Beer of the Week: Avril (not Lavigne)
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is fond of a “table beer” from Belgium. Brasserie Dupont’s Biére de Table is a refreshing sipper for this time of year, when the weather tends to leave you parched. Cheers!
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Beer of the Week: Eliot Ness
Once again, Cleveland rocks. This week’s BotW hails from the Great Lakes Brewery there, and The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper has a thing for amber lagers. These colorful, complex and easy-to-drink beers are wonderful in warmer months, and he says the Eliot Ness will do the trick. Cheers.
Beer of the Week: All Day IPA
Grand Rapids, Michigan is the source of this week’s Beer of the Week from The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper. Founders Brewery has a terrific light beer called “All Day IPA” and with warm weather here, he says it’s a perfect summer sipper that won’t fill you up. Cheers.
Beer of the Week: Bell’s Oberon
Anyone from Michigan (including The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper) will sing the praises of Bell’s. But now that it’s truly hot outside on a consistent basis, you don’t need a lot of coaxing to give this Michigan brewery’s beers a try. Their Oberon is a light wheat ale that is absolutely perfect for summer sipping, coming … Continued
Beer of the Week: Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper looks to Lagunitas, which recently announced it’s going to set up a (huge) brewery in Chicago. They’ve got a little “sumpin’ sumpin’” to quench your thirst: it’s 7.5% alcohol, a tad spicy, and a prototype for an excellent summertime ale. Cheers.
Beer of the Week: Bengali Tiger
Ah, Brooklyn. Home to hipsters and fine chocolate (Mast Bros.); smoked meat (Mile End) and pies (4 and 20 Blackbirds). Beer has, of course, been a part of the borough for some time, as the namesake brewery has been led by the more-than-capable nose and palate of Garrett Oliver. But there’s always someone in … Continued
Scofflaw Offers Another Source for Fine Cocktails in Chicago
Everyone I know has been encouraging me to visit Scofflaw since it opened a few weeks ago. Knowing how much I enjoy a finely-made cocktail, (and the fact there are some well-schooled bar men here, hailing from such locally respected watering holes as The Whistler) I knew it was going to be worthwhile. Located … Continued
Deep, Dark Beer Can Also Be Light and Refreshing
Not all dark beers are created equally. Take this week’s Beer of the Week: Schwarzbier, from the Mönchshof Brewery in Germany. The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says since it’s low in alcohol, it is very easy to drink (think warm weather sipper out in the backyard). Here’s to deep, dark, delicious drinking. Cheers.
Loving Leelanau: A Refreshing Beer of the Week
When I think of Leelanau, Michigan, I think of deer hunting, cherry pie and water sports. But the local brewing company also produces some fine beer. The namesake’s Good Harbor Golden Ale is a French style bière de garde that’s inhabited by wild yeasts and spends a fair amount of time in French oak. … Continued
Belgian Classic Is Our Beer Of The Week
Few people in Chicago know their Belgian beers as well as Michael Roper. As the owner of The Hopleaf, he has given these complex, nuanced beers a grand stage, and he is always more than happy to talk to patrons about them. But this week, he’s sticking to an old favorite: Orval. They only … Continued
Apricots & Hops = Beer of the Week
I realize most craft brew fans look to places like Portland and Colorado (even Chicago) for new flavors and cutting-edge brewers. But don’t forget about sleepy, minuscule Delaware, home of Dogfish Head Brewery. This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is bullish on a seasonal brew that combines apricots and hops. It’s clever name? Aprihop. … Continued