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Well, it’s September which means it’s time for…Oktoberfest beers! And despite their name, Oktoberfest beers are not actually brewed in the fall. Say wha?!
That’s right, these beers are an outgrowth of the traditional, strong spring brews called March beers or Märzenbier in German. These beers were brewed in the springtime and then put aside in ice-filled caves or cellars to be stored and consumed over the summer. The leftover Märzen was usually finished off in the fall which is when a new season of brewing would begin after the late summer’s grain and hop harvest. So it was almost by default that Märzens became the official beer of Oktoberfest which made its debut in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding in Munich.
Today’s Oktoberfest has morphed into an 18-day celebration that kicks off in September and includes parades, carnivals, music, art, and civic engagement. Want to celebrate here in the states? You can see all of our Märzen-style beers HERE.
For the third year in a row, Zymurgy magazine — produced and published by the American Homebrewers Association — named Bell’s Two Hearted Ale as the Best Beer in America. Not bad for a list that also boasts cult-favorites like Pliny the Elder, Heady Topper, and Zombie Dust in its top 10. And while Two Hearted may not have the mystic and allure it once had when it was first released, there’s no denying its place as an institution within the IPA category.
Of course, like most college kids, my go-to beers have been domestic lagers…after I turned 21, of course. I often wouldn’t think twice about what beer to order at the bar and my college budget was an excuse for limiting my choices. Now that I’ve graduated and finished my internship here at Lakeshore Beverage, I’ve garnered a newfound knowledge about beer. Hint: they don’t all taste the same.
From recent grads like myself, to your uncle who’s been drinking the same domestic lager his whole life, there’s a craft beer out there for everyone. Listen, I’m not asking you to jump right into trying an intense hoppy IPA, but I am asking you to try a different beer than you’d typically reach for. There’s a huge world of beer out there and it’s time to widen your horizons, so here are 10 craft beers you can enjoy.
If you’ve ever gone down the Lakefront Trail on a weekday in the summer, it’s fairly evident how much Chicago loves its volleyball. So to cap off the summer, the AVP Gold Series Championships will return to North Avenue Beach on August 30 – September 2. This is pro volleyball like you’ve never seen.
Our friends at Kona Brewing will be there, serving up their Hawaiian suds to attendees throughout the weekend. Oh and did we mention they’re giving away a pair of VIP tickets to Saturday’s (sold out) matches. Say wha?! So fill out the form below and cross your fingers. Winner will be notified Monday, August 27 via email.
Surly First Avenue +1 is a beer made to enjoy wherever the music hits you. So to introduce this music-inspired beer to the Chicago area, we decided to have one of our Secret Beer Parties. What better venue to debut First Avenue +1 than Shuga Records in Wicker Park? We drank, we ate, we bought records, and even listened to an in-store performance from Flamingo Rodeo. DJ Tim Zawada was also there spinning Prince-inspired Minneapolis sound for everyone to enjoy while they shopped the store. Shuga Records was booming with beer and bass and three lucky winners walked away with free tickets to see a show at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
If you missed out on this Secret Beer Party, sign up for our email newsletter and keep an eye on your inbox. You can also use our Beer Finder to locate a 4-pack near you or ask your local liquor store to bring some in.
Check out the photos below thanks to the amazing and talented Brittany Purlee.
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!