Event Review: Day and Night of The Living Ales

Each year the Chicago Beer Society (CBS) holds the Day & Night of The Living Ales: A Celebration of Real Ale.  This event features real ale, also known as cask beer.  Real ale has no carbon dioxide added and the beer naturally carbonates, additionally the yeast in this beer is still active almost up until the time you drink the beer.  The beer also likes to exist around 53F so festivals like this can be a bit chilly.  Normally CBS finds a deli or other caterer to put out a small selection of higher end meat and cheese to munch on.

CBS splits the day into two sessions the Day and the Night.  There is no real difference except time of day.  The organizers try very hard to make sure beer is held in casks for the second session.  Occasionally one will run out, but not usually half way into the second session.  A benefit of the second session is you can call people you know at the first session and know what is worth it and what is not.  Personally I am done for the day after drinking for hours so I typically crawl into bed after an event like this.

Night Session 2011

In 2011 there were 45 beers available and for the most part were very good.  Chicago brewers dominate at this event, but there was a fair sprinkling of brewers from elseware.  Metropolitan had an intriguing ginger infused alt and Piece had smoked chocolate porter that reminded me of cocoa puffs.  The bad side of cask events was evident in Revolution's Village Green Bitter which had some off flavors.  This can happen easily and I would note their Eugen Porter was above average.  With the ale be alive right up to the end it is hard for a brewer to ensure the perfect flavor.  I do not know if this was the situation with Village Green, but many brewers never get to crack open the cask until the event itself making it near impossible to provide the level of quality control we have become used to.

CBS also gives awards at this event and Firestone Walker's Double Jack Double IPA won the Golden Tut Award for being the beer that best exemplified the cask experience.  Attendees also vote for their top beers.  This year first place went to Goose Island's production facility for Scully an oak aged saison with strawberries, honey and Champagne yeast.

Overall, this is one of the better events on the annual beer calender, and does sell out.  I try to attend each year as I never know what I may find.  I have done both the day and night sessions, and I lean towards liking the night better.  CBS holds Living Ale each March and I hope to see you there next year.

Beer Review: Double Jack by Firestone Walker

I gathered my notes to write on Firestone Walker's Double Jack and then discovered that it is Chicago Tribune's Beer of the Month for February. Firestone Walker is a newcomer to the Chicago beer scene, but has been taking the beer world by storm over the last several years.  You may have tried products from Firestone Walker before as they are one of the brewers of Trader Joe's store-brand beers.  Named Mid-Size Brewer of the Year Firestone Walker by the World Beer Cup three times and twice named Brewing Company of the Year by the Great American Beer Festival.

Tasting Notes:
This Double IPA poured amber with some lacing.  Aroma of citrus, slightly sweet with a hint of pine.  Moderately carbonated this beer had a predominate hop flavor without going overboard.  A nice sweetness rounds this beer out.  At 9.5% be careful how much as you drink you cannot taste the alcohol.

Beer Review: Walker's Reserve-Robust Porter by Firestone Walker

Walker's Reserve, Anniversary 14, Double Jack

At last week's release party at Piece Brewery in Chicago, Firestone Walker treated everyone to samples of three beers, the Walker's Reserve, Anniversary 14 and Double Jack.  All the samples were excellent.   Customers were offered the chance to buy a half pint and keep the glass for an extra dollar.  Well, knowing me and glassware and especially considering the glass had a "FW" nucleation point, I sprang for it.

Walker's Reserve

I like most about Walker's Reserve- Robust Porter is it is a "reserve" and a porter.  So often a reserves or special edition beer is an intense IPA or a barrel age stout.  It seems like no one comes out with a special release porter and it is good to see the style receive recognition.

Tasting Notes:
Walker's Reserve- Robust Porter poured a dark brown into a half pint glass with a moderate tan head.  A sweet aroma with chocolate and coffee give way to a creamy flavorful beer.  A drinkable porter at 5.9% ABV, and if I didn't have to work the next morning I would have stayed for another.

Brewery Review: Firestone Walker

I would like to welcome Firestone Walker to Illinois.  Tonight at Piece from 6:00 to 8:00 Firestone Walker will be holding a release party.  You should expect samples of Anniversary 14, Double Jack IPA and Walker's Reserve Porter to be served.

Firestone Walker is a formidable entry into the Chicago market.  It was the winner of the GABF Brewery of the Year in both 2003 and 2007. Firestone Walker also regularly brings home several medals, most notably for their pale ales.  The book 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die (1001 (Universe)) lists the Anniversary Ale, Double Barrel Pale Ale and Union Jack IPA as must tries.

I have only really had the chance to try one of their beers, Anniversary 14, and a sample of a few others.  I look forward to being able to try more  to write a true brewery review.

#13 of 1001 Hemp Ale by Nectar Ales

Poster From Sampling Event 

Nectar Ales is a Brand of Firestone Walker.  According to the brewery rep who served this at the recent Motley Brews event in Las Vegas, Hemp Ale is the only hemp beer in production.  The ironic thing was as I asked for a sample the rep seemed to be unimpressed with the beer.  I seriously have never tried weed or weed brownies.  The closest comparison for me is the smell of a college roommate.  I can assure you this did not smell like cannabis, but I have no clue on the taste.  The seeds used in brewing this beer lack THC, the intoxicating compound in cannabis.  This beer lacks anything that screams special except that it is one of a kind.

Tasting Note:

Bottle into rinsed sample glass at Motley Brews event.

Malty with some hops.  Clean finish, and remarkably forgettable.