FIB War Room

[Alum]

It was good, boozier than the previous release without the same hop bitterness that it was previously showing. Like a liquefied Werther's Original with some barrel character.

I'm not sure why they didn't just keep the entire batch barrel aged for the additional few months, but trying to figure out why Flossmoor does certain things will simply make your head explode so I refrain from doing it anymore.

I think you know why.. Can't capitalize on all the out of towners in for Dark Lord Day in December, Antonio.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I think you know why.. Can't capitalize on all the out of towners in for Dark Lord Day in December, Antonio.

wait?! DLD is in Dec now? man I’m out of the loop

 

[foscorelli]

24,000th post in the war room

Happy New Year FIBS

 

[middlebrow]

Part of me hopes playaplaya can make his return and act like a gentleman.

 

[sacrelicio]

Any you FIBs try the Brickstone Afterworld BABW? Is it pretty good now or something to sit on for a bit?

 

[jvanaus]

Any you FIBs try the Brickstone Afterworld BABW? Is it pretty good now or something to sit on for a bit?

If it's anything like the babw they released for the anniversary last year or the year before, it's more of a brown than a bw.

 

[Treebs]

Any you FIBs try the Brickstone Afterworld BABW? Is it pretty good now or something to sit on for a bit?

I tried it on tap a month or so ago. It was hoppier than I liked. I’d sit on bottles for a little while. Having said that it still was tasty.

 

[furley]

so Deth's Tar is pretty good and hides that almost 15% pretty damned well

 

[DiscountMegaMall4ever]

 

[thewimperoo]

Progress report on some new to me places I've gone to over the last couple of months.

Soundgrowler (Tinley Park) - I've been a couple of times for quick trips. Tacos are pretty solid. Beers are decent. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Black Horizon (Willowbrook) - Beers were unimpressive to say the least and prices were too high for that level of quality.

Great Central (Chicago) - Loved the space. Could definitely spend some time drinking there. I tried a couple of the German style beers brewed as Great Central and one of the contract brewed beers for Funk Brewing in PA. Everything I tried was at least decent. The Helles Lager and Hazy IPA were good. Looked like they had an unfiltered pils on earlier in the week, but it was kicked when we were there. Would have loved to try it.

Off Color Mouse Trap (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Once during the day when it was dead, and once this past Saturday night. Overall the space is nice, but on Saturday night it was pretty loud to the point that it was hard to have a conversation. Fun to drink some different Off Color beers on tap. Hellbroth pictured.

Half Acre Balmoral (Chicago) - First non-Big North party visit to Balmoral this past Saturday. Bigger space than Lincoln, and larger selection of beers on draft. Food menu looks amazing, and fancier than Lincoln. Other than that, the same quality Half Acre experience. Lars, export porter on nitro in the glass pictured.

Spiteful Brewing (Chicago) - Swung through this past Saturday night, and sampled a few beers. Nothing wild and crazy on tap, but everything was good. R&D Pale, Fat Badger, Diggable, Maple Pigeon Porter

Maplewood Lounge (Chicago) - Hit this last Saturday night around 10pm. Style made me think of an old VFW hall. Brick and leather back bar chairs. Place was about 3/4 full and super loud. Couldn't have a conversation. Also smelled like a deep fryer. Sampled a couple of beers, and they were all pretty high quality. Haven't always enjoyed Maplewood beers, but these were good. They also have cocktails and slushie cocktails with their own liquors. I'd be interested in trying some of them. Not sure how often I'll get back here, but it's certainly a place worth checking out. Brownie Points, Double Charlatan, Fluffy Bottoms pictured.

Metropolitan Taproom (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Both at night. The views are awesome. Love the space. Need to get back during the day for the sunlight views. This past time, I had Java Magnetron, which was spectacular.

Jolly Pumpkin Hyde Park, Alarmist, 5 Rabbit, Short Fuse, and Hofbrau Haus in Rosemont (Have a gift card) are on the short list for the next round of places to tick off the list.

 

[middlebrow]

i may be a big stoned kitty, but I swear I saw some VSOD for sale on the open bottle instagram. Is it still for sale still at the taproom or out in the wild?

 

[Dunt1]

Progress report on some new to me places I've gone to over the last couple of months.

Soundgrowler (Tinley Park) - I've been a couple of times for quick trips. Tacos are pretty solid. Beers are decent. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Black Horizon (Willowbrook) - Beers were unimpressive to say the least and prices were too high for that level of quality.

Great Central (Chicago) - Loved the space. Could definitely spend some time drinking there. I tried a couple of the German style beers brewed as Great Central and one of the contract brewed beers for Funk Brewing in PA. Everything I tried was at least decent. The Helles Lager and Hazy IPA were good. Looked like they had an unfiltered pils on earlier in the week, but it was kicked when we were there. Would have loved to try it.

Off Color Mouse Trap (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Once during the day when it was dead, and once this past Saturday night. Overall the space is nice, but on Saturday night it was pretty loud to the point that it was hard to have a conversation. Fun to drink some different Off Color beers on tap. Hellbroth pictured.

Half Acre Balmoral (Chicago) - First non-Big North party visit to Balmoral this past Saturday. Bigger space than Lincoln, and larger selection of beers on draft. Food menu looks amazing, and fancier than Lincoln. Other than that, the same quality Half Acre experience. Lars, export porter on nitro in the glass pictured.

Spiteful Brewing (Chicago) - Swung through this past Saturday night, and sampled a few beers. Nothing wild and crazy on tap, but everything was good. R&D Pale, Fat Badger, Diggable, Maple Pigeon Porter

Maplewood Lounge (Chicago) - Hit this last Saturday night around 10pm. Style made me think of an old VFW hall. Brick and leather back bar chairs. Place was about 3/4 full and super loud. Couldn't have a conversation. Also smelled like a deep fryer. Sampled a couple of beers, and they were all pretty high quality. Haven't always enjoyed Maplewood beers, but these were good. They also have cocktails and slushie cocktails with their own liquors. I'd be interested in trying some of them. Not sure how often I'll get back here, but it's certainly a place worth checking out. Brownie Points, Double Charlatan, Fluffy Bottoms pictured.

Metropolitan Taproom (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Both at night. The views are awesome. Love the space. Need to get back during the day for the sunlight views. This past time, I had Java Magnetron, which was spectacular.

Jolly Pumpkin Hyde Park, Alarmist, 5 Rabbit, Short Fuse, and Hofbrau Haus in Rosemont (Have a gift card) are on the short list for the next round of places to tick off the list.

I really enjoy that you and Gonzoillini do these reviews. Gives me a pretty good idea of where to go based on similar palates and both of your descriptions. Drove by Great Central last week and had no idea what it was, never heard of it before.

 

[Tooch4321]

Progress report on some new to me places I've gone to over the last couple of months.

Soundgrowler (Tinley Park) - I've been a couple of times for quick trips. Tacos are pretty solid. Beers are decent. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Black Horizon (Willowbrook) - Beers were unimpressive to say the least and prices were too high for that level of quality.

Great Central (Chicago) - Loved the space. Could definitely spend some time drinking there. I tried a couple of the German style beers brewed as Great Central and one of the contract brewed beers for Funk Brewing in PA. Everything I tried was at least decent. The Helles Lager and Hazy IPA were good. Looked like they had an unfiltered pils on earlier in the week, but it was kicked when we were there. Would have loved to try it.

Off Color Mouse Trap (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Once during the day when it was dead, and once this past Saturday night. Overall the space is nice, but on Saturday night it was pretty loud to the point that it was hard to have a conversation. Fun to drink some different Off Color beers on tap. Hellbroth pictured.

Half Acre Balmoral (Chicago) - First non-Big North party visit to Balmoral this past Saturday. Bigger space than Lincoln, and larger selection of beers on draft. Food menu looks amazing, and fancier than Lincoln. Other than that, the same quality Half Acre experience. Lars, export porter on nitro in the glass pictured.

Spiteful Brewing (Chicago) - Swung through this past Saturday night, and sampled a few beers. Nothing wild and crazy on tap, but everything was good. R&D Pale, Fat Badger, Diggable, Maple Pigeon Porter

Maplewood Lounge (Chicago) - Hit this last Saturday night around 10pm. Style made me think of an old VFW hall. Brick and leather back bar chairs. Place was about 3/4 full and super loud. Couldn't have a conversation. Also smelled like a deep fryer. Sampled a couple of beers, and they were all pretty high quality. Haven't always enjoyed Maplewood beers, but these were good. They also have cocktails and slushie cocktails with their own liquors. I'd be interested in trying some of them. Not sure how often I'll get back here, but it's certainly a place worth checking out. Brownie Points, Double Charlatan, Fluffy Bottoms pictured.

Metropolitan Taproom (Chicago) - I've hit this a couple of times. Both at night. The views are awesome. Love the space. Need to get back during the day for the sunlight views. This past time, I had Java Magnetron, which was spectacular.

Jolly Pumpkin Hyde Park, Alarmist, 5 Rabbit, Short Fuse, and Hofbrau Haus in Rosemont (Have a gift card) are on the short list for the next round of places to tick off the list.

I was working last Saturday at The Mousetrap, next time you're in please say, "I hate you!" or something along those lines. I got a bit slap happy and started writing on the fogged up windows with "Your mom likes beer" and blasting my rap airhorn the last hour of my shift...

 

[middlebrow]

I really enjoy that you and Gonzoillini do these reviews. Gives me a pretty good idea of where to go based on similar palates and both of your descriptions. Drove by Great Central last week and had no idea what it was, never heard of it before.

contract brewer for canned offerings from warpigs, some maplewood, and maybe a begyle. so like if you like the big canned releases from them, its yr place. sorta weird they have a taproom, right?

 

[beeraficionado]

contract brewer for canned offerings from warpigs

I believe the IPAs are done in Milwaukee and just the Lager at Great Central, so I think that's the only one you'll find on tap there at the moment.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

contract brewer for canned offerings from warpigs, some maplewood, and maybe a begyle. so like if you like the big canned releases from them, its yr place. sorta weird they have a taproom, right?

I kind of like that they have a taproom (haven't been there myself yet, but soon...) so I can try a variety of the brands they are brewing. Do they do anything that is under their own label? Not sure how the licensing for that kind of operation actually works.

 

[thewimperoo]

contract brewer for canned offerings from warpigs, some maplewood, and maybe a begyle. so like if you like the big canned releases from them, its yr place. sorta weird they have a taproom, right?

They make German style beers for "themselves/Great Central" and then have contract brewed beers on tap as well. Kinslagher in Oak Park and Funk Brewing in PA as well as the ones you mentioned.

 

[Hopping Tiger]

I kind of like the idea of a contract brewer having a tap room showing what they make. I'd never considered it before but its different at least.

 

[sherm10161]

I believe the IPAs are done in Milwaukee

I thought the IPAs were done at Wisconsin Brewing in Verona. Kirby Nelson built a big, pretty brewery with lots of capacity. Too bad their own beers seems to range from poor to middling.

 

[middlebrow]

I kind of like that they have a taproom (haven't been there myself yet, but soon...) so I can try a variety of the brands they are brewing. Do they do anything that is under their own label? Not sure how the licensing for that kind of operation actually works.

I agree if the variety isn't like three other breweries 20 miles away it can be cool, like i'd love to check out whatever funk is. i'm pretty sure they got some contracts with some big outta state guys (CCB maybe?) so maybe in the future. here's a fun question, are they brewing finch there, like is finch being contract brewed on a system it bought and then sold?

 

[ThatJackOC]

I agree if the variety isn't like three other breweries 20 miles away it can be cool, like i'd love to check out whatever funk is. i'm pretty sure they got some contracts with some big outta state guys (CCB maybe?) so maybe in the future. here's a fun question, are they brewing finch there, like is finch being contract brewed on a system it bought and then sold?

Last I heard, Finch has its own system and space, across the street from Great Central.

And it looks like Great Central spent a bunch of $$$ on a ROLEC system back in 2016 before Finch moved into the former Like Minds space.

 

[kodt]

Finch did close their Elston brewery, auction off the equipment, take over Breakroom, then close that, then buy Like Minds brewery across the street from Great Central.

I don't know who bought their old Elston brewhouse but it would be funny if Like Minds had bought it then sold it back to Finch. Anyone actually know who bought Finch's old equipment?

 

[Mugatu]

Finch did close their Elston brewery, auction off the equipment, take over Breakroom, then close that, then buy Like Minds brewery across the street from Great Central.

I don't know who bought their old Elston brewhouse but it would be funny if Like Minds had bought it then sold it back to Finch. Anyone actually know who bought Finch's old equipment?

Second question: who is moving into the Breakroom/Finch space? Is it Ravinia?

 

[beeraficionado]

I swear I saw some VSOD for sale on the open bottle instagram. Is it still for sale still at the taproom or out in the wild?

About 9 cases left at the Tap Room, Brewpub is sold out for good. A couple hundred cases went out to distro or is about to go out, throughout IL.

 

[mychalg91]

Recs for a Sunday evening in Chicago? Starting from 90/Irving park. Tentatively planning on Beer Temple Tap Room and Off Color Mousetrap but I'm open to other suggestions. Probably from 7-11 this coming Sunday...

 

[ChaQuiseman]

Second question: who is moving into the Breakroom/Finch space? Is it Ravinia?

As far as I know, Ravinia ia already brewing in that space but they have no plans of opening the taproom anytime soon.

 

[kodt]

As far as I know, Ravinia ia already brewing in that space but they have no plans of opening the taproom anytime soon.

It seems they have a brewhouse in Highland Park as well.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I tried it on tap a month or so ago. It was hoppier than I liked. I’d sit on bottles for a little while. Having said that it still was tasty.

The one released on Dec 16th? I didn’t think it was hoppy at all.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I really enjoy that you and Gonzoillini do these reviews. Gives me a pretty good idea of where to go based on similar palates and both of your descriptions. Drove by Great Central last week and had no idea what it was, never heard of it before.

don’t trust that Wimperoo he’s just in for the ticks

 

[Scalzo]

Recs for a Sunday evening in Chicago? Starting from 90/Irving park. Tentatively planning on Beer Temple Tap Room and Off Color Mousetrap but I'm open to other suggestions. Probably from 7-11 this coming Sunday...

Hit up Half Acre Balmoral or Lincoln Park
or
Dovetail