Metropolitan Brewing presents "A Summer Soaked in Beer"

Okay, not really. But there sure are a gazillion Metropolitan Brewing events between now and September. A beer-soaked summer, indeed. Sounds good to me!

July

• Dry-hopped Flywheel! OMFG. I can't wait to try this. And then there's the classic Two Brothers' Hop Juice. The deliciousness-level of this cask-conditioned Flywheel is unknown. But Doug is pretty damn good at what he does so I'm not too worried. Plus isn't experimenting one of the great things about brewing beer!?
• Monday, July 5, 6pm. Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose Ave
• Pop Malt Brewing Explosion! Holy cow! Its an explosion in your mouth! I got a taste of this malt liquor (over 8% abv if I remember correctly?) and mmm, mmm, mmm. High five to head brewer Davin! We'll be on hand with some Dynamo. And all beer is paired with different popcorn. And there's a souvenir glass. Because its all about collecting tasting glasses right? (Not.)
• Saturday, July 10, 1-5pm. Rock Bottom - Warrenville, 28256 Diehl Rd. Buy tickets online.
• AlphaBeer III! I'll be out of town for this event put together by the Local Tourist but, boy oh boy, it sounds awesome. I missed the first two. Major bummer. But that doesn't mean you should miss all the fun. And the beer. Lots of beer. (Which letter will we be??)
• Saturday, July 10, 2:30-5:30. Four Points Sheraton, 630 N Rush. Tickets/info here.
• Andersonville Green Week: Local Beer & Spirits Tour! Getting a little tipsy seems like a glorious way to celebrate eco-consciousness, don't you think? But seriously, show your support for eco-Andersonville by buying your tickets online in advance.
• Saturday and Sunday, July 17 & 18, 3-5:30pm. Starting at the brewery, 5121 N Ravenswood.
• Beer cocktails with North Shore Distillery! The folks at In Fine Spirits asked us to join them in July as part of a monthly local cocktail co-op event. We couldn't fathom passing up this opportunity to mix beer cocktails with our fave local craft distillers at one of the greatest bars in the 'hood. 
• Monday, July 19, 7-9pm. In Fine Spirits, 5420 N. Clark.
• Beer flights in Wicker Park! Smoke Daddy will be pouring flights of Metropolitan. A great way to taste all three and decide which you prefer with that tasty barbeque! Doug and I will be there to hang out and drink with fellow meatlovers. (Did I mention the sidewalk cafe?)
• Tuesday, July 20, 7-9pm. The Smoke Daddy, 1804 West Division Street
• GDI's invade Wrigleyville! It's true! I'm not sure what they plan on doing with us. Perhaps a simple pint night? Stay tuned but also stop in and say hello!
• Wednesday, July 21, 9-11pm. Merkle's, 3516 N.Clark
• Brewery Tours. 'Nuff said. Great for a simple weekend diversion, for out of towners or those looking for beer geek cred. And don't forget all the tasty samples that await! Buy merch online in advance and you can pick it up during your visit. Reservations recommended, drop-ins welcome.
• Friday, July 23, 6pm; Saturday, July 24, 1 & 3pm. Our brewery, 5121 N Ravenswood.
• Pinkies up, Steins down! I can say that because I grew up and worked in the North Shore of Chicago, surrounded by lots of raised pinkies, okay? But I digress. We'll be pouring samples in the East Elm business district of Winnetka. And my old employer is right around the corner, too, Awww memories. And now beer. Let's make new beery memories!
• Wednesday, July 28, 5-7pm. Winnetka Wine Shop, 726 Elm Street
• Deutschland uber Ales und Lagers! Gazuntite! Celebration of German beer, food & history presented by the Chicago Beer Society! You can bet it'll be a party. My German descendants settled in Chicago generations ago (when there was farmland in Evanston) AND its my birthday weekend AND I love German-inspired lagers. Sounds like a win-win!
• Saturday, July 31, 1-5pm. Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Ave. Buy tickets online.

August

• Great Taste of the Midwest! Popping my Great Taste cherry this year. I know its going to hurt, but hurt in the good way. Plus its in Madison, home of the Dugg. 
• Saturday, August 14, 1-6pm. Olin-Turville Park, Madison, WI. Mailorder tickets are sold out.
• Oak Park Microbrew Review! Hang out in downtown Oak Park, enjoy live music and lots of tasty craft beer. The event strives to be zero-waste and focus on "local food components" (I'll turn a blind eye to the TGI Fridays/Chilis that was there in 2009). This was a great drunk fest last year, here's hoping for another one.
• Saturday, August 15, 3-7pm (VIP event 1:30-3pm). Marion Street btw North Blvd & Lake. Buy tickets online.

September

• AleFest is September 11.
• Great Lakes Brew Fest is September 18.
• 3rd Annual Brew Not Bombs is September 19.
• 4th Annual FestivAle, benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is September 24.

Wow that list is way longer than I expected and will probably only grow!

Spread the word. Bring your friends. Enjoy craft beer. Support Metropolitan Brewing!

Related: 

Metropolitan Brewing Events google Calendar

GDI: God Damn Independent.

Boycott these beers! Local distributor up to no good!

Now for some bullsh*t: Chicago Beverage Systems (CBS) is a local distributor. And they have been up to no good. We're talking actions that disrupt the free market and take CHOICE away from the beer drinkers of Chicagoland. Pretty dirty tactics, possibly illegal tactics. This is not rare, but some things have surfaced recently and I do not agree.


What's wrong?

• Monetary incentives to "steal" tap handles from other distributors (rumored $200 "reward" to their reps)
• Contracts with local businesses to only serve CBS beers (with the Wit hotel including their rooftop lounge Roof and the ground floor restaurant State & Lake)

This is so bogus and when I'm out at the bar or in the store, I am personally choosing to boycott the CBS brands. Money talks in this business (obviously) and I refuse to support such disgusting business practices.


If you'd like to join me, please take note of the following CBS brands which include Miller-Coors products and several imports: Affligem, Amstel, Bohemia, Corona, Dos Equis, Fosters, Grolsch, Guinness, Hacker-Pschorr, Half Acre (see below), Hamm's, Harp, Harpoon, Heineken, Icehouse, Keystone, Killian's, Labatt, Leinies, Magic Hat, Magners, Mickeys, Modelo, Molson, New Belgium, Newcastle, Pacifico, Paulaner, Peak Organic, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Red Stripe, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Smithwicks, Sol, Spaten, St Pauli Girl, Strongbow, Tecate, Woodchuck, etc. (complete list here)

Of course, I will support Half Acre by cutting out the middleman and stopping by their taproom in North Center. 


If you respect the craft beer community and the distributors that DO say no to pay-to-play, I hope you'll help me in spreading the word!

(Note: I am not a rumor-spreader and I don't associate with such people, I would not go to the trouble of posting this had it not been confirmed. Of course, I welcome an open dialogue here too!)