Northern Chicago Suburban Beer Tour

On February 24th my wife, another couple, and myself did a beer tour of the Northern Suburbs of Chicago, prior to judging at a Homebrew Competition on Saturday.  We started off at Geneva Ale House http://www.genevaalehouse.com/.  When you first pull up you see the old marque from days gone by and when entering the place it is updated with lots of exposed wood and bricks.  I felt at home almost instantly, even before we sat down at the bar.  At the bar we were quickly greeted by the bartender, while we perused the beer menu.  They advertise over 140 beers, which includes 12 tap beers.  After looking at the menu the men ordered a pint each and the ladies ordered a sampler of three beers.  We wound up staying for a couple beers both drafts and bottles.

A few of the standouts included Trumer Pils http://www.trumer-international.com/, a wonderful German style Pils.  It poured light yellow with a dense white head, crystal clear and it was nice and crisp from hops and had a wonderful malty taste.  Another standout was Founders All Day IPA http://www.foundersbrewing.com/the-lineup/all-day-ipa as the name implies this is not your average IPA.  It checks in at 4.7% ABV with 42 IBUs, so it is an IPA that could be a session beer that could be enjoyed all day.  The last standout was Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine http://www.3floyds.com/our-beers-2/, a wonderful American Barleywine.  It checks in at 10.5% ABV and 80 IBUs, and it is rich and malty with caramel notes.  The high hopping rate offsets the malty sweetness and high alcohol making this a really good drinking barleywine.  Just make sure to share the beer, this is not a beer to have all to yourself particularly if you are driving or planning to have more beers later on in the day.



Next stop was the Fikin in Libertyville, IL http://firkinoflibertyville.com/ , which has around 30 draft beers and at least another 50 in bottles.  This is a must stop for all beer lovers in the northern suburbs.  Walking into this bar has the feel along the lines of an English pub; I am sure that is why the name.  It is dark wood with a wonderful old bar back that just says home.  

With that many taps there is always a beer on tap for your particular taste.  Some fine examples were Stiegl Brau, Kasteel Rouge and Mongo IPA.   Stiegl is a wonderful malty Austrian Lager, Kasteel is a great Belgian Brown ale aged with cherries and Mongo IPA is a big IPA with lots of hops.  On the weekend if you want a seat come early.

Next on our tour was Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein, IL http://www.tightheadbrewing.com/; this is a brewery started by a homebrewer.  Located in a warehouse area it is a bit difficult to get to if you do not know the way.  It is a combination of a brewery and a tasting room.  Since it is located near a train stop this could be a great place for the commuter to enjoy a beer or two to relax after work.  They have six tap beers: Comfortably Blonde, Scarlet Fire, IRIE IPA, Boxcar Porter, Hat Trick Tripel and Upright Extra Pale Ale.  All are good solid beers, but a couple I could pass on were the blonde and the tripel.  A couple growlers were filled to be taken back to the QC and shared at the MUGZ meeting on Sunday, Scarlet Fire and IRIE IPA made it home unopened.  Since this is a homebrewer that went pro I really liked this place and suggest any one giving it a try when in the area.

Lake Bluff Brewing Company in Lake Bluff, IL http://www.lbbrew.com/index.html is a place my wife and I have previously been to when visiting the Northern Suburbs.  It is still as quaint as my wife and I remembered.

We wanted to introduce our friends to this little place.  They enjoyed it as well.  They have seven beers currently on tap: Udderly Oatmeal Stout, Autumn Rye, Bohemian Blonde, Inspiration Pale Ale, Black Squirrel Bourbon Stout, Hard Tail Imperial IPA and Weeee!! Heavy Scotch Ale.  A couple standouts were the Black Squirrel and the Weeee!! Heavy.  Both are big beers in flavor and alcohol.  Located in the downtown area of Lake Bluff this seems to be a gathering place for the locals.  Stop in when you are in the area.


Last stop on the beer tour was Mickey Finn's in Libertyville, IL http://www.mickeyfinnsbrewery.com/. A brewpub we have been to a few times now and it is always crowded.  They have eight beers on tap and a full food menu.  This is a good brewpub, but not a must hit every time in the area.  There are also numerous other bars and brewpubs we did not have time to hit, so I believe another trip is in order.


QC Beerguy

 

Oktoberfest/ Marzen 3B

The beer of Oktoberfest!  Oktoberfest was the originally the celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig marrying Princess Therese.  Then it evolved into an every year occurrence, which Munich is now famous for.  Another bit of info is that Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to Early October.  The beer itself has been traditionally brewed in March, which in German is Marzen, to be served during Oktoberfest in September and October.  Domestic German versions tend to be golden, like a strong Pils-dominated Helles. Export German versions are typically orange-amber in color, and have a distinctive toasty malt character.  Needless to say we in America almost always drink the malty amber version.  Also unlike many of us think this beer is typically on the lower end of ABV scale.  Remember Oktoberfest is a party over almost two weeks and goes all day, so slamming down high ABV beers is not a good idea.

Aroma:  Rich German malt aroma, Vienna and/or Munich malt.  A light to moderate toasted malt aroma is often present. Clean lager aroma with no fruity esters or diacetyl. No hop aroma. Caramel aroma is inappropriate.

Appearance: Dark gold to deep orange-red color. Bright clarity, with solid, off-white, foam stand.

Flavor: Initial malty sweetness, but finish is moderately dry. Distinctive and complex maltiness often includes a toasted aspect. Hop bitterness is moderate, and noble hop flavor is low to none. Balance is toward malt, though the finish is not sweet. Noticeable caramel or roasted flavors are inappropriate. Clean lager character with no diacetyl or fruity esters

Mouthfeel: Medium body, with a creamy texture and medium carbonation. Smooth. Fully fermented, without a cloying finish.

Comments:  Smooth, clean, and rather rich, with a depth of malt character. This is one of the classic malty styles, with a maltiness that is often described as soft, complex, and elegant but never cloying. 

Numbers:  IBUs (Bitterness) 20-28, SRM (Color) 7-14, OG (potential) 1.050-1.057, FG (finish) 1.012-1.016, ABV 4.8-5.7%

Examples:  Paulaner Oktoberfest, Ayinger Oktoberfest-Märzen, Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest, Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Victory Festbier, Great Lakes Oktoberfest, Spaten Oktoberfest, Capital Oktoberfest, Gordon Biersch Märzen, Goose Island Oktoberfest, Samuel Adams Oktoberfest (a bit unusual in its late hopping)

Origin is credited to Gabriel Sedlmayr, based on an adaptation of the Vienna style developed by Anton Dreher around 1840, shortly after lager yeast was first isolated. Typically brewed in the spring, signaling the end of the traditional brewing season and stored in cold caves or cellars during the warm summer months. Served in autumn amidst traditional celebrations.  Domestic German versions tend to be golden, like a strong Pils-dominated Helles. Export German versions are typically orange-amber in color, and have a distinctive toasty malt character. German beer tax law limits the OG of the style at 14°P since it is a vollbier, although American versions can be stronger. “Fest” type beers are special occasion beers that are usually stronger than their everyday counterparts.  So if you are wanting to host an Oktoberfest party, get your brewery out and brew your Marzen to age until late September.