When I first heard this week’s BotW, I thought there was some Star Wars connection. But when The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper told me it was connected to the Firestone family – yes, the same one that produce tires – I thought, how good could this possibly be? Turns out, if you like your beers deep … Continued
One would think recipes – at least in the beer brewing world – would be secret. But The Hopleaf‘s Mike Roper says there have been a lot of collaborations lately. Today’s BotW is no exception. It’s a team effort between Grand Rapids brewery Vivant and Colorado’s New Belgium. They’ve produced a lovely (and high alcohol) … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is looking all the way east, to Portland, Maine, where the Allagash Brewery is producing a series of beers in honor of some of their heroes of sustainability. They begin with Hugh Malone, whom I’ve never heard of, but who fronts a rather fresh-tasting Belgian style IPA this week. … Continued
For our final BotW for 2012 (can’t believe we started this feature almost a year ago), The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is thinking seasonal, harvest ales. These are beers that are ready to drink. Right now. So go grab one, and tell a friend to join you for a taste of the season, as in fresh … Continued
Usually, a brewer will be more than happy to let you know what’s inside the bottle. But this week’s pick – courtesy of the Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco – is a mystery. Even though they don’t tell you what’s inside their Christmas beer, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper has a pretty good idea. Here’s … Continued
Better hurry up. Time is running out on this one. If you’re a fan of Stone Brewing’s IPAs, their latest release is designed to sell out at some point in the next two weeks or so. It’s called “Enjoy By…” and once you listen to Michael Roper’s reasoning, you’ll see why you need to pick … Continued
This week, Michael Roper goes to Belgium, where world-class beers are as prevalent as corrupt governors in Illinois. Of course, Roper should know; his Hopleaf has Chicago’s best list of Belgians, offering more than 100 by the glass. Today, he’s honoring the trappist monks at Rochefort, who produce one of the country’s best-loved beers that … Continued
It’s not a hippie, drug-induced kind of thing, but the way 3 Floyds’ Zombie Dust has been flying off of the shelves lately, you’d think they were spiking the hops with something. This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says the pride of Munster, Indiana has a legit hit on its hands, and its sweeping … Continued
The old saying “hair of the dog,” referring to hangover cures, continues to live on in the name of a particular cocktail. The Corpse Reviver has been around at least since the 1930s, a result of the cognac and gin-based libations whipped up by Harry Craddock in the Savoy Cocktail Handbook. Today, we’re going to the … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is sipping a French Biere de Garde, made with yeast that is fermented at low temperatures, to produce a knock-out beer from a French craft brewer. Yes, the French can produce more than just wine. Fans of kolsch-style beers, you’re going to love this one. Cheers.
We’re kicking the week off in a spirited way today, with a nod to the past and a look to the future. The nod comes in the form of an Old Fashioned recipe, courtesy Mixologist Eric Hay, of Chicago’s Wirtz Beverage. Rather than muddling cherries and orange, a la “Mad Men” era, he’s going even … Continued