This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper heads to Quebec (where I’ll be eating smoked meat in a few days) for a fantastic beer from one of my favorites – Unibroue. If you’ve heard of Éphémère and Maudite, then you’ll probably adore their Don De Dieu as well. It’s crisp and refreshing, and still a … Continued
This week, Michael introduces us to a mega bottle from Sierra Nevada, called Ovila. It’s a unique, Abbey Quad style beer with a very unique cause behind it. If you like a little bit of caramel flavor with your beer, then this is the one to try (probably better toward the end of the … Continued
When Adam Seger called to suggest we do a “How To” on beertails, I thought, ‘you want to tell the tale of how beer came to be?’ But the Chicago mixologist, hum creator and bon vivant was talking about combining craft beer with handcrafted cocktails, a category of beverages I’ve only recently become aware … Continued
In the short time Longman & Eagle has been open in Logan Square, its already nabbed a Michelin star, had several appearances on national TV programs like “Unique Eats,” and has become one of the city’s preeminent sources for brown liquors. Bartender Derek Alexander is particularly fond of Rittenhouse rye, and has come up … Continued
Greg Hall is sporting his usual (ahem, casual) look: untucked shirt, full beard, slightly disheveled hair, but make no mistake, he’s 100% focused on his next project. The former Brewmaster of Goose Island – the company his father, John started – left the company after it was sold last year to Anheuser-Busch, and started … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper again stays within the U.S. (what, no Belgian Mike?) for his BoTW. It’s courtesy Garrett Oliver’s employer, the Brooklyn Brewery. Dessert fans who eschew late-harvest riesling and ice wine, and long for a good beer to go with their cake, ganache or tart, you’re in luck: here’s a … Continued
This week, Michael is keeping the love right here in Chicago, with a Goose Island beer I had never heard of until we shot this feature. Last week, it was Posca Rustica, this week, Pepe Nero. Say what? I guess that’s why you go to The Hopleaf in the first place, to get turned … Continued
Blackbird’s reputation as one of Chicago’s best restaurants has typically been a result of the food. But over the past year, their Mixologist – Lynn House – has been blazing a trail for the restaurant’s cocktail program as well. We asked her to show us how to make a classic drink, but she put … Continued
Beer lovers are always looking for something wonderful; something jammed with flavor and nuance and maybe even a little spice. They loathe the family gatherings that offer nothing more than mass-marketed Bud or Miller, and as hip as PBR may be, a beer lover would rather drink mead before he/she puts that aluminum can … Continued
I love a good holiday cocktail, but the truth is, eggnog has become a bit of a cliché, especially at holiday parties. A cousin to the brandy milk punch of New Orleans, this only-in-December concoction always seems to have too much cream and nutmeg, not enough structure or depth. So we turned to Eric … Continued
Want to impress your uncle or cousin who suddenly has a thing for classic cocktails this Thanksgiving? Here it is, complements of Tony Abou-Ganim, author of The Modern Mixologist. Tony was in Chicago last week, and showed me how to make this cocktail, which has just three ingredients (bar spoon optional, but recommended). Note: … Continued