DryHop Brewers Events During Chicago Craft Beer Week
Greatness starts with attitude. Living proof of this maxim is forged in DryHop Brewers. My very first sip, several years ago, of their then-unnamed Shark Meets Hipster wheat IPA foretold of the coming wunderkind. Shark’s seamless blend of styles, simple freshness, refreshing finish, and overall economy instantly confirmed that DryHop was determined to achieve excellence. They have more than delivered on the promise. Over the last several years their efforts have only reaffirmed their status as Chicago’s premier brewpub, and their garden-fresh food rivals the beer in terms of its superb quality. Try the burger and you’ll see what I mean. So with the arrival of Chicago Craft Beer Week 2014, it’s an ideal time either to introduce yourself to this outstanding brewery’s works, or to revisit for a taste of their latest innovations. DryHop is involved in a number of CCBW events during the 10-day festival. Here is a brief rundown of their schedule:
Beer Under Glass – Thursday, May 15th
Fittingly, DryHop will present at CCBW’s signature event, the Beer Under Glass gala at the Garfield Park Conservatory. If you are a lucky ticketholder to this sold-out event, you’ll be treated to the aforementioned Shark, plus DryHop’s I’m Not A Raccoon saison, and their Blast of the Underworld, an APA which registers a whopping 100 IBU’s at a devilish 6.66% ABV. These delightful brews will accompany the mouthwatering small-plate servings to be provided by some of Chicago’s top restaurateurs.
DryHop Meets Goose – Friday, May 16th
One of my primary affinities for DryHop is their brewpub’s basic, unpretentious look. The lines are simple, and there are no frilly colonnades or cheeky attempts at aping an English pub. They let their beer’s greatness speak for itself. You owe yourself a visit. Friday May 16th is the perfect occasion, as DryHop will be releasing a collaboration sour with Goose Island, and tapping Goose’s “Five Sisters” series of Belgian wild ales. DryHop and Goose will reconvene on Sunday the 18th for Goose’s party at its barrel warehouse on Sacramento where you’ll find more of the collaboration and also Shark on tap.
DryHop-Brickstone Collaboration Release – Monday, May 19th
Fun arrives from Bourbonnais – summer home to my beloved Chicago Bears – as Brickstone, which hails from there, will be on site at DryHop for the release of the two breweries’ collaboration, a Kaffir Lime Lemongrass IPA. I honestly have no idea what that is, but I’ll bet it’s delicious. As you digest that idea, I’ll note that several Brickstone beers will be tapped that evening. The Brickstone beers I’ve tried have been simple, mildly hoppy affairs. On Monday several of their Belgian-inspired brews will be available.
Beer and Art, Featuring Won Kim – Tuesday May 20
It’s ladies night at DryHop as the ladies-of-DryHop’s Jupiter Crash, a hibiscus and orangepeel schwarzbier, is loosed upon the public. This beer will also be available at the Riverview Tavern’s Hail to the Ale event on Thursday, May 22, which will celebrate the women of craft beer.
Solemn Oath Collaboration Release – Wednesday, May 21
DryHop’s brewpub will host Solemn Oath, another local brewer known for concocting unusual brews, as the brewers release their joint effort, a Belgian Black IPA called Moon Tower Kind. I don’t know where they get these beer names, but Captain Beefheart would be proud. DryHop’s crew should start a band in their free time. Chances are, they’d sound awful but the song titles would rule. Also that night, a number of Solemn Oath beers will be tapped, including a coffee milk stout brewed with sweet orange peel. Can I get a “hell yes”?
Burnt Hickory Brewery Tap Takeover – Thursday, May 22
Two days before DryHop appears at the May 24 CCBW West Loop Craft Beer Fest block party, it will welcome Burnt Hickory Brewery to the premises for an evening of some Southern-inspired brews. If this guest brewery’s name isn’t itself enough to make you to high tail it over to DryHop, consider that the Kennesaw, GA brewer will be pouring not one, but two of its double-digit whiskey-soaked barleywines. And if that’s not enough (I reckon by that point you’ll have had more than enough), they’re also pouring a blood orange IPA. Tarnation!
All dates and times are detailed at the links provided above. I hope to see you next week at DryHop.
DryHop Brewers
3155 N. Broadway
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