The Original Bar at the main entrance to Hopleaf for Kegs For Kids 2012
Hello Chicago!! CBG Nik here! I would like to introduce you to a couple of our friends who graciously played the role of Guest Correspondents for this article. Kevin Salvi – Owner of the Chicago Brew Bus and Joseph Harvey – Founder of Illfotos.Net and In The City TV. Without further delay here is the story of Kegs For Kids as seen through the eyes of these gents!
Hopleaf has over 60 taplines these are located in the New Room
Kevin Salvi- The Chicago Brew Bus
This is the best beer event I have been to in a long time. With so many beer events popping up around town it was nice to see one run the right way. It was so much better than the last party I went attended (Midwest Brewers Fest). A big reason why Kegs For Kids was so fun was the location. Hopleaf is one of the best bars in the city. The staff was very knowledgeable and knew everything about all the beers. What was even cooler than that was that you didn’t have to worry about keeping up with the same glass all night long. Every time you went up to the bar they gave you a new glass. The layout was well done, and there was food everywhere! Eats were conveniently located all along the tables and bars. There was even a wine section presented by Freddy Brown from Winebow!
My favorite beer was the Tilted Smile from Unita. It’s a beer Ive had before but never seen on tap. It is big in alcohol, yet approachable & versatile. Confidently balanced with Saaz Hops & Pilsen Hops.
Here’s a list of all the beers I enjoyed.
Tilted Smile Uinta (Imperial Pilsner)
Hommelbier Popperings ( hoppy & golden bronze. Hommel is the local abbreviation
of humulus, from the botanical name for the hop plant)
Cuvee Des Jacobins Bokor (classic Flemish sour ale)
Four Smoked Stout Dark Horse (smoked malt w/ chocolate and roasted barley flavors)
5grass 5Rabbit Cerveceria (Juniper, Sage, Tasmanian Pepperberry & 3 different hops)
Diversey and Lille Two Brothers & Castelain (Dry Hoppeed Biere De Garde)
Printempts Jenlain ( Brewed in the 14th Century tradition. Springlike bouquet,
fine white head, hoppy taste with hints of fruit)
Oaken Dagger Against The Grain (Barrel Aged Biere De Garde)
Gueuze Fond Tradition Van Honsebrouch (Classic Guezue)
Double Milk Stout Southern Tier
Witte Lambic Mort Subite
Retribution Greenbush (Belgian Ale w Dark Raisins, Golden Raisins & Honey)
Spice Of Life Amarillo Six Point
Pumpkin Lager Lakefront ( The only Pumpkin Lager in North America)
Alt Bier Great Divide (Pilot Batch no one has ever tried before!)
Art Of Darkness Ommegang ( Deep, Dark, Strong and Magical)
Tokyo St Bernardus (a unique, single batch created for the opening of
St Bernardus Pub in Tokyo)
sweet commemorative poster from Kegs For Kids 2011
Joseph Harvey- Illfotos.net & In The City TV
Initially I was put off by the fact that there were no TVs at this location. I’m a Bears fan and it was Sunday afternoon. My concerns quickly faded when I saw how awesome this taplist was. Kegs For Kids is a fundraiser for Friends Of Peirce to further quality education at the local grammar school – Helen C Peirce.The way they chose to run the silent auction was pretty cool. Many stations had QR Codes next to them. You could just scan the item you wanted, then go online and place your bid.The rumor going around for much of the day was that going forward Hopleaf would be the permanent home to this event. In the past Kegs For Kids has allowed us to explore some of the coolest spaces on the city’s far north side. Two years ago at the Metropolis Coffee roasting room was a night to remember. Last year on the Loyola University campus at the Mundelein Hall was as sophisticated a beer event as I’ve ever been to. Although we will miss the idea of a traveling, top-tier craft beer festival, it is exciting to see them find such a cool home for the event.
I spent much of the day enjoying delicious, catered food while floating from bar to bar with my camera. I had a lot of fun beer conversations, and since I’ve been hanging out with CBG Nik I’m definitely no longer the novice I was last year. My favorite beer was the Oaken Dagger from Against The Grain. It was a Biere De Garde aged in Angel’s Envy Bourbon Barrels for 20 days! Be on the lookout for more contributions from me as we continue to capture the moments and images that make Chicago such a great place to celebrate craft beer.
–Kevin
–Kool Joe
Kevin Salvi & Joseph Harvey were featured guest correspondents for this article.
*all photos courtesy of Joseph Harvey
Friends Of Peirce greeting table at Kegs For Kids
Auction Items
Apples!! on the Outside Patio. This was also home to some rare treats from Goose Island including En Passant, Black Mission, Minx and Grand Gas
view from the Upstairs Bar. home to treats like Zombie Dust and Ommegang’s The Art Of Darkness
Sweets Table
