I stopped in at Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville, Tennessee for dinner and a beer. Let me just say the Five Beer Burger is likely the best burger I’ve ever eaten! It paired perfectly with Basil Ryeman (a delicious farmhouse ale/saison) and Extra Easy ESB. These are delicious beers. And ending the meal with Country Roots Sweet Potato Stout was simply perfect.
I stopped in at Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville, Pennsylvania while on vacation in the Poconos. Several of the appetizers were really delicious: Hummus dip, Spicy Fried Pickles and Big Pocono Nachos. All were delicious with a beer. We tried two flights in order to sample all of the beers on tap. Our favorite beer was the Too Bitter ESB. We found this beer to be malty and bitter, a great balance.
I stopped in at Revolution Brewing in Chicago, Illinois and tried a few of their beers. The first one I tried was Fist City, an American Pale Ale. Very tasty. As described – crisp – and hoppy. The next beer I tried was the Ideology ESB. Good beer. Not the best ESB I’ve had but good nonetheless. And, finally, I tried the Anti Hero IPA. This is my hero! In fact, I also got a glass from the conference reception I attended tonight and am finishing it while I write this blog post. Very hoppy! Very Happy!
I stopped in at Gino’s East of Chicago / Gino’s Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois for dinner and a beer. I started with the crispy Brussels sprouts appetizer and Pineapple Imposter American Pale Ale. The Brussels sprouts were tasty and the beer was good, quite good, but personally I didn’t get any pineapple flavor. I then ordered a small deep dish pizza and the Broken English ESB – both awesome! Delicious pizza and delicious beer. two perfect comfort foods. Everyone seeking deep dish pizza in Chicago needs to go to Gino’s and everyone seeking craft beer in Chicago needs to go to Gino’s. Let’s just say everyone needs to go to Gino’s!
I stopped in at Goose Island Beer Company (the Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub) in Chicago, Illinois for dinner and a beer. I enjoyed a fish taco and the spring salad. Both were tasty. With some guidance from the bartender I decided to try the Snead Porter, an English Brown Porter, which was delicious – malty, caramelly, yummy!. And I had a small pour of the Adaniversary ESB which was quite tasty but much more hoppy than any ESB I’d ever had before. Goose Island is definitely a brewery stop you want to make when in Chicago!
I stopped in at Hunter Gatherer Brewery and Ale House in Columbia, South Carolina for dinner and a beer. Their shrimp and grits was delicious. And the ESB paired wonderfully with it – it was both malty and with a tang of bitterness. This was a perfect way to top off the evening.
I stopped in at Clocktower Brew Pub in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for a snack and a beer. The pretzel appetizer was tasty. I enjoyed the Wisharts ESB and tasted the Clocktower Red. The ESB is a solid example of the ESB style. Smooth and very drinkable. The Red was complex. A variety of hops and other seasonings make this a very enjoyable beer. I’m hoping to stop back at Clocktower for another Red before I leave town. I also need to grab a few coasters for my collection.
I stopped in at the Zilker Brewing Company in Austin, Texas and enjoyed the ESB and the Coffee Milk Stout. The ESB was a solid representation of this style. The Coffee Milk Stout was simply delicious. I enjoyed it so much I had a second sample. I’d come back here just for the stout. Well worth the stop!
I stopped in at Old Rail Brewing Company in Mandeville, Louisiana for lunch and a beer. The daily special of cornmeal crusted catfish simply could not have been any better. Absolutely perfect! And the Echo Sierra Bravo ESB (Extra Special Bitter) was a great pairing – the recommendation of the bartender. The ESB was nice and malty; delicious. I also enjoyed the Cow Catcher Stout after lunch and enjoyed its rich chocolatey flavor.
I stopped at Whip In, otherwise known as Kamala Brewing in Austin, Texas. What a place. They have numerous taps of remarkable craft beers from all over the country. They also brew their own beers. I tried the Bitterama ESB which I found to be a very smooth and drinkable beer. Malty and almost sweet. Very nice.
I Stop For Hops 