Best Brews in Chicago (Champaign, Sheffield: bars, cottage, area)

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I'm glad you enjoy the traditional was well as the new things. I drink a new fangled beer myself once in awhile.

I actually prefer traditional to new things.

I drink more wine than beer. And real old school wine, not blueberry juice with oak flavors.

[MannheimMadman]

From what I gather, our craft beer scene isn't as nice as Portland's.

But I have to echo the list. Metropolitan (because I live 2 blocks away, woot!) and Finch are awesome.

As far as Goose Island goes, the standard issue stuff isn't even special anymore. You have to look for the other stuff (like Sophie, Matilda) that stuff is good.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I'm glad you enjoy the traditional was well as the new things. I drink a new fangled beer myself once in awhile.

To be honest I look at the microbrews as being traditional and the mass produced corn beers to be new fangled.

Some microbrews (Ninkasi, Midas's Touch) are made using the same methods, ingredients and recipes that were used 4,000 years ago. Doesn't gt more traditional than that!

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Attrill

Some microbrews (Ninkasi, Midas's Touch) are made using the same methods, ingredients and recipes that were used 4,000 years ago. Doesn't gt more traditional than that!

People made porridge before they made bread and probably made beer before bread too, from porridge. Some historians think that when women got men to give up their hunter ways to settle down and farm what men got in return for their freedom to roam was a steady supply of yocky-dock.

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by MNCzech-in-Hockey

I've got another question for all the knowledgable Chi-town beer fanatics out there: What are the best local brews? Again, I just moved here from Seattle, where I must say there is a hell of a great beer selection, but I have a feeling this city can beat it if I know where to look.

Opinions please!

It's not a Chicago beer, but if you haven't tried it, I really love Dragon's Milk Ale which is made by New Holland Brewery in Michigan (so it's regional). It's a dark stout, but it's not bitter. It's one of the beers I have on tap at home currently. It's also 10% abv, so if you're going to drink it, pace yourself.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

It's not a Chicago beer, but if you haven't tried it, I really love Dragon's Milk Ale which is made by New Holland Brewery in Michigan (so it's regional). It's a dark stout, but it's not bitter. It's one of the beers I have on tap at home currently. It's also 10% abv, so if you're going to drink it, pace yourself.

I *LOVE* New Holland Brewery. My folks have a cottage up that way, so I make the homage to the New Holland motherland at least 4 times a year. In my opinion, it is one of the best all around craft beers out there. I'm not alone in thinking this - the guys at beer advocate have plenty of high marks for the tasty and ambitious brews they make.

Dragon's Milk is wicked. To me, it's a beer you sit down and drink while pondering life. Or maybe sitting beside a fire in your purple velour smoking jacket.

Right now, NHB has their seasonal out - Ichabod Pumpkin Ale. It's absolutely delicious and a real treat.

[Steve Bowen]

I really like Goose Island's 312 and I'm not generally a fan of wheat beers.

[MNCzech-in-Hockey]

Great suggestions! I have tried the Demolition already and liked that one. On to the others now!

[MNCzech-in-Hockey]

I agree that the best ones I've had have been Belgian or Belgian style as well. So much flavor and not that over-hoppy taste you get in many others.

[MNCzech-in-Hockey]

Portland and Seattle have some amazing local brews... It is going to be tough to beat. Oddly though, one of the best American beers I've had lately came out of New York. It seems the east coasters are starting to adopt a more Belgian style with smoother finishes than the west coast. Many good west coast beers are similar in that they tend to be very hoppy and dominant.