Visting Chicago/WI... What to pick up?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by jacobbocce72, Dec 28, 2013.

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  1. jacobbocce72

    jacobbocce72 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2011 Texas

    So, I'll be visiting the Chicago area and Wisconsin from January 1st - 5th. I used to spend my summers in Wisconsin, so the majority of what I'll be bringing back will be New Glarus (mainly for nostalgic/delicious reasons). I'm pretty familiar with the beer scene in WI, but have no knowledge of what's available/where to go in the Chicago area. I won't have access to a car, but could probably get someone to drive me around if needed... I'm flying Southwest and figure I've got about 60 pounds of luggage space available for beer.

    Here's a rough outline of the cities I'll be in:

    1st and 2nd: Flying into Midway and will be spending some time in Bartlett.
    3rd and some of the 4th: Green Bay
    Rest of the 4th and 5th: Appleton

    So, questions are:
    What should I pick up in the seasonal/special release area?
    Any bottle shops that I should visit in any of the cities listed above?

    Thanks in advance,
    Jacob
     
    #1 jacobbocce72, Dec 28, 2013
  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    My limited experience in buying in these two areas is for you to get Half Acre's Daisy Cutter in Chicago along with anything from 3 Floyds, and in Wisconsin you should get some New Glarus' Raspberry Tart, Wisconsin Red, Serendipity and Strawberry Rhubarb. Actually, anything from NG that is a style that you like is VERY much worth buying to take home.
     
    #2 PapaGoose03, Dec 28, 2013
  3. brack

    brack Devotee (348) Nov 30, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    On your way from Midway to Bartlett I would recommend stopping off in the Villa Park area, it's between Midway and Bartlett. In Villa Park you can hit up a few excellent bottle shops, Ardmore Station, Sals Beverage World, and Foremost Liquors, there may be more but I have been to each of these and they list what they have available on Beermenus.com.

    http://www.beermenus.com/places/4895-foremost-liquors-villa-park
    http://www.beermenus.com/places/5412-sal-s-beverage-world-elmhurst
    http://www.beermenus.com/places/3400-ardmore-station-liquors

    All three places carry Three Floyds and Pipeworks. If you have not had anything from Pipeworks I would definitely recommend picking some up. Top notch IPA's and stouts. There is also Spiteful brewing but I have not had many offerings from them. From the post above Daisy Cutter is for sure worth grabbing and should be available at one of the three places above.
     
    #3 brack, Dec 28, 2013
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  4. BrownAleMale

    BrownAleMale Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2011 Wisconsin

    For Illinois, I'd pick up some Surly(now available), Revolution Mean Gene and Bean Gene if you can find it, Citra Ninja and Daisy Cutter.
     
    #4 BrownAleMale, Dec 28, 2013
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  5. BrownAleMale

    BrownAleMale Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2011 Wisconsin

    Also, not sure of your home distro, but Wisconsin is now selling Alesmith. They also just started carrying Epic and Big Bad Baptist is a must try. Lastly, Tyranena Devil made me do it. Those would be my suggestions.
     
    #5 BrownAleMale, Dec 28, 2013
  6. bound4er

    bound4er Maven (1,371) Jul 4, 2007 Wisconsin

    If you look around enough I am sure you can still find NG Thumbprint Berliner Weiss and Thumbprint Imperial Weizen. Both are excellent.
     
    #6 bound4er, Dec 28, 2013
  7. jacobbocce72

    jacobbocce72 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2011 Texas

    Thanks for all the recommendations! I'm not sure if my ride will want to stop on the way from the Airport and Bartlett, but I'll see what I can do.

    I'll certainly be on the lookout for everything listed. If I can grab some of NG Fruit Beers, something from the NG Thumbprint series, Daisy Cutter, and some Three Floyd's & Pipeworks it'll be a good trip.

    Didn't realize Alesmith and Surly have made it to WI... I'll certainly be on the lookout for those as well.
     
    #7 jacobbocce72, Dec 28, 2013
  8. mlakota

    mlakota Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois

    Surly is in Illinois not Wisconsin just so you're aware.
     
    #8 mlakota, Dec 28, 2013
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  9. sisterthelonious

    sisterthelonious Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2013 Wisconsin

    Keep tabs on Toppling Goliath- they will post when they are delivering bottles to Milwakee/Madison. If they do deliver to Three Cellars in MKE, stop by to pick up a bottle or two.

    Wisconsin beers to not pass up:
    Black Husky Pale Ale, Big Buck Brown, and Smoke Monster
    Central Waters Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout
    Tyranena Devil Made Me Do It, or any other Brewers Gone Wild series beers
    New Glarus Belgian Red, Raspberry Tart, Serendipity, Anniversary Ale. Spotted Cow is a must drink while in the state.
    Try some of O'so's beers if you get a chance. If you like 'em, pick some up.
    Lakefront IPA (the best Wisconsin-made IPA, IMO. Available at most grocery stores. IBA is also excellent.)

    Non-Wisco beers:
    Zombie Dust (obviously)
    Daisy Cutter
    Alesmith (IPA & Speedway should do you just fine)

    If you can, stop by Silver Creek Brewing Co. in Cedarburg (between MKE and Green Bay) and pick up a growler of their IPA. Good stuff.
     
    #9 sisterthelonious, Dec 28, 2013
  10. jacobbocce72

    jacobbocce72 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2011 Texas

    Thanks... just realized I misread that.

    In regards to Spotted Cow... I plan to consume it in large amounts... along with copious amounts of fried cheese curds.
     
    #10 jacobbocce72, Dec 28, 2013
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  11. sisterthelonious

    sisterthelonious Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2013 Wisconsin

    Nothing beats a pitcher of Spotted Cow and a basket of cheese curds.
     
    #11 sisterthelonious, Dec 28, 2013
    stayclean likes this.
  12. jdhende

    jdhende Zealot (713) Sep 27, 2010 Illinois

    I grew up in Bartlett so know the area quite well. To buy bottles your best bet will be binnys Bloomingdale it's a 15 minute drive away.

    For bars your best bet will be the st. Charles area. Also only like 15-20 minutes away from Bartlett.

    Also while you are in Bartlett go to tls 4 seasons restaurant. Really good Asian food.
     
    #12 jdhende, Dec 29, 2013
  13. OnWisconsin

    OnWisconsin Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012 Wisconsin

    I see you have all the recommendations for beers you can get in WI so as for bottle shops. You MUST stop at Ridgeview in Green Bay. Best place and is my local one. Chris, the owner is awesome and if you go during the day he will most likely be the one working. He takes great care of people who truly enjoy good beer. (Also the only place ghat gets all Ale Smith beers) As for Appleton, not many great places. Personally I go to the Woodmans to see what FFF they have as GB does not get their distribution.
     
    #13 OnWisconsin, Dec 29, 2013
  14. StoutItOutLoud

    StoutItOutLoud Pundit (976) Apr 1, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    #14 StoutItOutLoud, Dec 29, 2013
  15. BrownAleMale

    BrownAleMale Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2011 Wisconsin

    I disagree, I go Black Bavarian and cheese curds :slight_smile:
     
    #15 BrownAleMale, Dec 31, 2013
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  16. mitchellandvanessa

    mitchellandvanessa Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2012 Wisconsin

    Black Husky and Cheese Curds
     
    #16 mitchellandvanessa, Dec 31, 2013
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  17. jacobbocce72

    jacobbocce72 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2011 Texas

    Just did a little research and Ridgeview is 3 minutes away from our hotel... Sweet!

    Thanks again to everyone for the recommendations. I will post my haul when I return.
     
    #17 jacobbocce72, Jan 1, 2014
  18. prior2two

    prior2two Maven (1,490) Oct 18, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    In Chicago, Revolution and Half Acre are 2 of my favorites. Also, Off Color brewing just started and has some good beers. The Troublesome is a fantastic easy drinking beer.
     
    #18 prior2two, Jan 2, 2014
  19. jacobbocce72

    jacobbocce72 Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2011 Texas

    Went to 4 seasons for dinner last night. Good food and a lot of it! Thanks for the recommendation.

    Today will consist of taking the train to Chicago and hitting up the Revolution Brew Pub.
     
    #19 jacobbocce72, Jan 2, 2014
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  20. jdhende

    jdhende Zealot (713) Sep 27, 2010 Illinois

    Be prepared for it to take awhile. The Metra gets pretty backed up when it's bad weather like this. If you can't make it all the way to Revolution stop at Haymarket. It is probably 20-25 minute walking distance from Union Station. They have really top notch stuff as well.
     
    #20 jdhende, Jan 2, 2014
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