Never underestimate the power of beer. It never stops amazing me the lengths to which beer lovers will travel, and the obstacles they will hurdle, in pursuit of great brews. …
Read the StoryRecently at Millennium Park I saw a rock show by legendary punk-pop rocker Bob Mould which made me think about the concept of excellence. Despite his age of 53, Bob,…
Read the StoryLittle by little the German specialty of smoking beers is becoming increasingly popular to brewers here in the States as they more often than not are bottling these beers for…
Read the StoryIt feels like yesterday we were previewing the opening of Lakeview’s DryHop Brewers and chatting with Proprietor, Greg Shuff. Flash forward to this month when DryHop celebrates its 1st anniversary….
Read the StoryWine Enthusiast Magazine is sponsoring what appears to be a terrific event, the Red and White Bash, which will be occurring on June 19th at Architectural Artifacts, Inc.’s location on…
Read the StoryDryHop Brewers, whom we at Foodies love and cannot laud enough, is celebrating the first-year anniversary of their public opening. Other events that you will be able to attend includes…
Read the StoryCOUNTRY: BRAZIL REGION: RIO GRANDE DO SUL PRODUCER: VINÍCOLA SALTON S.A DENOMINATION: DISTRITO DE TUIUTY YEAR: 2012 VARIETAL: Pinot Noir ABV: 14.5% NOSE : Lightly fresh herbaceous, fresh wet soil…
Read the StoryOpening this week, Elle on the River is the offshoot of Chef Tim Graham’s Travelle. Weather permitting, a very reasonable, stripped down menu of four “Mediterranean tacos” is served on…
Read the StoryAs we told you last week, it’s farmers market season as booths open around the city. And while you may be looking forward to snagging some vegetables for a spring…
Read the StoryDid this week’s book review convince you to grab a few ingredients for your bar on your next trip to the farmers market? If you’re still holding out, maybe today’s…
Read the StoryGreatness starts with attitude. Living proof of this maxim is forged in DryHop Brewers. My very first sip, several years ago, of their then-unnamed Shark Meets Hipster wheat IPA foretold…
Read the StoryEach year the month of May brings to Chicago a mixture of tumult and bliss. The weather oscillates between, on the one hand, violent storms that usher in cold, rainy…
Read the StoryMost of you who read my posts are well acquainted with my love affair with beer. But I’m a serious wine lover as well, and my wine interest can be…
Read the StoryWhiskyFest – the annual event put on by Whisky Advocate Magazine which celebrated its 15th year this past Friday– has grown to positively gigantic proportions. It is a place to…
Read the StoryMaybe there’s something about Indiana but they are home to some world class breweries. You’ll be hearing plenty about the upcoming Dark Lord Day at Three Floyds in Munster. We…
Read the StoryGreetings, beer lovers. There will be more to come on in this event in the coming days and weeks, but Chicago Craft Beer Week 2014 is nearly upon us. The…
Read the StoryAlthough I am no stranger to the endless quest for hops, even I have to admit that the beer-bittering industry has gotten out of control. It is now common for…
Read the StoryMhairi Voelsgen didn’t realize what she was offering. She and her broVo Spirits partner, Erin Brophy, had just created a $25,000 flop, – a rhubarb liqueur that didn’t taste a…
Read the StoryAlthough the event will occur on April Fools’ Day, this is no joke, beer friends. Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden is hosting a very special event on April 1, 2014,…
Read the StoryA tutorial on the history of Irish whiskey is all well and good, but let’s get to the fun part: drinking. With the category growing over 20% per year for…
Read the StoryWith St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, it’s time for an Irish whiskey refresher. Check back tomorrow for some Chicago Foodie bottle recommendations, but first here’s a Q&A on the…
Read the StoryBetween hops, sours, saisons, stouts and the myriad styles of craft beer a little knowledge goes a long way. Not only when you’re appreciating them but surely when you’re learning…
Read the StoryOur new wine writer, Sommelier Luis Betancur, kicks things off with Meritxell Pallejà Nita. Who else could describe a finish with quartz. Welcome Luis! COUNTRY: Spain/Catalonia REGION: Gratallops, Terragona PRODUCER:…
Read the StoryIf Champagne is the festive beverage of note, rosé is the romantic version. So it makes logical sense that Valentine’s Day is a good occasion for a bit of the…
Read the StoryQuality oyster bars aren’t exactly easy to come by in Chicago. There’s GT Fish & Oyster and…well, can you think of anywhere else? The Loop isn’t exactly short of places…
Read the StoryThe 2011 Bridlewood Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is a good example of a Cab that’s perfect for this time of year. It’s big, jammy and has a heavy hand…
Read the Story“We’re here because we love wine. Period.” It’s a simple sign-off, tossed out after exchanging thank-yous for an afternoon of chatting, but I come back to it later realizing it…
Read the StorySo here comes Black Friday. It’s the season when the un-showered and red-eyed, languish at big box retailers waiting for deals on mid to low-end consumer goods. I can dig…
Read the StoryI love fall as it transitions into winter. If I only had a fireplace my stereotypical evening would be complete. If there is a season to drink the hard stuff…
Read the StoryWhat’s better than listening to a producer talk about why they love their product? Listening to Chef Rick Bayless talk about why he loves it! Herradura tequila has long been…
Read the StoryThere are more than 100 distilleries in Scotland, not to mention the plethora of blending houses and brands within. Keeping them straight can be tough, and it’s hard not to…
Read the StoryFor me, it was a 2005 Savagnin Vin Jaune from Domaine de Montbourgeau served with turtle consommé, the second course of what would later become one of the most memorable…
Read the StoryWhoa! It’s already been a year, but Craft Spirits Week Chicago is back for a second installment. The world of independent distilleries is growing faster than ever and this is…
Read the StoryI’ve been a big fan of horchata from the first time I came across it, a decade ago in Guadalajara, where I passed on it thinking it was dairy and…
Read the StoryBig Star is home base for a very special bourbon barrel with more mileage on it than the Brave Little Toaster. For their latest beverage innovation, the boisterous bar decided…
Read the StoryWhen it comes to drinking, there are rarefied temples to high class and dive bar dens, but the sweet spot often lies in a blend of both. And perhaps nobody…
Read the StoryNicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz of Milwaukee’s Bittercube have had a couple busy months. The duo released a new limited-edition bitters style called Door County Hops and worked to open two…
Read the StoryJust a few years ago, if you went looking for cocktail bitters at your local liquor store you might have found classic Angostura and perhaps Peychaud’s. Today, though, bitters are…
Read the StoryCourtesy of the good folks at River North Beer Distributors, I was invited to attend an open house at the new Off Color brewery. Off Color’s brewers, namely, former Goose…
Read the StoryBeer menu. My boyfriend. Beer menu. My boyfriend. Glancing back and forth, I’m hoping for a tad bit of direction. For a little nudge without being given away as the…
Read the StoryIn the 21st century, shoppers have become more savvy and are more aware of what they buy – and who they support by buying – than ever before. We live…
Read the StoryLogan Square has a penchant for PBR, but that’s about to change when The Radler opens later this summer. A large part of the forthcoming Bavarian beer hall is the…
Read the StoryI am a fan of the unusual, but – let’s face it – most vodka is utterly and unflinchingly usual. Distilled to be odorless, colorless and flavorless, the majority of…
Read the StoryThe buzz surrounding the opening of Lakeview brewpub, DryHop Brewers, has been building exponentially over the past few weeks. If you’re like me, you’ve probably walked by the space at…
Read the StoryThings are getting meatier at Hopleaf, Chicago’s premier Belgian beer bar. With the recent addition of an in-house butcher, Andrea Deibler, the Andersonville haunt has taken to working with whole…
Read the StoryI was recently at a Scotch tasting event. The Scotches (from Highland Park) were very good, indeed. But what really blew my mind was a very odd pairing: Scotch with…
Read the StoryIn an earlier post, I highlighted a few events that should help you get the most out of Chicago Craft Beer Week. If you are interested in trying rare beers,…
Read the StoryThe word is out that Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013 is finally here! Chicago Foodies has already provided you with an event overview and the most pertinent links. With 250…
Read the StoryThe 2013 Chicago Craft Beer Week kicks off on Thursday, May 16th and is actually a 1 1/2 week-long celebration of Chicagoland craft breweries and brewers. If you’re unfamiliar with…
Read the StoryAll of our Whisky Week coverage was leading up to this past Friday’s main event, WhiskyFest. As the city’s largest gathering of whisky producers, ambassadors, and aficionados, there were nearly…
Read the StoryOur Saturday cocktail is a celebratory one. Nearly lost to the ravages of time, the reincarnated Seelbach is an elegant bourbon-based cocktail, topped with Champagne. Admittedly, that sounds like an…
Read the StoryThe Trader Joe’s in the South Loop has begun to sell hard liquor. The selection is not very deep, but it is interesting and pulls together classic stock like Stoli,…
Read the StoryFor Thursday’s Whiskey Week drink, we bring you the Boulevardier, another cocktail that is sophisticated, delicious and completely simple to make. You’d think with the popularity of the Negroni cocktail…
Read the StoryA simple glass of Scotch neat or on the rocks is a beautiful, beautiful thing full of complexity and subtlety, so why go mucking up the good stuff by putting…
Read the StoryIf you’re a fan of big beers, namely, the heavier varieties with large ABV’s, such as porters, stouts, barleywines, and those with alcohol volumes that touch double-digits, then there is…
Read the StoryWhen I debuted the Wry Pamplemousse, the reaction was universal. This was it. Spring? Check. Midwestern? Check. Crowd-pleasing? Check. Delicious? Double check. Two good friends had commissioned me to make a cocktail…
Read the StoryFor the second day of Whiskey Week, we bring you a lesser-known but equally delicious classic, The Blinker. This refreshing cocktail combines rye whiskey and grapefruit juice for a bitter…
Read the StoryWhat does it mean to be a black sheep? To refuse to conform? To peddle inebrients? To drop academic careers and begin a new life making spirits in a city…
Read the StoryPerhaps the most classic riff on the ever-riffable old-fashioned, the pink-hued Sazerac is amazingly complex tasting for its small list of ingredients. Although the first printed recipe didn’t appear until…
Read the StoryMaybe you think of whisky as a winter exclusive, but consider pouring yourself one more hearty dram before the tulips come up… it’s time for Whisky Week in Chicago! This…
Read the StoryI recently had the chance to sit down with Proprietor of DryHop Brewers, Greg Shuff. If you’re not familiar with DryHop, that’s probably because their brewpub has yet to open!…
Read the StoryRecently, I had the pleasure of attending emerging brewer DryHop Brewers’ pre-opening party, which occurred at the site of their soon-to-be open Lakeview brewpub. Behind a Violet-Hour-esque plywood storefront, with a…
Read the StoryGreetings, beer lovers. I recently visited Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend the release party for the 2013 installment of their legendary Kentucky Breakfast Stout. This year, Founders…
Read the StoryRyan Schuster begins our meeting with the comment, “My uncle’s a crazy man.” He means it neither as an insult nor a cop-out, but more of a point of pride……
Read the StorySo, why do I like writing about beer? There are many reasons, but the bottom line is that the world of beer is nothing short of fun. In the beer…
Read the StoryHow do you like them apples? If cider is to be your poison for the evening and you desire one that’s a bit out of the ordinary (and if you…
Read the StoryI just finished watching the Showtime series, The Tudors, on Netflix. I finished the very last episode of the heavily stylized drama loosely tracking the life and times of monarch…
Read the StoryThe origins of the hot toddy are murky, but like all good cocktail and spirit stories, it was at one point considered medicine. (And in some circles — my own…
Read the StoryInitially this season was to include a blind tasting of bubbly. We’re putting that on hiatus, waiting for a few more entrants, and wondering if it might become a reader…
Read the StoryIt goes almost without saying that today’s best chefs and bartenders cook and mix seasonally. Food and drink which exist within a context have the power to complement their surroundings…
Read the StoryWith the world ending on 12/21, there can’t be a better time to walk down memory lane. I can recall first trying Stone’s Enjoy By 9.21.12 at Maria’s Packaged Goods…
Read the StoryYou’ve probably been inundated all month with the usual Thanksgiving litany of articles: the tastiest turkey recipes, the most in vogue wines, and this year’s best vegan turducken substitute, the…
Read the StoryAutumn means weather forecasts that include the word “brisk” and digging out that hoodie from the back of the closet, but it also means the return of the fall cocktail….
Read the StoryFragrance is a huge part of flavor and the way we taste. Considering the importance it plays in nearly every aspect of the way we eat and drink, it’s surprising…
Read the StoryI noticed that we had a bottle of Yellow Tail Shiraz/Cab just as we were finishing the Scribbler. I thought that it might be fun to see how cloying and…
Read the StoryIn case you haven’t noticed, the craft spirits scene is booming in Chicago. Like, big time. It began in 2004 with Lake Bluff’s North Shore Distillery, was followed up by…
Read the StoryMost beer, even the rarest and highest quality, generally tends to be less expensive than wine. A good six-pack often costs anwhere between $7 and $12, and if I’m in…
Read the StoryIPA’s are like stories. I love them but everybody’s got one, and not enough folks are all that good at crafting them. A good story that’s brewing in Chicago is…
Read the StoryI read about structured vodka online a few weeks ago. It sounded good…a reknowned homeopathic scientist, Valery Sorokin, has determined a way to build vodka where the alcohol is surrounded…
Read the StoryI was listening to an excellent ’60s and ’70s Brazilian band called Os Mutantes, and since Brazilians speak Portugese (and also because Portugese wines are cheap), I somehow started thinking…
Read the StoryAt under $10 a bottle, Mark West Pinot Noir is an affordable way to access a varietal from the appellation of “California”. While I love to argue about Willamette vs….
Read the StoryDrink creation is a highly personal process and I love seeing how other bartenders approach it. I don’t really know if it speaks to some deeper psychology, but the little…
Read the StoryThere is a style of oolong tea that — as the story goes — was carefully picked by trained monkeys. The leaves of the wild tea were delicate, the trees…
Read the StoryChange is a difficult process for us. Sometimes you have to keep telling yourself and others that you are something that you’re not until you start to believe it and,…
Read the StoryMany of us have had sherry before…perhaps a super-sweet cream sherry or a super-sour dry sherry, perhaps as a result of the bottle being open too long. Fino sherry is…
Read the StoryFor a hot summer the British, while occupying India, came up with this adjustment of the Gin and Tonic. It’s easy and tasty and you can drink them all-day-long and…
Read the StoryI remember drinking Thunderbird in college. We called it “Dundabud”, in homage to sugary-wine-addled ne’er-do-wells that would kill a bottle, or more, in a sitting – or staggering. That’s when…
Read the StoryBrent Engel laments the ethos characterizing some of today’s small distillers that craft immediately implies better, and that better must mean expensive. “Some people wield their product as a moral tool. They…
Read the StoryOne of the more talked about beers of late has been Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing’s Saison-Brett, their saison farmhouse ale brewed with that dangerous wild yeast, Brettanomyces. This potentially uncontrollable…
Read the StorySome savory French dishes call for a sauce known as a gastrique that is made from caramelized sugar, vinegar and herbs or fruit. It’s easy to imagine how a drizzle…
Read the StoryIn surprising — yet not unwelcome – news, Charles Joly has been tapped to take over for Craig Schoettler at The Aviary after Schoettler’s unexpected exit earlier this month. Joly…
Read the StoryWith cocktails back in vogue, bartending classes are popping up all over. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t worth the time (or the dime). It’s a very different case, however, when…
Read the StoryToday is National Bourbon Day. I don’t know who really establishes these things, but when spirits are involved, let’s not waste time investigating. Bourbon is one of America’s quintessential original…
Read the StoryHumans are particularly sensitive to bitter tastes; it’s part of our evolution. Many of nature’s poisons are bitter, so those cavemen ancestors who winced and spit got to live another…
Read the StoryChicago Foodies is happy to partner with Schubas to bring you something new from Goose Island – At Schuba’s Harmony Grill June 13th. You’ll have to endure 4 courses from…
Read the StorySummer drinking calls for a light touch. Just as the argyle sweaters go to the back of the closet, the peaty Scotches and Irish coffees that kept us warm in…
Read the StoryChicago Craft Beer Week 2012 has treated me quite well as I’ve gotten to try some stunning offerings from local and out-of-town brewers. There have been quite a few high…
Read the StoryChicago Craft Beer Week closes tomorrow but there are still a few highlights left, one being Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout at The Map Room Sunday afternoon. It’s going to be…
Read the StoryThe craft beer market in Chicago has simply exploded. Local breweries are popping up like dandelions on your lawn in the springtime. Out of town craft brews have staged a…
Read the StoryA mint margarita? Sounds gross… or does it? There are tons of mint drinks out there that might be more out of an episode of Mad Men than a dusty…
Read the StoryWith Cinco de Mayo clashing with the Kentucky Derby this weekend we see an opportunity to do a couple of cocktail mashups. The first up is the Cinco de Mayo…
Read the StoryI'd had a Milwaukee weekend trip planned for months, but it wasn't until a few days before I left that I realized my timing coincided with the kick-off to Milwaukee…
Read the StoryCraft beers are really different, tasty and many times pretty high in alcohol and for that matter calories. A 12oz bottle of Sam Adams Imperial Stout has 308 calories. A…
Read the StoryLanguedoc produces more wines than any region of France, most of which is produced for the domestic market, and its region covers more than 725,000 acres with thirty appellations. Historically…
Read the StoryDomaine Weinbach is one of the great producers in Alsace. Like many wineries in France, the estate was once run by monks, in this case Capuchins, having been founded in 1612….
Read the StoryI was thinking about what weird ham tricks to bust out on my unsuspecting sister-in-law and then got bogged down with the fact that I could only find fully-cooked ham….
Read the StoryIsraeli wines have a hurdle to overcome. Everyone thinks Israeli = Kosher and that means Manischewitz… syrupy fruit flavored Kiddish wines. I can't wait for Kiddish wine to become a…
Read the StoryNero d'Avola is a wonderful grape from Sicily. Those who have had it would probably describe it as an easy-to-drink wine, it has bright fruit, deep color and soft tannins,…
Read the StoryI first tried this beer in 2011 and foolishly dismissed it. It’s a thin, 4.7% IPA that, so I thought, lacks the complexity of Founders other hoppy offerings, such as…
Read the StoryIn an unprecedented move, the French wine commission has granted Traverse City, Michigan AOC status. This allows for wines from that region to sell at a premium across the world….
Read the StoryI bought this wine at the old Sam's in Lincoln Park probably about three or four years ago, and at the time I had little awareness of what was in…
Read the StorySome of the New World Pinot Noirs can be tough for me to drink, as they are often masquerading as Cabernet Sauvignons and are almost unrecognizable as grapes. Others tend…
Read the StoryI was invited to a wine dinner held at Mon Ami Gabi with winemaker Claude Gaudin and importer Michael Corso. Claude Gaugin, accompanied by his wife, has been in the…
Read the StoryOne of the hidden treasures of French wine comes from the area of Savoie. Nestled near the French Alps, Savoy (Savoie in French) wines are racy and lively, exciting,…
Read the StoryIn an earlier post I covered the reds of Bouchard Père, but there were also some fantastic whites on the list. I started with the Meursault Les Clous Village wine. …
Read the StoryI went with Philip Andre of Oceanique to the 2010 pre-sale tasting of Bouchard Père et Fils and Domaine William Fèvre to sample some great Burgundies, an event sponsored by…
Read the StoryThose who know me well find that I don't write a lot about Napa. Sometimes I guess I've been disappointed, but it's good for me to get out of my…
Read the StoryNow that temperatures have broken 80 degrees, it's time to turn off that oven and break out the salads. While roasting vegetables does bring out a ton of unique flavors,…
Read the StoryI was recently invited by Philip Andre the sommellier of Oceanique to come to a wine tasting at the Metropolitan Club, held by Albert Bichot, one of the larger producers…
Read the StoryOn March 14, Eric Solomon / European Cellars showcased its lineup of wines throughout mostly France and Spain, with a few eastern European entrants. What I loved about this…
Read the StoryThe 4-year vertical is SOLD OUT! There are still openings for 3-years of one of the most wonderful and tough to get stouts in the world- 2010, 2011, 2012. Tomorrow…
Read the StoryOn Monday earlier this week there was a chance to sample various wines from Rioja, sponsored by Vibrant Rioja. I view Rioja fondly as my gateway drug into Old World…
Read the StoryI'm a fan of Hugel's wines and have posted on their higher-end Jubilee as well as the entry level "Gentil" before. I talked a bit about Hugel's influence on…
Read the StoryTemperatures are in the 60s, and suddenly your chocolate stout or big, bold Cab doesn't feel like such an appropriate choice. Curiously, two Chicago restaurants are ahead of this warm…
Read the StoryFounders Curmudgeon's Better Half is styled as the "better half" of Old Curmudgeon, their Old Ale. The marriage occurred when Old Curmudgeon took nuptials with a bourbon barrel and they…
Read the StoryWines of Eastern Europe are starting to become discovered by the rest of the world, but their presence is still a mere trickle in the world market, often consumed by…
Read the StoryI was invited by Philip Andre of Oceanique to meet Jeanne-Marie de Champs, president of Domaine et Saveurs collections at La Sardine restaurant in the West Loop and sponsored by Fine…
Read the StoryWhen it comes to sampling wine, I relish the opportunity to sample fine Burgundy. Elegant and complex, to me there is no place in the world that can produce Pinot…
Read the StoryWednesday February 22nd at 6:30 is your chance to see 3 of Chicago's finest food trucks flex their culinary muscle at The Green Lady on Lincoln for Chicago Foodies…
Read the StoryThere are both surprises and yawns in the blog update from Three Floyds that outlines the details of the annual Ren-Faire-come-beer-geek-meetup called Dark Lord Day. First, the unsurprising news: The…
Read the StoryHere's a quick cocktail recipe from VOGA, a sparkling pinot grigio. If you're a fan of St. Germain, you already get the potential cocktail value that white wine can bring….
Read the StoryLast week the editor-in-chief of Chicago Foodies and I met Philip André, the wine director of Oceanique, an intimate French-American seafood restaurant situated in the city center of Evanston that…
Read the StoryThink your are going to spend the night of Valentine's Day sad and alone, or at one of those "I'm not bitter. No really" Screw Cupid bar events drinking $2…
Read the StoryThis past weekend, friends and I made a pilgrimmage to Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What happened between myself and a certain beer in the pub is probably best…
Read the StoryAlways an inviting spot for a beer event, Northdown Cafe and Taproom is having Half Acre Brewery Night Tuesday the 31st at 6:00pm. Before getting to that, note that I…
Read the StoryWhy that name, I have no clue. That's Three Floyds for you. And thanks to Northdown Cafe, which continues to deliver the freshest selection of unusual, unique, rare, and interesting…
Read the StoryBottlenotes is known for hosting their "Around the World in 80 Sips" wine tasting. This time though it's "Around Australia in 80 Sips". Take a look at the site. Over…
Read the StoryWhether you're more interested in food or beer, chances are you have a pretty hearty appetite for the other as well. This explains much of the anticipation each year for…
Read the StoryScoring Canadian wine in the United States is much harder than finding drugs, ice wine excepted. Wine in Canada is relegated to domestic consumption, and most wine produced is in…
Read the StoryWinter hasn't been that tough on us yet but don't take that to mean there isn't trouble ahead. You could be experiencing the winter blahs before you know it if…
Read the StoryFor the wine and restaurant-obsessed, 'sommelier' probably ranks near the top of the list of cool dream jobs. Sampling, analyzing, learning about wine (and getting paid to do it) doesn't…
Read the Storyhow to get your homework done It's been just a bit over a month since sommelier and Check Please! host Alpana Singh announced that she would how to get your…
Read the StoryNo nonsense. I'm a fan of it. So, I'm a huge sports fan and enjoy listening to Mike Francesa's show on WFAN out of New York which I can get…
Read the StoryIf good red Burgundy weren't so damn expensive, I'd drink more. Sure, you can get $15 Burgundy, and it makes for a nice table wine, though you have to appreciate…
Read the StoryI have returned from a visit to my beloved Big Apple with a report on a beer whose parent restaurant is far more interesting than the beer itself. I'm talking…
Read the StoryFor those of you who’ve visited White Castle in the wee hours of the morning, or even the middle of the day for that matter, feel free to have fun…
Read the StoryOh, Aunt Maggie's making Christmas morning mimosas….again? Nothing against the tried-and-true line-up of holiday cocktails (Tom and Jerry, anyone?), but because most people have a few days off this week,…
Read the StoryThis is time of year when people who aren’t usually looking for bubbly break character and spring for a bottle for a party, a gift or simply as an excuse…
Read the StoryI picked up this bottle a while back and had it sit on the wine rack, followed by an extended time in my refrigerator. I finally decided to pair it…
Read the StoryIt is being referred to as "biblical." Maybe so. Under any moniker, The Local Option in Chicago is having its final beer event of the year, featuring some rock solid…
Read the StoryI was thinking about how to organize my list of Christmas/holiday beers to try while I was still fuming. Last Sunday, Tim Tebow's team, the Broncos, beat my Chicago Bears…
Read the StoryDoes it exist? You tell me. It's not listed on their website. I'm not talking about Area 51, Smoking Man, the black cancer, or the Trilateral Commission. I'm talking about…
Read the StoryIf you have a desire to get your seasonal & spiced beer on this time of year, Thursday night at Sheffield's is a pretty good chance to do so with…
Read the StoryI'm having home made moussaka for dinner and was trying to figure out what beer would pair with the sweet and creamy-spicy eggplant-potato casserole. I have a nice stockpile of…
Read the StoryStarbucks started with coffee. Then they introduced the world to Frappuccinos. Then came free wi-fi. Then the world met the autumnal force of nature known as the Pumpkin Spice Latte…
Read the StoryOn my day off from working at Owen & Engine, I decide to stop by to try the Nethergate’s cask-conditioned beer that is imported from Suffolk, England, and selling by…
Read the StoryJosmeyer is one of my favorite wine producers from Alsace. Never on the big or showy side, it produces steely, concentrated, and well-balanced wines without much residual sweetness or generous…
Read the StoryHere's a great opportunity to win a pair of tickets to Pinot Days this Saturday! Simply fill out our Facebook poll letting us know which region makes your favorite Pinot!…
Read the StoryDo you prefer Pinot from Oregon or from California? What about New Zealand or simply an old school Burgundy? November 12th at Navy Pier is the perfect time to understand…
Read the StoryI posted earlier about the Ribeiro, a region bordering Portugal and a sleeper in the world of Spanish wine. Some of it is very well made and impressive, while…
Read the StoryFrom time to time I like to be on the lookout for obscure wine varietals and look for a big score. I was walking down Webster and bumped into wine…
Read the StoryLast week I had the privilege to talk with Jim Koch, the founder of Sam Adams, about their new "Brewing the American Dream" effort as well as what constitutes craft…
Read the StoryOn Wednesday this last week, Hennessy had a release party for their new, limited-edition, bottle designed by artist KAWS at Blackbird restaurant. Eager to learn more about Hennessy, I jumped…
Read the StoryPenninsula Hotel Wine Director, Michael Muser has picked a great time of year to host Anne Trimbach. A cool crisp pre-autumn day is the season for Alsatian wine. On Tuesday…
Read the StoryIt's now streaming online. Cool to see the people involved from Dogfish Head to New Century and the risks they take.
Read the StoryIt's funny… "One More Cup of Coffee" is playing on Pandora as I type this… (Stripes version) A guy named Jonathan Stark posted live access to his Starbuck's coffee card. …
Read the StoryTo me wine from Michigan sounds as exotic as something from a place such as Moldova or Georgia. Hard to find, yet so close to Chicago, and moreover, it’s a…
Read the StoryI discovered this wine for $13.99 in a small shop from the town of Lake Mills, Wisconsin called The Wine Vineyard. At first taste I wasn’t in love with…
Read the StoryThe Tribune reported a couple days ago that Anheuser Busch, owners of Goose Island, have started filing trademarks for area codes in other cities ala 312 Urban Wheat including: `"704"…
Read the StoryOn June 30, a nice little wine event at Que Syrah was co-hosted by Roy Cloud of Vintage ’59 Imports and Teresa Matchett of Expedition Wines & Spirits, a local…
Read the StoryKafka is a nice little wine shop in the East Lakeview neighborhood, a few blocks from my house. I knew Joe Kafka by face more so than by name, though…
Read the StoryThe editor and founder of Chicago Foodies, Josh Brusin, was kind enough to give me a bottle of Viento Grüner Veltliner, freshly flown in from the Evergreen State (Washington, that…
Read the StoryPerhaps it’s my lack of Spanish language knowledge, but I honestly thought that this was a Ribera Del Duero wine tasting until after I got in the door, expecting some…
Read the StoryChampagne pairs wonderfully with a long list of things. From fried chicken to sushi to oysters, this classic bubbly tends to pair with a wide range of things, though care…
Read the StoryRyan LaRoche, chef of NoMI, located in the Park Hyatt on the Magnificent Mile, will be serving up Glenmorangie Single Malt scotch pairings at the Scotch and Bowties benefit, held…
Read the StoryNot safe for work, but awfully funny…
Read the StoryChicago has more and more great food events. Some are worth every penny they charge, others go to worthy causes, whereas a few of the high-profile events fall far short…
Read the StoryAbove the radar and in business since 2008, I almost thought there may be nothing to cover by paying a visit. On the contrary, there was so much this little…
Read the StoryTressallier is an unusual grape in France, one that I had not heard from also known as Sacy (equally unusual), allegedly a cross between Gouais Blanc and a Pinot (apparently…
Read the StoryFrom the Piedmont region, Barbera is one of those grapes that stays just above the radar to be widely accessible, but perhaps doesn’t get the praise that other grapes such…
Read the StoryOn Wednesday the 11th there was a launch of Belvedere Bloody Mary, held at the Mercat a la Planxa in the Blackstone Hotel in the South Loop. A main attraction…
Read the StoryThis is one of those wines that I’ve been eyeing up for quite some time, but I’ve never gotten around to actually buying a bottle. Even then it took some…
Read the StoryI cringe when I go inside a wine shop and I’m looking around for a certain type of wine. The owner or clerk then picks a bottle off the…
Read the StoryIn a noble gesture of putting underutilized parts of town to use, it is interesting, but with a lack of hills and history, will this work? http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0421-confidential-lavicka-20110421,0,4091986.column –Brian Ziegler
Read the StoryWhile it’s very hard to find here in Chicago, but of good quality and a short ride away, Michigan wines have recently been surprising me. Far from the wineries advertised…
Read the StoryOn April 13 we attended a Tuthilltown Distillery-sponsored whiskey tasting and food pairing at Bangers & Lace in Noble Square. Gable Erenzo, the distiller and brand ambassador, as well as an…
Read the StoryThere are wines to drink on their own, and wines to drink with food. This wine is clearly in the latter category, and it paired very well with a pizza…
Read the StoryI’ve been dying, somewhat irrationally, to have a Michigan wine tasting. The Midwest, with its high summer temperatures and limestone soils, seems like an underrated place to grow wine. As…
Read the StoryI’ve become a fan of Two Brothers’ beers as of late. I like their beers for the opposite reason that others like other breweries. Two Brothers tends to focus more…
Read the StoryI find that fine-quality older Rieslings, which are difficult to find, sit on the shelves of wine shops untouched for many years. Their loss and my gain, as far…
Read the StoryA while back, Chicago Foodies was invited to a wine and oyster pairing event at Shaw’s Crab House and Oyster Bar, a fitting place to become more educated about different…
Read the StoryRecently Brian Ziegler, the Chicago Foodies Wine Editor, decided to interview Craig Perman, proprietor of West Loop merchant Perman Wine Selections, 802 W. Washington, and get some insight into consumer…
Read the StoryRegular readers may find this familiar, but I’ve been vowing for quite some time to drink wine from more New World producers, but for me it’s difficult to do, partially…
Read the StoryThe increasing number of eastern European wines makes it an exciting time to explore and dive into something that Americans seldom explore: the vast number of native varietals, the breadth…
Read the StoryOn Saturday, March 19th, tickets went on sale for $12 a piece for Dark Lord Day, the release of the Dark Lord Imperial Stout beer at Three Floyds Brewery in Munster,…
Read the StoryThroughout town yesterday many importers were eager to show off their new releases to retailers and restaurateurs. We started out at the Elysian, which hosted an event sponsored by Cream…
Read the StoryRecently I have had to resort to drinking wine mainly by the half-bottle, forcing me to try wines that I may not otherwise seek out. As a general rule,…
Read the StoryI had a half bottle sitting around the house, something I wish more producers would make more widely available to consumers. Half bottles are perfect for the occasional dinner for…
Read the StoryIndian Pale Ales are often hard to find in the winter since their oft-citrusy hop profile and relatively lean bodies comport well with summer drinking. Fortunately, several breweries buck the…
Read the StoryI was browsing around Pastoral Artisan Cellars’ North Broadway location, and I remembered some earlier postings in Chicago Foodies regarding the arrival of Smuttynose, so when I saw some Robust Porter…
Read the StoryThanks to fellow Chicago Foodies writer Mark Sheppard I last year was introduced to Bell’s 9000 at Sheffield’s bar in a rather small snifter, a dark, rich complex mass of many different…
Read the StoryFrom a purely intellectual standpoint, I find the sheer variety of Italian wines to be more interesting than French wines. Don’t get me wrong: I love French wines as evidence of…
Read the StoryThe benefit of lower exchange rates in the early part of the millennium means much more affordable wines. Additionally, a buying public not wanting to buy older whites at the cusp…
Read the StoryThe real draw of buying August Ziegler wine, to be honest, was my last name, something that to me gives instant credibility. From the town of Gimmeldingen in the Palatinate…
Read the StoryI scored a 2006 Chateau Soucherie Anjou at Binny’s (Sam’s old stock I guess). It’s a pretty nice and even-flavored Chenin Blanc from Anjou (French appellation). Like Vouvray, the bottle…
Read the StorySome people pronounce it La-Cwah but let’s be honest it could just as easily be pronounced like St. Croix… either way La Croix has a wonderful grapefruit flavor with an…
Read the Story
A Tasting of Smoked Beers
DryHop’s 1st Anniversary
Salton Vinicola – Brazilian Pinot Noir
Market-Inspired Cocktail Book Roundup
A Chat with Bridget Albert
Pinot Days 2014 at Navy Pier
WhiskeyFest Chicago 2014
Upland’s World-Class Sours
broVo Spirits Amaro Project
KBS @Sheffield’s–No April Fools!