Tag: Beer review

Craft Beer Review: Empirical Heliotropic Hoppy Pale Ale

Craft Beer Review: Empirical Heliotropic Hoppy Pale Ale
A little rain came our way Saturday evening, for the last weekend of October and it’s getting colder. But that rarely stops most people from firing up the grill, so I’m throwing on some sausages while I pop another beer that I have purchased for review. Empirical Brewing is a small brewery with its stainless... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
October 28, 2018 at 8:45 pm
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Beer by the Grill: Shiner Wicked Juicy IPA

Beer by the Grill: Shiner Wicked Juicy IPA
It’s a pretty dreary Saturday, with clouds and the occasional thunderstorm. But the past couple of weekend I’ve been out canvassing for my candidate in the upcoming elections, and left pretty worn out to do anything else. This is the off week, though. And I’ve finished a project that always takes up a lot of... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
October 6, 2018 at 8:52 pm
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State Beer Review: 1818 Prairie State Farmhouse Ale

State Beer Review: 1818 Prairie State Farmhouse Ale
Once again, I’m popping the tab on a beer that will only be around for a limited time, so let’s get to it. Hand of Fate Brewing, a two-year old microbrewery in downstate Petersburg, near Springfield, won a competition at last year’s Illinois State Fair for the title of the state’s official Bicentennial Beer. The... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
September 16, 2018 at 10:37 pm
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Local Beer Review: 5 Rabbit Vida y Muerte

Local Beer Review: 5 Rabbit Vida y Muerte
The Labor Day weekend means the stores are now filled with… Christmas Decorations. No, that’s not it. Pumpkin Spice flavored junk food? Maybe. But it also brings us the fall beers like Oktoberfests. I’m hoping to get into some more of these malty Mårzens in the time to come. But now I bought something in... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
September 3, 2018 at 12:01 am
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Cider Preview: Louis Raison

Cider Preview: Louis Raison
I’ve got some more liquid gold that’s been sent to me for my comment. Louis Raison French Cidre is officially hitting the Illinois market with three offerings: Rouge Délice, Original Crisp, and Organic Dry. All three flavors are in six-pack bottles; Rouge Délice will be available on draft, with kegs of Organic Dry and Original... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
August 30, 2018 at 11:19 pm
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Local Beer Review: Goose Island Fulton Street Blend

Local Beer Review: Goose Island Fulton Street Blend
Hey, I feel the need to pop another beer and review it. Are you with me? I know I get more than a few Goose Island beers sent to me for comment, but this one I purchased myself. Because hey, coffee beer. Fulton Street Blend is a Golden Ale base, infused with Intelligentsia Coffee’s House... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
August 23, 2018 at 11:33 pm
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Beer by the Grill: Lagunitas Cherry Jane

Beer by the Grill: Lagunitas Cherry Jane
I’m trying to bring a happier ending to some pretty crappy past few weeks. First, just a week or two after putting a new muffler in the older Beeronaut Excursion Vehicle, the BEV decided to die completely. At 2:00 am. On Roosevelt Road. After several hours spent with my little girl in the ER. I... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
August 4, 2018 at 10:04 pm
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Craft Beer Review: Saugatuck Blueberry Maple Stout

Craft Beer Review: Saugatuck Blueberry Maple Stout
As always, I have a lot of beer to write about, so let me grab one from out Michigan way. Sauguatuck Brewing Co.’s Blueberry Maple Stout is one of their popular year-round beers: a sweet stout with, of course, blueberry and maple. Is it worth taking a break from IPAs and shandys in the middle... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
August 3, 2018 at 10:59 pm
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Beer Preview: Lagunitas Super Cluster

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It’s been a rough week, but I hashed it over in the video attached. Let’s just say just one beer in the evening makes things a little better. So here’s another look at a beer from Lagunitas Brewing Co., which they sent to me for my comment. Super Cluster is another in their limited “One-Hitter”... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
July 26, 2018 at 11:08 pm
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Beer Preview: Goose Island Foudre Red

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Got back from a weekend at the parents’ home in Iowa with all my siblings for an early 60th Anniversary celebration. Also picked up some Iowa beers that I’m posting to the Ratebeer sidebar down there to your right. And the night after I got back, I was able to quickly do a new video... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
July 17, 2018 at 10:15 am
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    Mark McDermott

    Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago's craft beer scene to you.

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