Chicago Craft Beer Week 2010 - India Pale Lager & Ginger-Infused Alt style beer
Even though we regularly celebrate craft beer here in Chicago, this year, we made it official. May 17-22, tappings, tastings and parties happened at local establishments all over the city and in the 'burbs in honor of Chicago Craft Beer Week, which was very own, local take on American Craft Beer Week. Of course, we again had the chance to do some experimentation in honor of our week-long beer fest.
We did a very small experimental batch of a pilsner-type lager which we hopped 3 different times with Hallertau Tradition hops; a high-quality noble hop shipped directly to us by the German Hop Grower's Association. The only 5 gallon keg of this brew was tapped at Fizz, a comfortable local beer joint with a great beer garden. This hoppy beer was a delcious hop-fest of hops. As such, we named it India Pale Lager. Will we make this one again? Probably not. This is why it's best to get out and party during Chicago Craft Beer Week.
Beer Dude Phil, one of our favorite dudes ever, was hanging out at the brewery with his cohorts and crew one day. We were developing some beer cocktails, just because beer cocktails are awesome. Some Koval Ginger Liqueur found its way into a glass of I-beam and a beer was born. We decided to go au natural and simply infuse a firkin of I-beam with raw, shaved ginger root to make Phil's dream come true: Ginger Alt. We tapped it at the newest, most excellent beer bar in town, Fountainhead. Will we make this one again? Probably.
Craft Brewers Conference 2010 - Baltic Porter & Maibock
Our national professional conference was held in April of 2010... in Chicago! CBC was a whirlwind of old friends, new friends, conferences, events, and great-big-toy shopping on the trade show floor. On top of it all, Windy City Distribution was chosen as the host distributor. As such, we were proud to commemorate the event with a couple of very small batch brews.
We brewed a Baltic Porter that was served at Hackney's - Printer's Row and Jake Melnick's. Pilsner, Carafa, Caramunich, and Munich malts combined into a big, rich flavor expertly tempered by lager yeast. We aged this beer with toasted oak, adding a dry, smokey vanilla flavor. Subdued Columbus and Styrian Goldings hops hung around in the background, making sure everyone had a good time.
We also brewed a Maibock that was served at Hopleaf Bar and Jake Melnick's. This golden colored strong bock beer proved so promising, you may well see it again sometime. Pilsner, Munich, and Caramel Pilsner malts were in the forefront. Pepper, spicy Celia hops were used to compliment the biscuity honey-like sweetness from the malts. Maibock is the beer equivalent to a posh, pillowy Playboy mansion party.
FoBAB 2009 - Eiffel Tower Eisbock
The Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer, produced by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild each year, is growing in popularity. Big heavy beers aged or stored in wood that may or may not have been dripping with whiskey or wine - what's not to love?
For FoBAB 2009, our interns at the time, John and Dave, brewed a simple Doppelbock. It was delicious from day one. Then, they systematically froze the beer, pulling out the ice. This left behind a wonderous liquid that just got more and more alcoholic. They tossed in some oak cubes more or less to adhere to the fest parameters. This beer was amazing at every step. The final result was Eiffel Tower Eisbock, or "Eifbock" if you're nasty.