We celebrate yet another Silver Anniversary this week, honoring Brooklyn Brewery’s fantastic, chestnut-colored lager, arriving in a large format bottle. The Hopleaf’s Michael Ropers says cheers to one of the nation’s most influential brewers.
This resurrected concept from Team Melman and Lettuce Entertain You used to sit on Weed Street, in Lincoln Park in the late 80s (I fondly recall eating a mess of crawdads on a ream of newspaper after an Oingo Boingo concert at Metro in ’88). But the trend of slow-smoking pork and brisket was too … Continued
It’s hard to believe it’s been a quarter century since John Hall and his son, Greg, began brewing beer along Clybourn in Lincoln Park. 25 years later, the company is in someone else’s hands, but there’s no denying the impact and influence Goose Island has had on the Chicago beer scene. For this special anniversary … Continued
I know, I know. We’ve been covering tacos, burgers and fried chicken WAY too much lately. It seems like every other opening in Chicago features these standards, albeit with a twist, in some form or another. But wait, there’s more. L’Patron (pronounced “El Patron”) is the latest taqueria to open in Logan Square, and the … Continued
Nothing says springtime (in the beer world) like a little bock. This seasonal brew from Anchor Brewing, one of the country’s best-known brewers out of San Francisco, is ready to drink this week, but it won’t be on store shelves forever. Sure, The Hopleaf carries it, but so do a lot of other fine purveyors … Continued
Yes, it’s getting warmer outside. But ever since Billy Sunday opened, they’ve had this rum-fueled, tart passionfruit and pineapple-laced summer-inspired daiquiri on the drink menu; perhaps wishful thinking for sunnier days ahead? I say bold move, Mr. Bartender. This icy concoction is definitely something you should drink. Cheers. Thanks to Todd Rosenberg (@toddrphoto) for … Continued
Since I just returned from Korea yesterday, and saw dukbokki at every night market and street corner, I couldn’t resist re-running this favorite from last year. It’s one of those images you’ve seen countless times driving down the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. No, not the Wrigley’s digital sign or that building on Ashland that’s … Continued
Canada’s Unibroue has been around awhile, and so has their lovely Fin Du Monde. But this Quebec-based brewery is now making their beloved Fin available on draught, making it even more ubiquitous (hopefully) in Chicago. I say cheers to that (with a side of moules frites, of course).
Ever since Alpana Singh opened The Boarding House, a lot of attention has been paid to her wine list. She was, afterall, the youngest female ever to attain the status of Master Sommelier. But the food has taken a bit of a back seat. In the bar area, and in the cellar, downstairs, the menu … Continued
Grand Rapids, Michigan isn’t exactly the first place you might think of when it comes to French and Belgian-style ales, but local hero Brewery Vivant has been making those types of beers its specialty. It has a relatively new farmhouse ale out called Farm Hand, and The Hopleaf‘s Michael Roper says it’s one of those … Continued
Dogfish Head Brewery is known for producing some irreverent beers, but their latest is a doozy: one of the first successful collaborations between the world of wine and beer. It’s called Noble Rot, and the key is some botrytis affected viognier grapes; there’s also pinot gris must, and the combination produces a uniquely distinctive, saison-esque … Continued