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The Beer Blog

Your guide to craft beer news, events, and breweries in Chicago! Signup for our newsletter for notifications on new posts.


Halloween Costume Ideas from our Favorite Spooky Beverages ›
On October 26, 2023  ·  in Arts & Crafts, Beer Pairing Guide, Boulevard Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Buckledown, Duvel, Goose Island Beer Co., Holidays, Jolly Pumpkin

Halloween is coming up faster than you know and with all the parties coming up, do you have a costume ready? I know I don’t! So, if you’re a beer or cider lover like us, why not let some of our amazing spooky-themed beers be your costume inspiration this year?

Costume Idea #1 – 4H Absence of Light

A perennial favorite for peanut butter fans everywhere. The iconic Absence of Light monster from the can will surely draw some attention. Throw on some short horns, put on a brown shirt and make sure you have plenty of peanut butter cups on hand to share.

 

Costume Idea #2 – Blake’s Black Phillip

As the antagonist of one of the greatest horror movies in recent years, this goat could be the GOAT for drink-inspired costumes. Made with real fruit, this blood orange and cranberry hard cider could easily fool some into thinking you’re drinking something much spookier. Find some goat horns and drape yourself in something black with vvhatever you can find!

 

Costume Idea # 3 – Surly Darkness

Darkness is an apt name for a stout this massively opaque! Chocolatey and sweetened even more so with tart cherry and raisin, this beer is balanced by its piney resinous hop character. Every year the packaging is done by a different artist and this year’s eyeball-filled eldritch horror could be too much for some. Grab a pack of self-adhering googly eyes and embrace your inner goth for a quick and easy costume.

 

Costume Idea # 4 – Buckledown Alien Avatar

A lot of alliteration for Alien Avatar Amber Ale. This smooth and malty beer has a nice hop backbone that should please IPA drinkers. Go retro with an 8-bit themed saucer costume or make it your own by going full Roswell Grey. If you can find it, go with the classic Alien Abduction costume – it brings a smile to my face every year.

 

Costume Idea # 5 – Ommegang All Hallows Treat

All Hallows Treat hopes to rekindle your favorite childhood Halloween memories with the aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and soft vanilla swirl. This rich and malty beer will have you entranced! The artwork from the can gives you two options – zombie searching for “graaaaaiiins” or the classic white sheet ghost!

 

Costume Idea # 6 – Boulevard Dark Crator

A barrel-aged take on a classic German style – this lager is transformed into something out of this world with complex wood and whiskey notes over a soft roastiness. Go check your parent’s attic to see if they kept your costume from your solar system project. Or rush out and find a moon-texture printed tee shirt to pair with this lunar-themed doppelbock.

 

Costume Idea # 7 – 4 Hands Ill Repute

What is more quintessential to Halloween than a Jack-o-Lantern? Ill Repute is chock full of pumpkin pie aromas and flavors. Built upon complex layers of caramel and chocolate to create an imperial stout, this beer is an ideal pairing for all that Halloween candy! Pumpkin-head masks and costumes are sure to be around but if you’re in a real last minute pinch, a real pumpkin on your head will surely spark some interesting conversations.

 

Costume Idea # 8 – Blake’s Apple Lantern

Apples and oven roasted pumpkin – yum! This delicious and naturally gluten-free choice might just be what you’re looking for. If you have the face painting or make-up talent, this would be a great chance to break out those reds and oranges. Go half apple, half pumpkin face and watch the confused faces until you break out a pack of Apple Lantern!

 

Costume Idea # 9 – Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela

Also called “The Patch” – this wild pumpkin ale from no other than Jolly Pumpkin finally broke the streak of no pumpkin beers from this brewery. Fortunately for us, they did make La Parcela and it was worth the wait! This ale is packed with real pumpkins, hints of spice, and a gentle kiss of cacao. I’m going to admit that I’m not familiar with this bat-winged cat but if you have a cat that will put up with it, get a few pictures of them doing their best La Parcela impression. You can always up your cat costume from the past with a pair of wings too.

 

Costume Idea # 10 – Duvel 6,66

Are you someone who goes against the trend? Don’t want all those porters and stouts coming out for the fall? Well Duvel 6,66 might be exactly what you want! An easy drinking Belgian blond Ale with 6 refined hop varieties. Keep your summer glow going a little longer and dress up not as a devil but a Duvel – yellow jumpsuit and some tiny yellow horns will have you feeling lively and zesty just like the beer itself!

 

Costume Idea # 11 – Goose Island Beer Hug

The entire Beer Hug series from Goose Island has been flying off the shelves this year. From Hazy, Neon, and Tropical, these local Chicago IPAs are perfect for any Halloween party. Throw on those big shades or go all out with a bear costume and make sure to bring a pack of Beer Hugs.


Event Recap: Green City Market Chef BBQ ›
On July 20, 2018  ·  in 3 Sheeps Brewing, Bell's Brewery, Boulevard Brewing Company, Burnt City Brewing, Event Spotlight, Founders Brewing Co., Goose Island Beer Co., Jolly Pumpkin, Moody Tongue, Sun King Brewery, Urban Chestnut Brewing, Virtue Cider

Green City Market Chef BBQ

On Thursday, July 19th, the Green City Market Chef BBQ offered the most divine and delicious bites for attendees to enjoy. Beer tastings were available from a variety of Midwest beverage purveyors including Goose Island, Moody Tongue, Virtue Cider, Founders, Bell’s, Boulevard, 3 Sheeps, Urban Chestnut, Sun King, Jolly Pumpkin, and Burnt City. Lakeshore Beverage partnered up with the Green City Market Junior Board and Goose Island this year and brought Plinko to our lounge area. Guests could win a variety of Goose Island merchandise and one lucky winner even got to take home a Goose Island Bike!

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5 Stocking Stuffers From Lakeshore Beverage ›
On December 18, 2017  ·  in Alaskan Brewing Company, Evil Twin Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., Goose Island Beer Co., Jolly Pumpkin

5 Stocking Stuffers

The holidays are here and nothing says, “I love you” like the gift of great beer. Our Training and Education Manager, Chris Kolodziej put together his list of five beers that are sure to please the beer lover/fanatic/nerd in your family. Plus, each of them fits perfectly in a stocking. Watch the video below for his takes on each beer and good luck with your shopping. Happy holidays!

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Saisons: A Farm To Table Experience ›
On March 23, 2017  ·  in Beer Pairing Guide, Boulevard Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Jolly Pumpkin, Moody Tongue, Video

saisons

Spring is here and that means it’s time for Saisons or farmhouse ales. These effervescent, spicy, earthy beers were traditionally made on farms during springtime for consumption by farm owners and their saisonniers (seasonal workers). Today, Saisons have become staples with food pairings due to their versatility in taste and high carbonation — both of which complement a wide range of dishes.  Read More


5 Stocking Stuffers From Lakeshore Beverage ›
On December 16, 2016  ·  in Boulevard Brewing Company, Evil Twin Brewing, Goose Island Beer Co., Holidays, Jolly Pumpkin, Tasting Notes, Video, Virtue Cider

IMG_2841

In our last post we showed you our gift guide for everything but the beer. Well, a certain someone paid a visit to Chicago to let us know some fantastic stocking stuffer ideas for the beer lover in your family so obviously we had to make a video. We hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful holiday season! Read More


A New Year’s Cheers ›
On December 18, 2015  ·  in Brewery Ommegang, Duvel, Goose Island Beer Co., Holidays, Jolly Pumpkin, Moody Tongue

ommegangcheers

If you’re headed to a house party or a BYOB dinner spot for New Year’s Eve, you’ll need to pick up some booze to ring in 2016. We have a few champagne alternatives for you to consider to make your night a memorable one. Scroll through our suggestions and use our BEER FINDER to locate these beers near you. Happy New Year!

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