So many summertime beers to sip, so little time. This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper suggests a pair of craft beers – both less than 5% abv – from the pride of Paso Robles, CA: Firestone Walker (yes, the same family who made the tires). He says they’re limited to the season, so you don’t have … Continued
This week, as we finally slip into some consistently warm days, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper has an excellent pale ale in mind from Downingtown, PA. Victory Brewing (makers of such iconic brands as Golden Monkey and Prima Pils) has created a seasonal golden ale with German hops and pale malt. This “Summer Love” is sure … Continued
At this rate, there will be more fried chicken in Chicago eventually than there is Italian beef. With Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Parson’s Chicken & Fish and Leghorn all brining, dredging and frying, are we that crazy for fried bird? Apparently so. Endgrain has been offering one of the best versions in town, but I … Continued
There are only a handful of Turkish restaurants in Chicago, and of those, only a few serve lahmacun. It’s essentially a thin, crispy pizza-like disc topped with minced lamb and beef. It’s one of only two things that are served at the tiny Pide ve Lahmacun on Irving Park Road, and the key to enjoying … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is thinking of Cooperstown, NY – home of Ommegang, one of the best Belgian-style breweries in the U.S. Their Hop House is out now, and with our sudden blast of warm weather, he says it’s a perfect match for both lighter eating and drinking. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers.
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is heading west, to San Francisco, home of Anchor Brewing. The legendary brewer has recently come out with its first India Pale Ale (IPA) and he says surprisingly, it’s more subtle than a lot of its west coast brethren. Partly, that’s due to additional malt, which lends a tad … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is returning to an annual, seasonal beer from Dogfish Head, the pride of Milton, Delaware. It’s called Noble Rot, and if the name sounds like something along the lines of a late-harvest wine, well, you’re sort of on the right track. The brewers use grape must from viognier, which … Continued
We’ve got an interesting beer this week, all the way from Denmark. Mikkeller makes a ton of different beers – they never make the same one twice – and this week Roper is loving a lambic. But take note: it’s a seasonal, and it won’t be around all year long. Get one at The Hopleaf … Continued
Chicago’s Revolution Brewing just keeps cranking out the unique beer. With a massive brewpub, a strong lineup of seasonal beers as well as specialty ales, this week’s pick is no exception. It’s a rye IPA with 7.6 ABV, which has a roasty, toasty character, thanks to the rye, as well as Amarillo and Fuggle hops. If … Continued
This week, The Hopleaf‘s Michael Roper is looking to Portland, Maine, where Allagash is brewing up something special for its anniversary. Called “Fluxus,” this ale is brewed with a blend of coffee and chocolate malts with blood orange pulp and zest.. The resulting beer is dark brown in color with chocolate and roasted notes throughout the flavor … Continued
I’ve been preaching and trying to spread the gospel about the tacos at Bucktown’s En Hakkore since they first opened last year. Fortunately, they’ve become so popular that the choices have been whittled down to either vegetable-laden rice bowls (bibimbop) or these “tacos.” They come with either BBQ beef or spicy pork belly, and feature … Continued