FIB War Room

[vav1]

https://www.theringer.com/2019/2/6/...rl-jeppson-co-ch-distillery-midwest-expansion

A really fascinating article about everyone's favorite local liquor.

I had Malort stacked next to maybe the 3rd or 4th ever drop of Ninja vs. Unicorn back in the day, and this lady walked up to me and was asking me questions about Pipeworks...asking about if it was a niche product and so on. She then asked why i had Malort there, and i explained it was something of a guilty pleasure for a lot of people, and this particular batch was really good. She was like "Oh, so you drink it too?" and i kinda shimmied by Binny's shirt down and showed her my OG Malort Bootleg shirt from Sam's first run and she goes "I really need to either sue that kid, or make him give me all his shirt proceeds. I'm Pat, i own Malort." and i about died. She was so friendly, we talked for about an hour about stuff before she left. 'bout a week later a poster roll package showed up for me with a hand-written later thanking me for my time, and some vintage & newer Malort screenprints. I have no idea what box those are in, but i'll look for them tonight and post pics when i find them. And i couldn't be happier for Pat, or Sam.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

I think we are on our last bottle of Malort. Gotta get some more on our next trip back.

 

[trickytunadicky]

I think we are on our last bottle of Malort. Gotta get some more on our next trip back.

If I knew when I was swinging by next I would offer to deliver, but it's probably going to be as late into March as I can make it.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

If I knew when I was swinging by next I would offer to deliver, but it's probably going to be as late into March as I can make it.

If I run out of Malort, it is my own damn fault.

 

[Jb123]

Going to Chicago in a couple weeks. Haven’t been in a few years, what are 2-3 must hit breweries, etc. thanks in advance.

 

[Tooch4321]

Going to Chicago in a couple weeks. Haven’t been in a few years, what are 2-3 must hit breweries, etc. thanks in advance.

Middlebrow Bungalow, Off Color The Mousetrap and Half Acre Balmoral. Shout out to Dovetail and Marz if ya got the time...

(I forgot to add Rev's Kedzie taproom for all your barrel aged needs...)

 

[thewimperoo]

Anyone know anything about the people behind this place? Do they have any previous bonafides? The space looks pretty impressive. Opening today in Woodridge at Seven Bridges.


#toomanyhashtags


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[user 306237]

This is a bummer:
German Beer Hall The Radler to Close After Five Years in Logan Square
EDIT: It's still open through Feb. but it's unclear what's going to happen next (new concept, sale of assets, etc).

 

[DiscountMegaMall4ever]

#toomanyhashtags

Makes up about half of the typed content of their Facebook page.
And they have a 331 area code.

 

[middlebrow]

If anyone wants an off color/2nd shift cat & mouse, let me know. 10 bucks, plan on grabbing a few extras cuz I don’t think it’s coming north though I could be wrong.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Anyone know anything about the people behind this place? Do they have any previous bonafides? The space looks pretty impressive. Opening today in Woodridge at Seven Bridges.


#toomanyhashtags


(Link to media)

No idea, but was relatively surprised that a number of our mutual acquaintances / friends raved about their beer at the industry soft opening last night.

Now the real question is who gets the visual diary review up first

 

[duckyboycantfly]

Head brewer Nathan is the former head brewer of Baderbrau, also from Lagunitas Chicago and Two Brothers. He's excited to finally not make large batches of other peoples' recipes and have his own space to do the thing he loves. The IPA (Hopper Dropper) definitely speaks to his pedigree, and is just a banging west coast. Vienna lager is my favorite, pils is nice but a touch too hoppy, and they have a ton of adjunct beer that is fine if you don't like the taste of beer (Broken Carabiner, a passion fruit green tea pale ale is the best of that bunch).

Ed, the owner, is a very nice guy, outdoorsy type and a home brewer that is getting his dream of opening his own brewery. He went to that College of Dupage Craft Beer Business school thing. My best guess is he is behind the hashtags.

Restaurant side is managed by Folkart (Old Irving, Lucky Dorr), so they've been training staff and doing draft cocktails and a pretty banging food menu. Kitchen has just as serious of a pedigree as the brew side, and expect some fun pizzas to be coming out of there (I like the Ike and Oak; Neapolitan-style, soppressata, cream ale beer mustard, pickled jalapeno, honey comb drizzle, I don't remember the cheese). Other stand outs are the Fig and Blue, Shepard's Pie, and Wild Mushroom. They are trying to be a completely scratch kitchen, but they aren't 100% there yet for opening.

Tl,dr; beer is solid, food is solid, get the pork wings (3x 4oz pork shanks) and panzanella salad, maybe a pizza for a group of 4, you'll be good. Great beer prices ($6-8 for everything), food prices a little on the city side ($15-18 for pizza, I think something like $10-12 for the apps, they dropped the pricing just before opening).

Most important they are giving a local his first FOH appearance as a bar back, so you can watch him get ice and do dishes for people on Thursdays (maybe, schedule isn't set yet).

 

[thewimperoo]

Head brewer Nathan is the former head brewer of Baderbrau, also from Lagunitas Chicago and Two Brothers. He's excited to finally not make large batches of other peoples' recipes and have his own space to do the thing he loves. The IPA (Hopper Dropper) definitely speaks to his pedigree, and is just a banging west coast. Vienna lager is my favorite, pils is nice but a touch too hoppy, and they have a ton of adjunct beer that is fine if you don't like the taste of beer (Broken Carabiner, a passion fruit green tea pale ale is the best of that bunch).

Ed, the owner, is a very nice guy, outdoorsy type and a home brewer that is getting his dream of opening his own brewery. He went to that College of Dupage Craft Beer Business school thing. My best guess is he is behind the hashtags.

Restaurant side is managed by Folkart (Old Irving, Lucky Dorr), so they've been training staff and doing draft cocktails and a pretty banging food menu. Kitchen has just a serious pedigree as the brew side, and expect some fun pizzas to be coming out of there (I like the Ike and Oak; Neapolitan-style, soppressata, cream ale beer mustard, pickled jalapeno, honey comb drizzle, I don't remember the cheese). Other stand outs are the Fig and Blue, Shepard's Pie, and Wild Mushroom. They are trying to be a completely scratch kitchen, but they aren't 100% there yet for opening.

Tl,dr; beer is solid, food is solid, get the pork wings (3x 4oz pork shanks) and panzanella salad, maybe a pizza for a group of 4, you'll be good. Great beer prices ($6-8 for everything), food prices a little on the city side ($15-18 for pizza, I think something like $10-12 for the apps, they dropped the pricing just before opening).

Most important they are giving a local his first FOH appearance as a bar back, so you can watch him get ice and do dishes for people on Thursdays (maybe, schedule isn't set yet).

Thanks for the knowledge.

 

[Tooch4321]

If anyone wants an off color/2nd shift cat & mouse, let me know. 10 bucks, plan on grabbing a few extras cuz I don’t think it’s coming north though I could be wrong.

Me, I want one...

 

[kbergen28]

its safe to say that fence is temporary to satisfy one person to get a signature. thanks for stoppin in, i hope you dug that papas bravas pie. bias BS aside & I'm not sure its even a pizza (did you try with the egg?) but I've eaten about 2 dozen of those thus far and plan to eat another 2 dozen of em this month.

Swung by for lunch today and I'll echo this, fun take on pizza and papas bravas. Great space, the bread is fantastic, and the beer is all super clean and very drinkable. Keep up the good work!

 

[Tooch4321]

Swung by for lunch today and I'll echo this, fun take on pizza and papas bravas. Great space, the bread is fantastic, and the beer is all super clean and very drinkable. Keep up the good work!

But did you try the tinned fish?

 

[SAISON FUCK]

2019 Beer Trends
--Natty wine
--Tinned fish

 

[kbergen28]

But did you try the tinned fish?

Sadly, I couldn't convince the fiancee...

 

[BobCobb1]

beeraficionado where are those VSOR leftovers from the ddb event?

Unsurprising with 2017 Ryeway base, but what a beer.

 

[Dunt1]

2019 Beer Trends
--Natty wine
--Tinned fish

Natty wine been a trend for years fam

 

[adhdjon]

Temperance released their Barrel-Aged Might Meets Right yesterday, and the release was as graceful as releases can go. It was a beautiful, sunny morning/afternoon too. They also seemed to have a few palates of the 2018 BA MMR leftover, so I would guess it is going to hit distro and/or you can still scoop some up today. The Cherry Biscotti and La Sopresa are yum.

 

[rmalinowski4]

middlebrow waiting for the tinned fish beer fermented with sourdough yeast.

 

[adhdjon]

also inb4 palate/pallet/palette

 

[capnmike]

Temperance released their Barrel-Aged Might Meets Right yesterday, and the release was as graceful as releases can go. It was a beautiful, sunny morning/afternoon too. They also seemed to have a few palates of the 2018 BA MMR leftover, so I would guess it is going to hit distro and/or you can still scoop some up today. The Cherry Biscotti and La Sopresa are yum.

La Sopresa was the clear winner for me last year. Tried it again this year and loved it, thought it was clear #1 again for sure....but just tried the cherry biscotti....excellent, #1 overall not as clear as I thought!

The whole series is on the upper end of sweetness for me, but it works well with the spice in LS, and something in the cherry/almond smooths it out and makes it somehow less sweet.

Haven’t tried the blueberry maple yet, but just wanted to second the emotion on these 2.

 

[beeraficionado]

If anyone wants an off color/2nd shift cat & mouse, let me know. 10 bucks, plan on grabbing a few extras cuz I don’t think it’s coming north though I could be wrong.

I assume I'm way too late but if this is a St. Louis-only Off Color/2nd Shift thing and there's an extra, I'd love one.

beeraficionado where are those VSOR leftovers from the ddb event?

Unsurprising with 2017 Ryeway base, but what a beer.

A wise man once said:

Disco Stu doesn't advertise

But in all honesty, I have no idea, its probably just like half a sixtel or so

 

[Tooch4321]

I assume I'm way too late but if this is a St. Louis-only Off Color/2nd Shift thing and there's an extra, I'd love one.

A wise man once said:

But in all honesty, I have no idea, its probably just like half a sixtel or so

Heard that they’re sending some up to The Trap, if that’s the case I’ve got you...

 

[Alum]

I recall digging this at whatever release it was offered on tap at (Vanilla Deth?)


(Link to media)

 

[thewimperoo]

No idea, but was relatively surprised that a number of our mutual acquaintances / friends raved about their beer at the industry soft opening last night.

Now the real question is who gets the visual diary review up first

I had about 90 minutes to kill last weekend while waiting for my son to be done with a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, so I checked out Ike and Oak.

Overall, my opinion of the beers mostly fell in line with what duckyboycantfly said. The IPA was the clear winner. Pils and Cream Ale also solid. I got a hint of butter on the finish of the Vienna Lager. All of the adjunct laden beers were meh. I didn't even realize the porter and stout weren't just straight up versions until I started drinking them.. They don't list the adjuncts next to the style like most menus, it's buried in the description.

The space is pretty nice for essentially a strip mall brewery. It's fairly big by most brewpub standards. I managed to snag the single open bar seat. The place was packed with a wait for tables while I was there. Service at the bar was good, especially for opening weekend.

I didn't eat, but the food coming out looked good. Definitely interested in coming back to try some food.

 

[middlebrow]

I had about 90 minutes to kill last weekend while waiting for my son to be done with a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, so I checked it out.

Overall, my opinion of the beers mostly fell in line with what duckyboycantfly said. The IPA was the clear winner. Pils and Cream Ale also solid. I got a hint of butter on the finish of the Vienna Lager. All of the adjunct laden beers were meh. I didn't even realize the porter and stout weren't just straight up versions until I started drinking them.. They don't list the adjuncts next to the style like most menus, it's buried in the description.

The space is pretty nice for essentially a strip mall brewery. It's fairly big by most brewpub standards. I managed to snag the single open bar seat. The place was packed with a wait for tables while I was there. Service at the bar was good, especially for opening weekend.

I didn't eat, but the food coming out looked good. Definitely interested in coming back to try some food.

i was three sentences in before i realized you weren't talking about the beer scene at chuck e cheese. also for a fun note...did you know the mascots name is charles entertainment cheese aka "chuck e" cheese?

 

[Unbreakabolt]

Cosmic juice box is absolute fire. Almost certainly the best NE style ipa I’ve had out of Chicago. Super pillowy and not overly sweet.

With corridor, hop butcher and half acre seemingly firing on all cillendars lately, it’s a great time to be drinking hoppy beers in Chicagoland.

Also middlebrow your space is fire. Loved the pizzas and It’s awesome to have another place in the neighborhood that is welcoming at all hour of the day.