On Saturday, November 5, 2011, I attended the afternoon session of Beer Hoptacular! at the Aragon Ballroom, a concert venue in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. I had been looking forward to this event for many reasons, but mostly because my homebrew club, CHAOS Brew Club, entered the homebrew challenge. …
We have had this beer at 3 awesome events over the last 4 days. Company founders Andres, Issac and Randy are having quite the year as their beers have been critically acclaimed ( 5Lizard winning a gold medal at GABF) and, they have been a huge hit at some …
On a cold day in October, almost 24 hrs before the release. People begin setting up camp, bundling up, and preparing for a cold night in line. While this may sound like the latest iPhone release, it’s the latest beer release from Surly Brewing just outside Minneapolis Minnesota. Darkness Russian …
If you’ve never been to 1 of the 3 Ballydoyle Irish Pub locations in the Chicagoland area it is quite the experience. I would call it the genuine article, inspired by trips to Ireland by owner Phil Cullen they do a great job balancing entertainment and great food with …
“Craft beer is a return to normality.” -Garrett Oliver On Wednesday evening the hubby and I went to Binny’s Beverage Depot in the South Loop to meet a true pioneer in the craft beer world: Garrett Oliver. Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and author of The Brewmaster’s Table, was in …
I always have a great time at this event. Kegs for Kids! is a fundraiser for Peirce Elementary School. Last year at the Metropolis Coffee House Roasting Room, this collaboration between the Friends of Peirce and Hopleaf raised funds for a science lab to be built at the school. …
When Crown Prince Ludwig married his lady, Princess Therese back in 1810, I wonder if they thought it would mark a moment in time that we still celebrate today. Oktoberfest is a German celebration that started as a way to honor that marriage by the founding members of Munich. Today …
