News Item: Indiana Beer News-Clears up some of the questions we have had.

See blog here: http://brewerylaw.com/2014/09/why-you-should-care-about-indianas-problematic-beer-regulations-part-1-of-4/

Craft Beer Monday Review: Finch's Hardcore Chimera India Pale Ale

I hadn't tasted a Finch's in a while, since they are not so easy to find, at least on tap in my favorite establishments. They have always been loaded with hops, especially in the Threadless, but I have to say I was not prepared for the all out hop feast that was laid out for me here.


Boasting an IBV of 9%, the strong alcohol content exclaimed quite an alarming presence of hop, in a way that I would say I hadn't experienced since Half Acre Daisy Cutter or Bell's Two Hearted Ale. I'm not exactly sure if this is good or bad-since I have heard reviews of both of these as more of a harsher character than others. I often even put SN Torpedo in there with them, for its rougher edge.

Its description, (according to Untapped) states: "An American style imperial IPA brewed with Citra, Simcoe, Columbus, Cascade and Mosaic hops. Hardcore Chimera is then dry hopped with over a pound of hops per BBL. Ringing in with over 80 IBU's, Hardcore Chimera's intense aroma and flavor of passion fruit and citrus is balanced out against a hearty grain bill that lends to the beer's deceptively drinkable 9% ABV.

Even though it was a little too much alcohol for me, I still think it is a winner, over all.

CBC Rating: 4.
ABV: 9%.

Brewery Visit: Church Street in Itasca, IL

A hidden gem stuck in the back of an industrial park in Itasca we have discovered Church Street Brewing. Originally named for the street in Itasca planned for the brewery, these guys instead do it all here, offering a variety of beers available for sale in local liquor stores or there at the brewery by the growler or 6 pack too.

We were drawn here by others who had visited and mentioned just how small and serviceable the place was: it is simply the front of the industrial space that houses the brewery where about 6 tall tables with chairs are located. Their beer is served and sold in pint glasses or tulips, depending on the ABV, and nothing else. No food, no other beer or liquor.

The hours have been expanding lately but originally were only Friday from 4-7 PM. Now you can visit on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays too. The brewers and employees are around, as well as the owners. We sat and enjoyed a pint with co-owner Lisa Gregor, who talked about the brewery and explained the decoction process to us, which is unique to American brewers.

Their beer covers a variety of tastes, but remain the classic European styles: their flagship, Heavenly Helles, is a bolder flavored beer that uses, like all its beers, European ingredients, yet stands at 5.4% ABV. Also offered are its two IPAs: Brimstone and Fire, they offer a milder Continental Lager, and, continuing with its religious sounding theme in beer names, Heretic Heffeweizen.

My favorites personally are a regular offering, Tales of the Shony Scottish Ale and last winter's seasonal big hit: Pontificator Doppelbock. Both sweeter, carmel, and very little hops, but the
Pontificator packing a big punch with its 7%. 

New label for this winter

Its worth it to stop by the brewery. If you don't have a Church Street growler buy one of theirs or bring in one from a different brewer and they will swap it out for one of theirs (Illinois law). But they have quite an impressive display of all the other brewer's growlers lining the shelves too. I still see my Lakefront Winter one I traded in last year.