missy / April 27, 2006 11:27 AM

I like Fat Tire (now available in Chicago!) and Delirium Tremens and I like drinking at home.

carrie / April 27, 2006 11:31 AM

bell's two-hearted...hopleaf

i second the fat tire...

matty / April 27, 2006 11:34 AM

pibber

Tobermory / April 27, 2006 11:35 AM

I like to drink New Glarus Brewery's Spotted Cow and I like to drink it on the porch of the Little Sugar River Farm. When I'm up there I do try to pick up a few cases for home enjoyment.

For around Chicago, I like to have a weissbier at Huettenbar sitting next to the open window.

Mike / April 27, 2006 11:41 AM

I'd heard so much about Fat Tire, and wasn't wild about it when I finally tried it. Maybe I'll give it another chance.
Rogue makes some of my favorite beers, and I like to drink them at the Edgewater Lounge.

paul / April 27, 2006 11:43 AM

Yea, and let me ask you which is your favorite child.

The best beer I've had recently (this week) is the Bell's two-hearted ale, hand-pull cask conditioned at Clark St. Ale house.

The Two Brothers Incinerator Blonde Dobblebock is pretty good on tap there as well.

The Goose Island Trippel and the Myebock (don't try to correct the spelling, it's made with rye malt, so they changed it) are awesome from their tap.

However these are beers that are difficult to have more than one of, so when I settle down for a night at my local pub, it's Smithwicks by the pint or Berghoff Solstice Wit in the bottle. Rumor has it they'll have Fat Tire soon. I had a few in AZ recently, and they're pretty damn good.

MikeH / April 27, 2006 11:43 AM

I'm a simple man with simple tastes. Old Style was good enough fo "Gramps" back in the seventies when I was but a wee lad, and it's good enough for me today...

CVAL / April 27, 2006 11:48 AM

Leffe, Blue Moon, hacker-pschorr, on a warm day with the grill cooking, out back in da' garage.

mike / April 27, 2006 11:54 AM

Pilsner Urquell

I'll drink it anywhere.

Lately I've become a big fan of Great Lakes Brewing Co. They make some excellent beers.

josh / April 27, 2006 11:55 AM

I've always liked Bell's Two-Hearted, although it doesn't seem to be as hoppy as it used to. Michigan Brewing Co. has a pretty good IPA. But most of the time I drink PBR, preferably with good friends sitting around a hot grill.

matty / April 27, 2006 11:58 AM

pbr is clean and refreshing - particularly out of the can. It's cheap and great and is good with a lime.

I like some more refined beers, but that is my staple.

Emerson Dameron / April 27, 2006 12:07 PM

Ever since it was the 75-cent Happy Hour special at the bar in my college town, I've been married to PBR. I've had a few flings with the coffee-ish stuff - if you're buying, it's Guinness or some such, thanks - but PBR is my baseline. When I drink PBR, my body says, "Oh, yeah, I remember this stuff from last night. We'll get through this."

Cinnamon / April 27, 2006 12:12 PM

Duchesse duBorgogne at Hopleaf (a touch of balsamic) at Hopleaf

Höegarden anywhere I can get it during the summer (Blue Moon tries to imitate this beer and is owned by Coors and Coors=evil incarnate)

Lambics of any type
Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout during the winter

Gennessee Cream Ale (aka: The Screamer) while watching something tasty sear on the barbecue grill

I have as many beer loves as I have moods so this is a sampler platter.

mike g / April 27, 2006 12:13 PM

Liberty Ale at home. Summertime on the back porch in ... the summer time.

Leffe Brune, Saison DuPont and Moinette at the Hopleaf.

Mad Hatter, Summit and Schlitz at Simon's.

Burning River then Bells Stout at the Edgewater; repeat, repeat.

fluffy / April 27, 2006 12:14 PM

I like:

tecate, negra modelo (especially with mexican food), XXX, german weiss beers - though i do like the summit weiss, 312, delirious tremens, tsingtao, stella, bohemia, guiness, SHINER BOCK (and all of the Shiner beers), Harp, Bitburger, and others that I can't think of right now.

jen / April 27, 2006 12:19 PM

mike! being from cleveland, i second great lakes - particularly the dortmunder gold.
312 on the local chicago beer wagon.

if i'm not being fancy, pbr or high life are a-ok with me.

Jake / April 27, 2006 12:19 PM

I used to drink a lot of micros, and I got into homebrewing for a while (even won a bronze in the National Homebrew Competition), and I still occasionally enjoy a nice beer.

But now I mostly stick with Miller Lite (or lately, High Life Lite). Yeah, it's not particularly flavorful, but it allows me to drink for 12 hours straight and not get insanely shitfaced or fat. Hangovers aren't nearly as bad as with hoppy beers either.

There's nothing better than Guinness though. Especially a $2 Guinness (every day!) at Christinas. It's the perfect beer.

jen / April 27, 2006 12:20 PM

oops. i guess the where would be:
on tap in cleveland at a bar/bottled at home in chicago; 312 on tap at the bar.

pbr/high life = summertime bbq.

cherryghost / April 27, 2006 12:20 PM

High Life (in a bottle of course) at the St. Charles Moose Lodge... (I'm not kidding, either)

kate / April 27, 2006 12:22 PM

On a weekday afternoon, it's the Map Room for a Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.

For weekend afternoons, it's Old Style in my backyard or on my front stoop.

I also do plenty of drinking at night, but I really love drinking in the afternoon.

Hal / April 27, 2006 12:26 PM

My absolute, hands-down favorite: Kilkenny.

A Guiness product that isn't imported to the States and, for some reason, isn't even carried in a lot of pubs in Ireland.

I was able to find it last month in Rome of all places (a city which, btw, has an insane number of Irish pubs for some reason).

It's a red ale, with a stout/Guiness-like head. More robust than your typical red ale, but shy of the weight of a stout.

Sigh.

Failing that, Shiner Bock. In perusing their site, I see that I can get it up in WI now. I'm inspired for a road trip now.

Dunl / April 27, 2006 12:26 PM

Oh, there are so many great beers and so many great places to enjoy them. A lot of it depends on the season, too, of course.

I'll definitely second (or third) Bell's Two-Hearted Ale. Also Bell's Oberon (summer).

Pretty much anything from Three Floyds; most recently, I enjoyed their springtime Brian Boru Irish Red Ale at the Handlebar -- an experience I'd recommend to anyone.

My other favorite brewery recently is Two Brothers. I have a pint or two of their Domaine DuPage French-style Country Ale most Friday nights at the Green Eye (under the [northside] Western Ave El station). In beer garden weather, I'd definitely recommend their Ebel Weiss, I think the absolute best German-style Hefe-Weizen you can get outside of Germany (and what gets imported from Germany can't compete since it's usually lacking in freshness/wasn't the best Germany has to offer in the first place). [Capitol Brewery's Kloster Weizen is my 2nd fave American wheat beer; Summit's Hefe-Weizen is light, enjoyable on a summer evening, and much more readily available on tap in Chicago-- at places like the Long Room (Irving Park and Ashland). ]. Two Brothers also makes my current favorite lager: Dog Days Dortmunder Style Lager.

Whenever I'm out and see Lakefront Brewery's organic ESB on tap (rare in Chicago, even pretty unusual in its hometown of Milwaukee), I have to get it.

Lody / April 27, 2006 12:26 PM

I like Schild Brau Amber from Mill Stream Brewing Co. - a micro brewery in the Amana Colonies in Iowa. It's very tasty!

I also like ?ywiec (Polish beer) and I like drinking it at the Jolly Inn on Irving when I'm in town. And of course enjoying some good Polish food too.

Someone needs to open a Polish restaurant in Iowa. Somewhere...

Emerson Dameron / April 27, 2006 12:30 PM

Hal,
I've considered moving to Dublin just for the superior boozing. There's a lot of great whiskey you can't get in the US, too. There's also a guy at the L&L who can talk your ear off about US/Ireland booze distribution politics.

Bill / April 27, 2006 12:37 PM

i really like $1 americans at delilahs on monday nights, though i havent gone in forever. for a dirt cheap beer, the stuff is pretty damn great

fluffy / April 27, 2006 12:58 PM

I also really like Shaffer beer - I used to drink that a lot on Tx

fluffy / April 27, 2006 1:00 PM

I mean, when I lived in Texas

bensch / April 27, 2006 1:00 PM

Oberon! At home!

Elizabeth / April 27, 2006 1:05 PM

I can't believe that it took 26 posts for someone to mention Oberon.

pat / April 27, 2006 1:09 PM

Beer of the Root variety...

And anywhere I can get it. Specifically fond of Sprecher's from Milwaukee.

For whatever reason, i'm not terribly fond of the hard stuff... For my alcohol money, i'd rather a scotchy scotch or vodka.

Y A J / April 27, 2006 1:11 PM

Celis Whit is my all time favorite and I drink it whenever and wherever I can find it. It's currently not available in Illinois, so anyone who goes to Michigan please bring me back a case, ok?

Otherwise I'm always sampling belgium wheat beers trying to find a suitable replacement. Unibrau Blanche de Whit is close.

Mike 11:47 I gotta agree. I enjoyed Fat Tire when it was the only microbrew available at national parks, but meh, I suspect folks will drink less of it when the novelty wears.

Joe Wroblewski / April 27, 2006 1:19 PM

Okocim (or OK Beer) has become my favorite over the past six months or so. Can't get enough of it! They even have a great website with flash games featuring dragons and lots of fire, but it's all in Polish: http://www.okocim.pl/

printdude / April 27, 2006 1:25 PM

Guiness.
Celis White.
Three Floyds - Gumballhead.
Three Floyds Alpha King.
Oberon.

I will drink alomst any other beer, too, but them is favorites.

A keg of gumballhead is really devine, I gotta tell you.

I like drinking these beers wherever they can be found cold, but preferably in someone's backyard, witha grill going and some tunes in the background and the sun on my face.
Second to that, is at a baseball game.

Kramer / April 27, 2006 1:36 PM

Lakefront Brewery!
I went to school in Milwaukee and lived on Riverwest Stein, Cream City Pale Ale and East Side Dark. In fact I chose to live in River West (Milwaukee) for the beer. I've found it here in bottles at Sam's but rarely have I had it at a bar. Go to Milwaukee and try it! You'll be happy you did.

Best Beer Bars - Map Room and Hop Leaf.

Freddie / April 27, 2006 1:38 PM

PBR is my all-around favorite -- available anywhere, cheap, and good. I like Boulevard Brewery (Kansas City) Pale Ale for relaxing. If I'm eating BBQ (and not just grilling out, I'm talking real BBQ) it's High-Life all the way. You haven't burped until you've burped up BBQ + High-Life.

bensch / April 27, 2006 1:42 PM

Kate says:

On a weekday afternoon, it's the Map Room for a Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.
_________

I can't believe someone missed the opportunity here to name a beer 'Gitche Gumee'.

Stephen / April 27, 2006 1:47 PM

I don't think I could ever claim a favorite beer, but my current faves are:
Sprecher Mai Bock
Lakefront Organic ESB
Samuel Smith Organic Lager
St. Peter's Organic Ale

And I will always keep a special place in my heart for Tecate or PBR on hot summer days and nights.

Naz / April 27, 2006 1:48 PM

Hitachino White Ale/Nest/Red Rice. Japanese beer with a very nice light but tasty (mildly fruity) flavour. At Smallbar and Kaze Sushi are where I've found/drank them.

I used to be really into ciders and a bottle of Clos Normand from the Hopleaf is great -- last time I was there, Innertown had them too.

Lambic Framboise is another good one.

As you can tell, I'm into beers that have some sweetness or taste to them.

Lody / April 27, 2006 1:50 PM

Joe W. - I see you like OK - have you tried Zywiec? You might like that one too!

eep / April 27, 2006 1:51 PM

At the Map Room, it's König Ludwig. At Hopleaf, it's Leffe Blonde. At Fireside, it's Höegarden. If it's with Mexican food, it's Pacifico. And if it's just me hanging out, it's Goose Island 312, Sam Adam's Winter Lager (when available), Chimay, or Bell's. My friend has been raving about Fat Tire for years, so hopefully I can try it soon and get it over with already.

Oketo / April 27, 2006 1:53 PM

Abita and Heineken dark take the cake.

Floyds on Armitage has become a favorite - the pretzels are marvelous with the beer.

spence / April 27, 2006 1:53 PM

My all-time favorite:

Spaten - Octoberfest

I like to drink this at home, because you can only buy a 12 pack at a couple places around town.

Others fav's

Bass - at a pub in winter

PBR/Budwieser/Old Style(e) - anytime outside in the summer

-Negro Modelo - whenever eating mexican food

I'd like to add:

I like fat tire, but has anyone ever noticed it smells like sweaty socks?

Eamon / April 27, 2006 2:03 PM

Easy question.

1) Maudite
2) Boddington's
3) Old Style

If you'd asked me during wintertime, I would have swapped Boddington's with the obvious choice: Guinness.

mike / April 27, 2006 2:52 PM

Re: Fat Tire

I don't know if Chicago got a bad batch, but everyone I've talked to who's drunk the drink in other states agrees: it doesn't taste the same as the Fat Tire we've known and loved elsewhere. Something is off. It's not skunky, but it's stale, and the pleasant fruit & spice notes have morphed into a dead-flower & moss aroma.

It was never a great beer, but it was never this bad either.

s / April 27, 2006 2:59 PM

I've got a big bottle of Piraat just chillin... I'm gonna drink it on the deck once i've moved in to my new place.

hench / April 27, 2006 3:09 PM

my current favorite is the rogue chipotle ale -- it took me about 18 months to track this one down - so, so good.

additional favorites include the old standby pbr, three floyds alpha king, the late and lamented red hook double black stout, and summit hefe-weizen.

but really i'll drink anything except for milwaukee's best ice.

Prince Rogers Nelson / April 27, 2006 3:34 PM

GRAIN BELT PREMIUM

kt / April 27, 2006 4:09 PM

duvel. it's the creamiest.

Pedro / April 27, 2006 4:32 PM

Wow, its like the "post the indiest indie band you can think of"", except for beer!

matt / April 27, 2006 4:47 PM

fat tire is overrated. much better stuff available from CO, like lefthand sawtooth. founders red rye is where its at for now.

and small bar has an excellent tap.

lis / April 27, 2006 4:56 PM

i'll second that. i'm not ashamed to admit my unwavering love for the miller lite. if only the new bleachers at wrigley were miller and not bud light-sponsored. man.

when trying to look slightly more respectable, i like blue moon, corona, goose island's 312, anything light and made for drinking on the patio on a summer night. my love for chicago dictates a love for old style as well. i've been known to drink most anything, but i draw the line at special export (in the scary green cans).

carrie / April 27, 2006 5:05 PM

Cinnamon...regarding the...

Duchesse duBorgogne at Hopleaf....

Yar! Strong, Ass-kicking, Lethal...you brave woman.

Nick Campbell / April 27, 2006 5:31 PM

Fat tire=FLAT Tire!
Try bell's two-hearted instead!

Dave / April 27, 2006 5:48 PM

I'm a little surprised by all the imports. Maybe it's just me, but they taste....well..imported. It's hard to go wrong with a fresh glass of one of our fine regional beers: Goose Island, Three Floyds, Sprecher, Lakefront, Bells, etc. ...although, I do admit, I like all those crazy glasses the Belgium beers come in at the Hopleaf. Also, anywhere I can get cask conditioned ale...Clark Street Ale House, etc.

unmake / April 27, 2006 5:52 PM

Can't drink beer, so cider, at The Skylark. I think they serve Woodchuck - I prefer Strongbow, but it's served at even fewer establishments.

Dave / April 27, 2006 5:55 PM

Also, I don't have a problem with Miller, PBR, etc., but they are a completely different animal than a good microbrew or nice import. They have their time and place: spicy food, Cubs/Sox games, if you are drinking a case by yourself. But, I really hate the anti-elitist pap spouted by certain drinkers of the big brewery products...

christian / April 27, 2006 6:50 PM

Guinness at Delilahs. Mostly belgium wheat beers at Hopleaf, Chimay when I can get it. Delirium Nocturnm every once in a while.

la / April 27, 2006 6:50 PM

Great Lakes
Great Lakes
Great Lakes

Not only is their beer tasty, they're a seriously environmentally-friendly company. Drink with a clear conscience!

My favorites, for the record:
Dortmunder (a classic)
Blackout Stout (beware, it's strong)
Eliot Ness (amber lager)
Burning River (pale ale)

Dutch101 / April 27, 2006 6:52 PM

My favorite beer is any beer in front of me at that particular moment.

I drink a lot of PBR, and I am not anti-elitist, it's just cheap and good.

Do a lot of drinkin' at the Nisei Lounge.

Hopleaf has lots of great beers, probably the best beer bar in town, that I have found.

frida / April 27, 2006 7:11 PM

They do serve strongbow at the skylark not woodchuck. ( at least on tap) For my skylark visits- I go for the PBR usually. At home, I'll go for the goose island, pilsner, fat tire is nice, or some variety of mexian beer. mmm bohemia.
Okocim is good, too. 7.5 % alc. and its cheap.

Steve / April 27, 2006 7:38 PM

Zima, baby. Whereever and whenever I can.

Earnest / April 27, 2006 7:54 PM

Not a huge beer fan.

I prefer mixed drinks/cocktails, wine and cider for the most part. Cider is especially great for long nights out that are heavy on conversation.

Someone mentioned Strongbow. I think they serve it at Red Lion, though I could be wrong about that.

However, Fat Tire, Blue Moon, Pilsner Urquel, Bass and various Goose Island seasonal varieties have provided satisfactory refreshment on several occasions.

mike-ts / April 28, 2006 12:27 AM

Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City came out with a pils beer that almost knocked me off the stool with its fresh, crisp, clean goodness. The brewery (with restaurant) is the only place you can drink it, unless you buy a growler (jug) to take home. They don't bottle yet, and don't keg at this point. They just draw drafts straight from the storage vat. Still, they have a hard time keeping beer in stock, it sells so well.

Go ahead, visit and drink them dry. I have my emergency growler in storage to keep me beered in the event that happens.

d4ve / April 28, 2006 3:09 AM

GumBallHead @ HandleBar
AlphaKing @ HungryBrain
St. Peters @ ChicagoDiner
Goose @ Goose
Mickey's @ my stoop

Pedro / April 28, 2006 8:30 AM

People are not allowed to discover products they enjoy, and are certainly not allowed to recommend them to others on message boards! Elitists!

emyduck / April 28, 2006 8:45 AM

fat tire (anywhere that offers it) and my new favorite: wheach beer (peach wheat beer) http://www.ofallonbrewery.com/BeerProds.asp

i had this for the first time last night and i'm hooked.

em / April 28, 2006 8:52 AM

One of my oldest memories is arguing with my brother about who got to bring my Dad his next can of Old Style. Probably because he let us drink the foam off the top. Delicious.

I also like Stella, but mostly because I find the name and bottle pretty. Now that I've proven myself as someone with a really uppity palate, I can openly say that I favor beer that is cold, cheap, and served outside.

s / April 28, 2006 9:20 AM

So, this is almost wrapped up... but I was thinking a good additional question to this would be: What stores sell good beers... I normally go to the Armanetti in Lakeview... but it's kind of a haul. Anyone have any other favorite beer stores?

Pedro / April 28, 2006 9:34 AM

That last post under Pedro was not me.

I was remarking on a familiar theme in fuel threads - cultural elitism.

e_five / April 28, 2006 9:34 AM

I also like Stella, but mostly because I find the name and bottle pretty.

Plus, when you get drunk and order another, it's fun to yell the name of the beer while ripping your shirt.

Pedro / April 28, 2006 10:00 AM

Furthermore, I think it's okay to appear as if you think you're better than others if you decide their elitists and you're not, but not okay to appear as if you think you're better than others because you like different beers than me.

Spook / April 28, 2006 10:01 AM

Chimay...where ever I can get in

Guiness Extra Sout, only in the bottle, Hottie Biscottie

printdude / April 28, 2006 10:23 AM

In answer to s(9:20),
Most of these beers can be found at Archer Liquors,
www.archerliquors.com.

Tell Randy the printdude sez "hi"

mike / April 28, 2006 10:24 AM

National Bohemian beer, hon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bohemian

Kevin / April 28, 2006 11:10 AM

Definitely not Pilsner Urquell. I've had three different sets of friends who independant of each other, named it "that nasty nasty Pilsner Urquell." One of these sets of friends live in Germany about an hour drive from where it is brewed. It's puts funk on your teeth, and it's gross.

Anyhoo, I do love, and I mean LOVE, Anchor Steam. Yum. Also, the organic brew that Goose Island specifically makes for Whole Foods, Lamar Street Pale Ale.

Lauren / April 28, 2006 11:11 AM

Stella!, Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada

at Bricks

Kevin / April 28, 2006 11:18 AM

Ooh ooh, also I love Koestritzer. You can't find it in too many places in Chicago, and usually only the dark version (Sam's often carries it). But it was the beer of Otto von Bismark. What's not to love?

alison / April 28, 2006 11:25 AM

You know, they sell Duvel and Chimay at Trader Joe's now. It's such a great treat.

steven / April 28, 2006 11:31 AM

new fav is weisenstephaner, a great wheat beer. have a glass at lunz bavarian haus on 4128 lincoln. damn good with some schnitzel.

Joe Wroblewski / April 28, 2006 11:40 AM

THE beer of Otto von Bismark? Wow, I gotta try that.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be heading to Sam's right after work for a weekend I probably won't be able to remember.

MAF / April 28, 2006 11:40 AM

Miller Lite at Vaughan's

paul / April 28, 2006 11:41 AM

Good liquor stores with huge beer selections aren't hard to find anymore. My local is Evanston 1st, and the obvious Binny's and Sam's are great. But the real trick is finding a place with big coolers, since we elitists know good beer should be keep cold, temperature fluctuations can be diminish the quality of fine beer.

There's a decent cooler selection in a shop on Orleans and Superior for those who need beer in River North (good wine selection too).

Emerson Dameron / April 28, 2006 11:52 AM

I cherish beer snobs... when they're buying.

armaghetto / April 28, 2006 11:58 AM

Delirium Tremens at Hopleaf f'sho. When I don't want to get completely sloshed after 2 beers, I like to go with the Allagash.

When I wanna change it up, I like a Chimay White.

Dollar Americans at Delilah's on Mondays work wonders too...and I don't mean Domestic. The beer is actually called American and it tastes just like you'd expect a dollar beer to taste.

Therese / April 28, 2006 1:01 PM

WOW!
Where can I get Genesse Cream Ale in Chicago!?

Chico / April 28, 2006 1:06 PM

Wittekerke down at Jake's on Clark. Hopleaf has a new Delerium, Nocturnum, though that is fantastic...

bainard / April 28, 2006 1:13 PM

my favorite cheap-ish summer beer is unquestionably leinie's berry weiss, a sort of guilty pleasure.

goose island's bourbon county stout is not for the tame, but those who endure are rewarded. st. bernardus abt 12 at hopleaf is appropriately heavenly. also, arrogant bastard ale is the best protection against cold weather of all sorts.

bam / April 28, 2006 1:45 PM

• Moose Drool & Scape Goat from Big Sky
• SN Pale Ale & Porter
• Anchor Liberty & Old Fog Horn
•Bridegport's Blue Heron Pale Ale (not the the same as that Mendicino Blue Heron PA)
• Alaskan Amber & the legendary Smoked Porter (as consumed on a ride to Denali - it gets no better)
• Bear Republic's Racer 5 and X
• and anything from Belgium

Best consumed above 5,000 ft with a view of peaks greater than say 10,992ft, in other words' Red's Blue Goose after a long hike through the wilderness.

emily / April 28, 2006 1:48 PM

Sunshine Wheat. On the balcony of my apartment.

Attrill / April 28, 2006 2:17 PM

Today it's Gouden Carolus at the Map room. I also really like Old Thumper, Two Hearted , Anchor Liberty Ale, Guiness, Lindeman's Framboise, Spaten Optimator, MGD, Stella, Haffenreffer, and whatever beer is in front of me.

Amy / April 28, 2006 3:03 PM

Bell's Oberon. Usually drink it at the Clark St Ale House or Sheffield's

Blagg the Axman / April 28, 2006 3:39 PM

The King's private stock of mead. Best enjoyed in a stein hoisted over the carcasses of an orc horde. Or, failing a horde, on Fair-Day.

Depressed / April 28, 2006 5:39 PM

My girlfriend doesn't like bars and complains any time I bring them up. Therefore, I practically have to lie and sneak to enjoy beer in a Chicago bar.

unmake / April 29, 2006 2:45 AM

I think the next question should be wines under $10.. since someone mentioned 7.5% alc beer, by which point you may as well have a Reisling.. (or some Gewurztraminer if it can be found).

Steve Stone / April 29, 2006 9:14 AM

Two Hearted Ale - Hopleaf. I would drink more if not for the smoke.

sarah / April 29, 2006 11:46 AM

i'm not much of a beer gal, but i have to say that i really like my husband's homebrews. he made an IPA last spring that was to die for! he's got 5 gallons of a scottish ale fermenting in the basement right now...we'll have to see how that turns out.

adam / April 29, 2006 4:30 PM

I second the Weihenstephaner, for sure. Everything you like about a dark beer, wrapped in everything you like about a weissbier. What could be better?

Also Czechvar (the original Budweiser!) is excellent; robust but not heavy.

I drink both on tap at Glunz Bavarian Haus on Lincoln, along with many other fine brews, weekly (I play there on Tuesday nights; convenient!).

I also enjoy the Fuller's ESB at Duke of Perth, and the Woodchuck ciders at the Ten Cat. Goose Island 312 is very nice at Martyr's. I really love the old black office phone tap handle.

mew / April 29, 2006 5:32 PM

New Glarus Spotted Cow rules. Moo!

Todd / April 30, 2006 9:04 AM

Spaten Optimator at the Chicago Brauhaus, but you can find it at Whole Foods, too. It's dark and oily, like good cognac or Kona coffee, but not sooty, like Guineess. Everyone I know that's tried it has loved it. Otherwise, Bells, Great Lakes, and Goose Island seasonals are awesome. Favorite drinking joint: the Long Room.

Sam / April 30, 2006 10:17 AM

I'm a cider person myself and a pint over at Deliah's is pretty good. But nothing can beat a perfectly poured pint of Guinness from Cork and kerry on the South Side. It's like mother's milk.

Angela / April 30, 2006 3:42 PM

A bar we frequented when we lived in Orlando served something called a "Dirty Ho"... It was Hoegaarten beer with just a splash of Lambic Framboise. Yumm-O!

To be honest, I was not a beer fan at all until I moved to Chicago. Now I can drink almost any beer handed to me. (And more often than not it's a PBR at Innertown.)

Moon / April 30, 2006 10:25 PM

I'm going to get some amber colored water, put a little grain alcohol in it and maybe some lemon juice and call it Horse Tail or something like that.

I'll charge $10/6 pack and I bet it sells like hotcakes.

reenie / May 2, 2006 3:34 PM

Gotta give a shoutout to my home state of Delaware and its Dogfish Head Brewery. One of their brews, Raison d'Etre, I think can still be had at Charlie's Ale House in Andersonville. I like it better than their IPA.

winediva / May 3, 2006 4:26 PM

Love the Hoegaarten. A tasty treat at Rockwell's on the patio or the Long Room. Otherwise, I'll drink anything on tap at the Irish American Heritage Center. Only open on weekends and really great people watching. Love to get the old Irish guys telling stories.