Dinner a rolling success

I say rolling because I think just about everyone felt like they needed to be rolled out of our banquet room at the end of the dinner last night. It was a whopping success and Chef Eduardo really got a chance to show off. Thanks again to Pete and Brian coming down from Rock Bottom and thanks to all of you that came. Stay tuned for more. Possibly a Summer dinner in August.

Brewmaster's Dinner Reminder

Tomorrow night is our Spring Brewmaster's Dinner and there are still a few spots open for those of you who may be on the fence about coming. Seven Courses, Eight Beers, and guest Brewer Pete Crowley from Rock Bottom Chicago. Call today 708.957.2739

Fiddlehead Cafe Recap

We had a great time at Fiddlehead Cafe last night. The pork was outstanding as well as all of the sides and dessert. Thanks for everyone that came out, and I hope that it leads a few of you city dwellers down to our place.

Tap List 4/24/08

Pretty Big IPA (8.5% a.b.v.)

Yeah, it’s Pretty Big

Milky Way Stout (4.1% a.b.v.)
A sweet stout made with lactose that stays behind in the beer because yeast can't ferment it. Creamy with lots of caramel and stouty flavors. And at only 4.1% it's an easy drinker.

Killer Kowalski Baltic Porter (8.0% a.b.v.)
The reigning best Baltic Porter in the country. Our deep, dark, full-bodied lager. A slightly bittersweet chocolate aroma with a malty body that hints at dark fruits. It's complex and very enjoyable with a touch of roast finish.

Black Wolf Schwarz bier (4.8% a.b.v.)
The best schwarz bier in the U.S. according to the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Lager body and finish with a touch of roasty aroma and body. A distinct but not overpowering black beer that just may change your idea about what a "dark beer" is.

short list

A short list of places that you may be able to find our new bottles. Please call the location first before driving across the Chicago-land area only to find out they are sold out. And please don't call us to ask us where to find it. This list isn't dynamic and will probably be obsolete the minute I hit publish. Don't forget you cal always come down here for bottles. Our prices are $5.99/Station $6.49/Pullman and $8.99/IPA

p.s. we bottled 40 cases of Pretty Big IPA yesterday. Tapping and bottle debut on Thursday night.

Lush Wine and Spirits, University Village and Roscoe Village
Twisted Spoke
Archer Liquors
Randolph Wine Cellar
Dobby's Liquors
Whole Foods Northbrook, River Forest, Lakeview, Evanston
Risque Cafe
Kimbark Liquors
Uncommon Ground
Brasserie Jo
Sheffield's
Map Room
Pointin Still
Prairie Moon Cafe

San Diego bro.

So we didn't win anything at World Beer Cup. Disappointing but it happens. The trip to San Diego and the Craft Brewer's Conference itself was a blast. I have a ton of photos to put up but I'm going to have to restrain myself. If you want to view my whole set of photos at your leisure, feel free to see them here.


View from the hotel into the Town and Country compound.


The Brewer's welcome reception was at Stone's World Bistro and Gardens. That place was a massive crazy time. They must have sunk a lot of money into it because it felt more like you were at a nature conservatory than at a brewery. All the best to Stone and their endeavors because they are definitely
doing something right.


Their new brewhouse was put together by Rolec and it is a beaut. Lots of very clean stainless.


Each night after the sessions were over they had a 100 tap cold room that got put together by Jeff Bagby from Pizza Port. Call out the number of the beer you wanted and enjoy a California beer. Not only did Jeff and his crew get the thing put together but they got it torn down before noon on Sunday when everyone was heading home. Buy Jeff a beer next time you see him.

One night we went to this really cool place called the Linkery. Awesome in house made sausages and a really good beer list. The wait was really long but it was definitely the place to be on Friday night. It seemed like half the conference was there with us.


So we didn't win anything this time around at the awards dinner, but doesn't Mike Rybinski from America's look nice?

I stayed Sunday and Monday to check out San Diego more. Ocean Beach Pier is the longest pier on the west coast apparently. I think I could have stayed another week without and trouble.
Next CBC is in Boston and then 2010 is CHICAGO!

Dark Lord Eve and Beyond

For those of you taking time out of your travel schedule to pop into Flossmoor Station, realize most of the specialty beers will be available Fri night only.
Quantities are limited. If you are on the fence about coming, here are some specifics. We're still finalizing things, but the back room, back deck,and back yard should be held for the DLD travelers.
As well as the year round beers you'll find at: http://www.flossmoorstation.com and seasonals you'll find updated here
On Friday night(should all run out but you can check back sat nite or sun), we'll have: Sarge, 10, De Zuidentrein Kreik, Sheol, and Wooden Hell
We're now bottling: StationMaster Wheat, Pullman Brown, and IPA (XIPA and Pretty Big IPA will be available in bottles) for this weekend only in bottles
(only about 70 bottles of each available):Sheol and De Zuidentrein Frambozenbier
All that will run out Friday, or possibly Sat, but if you want to stop by for lunch on Sunday on your way out of town, at NOON ON SUNDAY:we'll tap- a 1/6th bbl of Palo Santo Marron from Dogfish Head.

Cheers and travel safely!

Tap List 4/14/08

X-IPA (7.0% abv)
Our doubly delicious double I.P.A. made with 100% Amarillo hops. Dry hopped at a generous pound/bbl, X-IPA is a citrus bomb that will send you to grapefruit heaven.

Milky Way Stout (4.1% a.b.v.)
A sweet stout made with lactose that stays behind in the beer because yeast can't ferment it. Creamy with lots of caramel and stouty flavors. And at only 4.1% it's an easy drinker.

Killer Kowalski Baltic Porter (8.0% a.b.v.)
The reigning best Baltic Porter in the country. Our deep, dark, full-bodied lager. A slightly bittersweet chocolate aroma with a malty body that hints at dark fruits. It's complex and very enjoyable with a touch of roast finish.

Black Wolf Schwarz bier (4.8% a.b.v.)
The best schwarz bier in the U.S. according to the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Lager body and finish with a touch of roasty aroma and body. A distinct but not overpowering black beer that just may change your idea about what a "dark beer" is.

Bitter Harvest APA (5.7 % a.b.v.)
A crisp and bitter American Pale Ale that has all of the hops you love but less of the alcoholic strength of our Big IPAs. This of this as an IPA Junior. Full of Summit, Amarillo, and Centennial hops.

Current Guest Tap: Two Brother's Domain Dupage Next up Victory Golden Monkey.

We're outta here.......

Las Vegas and San Diego beckons! I'll be jetting off to sunny Las Vegas for a couple days of R&R with 5 other Chicagoland brewers (look out Las Vegas!)while Andrew minds the brewhouse. Then we'll both set off for San Diego for the Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup. We're really looking forward to this trip for several reasons, not the least of which is a great conference. The sessions look really good this year and we have some vendors to meet up with and...... ah, what am I saying-Our work trips center around BEER! We'll be hanging out by the beach in a wonderful craft beer city with industry professionals and friends alike. Since it's 38 degrees and rainy right now in SW Chicagoland, I think we'll have a great trip regardless.
The World Beer Cup awards dinner will be held Saturday April 19th. With any luck we'll be able to shoot a commercial just like our friends at Miller Brewing company touting the best specialty beer in the world two years running. As we raise the banner in the brewhouse, all of our employees will clap and cheer. Gonna have to get that marketing budget up to snuff.
So, if Andrew doesn't post Mon or Tues, look for a slew of pictures in about a week. And get ready for a crazy end of April, we have a lot going on. A new IPA, Fiddlehead Cafe dinner, our own beer dinner, and Dark Lord Day will keep us pretty busy. I hope you'll join us.
Cheers-Matt

April 23rd @ Fiddlehead Cafe

We won Lunar's Hop Madness IPA Bracket

Lunar brewing had a bracket of 16 IPAs available in the Chicago market and after a blind tasting tournament X-IPA came out on top. It looks like we beat Mad Hatter, Lunar's IPA, and Mojo from Boulder for the win. Go us!

We even had ice sculptures

Spring Brewmaster's Dinner