid IPAs, DIPA, Belgians, Stouts, oh, who am I kidding everything.
Barrel Program: No BA beers released yet. Recent internet postings of barrels arriving @ brewery, I imagine BA beers will be in their future.


Disclaimer: I'm on offiliated with the brewery, just a fan who loves spreading the word. No offense to Pipeworks, if any information is incorrect by all means please correct it

 

As mentioned, Pipeworks doesn't make bad beer. If you like really hoppy IPA's, you'll find some great options (Galaxy Unicorn, Ninja vs. Unicorn); if you like stouts, you'll find some great options (Abduction, Coffee Break Abduction and End of Days); if you like Berliner Weiss's, they got you covered (Well Read Temptress, Flower Power, maybe even Cranpire). I thought Reliquary was outstanding (strong Belgian pale).

The Binnys in River North and Lincoln Park are pretty well stocked with Pipeworks beers. The most recent batches are numbered in the 80's in case you want to pick up the most recent beer they put out.

SmallBar on Division has their Brotherhood on draft right now, too.

 

Bottle shop for sure (hopefully opening late spring/early summer ). I'm not sure if they verified that it will include "tasting" taps. Though, I could have easily missed that information.

 

Finally cracked my Coffee Break Abduction last night (Batch 74). Simply amazing.

 

Grabbed a Hyper Dog and the Well-Read Temptress. Looking forward to drinking them this week.

 

I came into this thread to post the same question. I realize these guys are busy but has anyone received the glasses in question? I think it has been 5 months since the offer was made and it will soon be 3 months since I last got an email reply from them.

 

They posted a facebook that you could come and pick them up back in mid-Jan, but I can't seem to find it on their page anymore.

 

Still waiting on mine as well

 

If you can make it there in person, give them a shout out and they should be able to accommodate. I'm a kickstarter and am still waiting for my rewards for that, but as someone who lives two blocks away and has helped them bottle, I'm more than willing to wait as long as it means I can put more of their tasty beverages in my belly. They're good guys and they DO NOT appear to be the kind to take their promises lightly. Maybe longer than some would like, but I would put good money down that they will take care of everyone they said they will.

 

I stopped by and picked up all my rewards and the blue lady glass a few months ago, wasn't hard at all, just texted them to see if they were around the brewery that day.

 

I was talking with the guys over the weekend And they were saying that they were shooting to open the taproom early in April. I can't wait.

 

^ This.

And let's keep in mind that the Blue Lady glasses are a complete gesture on the brewery's part. They were under no obligation to give these away. Its basically 3 guys running a full-time brewery along with the business and distribution side of things. Its much easier on your end to drive by the shop someday then have them ship out hundreds of packages. So let's cut them a little slack.

 

I BM'd them sometime last week, asking if there was any news or whether I should just chalk up that I'm not getting the glass. While I understand they're busy, still no reply.

@mbockstruck30
I agree - but they are the ones that made the offer not only of the glasses, but to ship them to those of us not in the city. Just knowing that either (a) they are no longer offering them; or (b) they can only be picked up at the brewery and won't be shipped would be nice. That's all I'm personally wanting to know.

 

North and Western, obviously.

Had a N v U tonight. Stellar as always.

 

Technically Wabansia & Western, unless Pizza Hut puts some taps in!

 

Very cool, I didn't know if it would be at the brewery or a separate location. I am really excited for this.

 

If it does happen, I think that is the assumption. Given the cost to start up a new location I think that is safe.

 

I think, though, that any sort of taproom they put in will be like Half Acre's v1.0 set up -- just so that people aren't expecting like Half Acre's current taproom.

 

been doing some trades recently and killing beer not from chicago. i haven't had a pipeworks beer in a while. forgive me.

 

It will be in the front of their current location. The door to the taproom will be on the actual corner of Wabansia and Western. Brewing is in back of house.

 

I keep seeing people mention "taproom". I don't think there has been any validation of this. For sure they will have the bottle shop, but have they mentioned it being a taproom (even one like Half Acre's v1.0)? With the small batches they produce, they do not keg much. Most is bottled with a few kegs making it out to local bars. Maybe as they grow and increase production, but I wouldn't expect it at first. Who knows though. I have no validity for anything I'm saying...

 

When I stopped in to pick up my FwB loot, Gerrit said that they would have a number of taps for growler fills (including 32oz. growlers!).

 

Now we have validation and I am happy as a bug in a rug. Thanks!

 

Snug as a bug in a rug? Happy as pig in shit? Shit on your rug?

 

Happy as a tap and a fap?

 

More awesome recognition and press for Pipeworks!

http://www.foodrepublic.com/2013/02...2013?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

 

The building is now cloaked entirely in black (and looks awesome). Pretty unassuming still, though.

So the word is more of a tap room with growlers and bottle sales, and less of a taproom with draft pours for on-site consumption? I'm happy either way, just seeing if the conjecture-consensus is settling on the former.

 

This would be great cant wait!

 

That would be my assumption. Its a completely separate license for onsite consumption and I don't think they are at that point yet.

 

Got a very cool tour today from beejay of there little slice of heaven. He pulled us some raspberry abduction (gonna be bad ass) and some unicorn revenge (holy hell best dipa I have had) he also confirmed that the current spot will be bottle sale and growler, not a tap room

 

Via their Twitter account today.......
"Yesterday we bottled Unicorns Revenge and today, we do the Chipotle Smoked Porter"!!!!

Cant wait for the chiptole!!

 

Both are out today! Hoping for Cherry Abduction next week.

 

THIS!

 

Is there a Cherry Abduction? I thought it was Raspberry Truffle Abduction... Either way I am game. Very game.

 

oh right... its Raspberry i was so excited by the idea of getting it soon i didnt even catch that

 

as mentioned before, we have a blue lady glass for every single bottle of Blue Lady Batch #31, so if you wrote an e-mail in to us and made a claim, we have a glass or glasses for you. They'll be here for pickup (as others have said txt 847-910-9493 for fastest arrangements) or we'll mail them out just as soon as things stop falling apart over here... you know... leaky roofs, broken glycol, electrical disasters, broken trucks... that sort of thing .

FwB rewards or Blue Lady claims can be picked up any M-F from 7am - 5/6pm but you should give us a heads up to double check. Sometimes we can be here on the weekend but it's seldom.

 

we're about 200-300 private messages on here and fb behind, and probably 1000 e-mails behind as well... but it'll be worth it and we'll eventually read and reply to them all.