Chicago Real Ale Festival

[steveh]

With all of the controversy flying in Interest of Science category, does anyone else find it ironic that this news comes out today? Let alone that I get to bring it to you? ;)

Real Ale Chicago 2004

Three Days of America's Greatest Real Ales!

As you probably know by now, we are NOT having a normal Real Ale Festival in Chicago this year, but we'll still serve some of the country's best real ales and enjoy fine foods with them as well._ So, adjust your expectations and trundle on down to join us for some really great beers._ It will still be one of the country's greatest gatherings of real ale_this year.

Thursday, March 4: Real Ale Feast at Rock Bottom in Chicago._ A gourmet dinner prepared by award-winning chef Charles Feggert and paired with 6-8 of the country's best real ales procured, delivered and cellared exclusively for this dinner. Cost: $64 per person.

Friday, March 5: Chicagoland Real Ale Day Every real ale-supporting brewpub and beer bar in Chicagoland will be serving up fine real ale on this special day. Join friends, Chicago Beer Society members and real ale afficionados from across the globe in a free-form pub crawl to your favorite site-or visit them all! There is no admission charge and beer pricing is set on a site-by-site basis. See www.realalefestival.com for a list of participating pubs and recommended transportation alternatives.__

Saturday, March 6: Real Ale - Real Food Tasting at Goose Island Wrigleyville_ This event pairs more than two dozen real ales from across the country with the finest in Chicago artisanal foods, including fine cheeses and meats. Admission includes open tasting of beers and foods. Price: $35 per person.

Participating brewers will include the following: Pelican Pub, Flying Fish Brewing Co., Dragonmead Brewing Co., Yards Brewing Co., Rogue Ales, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Boscos brewpubs, South Street Brewery, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Gritty McDuff's, Shipyard Brewing Co., Pizza Port, On Tap Bistro & Brewery, Carver Brewing Co., RAM/Big Horn, Goose Island Brewing Co., Kalamazoo Brewing Co., and_additional Chicago-area brewers.

Ticket orders are now being accepted. See the webpage at www.realalefestival.com.

S.

[studentofbeer]

as i had never been to the 'big' real ale festival i was really looking forward to it this year, and look what happened!!! im sure it'll still be interesting but it doesn't sound as cool as it used to be. *sigh* and this might be my last year in chicago.

[steveh]

Eeehh... Take Friday off, meet us at the Map Room, we'll go from there -- or STAY from there! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for the info Steveh. I have a lot on my plate for the next few months not to mention Costa Rica on the 8-12 of March. I would like to make some of this fest but it may be cutting it close. I wonder if I could come up for the Thursday and Friday sessions. What is a good hotel to stay at that is near everything?

[chazwicke]

And a little friendly controversy is good for all of us. Keeps us on our toes. :)

Hey, now I'm gonna have to put my ugly mug back up on my avitar.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I wonder if I could come up for the Thursday and Friday sessions. What is a good hotel to stay at that is near everything?

Well, Rock Bottom is on the north-east edge of the Loop, and close to a few of the more up-scale hotels, including the House of Blues. You can bet that they'll be a part of the Friday events too. Getting a room close to there might be a good bet.

AFA the Map Room or Goose Island Wrigleyville, there's nothing terribly fancy around them. I don't spend too much time over-night in the city, and when I do, it's usually with friends at their homes.

Here's the web sites for RB and the Map Room for reference with Mapquest:
http://www.rockbottom.com (the string to the Chicago location is about a mile long, go to the parent site and follow the "locations" links) http://www.maproom.com/ Flossmoor Station Tripel! I been away too long!
http://www.gooseisland.com/

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Hey, now I'm gonna have to put my ugly mug back up on my avitar.

I finally pulled that from a friend's web-site - no, that's not Guinness, it's Murphy's!

S.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for the Chi Town info. I see Hopjack has a new avitar as well.

[MeridianFC]

How does one upload a custom avatar. There doesn't seem to be any instruction from the user cp.

[chazwicke]

User CP, then edit options way down at the bottom.

[steveh]

Read it and weep, all those who won't be near Chicago on March 5!

http://www.realalefestival.com/radpubs.html

Hey Chaz, Harviestoun Brewery Old Engine Oil on cask!

S.

[Beaver]

I am weeping. That sounds like a great time!

[studentofbeer]

curses! i have just been ordered on a business trip to atlanta march 4 and 5, coming back the evening of the 5th. why oh why does this have to happen to me???

im considering getting off the plane and heading straight for the maproom. those bastards.

[chazwicke]

I'm set for settlement for my new beach place on March 6th. And I'll be traveling to Costa Rica on the 8th -12th so looks like this year is out for me. I will be in London 5/7 - 5/16 vacationing and cask tasting. Anyone else traveling to the U.K. around then? I am hoping to meet up with Richard again for a few.

[steveh]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
curses! i have just been ordered on a business trip to atlanta march 4 and 5, coming back the evening of the 5th. why oh why does this have to happen to me???

D'OH!!


im considering getting off the plane and heading straight for the maproom. those bastards.

We may still be there! ;D

S.

Sorry you won't be able to make it Chaz. Based on my savings (and lack thereof in my 401k), I don't know when I'm going to be able to get back to Europe. :/

[studentofbeer]

just saw you were taking the day off steveh. man am i bummed. the casks will all be drained by the time my flight gets in at 9 :( i was looking forward to hanging out and having a pint or three with you too.

no matter where i end up next year i must fly out to chicago for the RAF. ive missed it too many times now.

[steveh]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
...by the time my flight gets in at 9 :( i was looking forward to hanging out and having a pint or three with you too.

We could be back there by then! It's bound to be the last stop before my buddy's house down the road in Bucktown! Make for a looooong day - but at least it's Friday!

S.

[Prankasaur]

For all who are going to do the "tour": Are you starting at the Map Room? I know they open about 6 am! Do I have to know a secret handshake? :)

[Payson]

Blessed luck! Just so happens I'll be arriving in downtown Chicago around 1 on the fifth. I'll be staying at the Best Western on Ohio and Sinclair! :D

[steveh]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
For all who are going to do the "tour": Are you starting at the Map Room? I know they open about 6 am! Do I have to know a secret handshake? :)

My friend and I will be starting there - and I just got off the phone with the Map Room. While the "coffee girl" wasn't sure when they'd start participation in the RAF, she did say that regular beer-pouring starts at 11:00 a.m. I'll call back this afternoon to ask for the people the coffee girl suggested.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Payson
Blessed luck! Just so happens I'll be arriving in downtown Chicago around 1 on the fifth. I'll be staying at the Best Western on Ohio and Sinclair! :D

Do you know which pubs you'll be trying to visit? My friend and I are planning on the Map Room, Piece, Mac's, Tuman's and then who knows? Maybe Clark Street Ale House because it has a big selection, or Rock Bottom because I used to know one of the bar tenders there (if she's still there), or maybe...

S.

[Payson]

I know absolutely nothing about the area so your recomendations will influence me greatly!

[Prankasaur]

Let's get some sort of "beer tour" going; I would like to check out Piece; never been there.

[steveh]

Once I find out what time the Map Room is going to start pouring from the casks, I'll try to finalize our start plans - most definitely by tomorrow afternoon if possible - and post back here.

BTW - Payson, that street is probably St. Clair, not Sinclair, double check your reservations - Ohio and St. Clair is a block north and 4 blocks east of Rock Bottom, at State and Grand.

S.

[chazwicke]

I am envious!

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I am envious!

As am I!

[Prankasaur]

Come on Chaz, Stodbrew,

Where are your priorities? Call off work, anger the family, spend $400 dollars on a last-minute flight, $150 on hotel and come drink with us in 37 degree rainy, crappy weather.

[chazwicke]

I would do it but I am settling on my new beach place on Saturday and am heading to Costa Rica on Monday. Not much time in between. Just the same We'll be there in spirit.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
Come on Chaz, Stodbrew,

Where are your priorities? Call off work, anger the family, spend $400 dollars on a last-minute flight, $150 on hotel and come drink with us in 37 degree rainy, crappy weather.



Hmmmm.... Tempting!:D

[HarkJohnny]

Bastard! I'm jealous, though I wish you a good time!

The wife wouldn't be too happy if I were to make a last minute jaunt to Chicago for a beer fest, just a week before going to Peoria for the International Beer Fest! hehe

[steveh]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
Come on Chaz, Stodbrew...and come drink with us in 37 degree rainy, crappy weather.

Sounds like the perfect day to be in a tavern! :)

S.

[studentofbeer]

crycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycrycry

[steveh]

I just got off the phone with the Map Room and found that the TBA beer they're hosting, from a pin no less, is 3 Floyd's Darklord - oooh, yes. Along with Barnaby's Dry Stout from Rock Bottom Chicago on the beer engine, and a bar-top firkin of Harvestoun's Engine Oil!

I won't be talking to my partner-in-crime until tonight (he's busy at work), but the MR guys seemed to think the ale would be ready to pour around noon on Friday, so I think we'll try to be there around then. Watch this spot for any changes in plan.

S.

PS - sorry this is so painful to Student and anyone else out of the area.

[chazwicke]

We may have to get a cease and desist order to stop you from taunting us!

[Prankasaur]

Darklord...mmmmm

[chazwicke]

Harvestoun's Engine Oil.......mmmmmmmm

[Stodbrew]

Real ale in general..... Mmmmmmmm

[chazwicke]

mmmmmmmmmmmm

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
We may have to get a cease and desist order to stop you from taunting us!

Did I mention that I work for the Chicago Beer Society Board of Tourisim? :D

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
mmmmmmmmmmmm

All right. Enough of all this silliness!

S.

[Payson]

Steveh, can you give me some idea of where you'll be and when on Friday. I'll be getting in town around 5:00. Thanks
Chris

[threecb]

Sitting here on the East Coast on Friday morning, wishing I was in Chicago preparing for a day of Real Ale.:mad:

Those that are going, have fun!

[chazwicke]

Yep enjoy the beer and at least raise a glass for those of us who can't be there.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Payson
Steveh, can you give me some idea of where you'll be and when on Friday. I'll be getting in town around 5:00.

Sorry I didn't get this note - I left my computer Thursday evening and wasn't around it at all on Friday.

I hope you had a great time, I was at Piece at 5:00 yesterday - watching brewmaster Jonathan tap a 30 liter keg of Zum Uerige Alt. I shared pizza and conversation with friends and new friend, the generous Mr. Prankasaur (I owe you at least a couple brews!) at the quiet bar before-hand - and at 4:50 the place became overwhelmed with beer hunters waiting to sample this Alt as it became available for the first time in the U.S.

The tour started at around 1:00 at the Map Room
1.) Harviestoun's Engine Oil
2.) 3 Floyd's Darklord
3:00 at Piece
3.) Zum Eurige Alt
4.) Jonathan's Oatmeal Stout
7:00 at Mac's
5.) Bell's Two Hearted Ale
6.) Adnam's Bitter
9:00 at Tuman's
7.) Bell's Double Cream Stout
8.) Another Bell's Two Hearted

All of the above, except the alt, were cask conditioned ales served either from a bar-top, gravity-fed firkin, or from a hand-pull beer engine.

I highly recommend a visit to Mac's or Tuman's if you're in Chicago as they both have 2 working beer engines pouring cask ales. And both are neighborhood taverns, not specific beer-bars, per se.

S.

[Beaver]

That sounds awesome! Wish I coulda been there.

[chazwicke]

Nice list