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
Naf Naf Grill has quietly been taking over Chicago’s fast food Middle Eastern niche. It started in Naperville – the result of a former Taboun cook’s passion for fresh pita and juicy-as-hell chicken shawarma – and has now spread to Niles, Aurora and thankfully, The Loop. They’ve whittled down the menu to the essentials: falafel, … 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
LOUISVILLE, KY – First things first. It’s pronounced LOU-uh-vull. And this mid-sized city along the Ohio River – known more for its horse race than anything else – is also the perfect base of operations for a tour of Bourbon Country. You can visit most of the major distilleries within an hour’s drive, and even … 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
Michigan knows how to produce great beer. There are a number of breweries in the state, and the New Holland Brewing Company is among the best. This week’s Beer of the Week features one of New Holland’s deep, dark beers, coming in at a whopping 10% alcohol, so maybe drink it with a friend. Either way, … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper looks to Quebec, of all places, for an inspired BotW. It’s from the well-regarded Unibroue brewery, makers of such fine beers as Ephemere and Blanche de Chambly. He says it’s a perfect complement to the change in seasons. Cheers.
Takashi Yagihashi’s profile has been given a boost over the last few weeks, thanks in part to his appearance on “Top Chef Masters.” One of the friendliest chefs in the business, he returned to Chicago several years ago (after stints at Tribute in Farmington Hills, MI and Okada at The Wynn Las Vegas) to open … Continued
In case you missed it, I headed south about a week ago, engaging in a food trip for the ages we affectionately referred to as Austin BBQ Armageddon. We tackled nine places in three days – hitting one of them twice – with a doughnut shop and a modern Mexican stop to boot. There’s no … Continued