This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper suggests a Belgian-style saison from Switzerland, from the BFM Brewery. Their Square Root 225 is an anniversary beer, so it’s a one-off that won’t be around long. Better calculate how you’re going to find this one before it runs out. Cheers.
In the summertime, many of us crave a thirst-quenching beer, but not everyone wants (or is allowed to consume) alcohol. Enter Krombacher, a weizen beer from Germany that refreshes without knocking you on your ass. Just ask the Hopleaf’s Michael Roper. Cheers.
Sierra Nevada has been working to help support and rebuild a monastery over the past few years. Their Ovila series has produced some great beers in this effort, and this week’s pick – a mandarin orange and peppercorn-flavored saison – is well worth the effort to seek out. Naturally, like all of our picks, you … Continued
Fort Collins, Colorado is our focus this week, as The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper features New Belgium’s Summer Series beer, called Rolle Bolle. It features monkfruit – something we’ve never even heard of – in a very low alcohol, refreshing summer beer. Cheers.
Bring on the pilsners. This week, Roper is going with a Chicago favorite, the Pony Pils from the local boys at Half Acre Brewing. But he’s also got a few other pilsners in mind, namely, Scrimshaw (from North Coast in Ft. Bragg, CA) and Trumer (from Berkeley, CA), both of which are great “lawnmower” beers. … Continued
Ah yes.. summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Softball games, picnics and a refreshing beer, of course. This week, Roper is feeling the Midwestern love with a quartet of wheat beers, from such favorites as Greenbush, Bell’s and Revolution. You don’t need an excuse to open up one of these, just a summertime thirst. Cheers.
Greg Hall hasn’t really taken that much of a break since leaving Goose Island as its Brewmaster. The Chicago native is keeping things close to home, with his new company, Virtue Brands, having built an impressive headquarters just around the bend, in SW Michigan. He’s now got three ciders out on the market: Lapinette, … Continued
Despite its name, there are no teen vampires involved in the brewing or marketing of this breezy summer ale from Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery, which has only been available in Chicago the past few months. The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says it’s easy to drink this time of year, especially at softball games and the occasional … Continued
Apparently, the folks at Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewery are big Survivor fans, or maybe just miss Rocky III. In either case, their “Rye of the Tiger” celebrates their 25th anniversary, and this IPA features rye, which the Hopleaf’s Michael Roper says is great for beefy, meaty, ham-centric dishes. Cheers to that!
This week, The Hopleaf’s Michael Roper is taking a closer look at a couple of Belgian saison beers, one from the U.S. (Great Divide Brewery) and the other from St. Feuillian, the fantastic Belgian producer. They are both perfect for the spring, but since one of them comes in cans, it’s an even option for … Continued
Ever since Half Acre finished building its brewery in Northcenter, it seems they’ve been cranking. Exactly three years ago, they became the first brewer in Chicago to sell their beer in cans; they continue with a relatively new product, the Akari Shogun, which is considered an American pale wheat ale. Cheers.