Comments on: 10 beers that changed the Chicago area http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/ Wed, 16 May 2012 15:29:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Stan Hieronymus http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-54801 Stan Hieronymus Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:28:41 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-54801 Ryan - I agree. Pavchevich set a standard at the national level, and certainly wasn't tiny (6,000 barrels a year). Ryan – I agree. Pavchevich set a standard at the national level, and certainly wasn’t tiny (6,000 barrels a year).

]]> By: Ryan http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-54776 Ryan Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:52:46 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-54776 I would also add as, at least a 'honorable mention', the now-defunct Pavichevich Baderbrau. Yes, Pavichevich Brewing has been gone for quite some time now, but there was a time when their beer, especially the wonderful aformentioned lager, could be found in many strategic beer joints in the city and 'burbs, and I believe the quality of that product alno also helped bring an even greater appreciation to a wider beer audience, and influenced brewers to come. There weren't, and still aren't, that many craft brewers who make very good and honest lager beers around, but for anyone who remembers what Baderbrau tasted like when Pavichevich was churning it out (early to mid 90s), you'll KNOW what I'm talking about! I would also add as, at least a ‘honorable mention’, the now-defunct Pavichevich Baderbrau. Yes, Pavichevich Brewing has been gone for quite some time now, but there was a time when their beer, especially the wonderful aformentioned lager, could be found in many strategic beer joints in the city and ‘burbs, and I believe the quality of that product alno also helped bring an even greater appreciation to a wider beer audience, and influenced brewers to come.

There weren’t, and still aren’t, that many craft brewers who make very good and honest lager beers around, but for anyone who remembers what Baderbrau tasted like when Pavichevich was churning it out (early to mid 90s), you’ll KNOW what I’m talking about!

]]> By: KeilerDunkel http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-37029 KeilerDunkel Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:49:32 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-37029 I have to agree with Amber having more impact on the midwest than Oberon. Before Oberon (and earlier pre lawsuit - Solsun) had the buzz, Amber was everywhere. When I graduated from MSU in '93 and moved to Chicago - the 2 beers that were everywhere were Bells Amber and Honkers ale and the Amber was all over lower MI as well. I can't remember the stories why the Chicago brewing Co and Baderbrau shut down, but they both made wonderful beers. I would have to suggest adding the CBC Big Shoulders porter to the list. That was probably the best local example of the style at the time. I have to agree with Amber having more impact on the midwest than Oberon. Before Oberon (and earlier pre lawsuit – Solsun) had the buzz, Amber was everywhere. When I graduated from MSU in ’93 and moved to Chicago – the 2 beers that were everywhere were Bells Amber and Honkers ale and the Amber was all over lower MI as well.

I can’t remember the stories why the Chicago brewing Co and Baderbrau shut down, but they both made wonderful beers.

I would have to suggest adding the CBC Big Shoulders porter to the list. That was probably the best local example of the style at the time.

]]> By: SteveH http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35868 SteveH Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:49:21 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35868 Late edit to No. 4 above, after some accidental research. "The first beer produced in June 1986 was Capital Brewery Garten Brau Pilsner." Late edit to No. 4 above, after some accidental research.

“The first beer produced in June 1986 was Capital Brewery Garten Brau Pilsner.”

]]> By: SteveH http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35266 SteveH Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:34:38 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35266 Jeff -- New Glarus made a bigger impact on Wisconsin than the rest of the Midwest. The Spotted Cow being the biggest seller around, but I can't give them any big kudos other than for the Belgian Red for something that has made the beer drinking community sit up and take notice. And that's not to say their beers aren't good. Beerinator -- I think the focus on a beer and a brewery is intertwined with an impact made on the burgeoning micro scene (back when). When Oberon was released we already knew to expect good things from Bell's, so I don't see that it made any more impression than Goose Summertime. If anything, maybe 2 Hearted should replace the Amber on my list, but if you read the Bell's web site, they call the amber their flagship beer. To that intertwining -- the same goes with Sprecher's Amber, maybe the Black Bavarian. Was it that these were great, new beers, or just sort of novelty at the time because there were no micros in the area yet? I can't say, other than that they launched the recognition of good beer to be found in the midwest. Jeff — New Glarus made a bigger impact on Wisconsin than the rest of the Midwest. The Spotted Cow being the biggest seller around, but I can’t give them any big kudos other than for the Belgian Red for something that has made the beer drinking community sit up and take notice. And that’s not to say their beers aren’t good.

Beerinator — I think the focus on a beer and a brewery is intertwined with an impact made on the burgeoning micro scene (back when). When Oberon was released we already knew to expect good things from Bell’s, so I don’t see that it made any more impression than Goose Summertime.

If anything, maybe 2 Hearted should replace the Amber on my list, but if you read the Bell’s web site, they call the amber their flagship beer.

To that intertwining — the same goes with Sprecher’s Amber, maybe the Black Bavarian. Was it that these were great, new beers, or just sort of novelty at the time because there were no micros in the area yet? I can’t say, other than that they launched the recognition of good beer to be found in the midwest.

]]> By: Stan Hieronymus http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35198 Stan Hieronymus Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:01:53 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35198 This is an interesting one because I would argue the significant fact could be that a brewery that became well known for its assertive and more assertive stouts ended up with a wheat beer as its flagship. I forget the numbers, but last summer at the National Homebrewers Conference John Mallett was talking about how many brewing shifts a week - definitely over half - are devoted to Oberon. Higher in summer, but that makes sense. This is an interesting one because I would argue the significant fact could be that a brewery that became well known for its assertive and more assertive stouts ended up with a wheat beer as its flagship.

I forget the numbers, but last summer at the National Homebrewers Conference John Mallett was talking about how many brewing shifts a week – definitely over half – are devoted to Oberon. Higher in summer, but that makes sense.

]]> By: beerinator http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35191 beerinator Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:34:50 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35191 "I went with the Amber because it was the flagship beer of Bell’s, no success with the Amber — no Oberon to follow." Well, I think if you are following that pattern, then it seems like you're focusing on the brewery that might have changed the area and not the actual beer that changed the area. Oberon has definitely had a bigger impact on the beer world in the Midwest than Bell's Amber. Just because Amber started it all doesn't mean that it should get the credit for the success of Oberon too. “I went with the Amber because it was the flagship beer of Bell’s, no success with the Amber — no Oberon to follow.”

Well, I think if you are following that pattern, then it seems like you’re focusing on the brewery that might have changed the area and not the actual beer that changed the area. Oberon has definitely had a bigger impact on the beer world in the Midwest than Bell’s Amber. Just because Amber started it all doesn’t mean that it should get the credit for the success of Oberon too.

]]> By: Jeff Alworth http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35189 Jeff Alworth Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:56:20 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35189 Come on, you gotta have New Glarus in the top ten--what about one of the lagers? Uff da? Their sublime Oktoberfest? You got Gray's though, and that's important. In my grad school days, I spent time at the UW Union tippling pints. It was the best beer outside Oregon I could find. Come on, you gotta have New Glarus in the top ten–what about one of the lagers? Uff da? Their sublime Oktoberfest? You got Gray’s though, and that’s important. In my grad school days, I spent time at the UW Union tippling pints. It was the best beer outside Oregon I could find.

]]> By: SteveH http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35179 SteveH Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:40:23 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35179 Stan -- it is (though I just found that out), not sure how long it's been open there -- a sister-bar to the Village Tap I see...one of my favorite spots. I'm headed to Greek Town next weekend, may have to swing around the corner from Halsted to Jackson! Wonder if they still have the revolving door? Stan — it is (though I just found that out), not sure how long it’s been open there — a sister-bar to the Village Tap I see…one of my favorite spots.

I’m headed to Greek Town next weekend, may have to swing around the corner from Halsted to Jackson! Wonder if they still have the revolving door?

]]> By: Stan Hieronymus http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/comment-page-1/#comment-35175 Stan Hieronymus Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:33:03 +0000 http://appellationbeer.com/blog/10-beers-that-changed-the-chicago-area/#comment-35175 Isn't Jaks Taps located where the Tap & Growler used to be? Isn’t Jaks Taps located where the Tap & Growler used to be?

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