FIB War Room

[PHBoiler]

Checked out Riverlands Brewing in St. Charles over the weekend. Newish spot that has been open for about a month or so. I was very impressed by the beers I had. Probably the best new brewery I've been to in the Chicagoland area this past year. Both the pilsner and kellerbier were crisp and refreshing. They had 4 different haze bros that all had a great soft mouthfeel. Only one had lactose added which made it too sweet in comparison to the others. A 5.5% milk stout had a nice roast character without being too bitter. A coconut version that actually showed restraint in the addition. A peach berliner that also was balanced between beer and fruit.

Pretty bummed this place wasn't around when I lived 10 minutes away. I'll probably only get back out this way once a year or so when visiting family. It is a much needed addition to the St. Charles, South Elgin, Geneva, and further west area.

Made it over there yesterday finally during the snow since I had nothing else to do. I’ll second all of this. Also crowler was super easy to get filled for take home. I know the manager and he told me they sold 300 crowlers since Friday of their fruited kettle sour (lots of berries). Good for them. Space is nice and you can actually have conversations. Lots of folks brought their own food and games. Look forward to having this spot 8 min away.

I don’t know any of the background story on the brewery or the crew but it’s pretty amazing that within a month of existence they overshadow a five year old nearby brewery that came with a Goose Island pedigree.

 

[thewimperoo]

Made it over there yesterday finally during the snow since I had nothing else to do. I’ll second all of this. Also crowler was super easy to get filled for take home. I know the manager and he told me they sold 300 crowlers since Friday of their fruited kettle sour (lots of berries). Good for them. Space is nice and you can actually have conversations. Lots of folks brought their own food and games. Look forward to having this spot 8 min away.

I don’t know any of the background story on the brewery or the crew but it’s pretty amazing that within a month of existence they overshadow a five year old nearby brewery that came with a Goose Island pedigree.

I asked the same question on BA about why this place had so much hype. The brewer responded and said he'd been shadowing Shaun at More for the past year, and home brewing for a long time prior. So I guess even being in the Shaun orbit gets you a piece of the hype train.

Agreed that it's wild they've already passed Penrose by in popularity.

Last time I went into Penrose was pretty sad. Full on embrace of haze and milkshakes. Belgian and saison choices were pathetic.

 

[trickytunadicky]

Huh. The Islay peated description they had made me think I wouldn’t enjoy it much. Do they have that in cans too? Ugh so far though from north side of city.

If you don’t enjoy Islay scotch you won’t enjoy this. I enjoy Ardbeg Corryvreckan and thought the Islay Lord Humungous was delightful. It was too much for my brother in law but our palates don’t agree on much. He doesn’t like peaty scotches, saisons or half the meads I like.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

So Rare Barrel is going to be rolling out to Chicago? Hm.

 

[Alum]

So Rare Barrel is going to be rolling out to Chicago? Hm.

It already is.. saw 4-5 different ones on the shelf at Binnys Naperville last week and my reaction was surprise and confusion simultaneously.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

It already is.. saw 4-5 different ones on the shelf at Binnys Naperville last week and my reaction was surprise and confusion simultaneously.

Apparently over the weekend they poured at Mikerphone, plus some launch events at Green Lady and Crafted in Mokena. They're being carried by A.J. Maka (Ale Apothecary, Logsdon, Superstition Meadery).

That seems like...not enough of a roll out, right? It's better than dropping some pallets at the county line, but it seems like plenty of breweries have pushed harder and stagnated...

 

[rmalinowski4]

Apparently over the weekend they poured at Mikerphone, plus some launch events at Green Lady and Crafted in Mokena. They're being carried by A.J. Maka (Ale Apothecary, Logsdon, Superstition Meadery).

That seems like...not enough of a roll out, right? It's better than dropping some pallets at the county line, but it seems like plenty of breweries have pushed harder and stagnated...

Whats the price point? If they are $30 for a 750, then hard pass...

 

[trickytunadicky]

Apparently over the weekend they poured at Mikerphone, plus some launch events at Green Lady and Crafted in Mokena. They're being carried by A.J. Maka (Ale Apothecary, Logsdon, Superstition Meadery).

That seems like...not enough of a roll out, right? It's better than dropping some pallets at the county line, but it seems like plenty of breweries have pushed harder and stagnated...

Yeah Garagiste launched here officially over the weekend, too. In addition to the festival they had kegs on at Iron and Glass. Unsure about bottles, I was just following along posts from a friend who works there.

 

[Alum]

Whats the price point? If they are $30 for a 750, then hard pass...

I recall the pricepoint being more like ~$24-26 when I saw them at Binnys.

That could be variable though.. as "Special" stuff might end up more.. and the "Standards" at that ~$25

 

[jmgrub]

So Rare Barrel is going to be rolling out to Chicago? Hm.

The new Cascade.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

I recall the pricepoint being more like ~$24-26 when I saw them at Binnys.

That could be variable though.. as "Special" stuff might end up more.. and the "Standards" at that ~$25

Meanwhile, Almanac and FW Barrelworks are practically buy-1-get-1 at Binny's.

 

[kodt]

Meanwhile, Almanac and FW Barrelworks are practically buy-1-get-1 at Binny's.

Every time I pass all of that Almanac on the shelf at Binny's I'm reminded of the fact that I traded a DDG for some Almanac some years back and I have never gotten over it.

 

[Alum]

+1 "Guy that traded good beer for all the almanacs back in the day".

We should start a support group.

 

[middlebrow]

dont feel bad about almanac, Im sure many of you uplanded or dark lorded your midwest stuff to westies.

and trickytunadicky

 

[DiscountMegaMall4ever]

The one Hanson brother hasn't aged well.

 

[JRBecks]

Last time I went into Penrose was pretty sad. Full on embrace of haze and milkshakes. Belgian and saison choices were pathetic.

This makes me sad I can remember when they first opened I was so hyped for a local brewery to be putting out AWA/Belgian/Saison beers, hell I even lined up for the first (10 or so) wild releases....


P.S. speaking of the Penrose wild releases arent they finally releasing another one soon?

 

[Alum]

This makes me sad I can remember when they first opened I was so hyped for a local brewery to be putting out AWA/Belgian/Saison beers, hell I even lined up for the first (10 or so) wild releases....


P.S. speaking of the Penrose wild releases arent they finally releasing another one soon?

It's also weird to see so many Penrose wild releases (and hazy cans) taking up space on the shelves at Binnys..

 

[JRBecks]

In this world of OMG HAZE BOIS Penrose is no where near the top of my list either

 

[PHBoiler]

This makes me sad I can remember when they first opened I was so hyped for a local brewery to be putting out AWA/Belgian/Saison beers, hell I even lined up for the first (10 or so) wild releases....


P.S. speaking of the Penrose wild releases arent they finally releasing another one soon?

Their website shows all 3 for sale in 375 and 750 formats. They were released April 20th. 12% ABV Tequila Barrel Aged Sour. Who is the target audience for that? At least if it were 5% or 6% you could maybe convince Bien Trucha and Altiro to buy a couple cases locally.

 

[lb304854]

12% ABV Tequila Barrel Aged Sour. Who is the target audience for that?

2010 A.D.

 

[trickytunadicky]

dont feel bad about almanac, Im sure many of you uplanded or dark lorded your midwest stuff to westies.

and trickytunadicky

Already on it. Waiting for release info to decide if I actually want to experience Normal, IL.

The one Hanson brother hasn't aged well.

The one that’s my age has 6 kids and crowsfeet for days.

EDIT: if Middlebrow could make next year’s Hop Jam collab that would be super. TFTI in advance.

 

[beeraficionado]

Every time I pass all of that Almanac on the shelf at Binny's I'm reminded of the fact that I traded a DDG for some Almanac some years back and I have never gotten over it.

+1 "Guy that traded good beer for all the almanacs back in the day".

We should start a support group.

If we’re getting real here and opening up, I guess I might as well too...[deep breath]...I was in the Upland sour club year 1 in 2014, where I paid $250 just to be in the club, nothing included except a glass, then proceeded to max out allocation after allocation, which I assure you were plentiful.

That feels good to say out loud, after all these years.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

If we’re getting real here and opening up, I guess I might as well too...[deep breath]...I was in the Upland sour club year 1 in 2014, where I paid $250 just to be in the club, nothing included except a glass, then proceeded to max out allocation after allocation, which I assure you were plentiful.

That feels good to say out loud, after all these years.

If ever there was a safe space to discuss buying too many Upland Lambics it's here.

This reminds me: I'm pretty sure I traded a 2013 DDG to you for a few of those bottles back when.

 

[danbanana]

If we’re getting real here and opening up, I guess I might as well too...[deep breath]...I was in the Upland sour club year 1 in 2014, where I paid $250 just to be in the club, nothing included except a glass, then proceeded to max out allocation after allocation, which I assure you were plentiful.

That feels good to say out loud, after all these years.

Two questions:
1. Do you have any of those bottles left?
2. Can I have them?

 

[middlebrow]

If ever there was a safe space to discuss buying too many Upland Lambics it's here.

This reminds me: I'm pretty sure I traded a 2013 DDG to you for a few of those bottles back when.

did you ever get your persimmons?

 

[mjohnson171]

If we’re getting real here and opening up, I guess I might as well too...[deep breath]...I was in the Upland sour club year 1 in 2014, where I paid $250 just to be in the club, nothing included except a glass, then proceeded to max out allocation after allocation, which I assure you were plentiful.

That feels good to say out loud, after all these years.

Don’t it short. You also got a certificate.

 

[beeraficionado]

Don’t it short. You also got a certificate.

I traded the certificate to yeahnatenelson for a Cable Car

 

[yeahnatenelson]

did you ever get your persimmons?

Never did... After trying to rebrew it twice they ended up giving vouchers to the next lottery which was Sour Reserve IIRC.

For the record: I will still defend Upland Sour Reserve. It's the only of their "lambics" to not turn into an acid geyser within 6mo of release.

 

[danbanana]

For the record: I will still defend Upland Sour Reserve. It's the only of their "lambics" to not turn into an acid geyser within 6mo of release.

I had SR B2 side-by-side with Lente shortly after it was released and honest-to-God preferred the Upland. So much so that I traded for another one and had it during dinner at my wedding. That was a couple years later and it definitely didn't improve (and my tastes had probably changed) but it was still a pretty good beer.

beeraficionado I'm not kidding. If anyone has old-ass Upland they don't think they'll ever drink, I will 100% take those off your hands. Yeah, even ******* Kiwi. Hell, ESPECIALLY Kiwi.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

I had SR B2 side-by-side with Lente shortly after it was released and honest-to-God preferred the Upland. So much so that I traded for another one and had it during dinner at my wedding. That was a couple years later and it definitely didn't improve (and my tastes had probably changed) but it was still a pretty good beer.

beeraficionado I'm not kidding. If anyone has old-ass Upland they don't think they'll ever drink, I will 100% take those off your hands. Yeah, even ******* Kiwi. Hell, ESPECIALLY Kiwi.

SR B2 was probably the only long-term dud. Was great young, then got all ethyl acetate-y. Sad.

I would definitely put any other SR blend against any other blended no-fruit AWA.