The Beer Thread

[33anda3rd]

I don't subscribe to some here in Chicago who won't do Goose because Goose sold out. Truth is, all those big beers like 312 and Honkers and Green Line are now made in big breweries outside of town and now the people who brew at the two Goose facilities--the brewpub on Clybourn and the Fulton & Wood spot where BCS and the barrel-aged sours are made--now don't have to brew those, giving them more time to brew BCS, Sisters sours, and the quarterly "Fulton & Wood" series. All those F&W beers have been rad, and there's more BCS now than ever before because of the time they can spend on it. While BCS in bottles sells out at Thanksgiving and is tough to get, it's actually not hard to get a keg. I have one on right now, 2015 BCS regular. Called one of my Goose contacts and asked. Because I support the F&W and the Sisters Series barrel sours, I'm in their good graces and I can pretty much get a sixtel of BCS by asking. I couldn't do that several years ago. It's better now if you're into getting those beers. The brewpub doesn't have to make 312 or whatever anymore so they make a bunch of interesting beers that are only available at the Goose Brewpub in Lincoln Park. For adventurous Chicago beer drinkers who like the specialty stuff, the Goose brewers not having to futz around with 312 and Honkers has been a boon.

Another great thing about it is that when they sold out a bunch of really good Goose brewers went and founded Off Color, Virtue Cider, Penrose, Moody Tongue and others around town, another big benefit.

[Freed Roger]

I don't have the insight you have 33rd. I always speak from the end-user (aka beer drinker) POV. However I do enjoy the happy spinoff of ex-AB people going on to founding their own breweries around here. Urban Chestnut to name one.

I guess I can see the logic of Goose Island able to focus on it's non-big beers (like Bourbon County). However, I still am not going that route -since I rarely see BCBS and if i'm in the mood for that kind of barell-aged boozy beer, I can find some other independent brand that serves the cause. I really prefer Sierra Nevada Narwahl-when it comes to Imperial Stouts.

Personally I think Bourbon County is overrated, and benefactor of distribution-system hype. but that is my anti-inbev bias rearing it's head.

[33anda3rd]

It is overrated, but I have to look at it from an operator POV. People will come, people will pay for it. They'll buy food while they're here. They'll tell friends. They'll check it in on their Untappd app. It's a driver.

Urban Chestnut is so good across the board.

[cardinalkarp]

I don't have the insight you have 33rd. I always speak from the end-user (aka beer drinker) POV. However I do enjoy the happy spinoff of ex-AB people going on to founding their own breweries around here. Urban Chestnut to name one.

I guess I can see the logic of Goose Island able to focus on it's non-big beers (like Bourbon County). However, I still am not going that route -since I rarely see BCBS and if i'm in the mood for that kind of barell-aged boozy beer, I can find some other independent brand that serves the cause. I really prefer Sierra Nevada Narwahl-when it comes to Imperial Stouts.

Personally I think Bourbon County is overrated, and benefactor of distribution-system hype. but that is my anti-inbev bias rearing it's head.

+1

[Freed Roger]

It's October already - time for one of my favorite beer styles. I'm liking the great Ayinger Octoberfest again. Schlafly's is good, an affordable standard. I even like Leine's and Sam Adams. O'Dells -only had two, and stood apart as different in a good way, I think, but was drinking a lot of beer that evening.

need to get ahold of UCBC's Oachazssodfljlsjaljrje;rjewlrfe. It's been good in the past.

[GeddyWrox]

Hadn't had an Urban Chestnut Schnicklefritz recently until last night. Forgot how good that one is!

[33anda3rd]

Freed--agreed on Ayinger, I love everything they put out. The Maibock in May is another one I look forward to.

Two Brothers Atom Smasher is a delicious Oktoberfest.
Solemn Oath Oktoberface is a good one.

Goose Island Fulton & Wood series is dropping a one-off that's a Rauch-Oktoberfest, lightly smoked. I've got it on order for next week but haven't tasted.

I like Belgian and US craft beers, but I LOVE German beer. Love putting stuff like Hirter Morchl Munich Dunkel Lager and Ayinger Brau Weisse and Leipziger Gose on draft.

Speaking of Urban Chestnut, they've released Zwickel in cans in IL to feed the demand for that beauty. I'm on board with everything they do.

[Freed Roger]

https://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/style/29/

Here's a list by 2015 beer advocate ranking FWIW. some on there, already noted.
I think I've had Sierra Nevada - but can't recall it. New Glarus - Staghorn - I recall being underwhelmed by it last year. need to give it another try.

[33anda3rd]

Great Lakes Oktoberfest (thin and lacking much character IMO) #6 on that list, above some German classics. Okey doke, BA users. Okey doke.

I'm gong to roll a bunch of Oktoberfests in the next week or two. The ones I tried this year that I liked
Two Brothers Atom Smasher (mentioned already)
Solemn Oath Oktoberface (also mentioned above)
Half Acre Lagertown (haven't tasted, bought on faith b/c they asked me to)
Metropolitan AfterBurner (on the lighter side, but not too)
Left Hand Oktoberfest (really good, rich malt quality)
Ayinger

They Ayinger I like to put on b/c I can pick up a couple kegs and have it on a line next to 1-2 rotating US craft brewery versions. I can pour it side-by-side so people can compare. I did this in May, put the Ayinger Maibock on next to a Half Acre/Oxbow collaboration Maibock. I'll put the Schneider Edel-weisse on next to Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. I'll put the Veltins Pils next to Victory Prima. Celebrator next to Metropolitan Generator. I like doing that, and I like the look on people's faces, esp. the bearded guys in flannel who check everything in on Untappd, when the German one they've always passed on in favor of the local US craft is exponentially better.

[Swirls]

Ayinger is just so good. Everything they make is awesome. Celebrator is still probably one of my all-time top ten beers.