CBS Events

2015 Bus Trip to Milwaukee

Chicagoans sometimes refer to Milwaukee as being like “a smaller Chicago.” We figure this probably irks Milwaukeeans (all 97,000 of ’em…er is it 970,000?… whatever), but hopefully they won’t take it out on us.

On Saturday July 11, at 9:25 a.m. sharp, we will board a luxurious motor-coach for a one-day trip to Milwaukee and back! This journey will include a visit to Sprecher Beer Garden in the Park, with bratwurst and beer served from refurbished fire engines; the outstanding Lakefront Brewing Co. Brewery Tour (with samples), as well as a visit to Ale Asylum’s Milwaukee location. After a brief stop at Woodman’s so that guests can pick up a six-pack or two of Wisconsin beer to bring home, we will re-cross the border to the flat lands and aim the bus for Libertyville, Ill., where we will visit Mickey Finn’s to have a beer and a bite with brewer Greg Browne, a long-time friend of CBS. In fact this trip may be full of old friends. We end up back at Goose Island – Clybourn (where this trip begins), by around 6:30 or 7 pm. Yes, there will be cheese, and yes there will be plenty to eat at two of our stops.

Itinerary (Saturday July 11th, 2015)

  • Leave Goose Island – Clybourn (9 AM SHARP!) Please use street parking or take public transit. Cars parked in lots could be towed.
  • Sprecher Beer Garden in the Park
    • Bratwurst and beer served from fire engines!
  • Lakefront Brewing Co (samples included)
  • Ale Asylum (Milwaukee)
  • Visit to Woodmans to fetch a six-pack or two of your favorite Wisconsin beer
  • Mickey Finns
  • Arrive Goose Island – Clybourn (~6:30 – 7:00 PM)

Ticket Details

  • Chicago Beer Society Member – $70/person (Buy Tickets) member passwords were emailed around June 5th
  • Non-member – $75/person (Buy Tickets)
  • NO KEGS OR GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED ON BUS

For questions regarding this event or membership status, please Contact Us.

CBS Events

Big Brew Day 2015

You are cordially invited to the annual celebration of the American Homebrewers Association‘s Big Brew Day. Homebrewers all across the country will be brewing batches of beer at the same time, including some of us. There are even some standard recipes listed on the Big Brew Page (which we rarely follow).

IF YOU PLAN ON BREWING, YOU MUST CONTACT RANDY BELOW TO RESERVE A SPACE.  Space is limited.

We expect, as in the past, that the party will be mostly non-brewing participants–thank gawd, as we’d burn down the neighborhood otherwise. Gates will be open starting at 8:30 AM (brewers can set up earlier by prior arrangement) and coffee and coffeecake will be available for early birds.

Please note that THIS IS A 100% PITCH IN PARTY. We have a ploughman’s lunch (cheese, cured meat, pickles, bread, etc.) midday-ish, then get the smoker fired up and eat a hot meaty dinner later. We’ll have a Big Green Egg available as well as the smoker. Do NOT show up empty handed: beer, meat, cheeses, side dishes for dinner, snacks, and desserts, preferably homebrewed or homemade, are all welcome. Chicago Beer Society will supply plates, forks, cups, etc. We will also take a brief break for mint juleps whilst viewing the Kentucky Derby around 5-ish, if you’re interested. We will provide mint and simple syrup, but we will require a large jug of bourbon.

This is an outdoor event and will be held RAIN OR SHINE.  Regardless of the predicted temperature, it can be considerably cooler by the lake especially if the sun is not shining so dress accordingly.  In case of rain, we’ll have EZ-ups and other shelters set up. We have limited seating, so portable/collapsible chairs are advisable if you want to be guaranteed a seat. We’ll fire up the fire pit after dinner, so we can Kumbaya around it at the end of the evening.

Date & Time: Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 8:30 AM until Nancy has had enough and makes everyone leave.

Location: 1604 W. Lunt Ave, in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Lunt is 7000 north; we’re 4 blocks west of the lake, 2 blocks east of Clark, 1 block north of the Morse Red Line stop. Also easily accessible from the Metra UP North Line Rogers Park stop, which is just a block west of Clark on Lunt. Parking is on the street only, so good luck with that…

Contact: 773 973 0240 or randymosher@rcn.com if you plan to brew and need to reserve a space.  Otherwise, feel free to come with beer, meat, cheese, or side dishes in hand.

 

CBS Event Recaps, CBS Events

2015 Day of The Living Ales Recap

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Day of the Living Ales. Forty-seven cask ales were sampled by attendees over 2 sessions. Attendees voted on their top three favorite beers. Once the votes were tallied, awards were announced for the top two beers over 6% ABV and the top two beers at or under 6% ABV. In addition, the beer that best exemplified a cask beer based on condition, clarity, and quality as determined by the event’s cellar staff was awarded the Golden Tut.

Over 6%

6% and Under

Golden Tut Award

Many thanks to our hosts at Bottom Lounge, the breweries who provided beers, and the volunteers who helped with setup, serving, and clean up.

Until next year. Cheers!

CBS Events, General CBS News

2015 Day of the Living Ales

SALES END 02-26-2015 AT 11:59PM CST

The Chicago Beer Society announces the Day of the Living Ales for 2015, featuring cask conditioned ales from Chicagoland, plus selected guests.  The home of the event since its inception, Goose Island-Wrigleyville, has closed, so join us on February 28th in Chicago’s new home for real ale: Bottom Lounge.  Located at 1375 West Lake Street, Bottom Lounge is located steps from the CTA Green and Pink Lines, several bus routes, a long walk or short cab ride to two Metra stations, plus the aforementioned cabs and street parking nearby.

At this new venue casks will still be 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. Food will be available for purchase. As always, public sessions are from 1-5 and 6-10 PM.  When finished, the lively Randolph corridor offers ample entertainment options.

Attendees will select the 2015 Champion Real Ales of Chicagoland!

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Two Spirited Sessions!

Afternoon, 1:00-5:00 PM (sold out) & Evening (tickets still available) 6:00-10:00 PM

Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60607

Chicago Beer Society members should have received ordering information in the mail.
DO NOT THROW THIS MAILER AWAY.  It will contain a unique password by which you can order your tickets.

The CBS Member-only ordering period has ended. General sale of tickets is underway.
You must purchase your tickets for the specific session you are attending. They are NOT transferable to the other session.

Afternoon session tickets can be purchased at: afternoondotla15.brownpapertickets.com

Evening session tickets can be purchased at:  eveningdotla15.brownpapertickets.com

All attendees must be at least 21 years old. No refunds. Admission includes: tasting glass & beer samples. Food will be available for separate purchase from Bottom Lounge.

As usual, we recommend the use of public transit: Green or Pink Line ‘L’ to Ashland/Lake, and walk 3 blocks east along Lake Street.

Any questions regarding this event, membership status, or other queries should be directed to http://chibeer.org/contact/

Cask List

5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Bedford Park IL 5rabbitbrewery.com
1. 44-55 Scotch Ale 6.5% abv
2. Barrel Aged Vida y Muerte (“Muerzen” style ale) – With dulce de leche, cinnamon, tarragon. Aged in oak barrel. 5.2% abv

Crystal Lake Brewing Co, Crystal Lake IL crystallakebrew.com
3. Lakesider (American Märzen) – Chewy malt with an underlying hint of pine/floral hops. 5.3% abv
4. Slalom King (American IPA with Rye) – Bold citrus aroma and flavor along with a firm maltiness, and a bit of dry rye spice. 7.5% abv

DESTIHL Brewery, Bloomington/Normal/Chanpaign IL destihl.com
5. Tripel with Pomegranate, Blueberry, and Cranberry 11% abv

Emmett’s Brewing Co. West Dundee/Palatine/Downers Grove IL emmettsbrewingco.com
6. English Brown (Northern English Brown Ale) 4.7% abv
7. English Old Ale 8.7% abv

Flossmoor Station Brewing Co. Flossmoor, IL flossmoorstation.com
8. Anglo American Mild (English/American Mild Hybrid) – Higher ABV & American Hops; Medium malt flavor with hints of toasted oats, brown & crystal malts. Very low spicy & earthy hop profile 5.2% abv

Forbidden Root Brewing Co. Chicago IL forbiddenroot.com
9. Sublime Ginger Radler – Wheat with ginger, key lime juice, honeybush and lemon soda. Dry-spiced with fresh ginger & lime peel 3.2% abv
10. Sublime Ginger with Peaches – Wheat ale with ginger, key lime juice, honeybush and peaches 3.8% abv

Goose Island – Clybourn gooseisland.com
11. Cran-Bruin (Flemish-style brown ale) – With cranberries, aged in oak for 11 months 5.2% abv
12. Dark Mild (English style) 3.8% abv
13. Iron Sickle (Belgian-style table beer) – Mixed Sacc/Brett/Lacto fermentations 3.5% abv

Goose Island – Fulton gooseisland.com
14. 6297 (Green Line with Experimental hop #6297) 5.4% abv
15. Azteca (Belgian/Mexican spiced beer) – Rich sweetness, and finishes with a dry tea character. Faint pepper rounds out a nuanced cocoa base. 7% abv
16. Earl (Green Line with Earl Grey tea) – Biscuit with faint notes of bergamot and citrus. 5.4% abv
17. Fleurkin (Saison with hisbiscus kombucha and hibiscus) – It’s been almost 4 years, with some modifications we present a lighter version of Fleur with a harder rose color and growing tart/acidic finish. 6.5% abv
18. My Shout (Sparkling Ale) – Easy drinking and soft with a dry smooth finish. 5.0% abv

Half Acre Beer Co, Chicago IL halfacrebeer.com
19. Lead Feather Black Ale – Toasted coconut and vanilla bean 5.9% abv
20. Mango Habanero Space IPA 6.7% abv

Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Chicago IL haymarketbrewing.com
21. Winter Warmer – Old Ale meets Imperial IPA, dry hopped with Citra. 10% abv

Illuminated Brew Works, Chicago IL ibw-chicago.com
22. Kallisti (Golden Ale) – Calypso hops and a razor-thin grist conspire to create a beer made only for the most beautiful. 7.4% abv

Imperial Oak Brewing, Willow Springs IL imperialoakbrewing.com
23. Abbey Obscuro (Belgian Stout) – Dry-spiced with Cacao nibs, Chipotle peppers, Vanilla beans, Cinnamon 8.5% abv

Lakefront Brewery, Inc. Milwaukee WI lakefrontbrewery.com
24. IPA with Belma Hops (American IPA) 7.0% abv
25. Saison with Hibiscus & Chamomile 5.2% abv

Metropolitan Brewing, Chicago IL metrobrewing.com
26. Habanero Krankshaft Kolsch – Delicate Cologne style beer. We added fresh habanero peppers because we aren’t German and don’t have to follow the Reinheitsgesundheitmeinfräulein. Hopefully they provide some extra gemütlichkeit. 5% abv
27. Heliostat Zwickel Lager (Dortmunder/Pils hybrid) – Zwickel style lager conditioned in a cask. Includes plenty of hausgeschmack for the Stammtisch. 5.7% abv

Mickey Finn’s
28. Pat’s Irish Red 4.5% abv
29. Yorkie Bitter 4.0% abv

Off Color Brewing, Chicago IL offcolorbrewing.com
30. Apple Blossoms – Gose w/apple blossoms and chrysanthemums 4.5% abv
31. Bare Bear – Sahti w/juniper berries and wine staves 7.0% abv

Revolution Brewing, Chicago IL revbrew.com
32. Brixton Bitter (English-style Ordinary Bitter) 3.7% abv
33. Winter Woman (Imperial Brown) – Big, hoppy, brown ale 9.0% abv

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Chicago rockbottom.com
34. Mouldy Toad Brown (Brown Ale with cacao nibs) 6.8% abv
35. Snow Cat (Belgian White IPA) 6.6% abv

Rock Bottom –Lombard
36. Chilsner (Chili Beer) – Light, Spicy, Golden Beer, dry-chilied 5.5% abv

Rock Bottom –Orland Park
37. Erik the Red – Irish Red Ale (Malty Irish Red with subtle lemon pepper hops for balance) >6% abv
38. Victim of Illusion – Imperial Golden Stout (Dark gold / light copper colored Imperial stout with cacao nibs, coffee, oats, and smoked malt) <6% abv

Rock Bottom –Warrenville
39. Doppelbock 8.7% abv

Solemn Oath Brewery, Naperville IL solemnoathbrewery.com
40. Billy No-Mates (Irish Stout) 5.0% abv
41. E-Ville (Dry-hopped American Brown Ale) 6.6% abv

Temperance Beer Co, Chicago IL temperancebeer.com
42. Dubbel Stubble (Belgian dubbel) 7.2% abv
43. Restless Years (pale ale with rye) 5.8% abv

Three Floyds Brewing Co, Munster IN 3floyds.com
44. Cimmerian Sabertooth Berzerker (Double IPA) 10% abv
45. Yum Yum (American Pale Ale) 5.6% abv

Tighthead Brewing Co, Mundelein IL tightheadbrewing.com
46. Coffee Boxcar Porter – Cold steeped coffee concentrate in cask 5.6% abv
47. Irie IPA – Dry hopped in fermenter 7.8% abv

CBS Events

38th Annual Fall Tasting

38th Annual Fall Tasting

The Chicago Beer Society is pleased to announce that its 38th annual Fall Tasting & Dinner will be held from 12:30 PM to 5:00 pm at Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W Randolph St, Chicago, on Saturday, November 22, 2014.  A great new venue with a fabulous view
of the Downtown skyline that was rated the #1 Beer Hall. 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

$50 Members / $60 Non-Members
Ticket sales thru BrownPaperTickets.com only. Price includes beer glass, beer samples and food.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/898135

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. CTA Green or Pink Line to Ashland/Lake;
walk a half block east on Lake St, and then
a long block southeast on diagonal Randolph St.

Menu

~~Savory~~

Sausage Provencal
(Beer and bacon sausage
roasted with Fall veggies)

Bacon Bombs

Belgian frites with dipping sauces

Dressed green beans

~~Dessert~~

Bacon bread pudding
topped with a bourbon sauce