Yeah. That's why. It's not just laziness. My mom's in the hospital, so I've barely been on line, let alone blogging. She is currently on dialysis to try to clear an infection in her blood, and she has been on a respirator since last Thursday. 
Yes, indeedy, it was quite a dinner. Last Wednesday, the 24th, we enjoyed a four-course dinner at Branch 27, courses lovingly prepared by Chef John Manion with Chimay beer pairings. We all know about Chimay, right? Chimay beers are brewed under t...
Just got word today of the new collaboration beer from two of my favorite local breweries, THREE FLOYDS and HALF ACRE. Looks like it will be called INVASION, looks like it's a Helles Bock. Mmmmmmmm. Helles Bock. Artwork looks amazing! We know noth...ooof. too full. Can't post now. I love Chef John Manion. We took some pictures of the Gnocchi and pork sausage and the chocolate tart with the chocolate bacon. I'll get it together for tomorrow.
But in the meantime,
That's right, Chicago Beerios!! Stone is coming!! We don't know with which distributor they'll be, but one way or another, STONE BREWING WILL AT LONG LAST BE IN CHICAGO!! Yeah, you can tell, I'm a little excited.
In the past, I've picked up bottl...
I love my job. I share some of the best beers in the world with some of the best bars, restaurants, and yes, retail stores in the country. It is pretty cool. Every Monday and Thursday, I have the privilege of visiting The Publican and working with...
Who's excited about the Tim Burton ALICE IN WONDERLAND movie? I am!! It is my all-time favorite story, can't even tell you how many times I've read the original stories. And Tim Burton is one of my favorite directors. So tonight, I am enjoying a b...
The NEW, TOP SECRET, MYSTERY beer from Founder's Brewing, out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is called NEMESIS. Why? Of what or who is it the nemesis? With what does this beer have an adversarial relationship? Boring, everyday beer? Maybe.
Nemesis is...
I am so excited about REVOLUTION BREWING. I mean, who isn't, in the beer community here in Chicago? But in all the excitement, leave us not forget our old dear friend GOOSE ISLAND CLYBOURN. I stopped by there today in hopes of seeing some old frie...
Yeah, I'm cool. Want to know how cool I am? I got invited to a pre-opening party for Revolution Brewing!! I know. Super cool.
Jim Cibak, the brewmaster, and I met several years ago at the Goose Island Beer Academy at the Clybourn pub. We bonded ov...
Hmmmm. Where's my photos? There.
Do you know what I love about my job? Well, plenty, but right now, I am thinking specifically of how much I am learning every day about tastes and smells. For example, the Coney Island line of lagers . . . Today, I was at Twisted Spoke, talking to...
Last night was the New Holland Brewer's Dinner at The Publican. I mean, really. Is it strange to be in love with a restaurant? I mean, of course my family and my beloved cats take precedence over my relatively new love affair, but if you have the...
I had New Glarus Spotted Cow on Sunday. Also Crack'd Wheat. Jealous?
That's right, I'm drinking a New Holland Golden Cap Saison.
Tonight, we went to Indiana for my stepdad Bill's retirement party. He is retiring from BP (formerly Amoco) oil refinery after 25-ish years of work. BP stands for British Petroleum, and coincidentally it also stands for my stepdad, whose name is B...
Tonight, many of my beer colleagues are on their way to the lovely burg of Madison, Wisconsin for the Great Taste of the Midwest. I wish I could be there, but 'twas not to be, not this year. While I am holding down the Chicago fort, I send much lo...
Tonight, we went to see Spring Awakenings, which is a Broadway musical here on tour. For those who have not heard of it, it won a Tony award, I forget which one. It is a play from the late 1800's which has been adapted and added songs by Duncan Sh...
It's a lazy Sunday. I am so excited to finally have had a lazy Sunday!! Seems like it's been weeks since we had a day with nothing we had to do. So, we had a little breakfast at SVEA -- I had a Swedish Tease, which is two eggs, bacon, and a Swedis...
I love, LOVE New Holland Dragon's Milk. Had a lovely evening with friends last night, played some board games and some Wii, watched Saturday Night Live, and drank a Dragon's Milk. It's the perfect beer for a relaxing winter night. It's dark, comp...
Does it mean I'm drunk when it takes me three tries to type "crappiest" in the title line? I went to IN FINE SPIRITS tonight. I love to go to HOPLEAF and IN FINE SPIRITS. Why? I can park my car and stagger home and have not a worry in the world. I...
I don't always wax poetic about a beer I don't sell, but I LOVE LOST ABBEY BEERS. Went to Hopleaf tonight, always a good idea, and discovered they have Lost Abbey Angel's Share on draft. Angel's Share is a strong ale aged in oak barrels which prev...
Got a tasting going on tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20 at Green Grocer Chicago, 1402 West Grand Ave. at Noble. We're gonna taste out some New Holland brews. Have you been there? You should go. Tons of organic, local, sustainable food and plenty of e...
When you could come to BRASSERIE JO tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 14th. METROMIX is hosting a Beer Gala from 6 - 8 pm!! LOADS of great breweries are bringing some of their best brews! Come out to Brasserie Jo, come hear the music play. Life i...
Good things are happening in Chicago Beer Land!! Just set up the Chicago Beer Girl fan page on Facebook, and already have 38 "fans" (sure, it doesn't sound like much to you, but come on, in just eight hours???? Not bad!!). Also, went down the stre...
Okay, it's a little early, but can I please be excited about DARK LORD DAY??? I am, already. It's sad.
DARK LORD DAY IS APRIL 24th!! SATURDAY!! Clear your calendar, book your room at the local Marriott (there's one right there by the hospital), o...