I hit up the Rock Bottom in Lombard, IL for a visit before going to the movies to see Ted. But we wound up just staying there and didn't even get to the movies lol.
Was my first time ever at this location, I've been to the one in Indianapolis which is nice and the one in downtown Chicago which sucked in my opinion. But the Lombard location is very good. The bartender was quite knowledgeable in all the beers they had to offer and also gave us some samples to try as well.
The Nanner Fluffer hefeweizen was a big hit with everyone and casue of it having been so damn hot that day it went down quite well. You could definitely smell the banana cloves and it was quite refreshing. Another one that we all enjoyed was a smoked kolsch. It smelled just like bacon and would of gone well with some steak and eggs. They had one beer there that they used like 60 pounds of raisins in it and it was quite strong in ABV due to all the fermentable sugars in it so we just had a sample of it and stuck with pints of the hefeweizen. To go along with the beer we had the giant Bavarian pretzels and the mustard sauce that went along with it was so damn tasty.
I would recommend this location in the western suburbs of Chicago over the downtown location. The staff was much more friendlier and had better service here. So if you ever in the area go check them out.
Okay, first off they need to go back to math class cause this year was not their 45th anniversary if it started in 1968, it would only be the 44th. So, learn how to count cheeseheads lol.
This was the first time that I had been to the Summerfest and it was a pretty good time. They advertise it as being like the largest music festival but I really didn't see many bands play because with there being 11 different stages and being on a huge festival ground there's no way to see a lot of bands play. The few that I saw were Bush and Hailstorm. Both were playing at the same time so I was unable to listen to their complete sets.
Was way cool to get on a Harley and ride one. Well, actually really didn't ride it, just sat on it and went through all the gear changes lol. I now know why they wear leather pants when riding cause I burnt my leg when I first hopped on.
Now on to the beer that was available for purchase there. Well, with it being Milwaukee they of course had that triple hopped water for sale. Darn straight I did not have any of that. I did have some Leinenkugels Sunset Wheat which wasn't too bad. And the hefeweizen from Water Street was pretty damn good. However, the best beer they had there was from one of my favorite breweries, Lakefront. Not really sure why they call themselves Lakefront when they are actually located on a river. Anyways, their Fixed Gear and Wisconsinite were pretty damn good. One being a wheat beer that was light and refreshing and the other being a nice red ale.
Wow, the skies were pitched black as we left to go into the city to the Chicago Craft Beer festival at St. Michael Parish in Old Town section of Chicago. But then the heavens opened up and as we got to the church it was blue skies and a perfect day for a festival.
No, we did not attend mass before partaking in the sampling of some fine craft brews. They had some good food there as well but we were there for the beer, cheers. The beer gods were upon us since the threat of rain and showers had passed over us.
There was a pretty decent selection of craft beers to choose from. Among those that were there was Finch's, Half Acre, Two Brothers, Lakefront, Lagunitas, Flying Dog, Chicago Beer Company, Stone, Ommegang, etc.
Most of the beers that I had sampled I liked but then there was one from some brewery from Missouri that was so awful I had to spit it out hahah. Ah and they had one of my new favorites, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale there and since my brother didn't like it I was able to have his sample as well so double the pleasure. The Howling Wolf unfiltered wheat was another excellent beer there that I enjoyed quite a bit.
Good food, great beer, some god music, and a beautiful day. Alternative Theory was the only band that we saw perform but that's okay cause we were mainly there for beer. It was a fun day and you just should of been there.
The day after the Louisville Brewfest, I worked my way back north towards home and stopped in Indianapolis for the Brew Ha Ha. And now I know why they call it that because I saw a Budweiser tent there. I mean come on now, you are at a craft beer festival and you want to stand in line just to drink Bud Light when you could have some good craft beer from New Albanian, Sun King, Upland, etc. hell even Samuel Adams is better than Bud, hahhahahahah.
Wow, I could not believe that it was just a $5 cab ride from my hotel to the beer festival. I was expecting to pay at least $20 but hell I wasn't going to complain hahahh. And as soon as I arrived, there was my friend, Officer Friendly, so see it pays to take a cab or have someone else do the driving when you go to beer festivals.
The Brew Ha Ha was on a street outside a theater that they were raising money to help renovate it. There were long lines just like the night before in Louisville but not quite as long. As I made my way through the crowd though it looked like just the middle was where the long lines were. I was thirsty so I just went to the shortest line that I could find. I sampled beers from Sun King, New Albanian, Upland, Bells, Finch's, Triton, Shipyard, Bloomington Brewing Company, Flat 12, Crown Brewing, and Oaken Barrel. Oh and yes Kentucky Ales was there so you better believe it, I had to have their Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
The pulled pork sandwich from Dicks Bodacious BBQ was so damn good that I had two of them hahhaha. They serve it with the sauce on the side so you had your choice of sauces. It was so yummy and delicious. If you ever find yourself in Indy go to their restaurant and have some good BBQ.
Was a beautiful day of unlimited sampling of some craft brews and not that Budweiser crap hahah, some good food and they had some good music as well. Definitely a festival worthy to attend if you ever find your way at the crossroads of America.
So, I went to the Louisville Brew Fest again this past June. After last year of having warm beer my first time ya think I wouldn't of gone back but I did. Gotta love it that they give you full size pints for being a VIP. Sure do need it too cause of the long lines they have there your standard two ounce sample size just wouldn't cut it.
This years festival was way bigger than last year. They had it in downtown at Slugger Field so it was just a short little walk over to the ballpark from my hotel. No need for Orange Taxi Company this year since the fest was so close to where I was staying but if you do ever need a cab in Louisville, The Chicago Beer Belly highly recommends using Orange Taxi. Cause you know if you drink then don't go driving or you will be up shits creek without a paddle.
I reckon they had over 6000 people attend this years festival. But please do everyone a favor and leave your babies at home with a babysitter. It's a beer festival so no children or for that matter, babies should be allowed entry. So, next time don't bring them.
They pretty much had the same breweries there that they had last year, BBC, Upland, New Albanian etc. I know they like to think local and get people to buy local but it would be nice if they could get some other craft brewers from around the region to participate.
The best beer that I had there was by far the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale from Kentucky Ales. It is so nice to know that they are now making their way to my neck of the woods and its available here in Chicago. Goose Island may have been the first ones that started doing the aging of beers in oak barrels but this here beer puts Goose's Bourbon County Stout to shame. It's simply that good. You get a kaleidoscope of flavors in your mouth in every sip. The mix of bourbon and beer is a perfect combination. You must try this beer.
Some others that I had sampled that I really enjoyed as well were the Moonbow Wit from Cumberland Brewery, the hefeweizen from BBC, Black and Bluegrass from New Albanian Brewing Company and Upland Wheat. Speaking of the hefeweizen from BBC, even though I liked it I don't know if I will drink it anymore if I'm in Louisville again. reason being is the guy pouring my beer was rude, didn't even fill up my pint glass all the way either. I don't know if the guy worked for them or was a volunteer.
As for the food they had there, the BBQ brisket was damn good. Plus they had the shortest line too so that was a plus in my opinion. Cause less time standing in the food line leaves you with more time for standing in the beer line to quench your thirst for some craft brews.
Overall, it was a better experience than last years festival. I think they should set a limit though on the number of people they admit in the festival. Was a better location too but if they have that many people then they better get a bigger facility for next years fest. So, I wouldn't give them a grand slam but they came close to it. Cheers!!!!!!
