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37th Annual Fall Tasting

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November 2, 2013
6:30 pmto11:00 pm

37th Annual Fall Tasting

The Chicago Beer Society is pleased to announce that its 37th annual Fall Tasting & Dinner will be held from 6:30 to 11:00 pm at Reza’s Restaurant, 432 W Ontario, Chicago, on Saturday, November 2, 2012. The Fall Tasting is probably the country’s oldest beer event that allows the public to participate in a blind tasting of craft beers and then vote for their favorites. This will be a blind tasting to allow you to judge the specially procured beers strictly on their own merit. When the formal tasting ends, all the beers will be available for your enjoyment.

Ticket Information

$45 Members / $55 Non-Members
Ticket sales thru BrownPaperTickets.com only.
Sales begin soon. [Date Pending: 9/30/13, 10am]
http://37falltasting.brownpapertickets.com/

Everyone must be 21 years old to attend. No children, please. NO REFUNDS.

Transportation

The Chicago Beer Society emphasizes responsible consumption and recommends using a designated driver or taking public transportation. The closest CTA train stations are at Chicago (Brown Line), Grand and Halsted (Blue Line), and Grand and State (Red Line). Taxis and buses are also easily available in the area.

Menu

~~Appetizers~~

Grilled Mushrooms
Baba Ghannouj
Herbed Roasted Feta Cheese

~~Entries~~

Filet Mignon Shish Kabob
Broiled Salmon
Lamb Shank (Seasoned Baby Spring Lamb Shank Simmered in Homemade Tomato Sauce)
Chicken Fessenjan (Boneless Chicken Breast Simmered in S&S Pomegranate Sauce with Crushed Walnuts)
Fresh Baked Bread
White Rice & Dill Rice

~~Dessert~~

Baklava and Bamieh (Deep Fried Dough Covered with Honey)

21st Annual Spooky Brew Review

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Spooky Brew is back and better than ever!  This year we will be hosted at Revolution’s Kedzie Brewery on October 26, 9a to 5p.

As usual, Spooky Brew Review will feature judging in all categories of the BJCP Style Guidelines. But a highlight is always the judging of the special Spooky (scariest) and Smashed Pumpkin (Worst of Show) categories, which definitely should not be missed. We are also including Witches’ Brew, which is an open category for beer, mead, and cider brewed only by women.

NOTE: All entries for the Spooky and Smashed Pumpkin categories must be drinkable. Anything deemed otherwise by the Competition Committee will be DISQUALIFIED, and that’s very hard to do.

Event Details

Please see http://spooky.chibeer.org/ for up to date details.  Please note that the actual competition is closed to the public and competitors.  Only judges, stewards, and event staff will be allowed at the actual competition. This helps ensure the judges can focus and do what they do best.

Entry Registration

Entries will be accepted can be dropped off starting October 1st.  To register and enter, please go to http://spooky.chibeer.org.  All entries must be registered and dropped off by Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 5:30 PM CDT.  For more details please see http://spooky.chibeer.org/entry  BJCP entries are $8.  Spooky, Smashed Pumpkin, and Witches Brew are $2.  Please note the special instructions regarding payment if you are entering both BJCP and Spooky categories.

Judging

Judges and Stewards – we need you! If you are interesting in serving as a judge or steward on October 26, please contact competition organizer Peter Sloan (peter @ chibeer.org). All general questions can also be directed to him.  You can also sign up via http://spooky.chibeer.org

Special instructions regarding payment

PLEASE NOTE UPDATED INSTRUCTIONS. This year, in order to streamline operations, we are only accepting payments via paypal.  You do not have to have a paypal account and it will accept most major forms of credit cards.  Please note, due to the limitations in the software, if you want to enter a Spooky, Smashed Pumpkin, or Witches Brew and receive the discounted rate, you must register and pay the full $8 per entry.  Upon receiving payment, your entries will be reviewed and if you have one or more Spooky, Smashed Pumpkin, or Witches Brew entries ($2), the difference in price will be refunded to you ($6/entry). We have already processed quite a few transactions this way and it is working quite smoothly.  Unfortunately, the discount code was not working as intended and thus had to be disabled.

2013 CBS Bus Trip To South West Michigan

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July 27, 2013
8:00 amto9:00 pm

Michigan Bus Trip – SAT, JULY 27th

There have been some epic Chicago Beer Society trips, just ask around at Thirst Fursday or Third Wednesday, but it’s been awhile, so we believe it’s time for a bus tour to The Left Side of the Mitten. We’ll charter a coach and motor around that Great Lake the natives called Michi Gami for a day of Beer, Food and Fun — All Inclusive!

On Saturday, July 27, 2013, we’ll depart from Goose Island – Clybourn at 8 AM, arriving in Grand Rapids, MI around noon (ET) for approximately three hours. Afterwards, we’ll work our way back down the shore of the Lake of the Stinking Water, with leisurely stops in Holland, Saugatuck and Sawyer. We’ll arrive back at Goose Island – Clybourn around 9pm.

Itinerary (Saturday, July 27, 2013)

8 AM CST
Bus will pickup members from Goose Island Clybourn and depart at 8 AM (Chicago Time). Each member will receive 2 “Revolution Road Beers” for the drive to Grand Rapids.

12 Noon EST
We will arrive at Founders Brewing Co. at approximately noon (Michigan Time). Each member will be provided Lunch and Beer. (Sandwich pre-order forms will be sent to ticket holders after sellout).

1:15 PM EST
Bus will leave Founders at 1:15 PM (MI Time) to Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids.  Each member will be provided a beer at Vivant.  Members can choose to stay at Founders or visit a neighboring brewery or pub (Hopcat, Grand Rapids Brewing, etc)

2:30 PM EST
Bus will return to Founders at 2:30 PM to pickup anyone that stayed at Founders or visited a nearby pub/bar.

3:00 PM EST
Bus will depart from Founders to New Holland Brewing Co, New Holland.

3:30 PM EST
Bus will arrive at New Holland Brewing Co.  Each member will be provided a beer.

4:45 PM EST
Bus will depart from New Holland Brewing Co to Saugatuck Brewing Co.

5:15 PM EST
Bus will arrive at Saugatuck Brewing Co. Each member will be provided a beer.

6:15 PM EST
Bus will depart from Saugatuck to Greenbush Brewing, Sawyer MI.

7:15 PM EST
Bus will arrive at Greenbush Brewing.  Each member will be provided a beer.

8:30 PM EST
Bus will depart Greenbush and head back to Goose Island – Clybourn, Chicago, IL.

9:00 PM CST
Arrive back in Chicago at Goose Island Clybourn.  Each member will be provided a beer.

Beers Included With Ticket

  • 2 Road Beers from Revolution Brewing
  • 1 Beer and Lunch from Founders Brewing
  • 1 Beer from Brewery Vivant
  • 1 Beer from New Holland Brewing
  • 1 Beer from Saugatuck
  • 1 Beer from Green Bush
  • 1 Beer from Goose Island

Most breweries are offering discounts on merchandise for members while on site. Note: Dinner is not included but folks would be able to pick up a quick dinner at one of the scheduled evening stops.

Ticket Details

Effective at 12 noon, June 24, Non-Members can purchase tickets for $75 each. Limit 2 tickets / order, please. Members can still use the mailed password to purchase their tickets at the member price.

»»» Please go to http://cbsbustoswmi.brownpapertickets.com/ to purchase tickets. «««

Tickets for members are $70 each and includes some beer and food.  Single members can purchase only ONE ticket.  Couples members can purchase one or two tickets.  Tickets will be available for sale ONLINE ONLY and instructions will be sent to current members.

You must be 21 years or older to attend. No smoking and no kegs or glass container of any kind on the bus.

Goose Island Collaboration Brew with Chicago Beer Society

On April 2nd, 2013, Goose Island and Chicago Beer Society teamed up to brew a collaboration beer to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Goose Island.  The beer will be released May 2nd and samples will be available during our monthly First Thursday homebrewers meeting.  Nick Barron, head brewer for the Goose Island brewpubs, will talk about the beer and the process.  The beer is not yet named but we will update here as soon as it is decided.

The Brewing Team

Chicago Beer Society and Goose Island

Chicago Beer Society and Goose Island

Front Row (from left to right)
Kevin Segna, Nick Barron (GI Head Brewer), Peter Sloan, Chris Schwigen, Dave Philips, Tom Gustafson, Steve Mastny, and Jacob Sembrano (GI Brewer)

Back Row (from left to right)
Tim Norris, John Hall (GI Founder)

The beer at a glance

  • Style: American Black Ale
  • Starting Gravity: 1.068
  • Targeted Final Gravity: 1.016
  • Targeted IBUs: 33
  • Grist: 80% Canada Pale, 13% Aromatic Malt, 6% Midnight Wheat
  • Hop Schedule: Chinook @ 60, Cascade @ 30, Cascade @ 5, Centennial @ 0
  • Dry Hopping: To be determined…

Images

2013 Annual CBS Picnic

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September 7, 2013
12:00 pm

Our “Umpteenth” annual picnic is always one of our most anticipated events, and with good reason:  Every year we supply an extraordinary beer selection backed up by a seemingly endless feast of ribs, chili, salsa, and desserts that are whipped up by our amazing members who enter into hotly contested competitions.

The 2013 picnic will be September 7, 2013 in the same old place. TICKETS ARE FREE AND REQUIRED. Ticket request forms will be mailed in June July to members of record as of May 31. Single Members can request up to 2 tickets, Couples Members can request up to 4 tickets. (Minor children are welcome and do not require tickets.) There will be a limited number of free tickets so do not delay mailing in your request.

First Thursday Hop Growing

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Special Thanks to John Beystehner from Brew & Grow
For coming in to First Thursday and teaching us about hop growing.

Go to your local Brew & Grow to get everything you need to start growing hops today!

HERE are the notes from John on hop growing.

The best hop varieties he currently has here in the Chicago area and suggest growing are:

Brewers Gold
Cascade
Centennial
Chinook
Columbus
Magnum
Nugget

2013 Day and Night of the Living Ales Recap

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Here are the winners from this years Day and Night of the Living Ales.

Golden Tut – The Cellarmen’s Award:
#20 Metropolitan Brewing Co. - Zwickel Flywheel
Third Place:
#13 Half Acre Beer Co. - Baume’ Chocolate Rye Stout conditioned with Rum-soaked Raisins
Second Place:
#9 Goose Island Beer Co. – Bourbon County Stout Rye with Coconut
Champion Beer of Chicagoland:
#30 Revolution Brewing - Chile-Vanilli Eugene Porter with Guajillo Pepper and Vanilla Beans
Thanks to everyone including the breweries for making this event another success.
Here is the complete beer list for this years event:
5 Rabbit Cerveceria – Bedford Park IL  5rabbit brewery.com
1. Huitzi Belgian Strong Golden Ale with Amazonian Honey and Roman Chamomile
 
Atlas Brewing Co. – Chicago IL  atlasbeercompany.com
2. Demeter Belgian Wheat, dry hopped
 
Destihl Gastropubs & Brewery – Champaign/Normal IL  destihl.com
3. Altercation Sticke Alt with Cacao Nibs 
4. Belgian Tripel with Hibiscus and Honey 
 
Finch’s Beer Co. – Chicago IL  finchbeer.com
5. Stout with Molasses and Candied Ginger
 
Goose Island Beer Co. – Chicago IL  gooseisland.com
6. ’7272′ Green Line Pale Ale [experimental hop variety]
7. Bourbon Barrel Saison with Cherries
8. Bourbon County Stout Rye
9. Bourbon County Stout Rye with Coconut
10. Juliet
 
Goose Island Brewpubs – Clybourn/Wrigleyville  gooseisland.com
11. Smoked Porter
12. Workhorse Double IPA
 
Half Acre Beer Co. – Chicago IL  halfacrebeer.com
13. Baume’ Chocolate Rye Stout conditioned with Rum-soaked Raisins
14. Space India Pale Ale conditioned with Centennial & Citra Hops 
 
Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Chicago IL  haymarketbrewing.com
15. Degan Imperial IPA with Simcoe
 
Lagunitas Brewing Co. – Petaluma CA  lagunitas.com
16. Sucks, dry hopped with Mosaic
 
Lakefront Brewery, Inc. – Milwaukee WI  lakefrontbrewery.com
17. My Turn Chad Organic Barley Wine 
18. Oaked 25th Anniversary Imperial Stout
 
Metropolitan Brewing Co. – Chicago IL  metrobrewing.com
19. Diablo Dynamo 
20. Zwickel Flywheel 
 
Mickey Finn’s Brewery – Libertyville IL  mickeyfinnsbrewery.com
21. Irish Red Ale
22. Karl’s Pale Ale 
23. Old Trafford Mild 
24. Red Menace Imperial Red 
 
Moylan’s Brewery & Restaurant – Novato CA  moylans.com
25. Danny’s Irish Red
26. Hop Craic XXXXIPA 
 
New Belgium Brewing Co. – Fort Collins CO  newbelgium.com
27. Rampant IPA
28. Trippel
 
Onion Pub & Brewery – Lake Barrington IL  onionbrewery.com
29. Blonde Ale, dry hopped with Chinook 
 
Revolution Brewing – Chicago IL  revbrew.com
30. Chile-Vanilli Eugene Porter with Guajillo Pepper and Vanilla Beans
31. Samadhi Imperial IPA
 
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Chicago IL  rockbottom.com
32. Rock Bottom Red Ale, dry hopped with Indie Crystal
 
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Lombard IL  rockbottom.com
33. Belgian White Ale with zest of Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mint, Rosehips, Lavender, Juniper & Fennel
 
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Orland Park IL  rockbottom.com
34. Dominator IPA
35. King of Hearts Imperial Red 
 
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Warrenville IL  rockbottom.com
36. Cult of Skaro American Pale Ale, dry hopped with Zythos Simcoe
37. Proud Stout Dry Irish Stout
 
Saugatuck Brewing Co. – Douglas MI  saugatuckbrewing.com
38. ESB Amber with Cocoa Nibs
39. Pathfinder Pale Ale with 302 Mosaic
 
Solemn Oath Brewery – Naperville IL  solemnoathbrewery.com
40. Chubgutz ESB
 
Three Floyds Brewery & Pub – Munster IN  3floyds.com
41. Alpha King, double dry hopped
42. Brian Boru
 
Tighthead Brewing Co. – Mundelein IL  tightheadbrewing.com
43. Irie IPA
44. Scarlet Fire Red Ale
 
Two Brothers Brewing Co. – Warrenville IL  twobrosbrew.com
45. Outlaw IPA

 

 

Eddie C. Campbell Benefit

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The Chicago Beer Society is saddened to hear that Eddie C. Campbell, Chicago resident and blues musician, has suffered a heart attack and stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side while on tour in Germany.  Eddie has performed on our Blues & Brews Cruises in the past.

In order to help his family get Eddie back to the States for treatment, Rosa’s Lounge has donated their venue to host a blues benefit concert this Sunday, February 17, 2013.  Rosa’s Lounge is located at 3420 W. Armitage Ave. Phone number is (773) 342-0452. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Cost is $25.00. Show time is 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  The lineup includes Eddie ‘The Chief’ Clearwater, Sugar Blue, Eddie Shaw, Lurrie Bell, Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Johnson, Sharon Lewis, Mathew Skoller, Deitra Farr, Bob Stroger, Zora Young, Rico McFarland and Scott Dirks. More information regarding this benefit event can be found here.

If you are unable to make the benefit event but would like to help him and his family out through this hard time, you can make a donation to his assistance fund ran by his wife and manager, Barbara Mayson Campbell, via paypal:

Eddie C. Campbell Assistance Fund

2013 Brewpub Shootout Recap

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2013 Winners!!!

 

Food
1. BrickStone Restaurant & Brewery – Bourbannais IL
2. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Chicago, Lombard, Orland Park, Warrenville IL
3. Goose Island Brewpub – Chicago IL
Beer
1. Three Floyds Brewing – Munster IN
2. Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Chicago IL
3. Revolution Brewing – Chicago IL
Beer & Food Pairing
1. Revolution Brewing – Chicago IL
2. Three Floyds Brewing – Munster IN
3. Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Chicago IL

 

MENU for the
15th ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND BREWPUB
and MICROBREWERY SHOOTOUT
January 19, 2013 at Zhou B Art Center

 

1. 5 Rabbit Cerveceria – Bedford Park, IL
Brewer: John J. Hall
Beer Pairing: Ki’ Chun end-of-days beer with chanterelle mushrooms
Chef: Randy Mosher
Food Pairing: Savory triple-crème cheesecake with pumpkinseed-pretzel crust andan apricot-guava-balsamic sauce with Peruvian aji panca chiles.
Bonus Beers: 5 Rabbit Golden Ale, 5 Lizard Passionfruit Latin Witbier, 5 Grass Hoppy Ale

 

2. Blue Cat Brew Pub – Rock Island, ILBrewer: Dan Cleaveland
Beer Pairing: Abbey…Something
Chef: Martha Cleaveland
Food Pairing: Cream of Brie Soup with Cremini Mushrooms
Bonus Beer: Big Bad Dog Old English Ale

 

3. BrickStone Restaurant & Brewery – Bourbonnais, IL
Brewers: Tom Vasilakis & George Giannakopoulos
Beer Pairing: BrickStone American Pale Ale
Chef: Dino Giannakopoulos
Food Pairing: Herb-Crusted Scallop & Avocado Puree on Corn Bread Pudding
Bonus Beers: Rye Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout

 

4. Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewing – Flossmoor, IL
Brewers: Nick Barron, Bjorn Johnson, Bill Savage
Beer Pairing: Barrel-aged Smoked Porter
Chef: Eduardo Camerena
Food Pairing: Chocolate Torte stacked with creamy, decadent silk layers and topped with Smoked Porter glaze
Bonus Beer: Iron Horse American Stout

 

5. Goose Island Brewpub – Chicago, IL
Brewer: Jared Rouben
Beer Pairing: Elijah Barrel-aged Doppelbock
Chef: Andrew Hroza
Food Pairing: Duck Pastrami with a Brussel Sprout Sauerkraut
Bonus Beer: Loud and Thirsty Dortmunder

 

6. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant – Bolingbrook, IL
Brewer: John Wyzkiewicz
Beer Pairing: Barrel-aged Winterbock
Chef: Simon Sulaica III
Food Pairing: Limoncello Bread PuddingBonus Beer: Winterbock

 

7. Half Acre Beer Company – Chicago, IL
Brewer: Matt Gallagher
Beer Pairing: Double Daisy Cutter
Chef: Michael Carroll
Food Pairing: Bacon Rice Crispies and Creme Fraiche
Bonus Beers: Bones & All Belgian Brown, Space IPA

 

8. Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Chicago, IL
Brewers: Peter Crowley, Steve Mosqueda, David Kerns
Beer Pairing: Belgian farmhouse ale brewed with real cranberries
Chef: Christopher McCoyFood Pairing: House-cured bacon, micro greens, frisee, cranberries, Capriole goat chevre, grilled corn, saison-inundated barley, pickled cauliflower, charred broccolini & dry hopped cranberry Saison vinaigrette on our chicharrones
Bonus Beer: Über Mathias imperial American IPA (with a hint of Citra…)

 

9. Lunar Brewing – Villa Park, IL
Brewers: James O’Brien, Charlie Tierney
Beer Pairing: Kosmic Kolsch
Chefs: Charlie Tierney, Paul Farrington, Chuck Wagner
Food Pairing: Cocktail Sausages in: Carlyle/Lunar Chili Porter BB-Q Sauce or Lunar Baltic Porter BB-Q Sauce
Bonus Beer: Lunar Moondance IPA

 

10. Revolution Brewing – Chicago, IL
Brewer: Wil Turner
Beer Pairing: Coffee Eugene robust porter brewed with Dark Matter coffee
Chef: Courtney Baldy
Food Pairing: Spicy Mocha Sundae W/ Guajillo ice cream and porter sprinkles
Bonus Beers: Ivan’s ESB, RISE American Stout

 

11. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Chicago, Lombard,Orland Park, Warrenville, IL
Brewers: Hayley Shine, Iain Wilson, Jim Wolfer, Todd Britt
Beer Pairing: Days of Olde old ale
Chef: Dustin Green
Food Pairing: Asian BBQ Braised Pork Belly Slider with Cucumber/Daikon Slaw and WonTon Chips
Bonus Beers: Double Down IPA, Victory Porter, Fallen Angel Abbey Dubbel

 

12. Three Floyds Brewing – Munster, IN
Brewers: Nick Floyd, Chris Boggus, Andrew Mason, Barnaby Struve
Beer Pairing: 2009 Vanilla Bean Dark Lord
Chefs: Pat Niebling, Scout Hughes
Food Pairing: Pan fried Pound Cake, Dark Lord Ice Cream, hopped Crème Anglaise, Candied Bacon and wheat grain.
Bonus Beer: Milichigan

 

13. Two Brothers Brewing – Warrenville, IL
Brewers: Jeremy Bogan and Brenden McGrathBeer
Pairing: Bitter End Pale Ale
Chef: Tommy Michel
FoodPairing: Tater Tot Smoked Pork and Mushroom PoutineBonus Beer: Revelry

2013 Day Of The Living Ales (sold out)

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March 2, 2013
1:00 pmto5:00 pm
6:00 pmto10:00 pm

A walk-around real ale tasting featuring the best cask conditioned ales from Chicagoland breweries and specially selected guest, plus fine meats, cheeses and assorted appetizers. Casks are handled by CBS’s experienced cellarmen, trained in the UK to care for and serve real ale. A properly served real ale is neither cloudy, flat, nor warm: rather it is bright, with a gentle carbonation and served at cellar temperature.

 

Attendees will select the 2013 Champion Real Ale of Chicagoland!

Saturday March 2, 2013

Two Spirited Sessions!

1:00-5:00 & 6:00-10:00PM

Goose Island – Wrigleyville - 3535 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL

 

Only 250 Tickets Per Session Will Be Sold!

The event is now completely sold out. Subscribe to the CBS-HB listserv (read FAQ for subscription and posting instructions) to post your interest and see if tickets become available.