Iceland: Brugghús Steðja and Hvalur 2

CBG Ali visited the Land of Fire and Ice and returned with tales of waterfalls, fjords, sheep, and gnomes. But, the most interesting story of all involved drinking the most controversial beer in the world: Hvalur 2. First of all, one would think that a Nordic country like Iceland would …

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Chicago Open Air

The art of brewing is alive and well, with smaller breweries and beer enthusiasts helping to push America into a culture of better beer. Specialized takes on the mixture of hops, yeast, and grain have ushered in a golden era for perhaps the greatest beverage invented by man – BEER. …

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Craft Beer, Community, and Cuisine

Chicago Craft Beer Week is an incredible 10 days (best week ever!) where Chicagoans can explore the limits of local craft beer. More than 300 venues offered special deals, pairings, discounts, and events to honor those breweries and brewers who breathe life into beer. The celebration began with “Beer Under …

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Retroscape and Arise: Surly Nation at Emporium

On Friday May 13th, Chicago Beer Geeks united forces with Post Apocalyptic Productions and Surly Brewing Co. to present RETROSCAPE and Arise: Surly Nation at Emporium Lake County. DJ Eternal (aka CBG Dan) and DJ Alpha Omega delivered 80s, new wave, vaporwave, synthpop, and chiptune beats, providing an electro-retro soundtrack …

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Headbangers Ball

As far as we can tell Dark Lord was first bottled back in 2004. As recently as 2009 the annual celebration for its release was a free event. Nowadays the price is 200$ per ticket…for a beer festival. Gates opened at 10am but 41 degrees, rain and a Group D …

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Rick Bayless’ Two New Breweries

Chef Rick Bayless has taken his love affair with Chicago craft beer to completely new heights. Marisol, way back in 2010 was a Belgian Ale with green tea, coriander and tangerine zest brewed by Goose Island Clybourn. That moment of having a local house beer created for his restaurants has …

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Reinheitsgebot 500th Anniversary

On Saturday, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot at Prost!, a traditional German beer hall in Lincoln Park. The Reinheitsgebot, which literally translates as “purity order,” is one of the oldest food laws in the world. It was enacted in Bavaria on April 23, 1516 to ensure the …

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Ten Ninety Brewing Opening Soon in Glenview

Ten Ninety Brewing is a North Shore destination for craft beer. After contract brewing for three years in Zion, Brian Schafer and co-owners Jamie Hoban and Andy Smith decided to relocate closer to the city. With its youthful atmosphere and utter absence of breweries (the closest is Temperance, seven miles away), …

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