Weekend/Day Beer Adventures

I'm going to try a new line of posts for this blog that will typically revolve around my weekend activities and how they relate to beer. More often than not, these posts will be composed in a "Brewery Review" but for the days when I hit multiple breweries/bars/drinks, I cannot post on them all. So, my "Weekend Beer Adventures" will take the form of everything I did/drank/ate/who-I-met/how-I-got-there kind of heading, compiled with pictures too. These posts are meant to log down some of the fun I have, to retain some good memories and for you to relate to. Enjoy!

Friday (6/8/12): I got off work around 4:00 and headed home to pack. With only 25 minutes before my bus (Indian Trails) left for Chicago, I figured that was enough time to get in a quick post (See: Bedlam). Done. I walked the half mile to the bus with a nice buzz and arrived 4 hours later at the Greyhound Station on the South-Central side of Chicago. After several minutes of figuring out where I was, arranging a ride and seeing who else was in town, I figured I'd walk to Rock Bottom. Definitely a difficult 2 mile walk carrying a backpack full of beer! I got there and started with their Brown ale ( I forgot the name, though it started with "Amazingly") standing at 4.0% ABV. I recognized some of the bartenders there too. Oh, and I didn't mention this, but I was wearing my New Holland Long sleeve work shirt...for an extra credential. I talked with a lady about beer and running a bit. Tasted RB's Wit, and both IPA's. The normal one was a bit grassy, while the Belgian, well, I got a pint of that soon after too. I was there a bit over an hour until Jeff came and picked me up and we headed back to Lincoln park. Discussion of going out for another pint commenced, but I was too tired.
Saturday (6/9/12): Woke up early, downed 3 cups of tea and packed Jeff's car. We were heading to Evanston to move the remainder of his belongings into the new apartment. Didn't take very long, and I got a measly workout in carrying stuff up and down the stairs. Upon finishing, I decided to test out the foot and go for a run (My foot has been hurting for about a month and a half from my work boots). It was about 85 degrees and humid. Got in 7 though and a quick 6:15/mile clip. Rounded out the run with cracking open the growler of New Holland's Sundog though for some replenishing recovery.
A couple hours later Jen arrives with a $17 Growler (ridiculous) of Emmett's Red Ale and a couple bottles of Pale Ale. Here we contemplated our next stop. The decision landed on Half Acre, my favorite brewery in Chicago. We got there and waited for the tour to finish, whereupon Adam enthusiastically showed us around. I've been to HA a couple times and each time it is slightly different - something you can expect with all microbreweries these days. They had renovated their back room to become their production area, while it made room for the new 60 bbl fermenters that were to arrive in the next couple weeks. We were served pints of their new Shogun Wheat and talked to a couple of the remaining tour participants. I wish I had brought some beer to give them, but as we headed back to their tasting room, Adam handed me a case of lowfills of the New wheat! (It was shared with the NH crew, which was held in high regard). Down the street was "Chicago Ribfest" but it was already 3:30 and we needed to head to my sisters.
We arrived, unpacked, shared the rest of the Sundog growler with Monte, who just moved back from Colorado Springs, CO. He was gracious enough to let me borrow his bicycle so Jen and I could bike the town the rest of the weekend. The plan for the evening was to have our final destination in Andersonville for dinner at the Ethiopian Diamond with Jeff and April. We still had time, however so we took off and headed to Goose Island on Clybourn.

Taster at Goose Island

We arrived and ordered a taster of their Dortmunder (awesome!) Summer Wheat (not great) Bitter (decent) and Greg Halls new endeavor: Virtue RedStreak Cider. We found the guest draft list to also include Dragons Milk (good to see) but tapped at $9/pint! (not good). Finishing our tasted we rounded out with a traditional pint of the Green Line (I always get this as the final beer during my visits). We learned that Todd Britt, who graduated Augustana 2 years ahead of me (and was a brewer/assistant brewer) no longer worked at the pub but had gotten a Head Brewer position at a brewery opening up sometwhere in Chicago! Nice work man.
We finished our pint (got industry discount!) and headed North to Broadway for dinner. Note: 4.5 miles is a LONG way on a thick tread mountain bike on the streets of Chicago. Travelling at a quick clip, we arrived at 7:00pm and I was drenched.

April and Jen at Hopleaf

After dinner we made our way to April's apartment, just blocks away, to set up camp. Once we were settled, and done playing with her new kitten, we left for the HopLeaf, which was only a couple blocks away. Fortunately Midsommerfest was in the works and the place was unusually empty (Yes!). We went upstairs and I got a Pale ale from some brewery I hadn't heard of, Jen got Three Floyd's Zombie Dust, and April ordered Lindmans Framboise (she hates beer). Called it a night after finishing those pints.

Haymarkets Dry-hopped Belgo-pale ale

Sunday (6/10/12): Woke up, performed the same daily routine (Downing large amounts of tea and some yoga) and we hit the streets on our bikes (following a brief look at the local organic grocery store). Jen and I attempted to check out Metropolitan, but as usual, they tend to passively shun people away by fences, closed doors and vicious attack dogs (jk about that last one). We then turned around down towards the Lakeshore bike path. Found a spot on the rocks, drank a Fat Tire, attempted to swim (too cold) and headed down the lakefront. Again, mountain bike on path = too difficult to be a practical means of transportation. We made it all the way down to Buckingham Fountain for a quick break and then found ourselves at Haymarket Brewpub. I ordered their Dryhopped Belgo-pale ale and en had the Pilsner. Haymarket is a bit on the expensive side, but with boastful alcohol and loads of Amarillo, I can understand from an industry point of view. Finishing our pints we ordered (and blew the tap) of Solemn Oaths Ultra-high-frequency Red ale, which was apparently gaining quite a reputation already around Chicago for being fantastic. I agreed. I asked for a quick look-around of the brewhouse, where Janna attended and answered any questions we had. By the way, this place has an incredibly innovative set-up for their tap system. We got on the topic of cans, and how I had never had Sunking before. Janna thought that was absurd and sent us on our way with a couple cans of Chaka: Belgian-style ale made through a collaboration between Sun King and Oskar Blues. We headed out from there and made a stop at the Green Grocer to pick up some food/dips and check out the beer selection (they have a great local one). We then went and sat on Aubrey's new patio and enjoyed lunch and some recovery from the already long day. We arranged our next plans to hit Revolution Brewery in enough time to make it back in time to meet the rest of the family for dinner. Back on the bikes!

Sunking/Oskar Blues in a CAN (like-thing)

The ride was longer than I expected, but we got there and sat down at the front bar. The place was packed for a Sunday evening. It was here that we ordered the Anti-Hero IPA and the Gold Ale. I was greeted by Matt, Revolution's first employee and now brewer whereupon he invited us to take a tour! The establishment was a lot larger than I had expected. We were shown the typical brewery equipment and process's and their barrel cellar.  We headed back up to the bar and discussed a few more things with Matt and his friends who also attended the tour with us. We ordered one more pint to try their Rosa Hibiscus Ale - which was pretty good, definitely tending away from the tea flavor, but enough to get a nice bite of floral fruit. Need I say Industry discounts are great? Thanks Matt and the Revolution!
We hopped on our bikes and headed back to Aubrey's. The ride was better, but the day of biking was beginning to tax us both - even Jen on her roadbike!
Once we were back, I made a quick trip to Green Grocer once again to pick up beer I need to buy for people back in Holland. We ate dinner, napped. Jen headed back to RI and I went back to Jeff's. Being as I work 2nd shift the upcoming week, I could afford to stay one more night.
We drove back to Holland the next morning

Brewery Review: Rock Bottom Brewery - Warrenville, IL

At the end of breaks my parents usually drive out to the West suburbs of Chicago (Bumble Burbs) both to meet Jen so we can head back to school, while getting a bite to eat and to check out a brewery. We had been to this one before (but didn't remember) so one night over the first week of Spring Break we headed over to Warrenville's Rock Bottom only to find we had been here before. Nevertheless by this time most of the beers had already changed. We ended up spending 3.5 hours at the bar talking to people and enjoying good beer. Having forgotten my journal, the notes were taken on blank receipts. This is what was available 2/22/11:

Mud in Your Eye Light - Bright straw clarity. Filmed head. Smells mildly malty with a corn and candy sugar adjunct addition. A little spicy with medium low carbonation. Definitely more quality than most breweries light ales.
80/100
Peashooter Pale Ale - Copper pale with an amber tint. Filmed head and white lacing on the sides. Smells citrusy and hoppy. Nicely balanced b/w malt and bittering finish. Medium zest and malt caramel. A step above fat tire but in the bitter direction.
84/100
Ragtop Red - Not overly impressed with this. Most Rock Bottoms have especially good ones, not this one. Strong foamy off white head. Bronzed copper. Hazy. Toffee and fruit zest aroma. Spiced finish with a dash of caramel sweetness to taste. Majority of flavor/bitterness is clumped at the end.
79/100
American Wheat - Glowing cloudy yellow with a foamed white ring. Smell is yeasty any clove spiced, and less banana than most. Basic wheat though more bitter with a spark of carbonation. Bready.
80/100
Dryrish Stout - Dark brown black with uniform foam lacing on the sides and off white head. Clear around the edges where light permeates. Aroma is strong and roasted with strong hints of coffee. Taste is mediocre in sweetness falling more towards the emphasis on the hops, burnt flavor and the would-be alcohol (Only 4.5% ABV!!)
82/100
Bird Upon a Hippo (Belgian Oatmeal Stout) - Somewhat lighter and clearer than the Dryrish stout. High clarity around the edges. Foam ring. Sweet and fruity smelling with a mild toasted malt and caramel. Taste is also incorporates a spicy element from the yeast as it dries the palate. Extremely complex and gratifying.
91/100
Glockenspiel Dunkel (Munich Dunkel Lager) - Rubied amber that is basically clear. Visible carbonation and strong head retention. Fruity and floral smelling reminiscent of peaches and pears. Lacks a lot of malt character but makes up for it in the lagered refreshing character. Tart and flowery with some honey components as well.
90/100
Chinookasaurus (Rotation IPA) - Difficult to describe the color (oranged light bronze? If you can call it bronze). Very cloudy with a sticky lacing. Aroma is juicy smelling of oranges and grapefruits. Soft carbonated feel. Very sweet bitterness soley concentrated on the grapefruit zest/citrus character. Tropical.
89/100
Cask Conditioned Coffee - Still and very black. No head. Could be flocculent, but darkness doesn't allow one to know. Aroma is extremely potent and rich of freshly roasted coffee. Taste is warming and flat with a coffee roasted burnt finishing bitterness. Drying. Kind of like flat stale coffee with some malt sweetness. A little watery.
77/100

Interestingly enough, having been to three Rock Bottoms so far, I can tell each one's specialty:
Chicago: Red Ales and Imperial Barrel Aged
Lombard: Cask Conditioned Ales
Warrenville: General Stouts and perhaps IPA (though I need to try more)

The brewpub is enormous, exhibiting an extensive dining area and a smaller bar, though it has 2 two (I believe) Friendly staff and bartender. They have old mugs hanging from above the bar. The bar itself reminds me of a nice cramped British pub (a good thing). If you get there around 3:00 on a weekday afternoon the whole restaurant is quite, though it gradually picks up throughout the night with both music and after-work blue/white collar. A giant chalk-board menu shows the beer available for that day. The beer overall was quite delicious with quite a few options. The beer is generally around $4.95/pint with a couple of their specialties at $5.95. The food is good. I especially enjoy the large tray full of nachos (double the amount of what the Chicago Rock Bottom serves). And apparently their burgers are good. Like all Rock Bottom's they have a daily special of a selected $3 beer, which is usually and unfortunately their rotating wheat (C'mon give us some stout!) and from 3-6 they have $5 appetizers. Overall this Rock Bottom is yet another addition to the many that keep me coming back and remaining a devote drinker of their beer.
Check them out:
http://www.rockbottom.com/warrenville

Brewery Experience: 45/50

Brewery Review: Rock Bottom Brewery - Chicago IL

My visit here was one of the best brewery experiences I've had. It was the last week of summer and I think I went back 4 times that week. Each time was an equally great experience. I can even say it was there where the original idea for this blog was conceived. It was a great atmosphere to talk and meet people genuinely interested in beer!

Let's get started:

Line Drive - Extremely clear with spicy hit at the nose, clean and crisp. A typical flagship ale I suppose for the masses
76/100
Walleye Wheat - Cloudy orange with a splash of citrus aroma. Tastes zesty with undertones of yeast and orange peel with a follow-up of warm sweetness
86/100
Chicago Gold - Clear amber that has a grassy bitterness @ the finish but apparent caramel/pale malt sweetness.
82/100
Erik the Red - Strong grapefruit/toffee aroma that is equally paralleled and reinforced by the taste. Finishes IPA like. But more crisp and clean. Similar to the Bavarian at Schult'z in AU. Fruity esters make an appearance.
89/100
Terminal Stout - Immediate coffee roastiness to the aroma. Amazingly warm and creamy (I could drink it going to bed!). Dark tan head and a bite of burnt flavor
91/100
Wooly Bear IPA - Fruity aroma of dark roasted fruit and a bit of forestiness as well. Dark orange haze, same color as the wheat but has an incredible/strongest grapefruit flavor to it that I have ever experienced.
88/100
Smoked Helles - Nothing else describes it better than SMOKE. From wood chips, this clear yellow beer has a foamed head. Basically line drive with smoke flavor throughout.
71/100

FEAR! El Chupacabra - Dark Red hue with white foam head. Extremely sweet, the yeast must be of Belgian origin. Hints of raisins/dates and figs.

88/100

7-month Aged Woodford Reserve Barrel Stout - Jet black in color with a heard dark tan head. Bourbon oak aroma that stings the nostrils. Similar to a port, and thick like syrup. Actually a stellar barrel aged beer from what I've tried. Tacky, but just enough. Very boozy. Chocolate at the tip of the tongue that follows a caramel/syrup mid taste. Finishes with the hot taste of alcohol

83/100

Cask Conditioned Red - Served warm with a nutty floral Ester flavor with hints of raisins. Slightly buttery. Little to no carbonation. sweet and caramel mid taste. Seems less flavorful than the plain Erik the Red.

83/100

Saison - Light and citrusy but little complexity. Short lived head, and hazy straw color.

78/100

A spectacular experience. I was able to meet the assistant brewer, who paid for my tasting and gave me a membership to the Mug Club. I attended the tapping of the Saison on 8/19/10 of which I met Jim who persuaded me to begin the blog. I never got to try the food, but the beer was exceptional! even for a chain brewery. Rock Bottom helps me get over my stereotype that chain brewery's aren't worth the visit. This one totally was! I learned a great deal about my tastes and preferences from this experience and perhaps will be back in November for a Re-Review.
Check them out:
http://www.rockbottom.com/chicago


Brewery Experience: 47/50
------------------------------------------VISIT 2--------------------------------------------
I made it back here on Tuesday November 9th during my personal 15 mile walk/brewery tour around Chicago. I was served by Ben the bartender who did a great job assisting my beer needs that day.
To continue the list, this is what else I had the opportunity to try:

15th Anniversary Ale - Rubied color with robust foamy off-white head. Clear, but dark. Smells boozy. Sweet, but a sour touch alongside a caramel malt flavor. Lightly carbonated. Cardamon apparent.
79/100
Czech Mate Pilsner - Clear and golden. Thin filmed white head. Sweet and semi-fruity, yet pungent and crisp. Carbonation bites the tip of the tongue, but finishes dry and clean with a fantastic combination of sweetness and hops. Ends gloriously spicy. A stellar Pilsner I could drink daily.
89/100
Fallen Angel Abbey Ale - Cloudy with a partially honey'd colored red tint. Minimal head. Aromatic phenols hit the nose, complemented with a very spicy alcoholic finish. Malt flavor is somewhat subtle and with a candied taste. Body is thick.
84/100
Barrel Aged Dry Red Ale - Turbid amber. No head. Caramel taste but with a stale finish that I'm not quite a fan of. Uncarbonated and hot.
73/100
Imperial Red Cask Conditioned - Red amber brown. No head and completely turbid. Very rich flavoring with a sweet caramel malt to balance the hot finish (9-11%?) that approaches a semi-port status, yet still entirely drinkable. A vast complex array of flavor, from woody nut to fruity phenols, this is one worth keeping on the menu.
87/100

Following this visit, I made my way to the Trader Joe's to pick up some bread to snack on, sober up, and cleanse my palate during my long walk to the next stop at Goose Island.