This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Tom White.
In this week’s Hoplinks, a local coffee shop has a new owner, the insanity that is the BCBS release gets detailed, a brewery bottles a beer, bars are once again ranked, a third coast brewery opens, and Guinness is going vegan. Let us know what else we missed in the comments below!
CHICAGO, IL – While not directly beer related, the buyout of Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee by California based Peet’s Coffee might have a ripple effect through the craft industry. Collaborators with some of the best coffee brewers to come out of this city (think Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout), we’ll see if they continue this effort under their new overlords. [Eater Chicago]
LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO – Speaking of Goose Island, Binny’s has announced details for the ridiculousness that is the BCBS Black Friday release at their Lincoln Park location. The event kicks off at 9 AM but you’d better be in there well before as lines will start forming the day before, if they’re not there already. Get their early for the “special perks” including GI gift bags, coffee, donuts, giveaways, and the chance to purchase BCBS variants from years past. [The Binny’s Blog]
LOGAN SQUARE, CHICAGO – One of the Chicago’s newest breweries (and the latest to come out of the Ale Syndicate space, Around the Bend Beer Co. has started distributing bottles citywide. Previously available on tap only, the steampunk themed brewery hits store shelves with two brews: a spicy APA and a sessionable Kölsch. [THR Wire]
CHICAGO, IL – Another day, another list to get worked up about. This time, the top eight Chicago beer bars are ranked, as always according to one person’s opinion. Despite some notable exceptions (Maproom and Maria’s anyone?), these are all great visits. [Porch Drinking]
WHITEHALL, MI – Another Michigan brewery taproom opened recently, but Fetch Brewing Company on the state’s west coast has something unique to showcase. Built inside an old bank’s vault, the brewery has made a conscious effort to keep much of the building’s character, something sorely missing in many of the taproom’s opening of late. [FOX 17 News]
DUBLIN, IRELAND – In an effort to adjust to consumer’s ever changing preferences, Guinness will soon offer a vegan friendly version of their famous beer. Isinglass, long used as a clarification agent in many large scale beers, is obtained from dried fish bladders. The new method will be completely free of animal products. [Quartz]