Best Winter Beers In Chicago
Now that Oktoberfest is just an oompah memory, it's time to move from fall's golden brews to something that fits winter's hearty food, something that warms body and soul. It's time to look for a good stout, lager or complex ale. Fortunately, Chicago teems with craft breweries that match Carl Sanburg's "City of the Big Shoulders" with like-minded winter beers. Here are a few of the best ones to try.
Lake Bluff Brewing Company's Russian Imperial Stout
16 E. Scranton Ave.
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(224) 544-5179
www.lbbrew.com
The challenge in getting ahold of Lake Bluff Brewing's Russian Imperial Stout, a hefty beer that is perfect for winter nights, is that it is a limited release that sells out quickly. It won the gold medal for barrel-aged stout in the 1013 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Fans of Lake Bluff Brewing's beers are used to hearing about a new release by email and on the company's Facebook page, so they watch for the Russian Imperial Stout announcement. According to brewmaster Mike Dorneker, last year the brew sold out in 11 minutes. The beer is aged 10 to 12 months in KOVAL Distillery whiskey barrels. It's roasty with complex layers of vanilla, chocolate, coffee and a few other flavors. Of course the barrels matter, so there are strong hints of whiskey and oak. ABV (Alchohol by volume) is 11 percent.
Begyle Brewing Company's Imperial Pajamas
1800 W. Cuyler Ave., Suite 1E
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 661-6963
www.begylebrewing.com
Begyle Brewing Company releases its Imperial Pajamas in mid-December. It is is a terrific, heavier version of its dark oatmeal stout Flannel Pajamas. An American double-style brew, it uses double the grain amount.You're right if you also taste coffee — it has Ipsento beans. ABV is 9.80 percent. The brewery also released its dark black Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas in mid-November. Another great winter beer, it is aged in Heaven Hill Distilleries' bourbon barrels and is a limited production. Its layered taste and aroma is vanilla, coffee, fudge and oak. Located in the Ravenswood neighborhood, the company has a membership base but distributes widely throughout the Chicago area to pubs and grocery markets.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago's Festbier
5500 Park Place
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 671-2739
www.hofbrauhauschicago.com
A Munich-style beer hall, Hofbrauhaus is also a micro brewery that does year-round and seasonal beers. For December, it comes out with its Festbier, a classic, copper-colored lager that is both full-bodied and crisp. It is well-balanced with a malty taste up front, but has a hop aroma and finish. ABV is 6 percent.
Related: Best Brewery Tours In Chicago
Revolution Brewing's Fistmas
3340 N. Kedzie Ave. (Brewery)
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 588-2267 and
2323 N. Milwaukee Ave. (Brew Pub)
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-2739
www.revbrew.com
You have to understand that Revolution uses a fist on its labels, so of course its Christmas beer is called Fistmas. While its Double Pale Ale is Double Fist, Fistmas is an American Red Ale that is quite hoppy but also complex. Its mix of Belgium, German and English malts give it body. Expect to notice a rich caramel flavor. From the combination of a spicy and crisp hoppy taste comes Chinook Hops and East Kent Goldings. Its aroma is somewhat fruity. ABV is 6.1 percent.
Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout And Festivity Ale
1800 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 915-0071
www.gooseislandbrewpubs.com
Released on Black Friday, Goose Island's Bourbon County Imperial Stout can keep a person warm through the winter. Brewed at the Fulton facility, Clybourn also serves the beer. Goose Island has also come out with Outfoxxed, an American brown ale that is perfect for winter with a toasty malt flavor and a chocolate aroma. ABV is 6.7 percent.
Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
