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 Robert Battista.
Each month, we share a beer that we think you oughta pick up. We’ve been working with a local bottle shop to select a beer that’s seasonably appropriate, accessible, not too harsh on the wallet, and might even impress your friends.
While Spring is figuring if it’s going to happen, THR’s April BOTM is
Brought to us by Bottles & Cans
The husband and wife team of Ben and Amanda Rossi are the core at Only Child Brewing. Since their inception, they’ve been loading up their car with bombers and hand delivering them around town. This ensures beer drinkers across the city are getting the freshest beer possible. As of last week, bombers were your only option. Now, fresh Only Child beer is hitting local shelves in a more easily consumable 4-pack format. That was all we needed to hear to make this our next BOTM.
Take a look at the specs:
- Only Child Brewing (Northbrook, IL)
- Style: IPA
- ABV: 6.8%
- Price: $11.99 (4-pack)
You can pick up Only Child Brewing Playtime’s Over yourself at Bottles & Cans (4109 N. Lincoln Ave.) in Northcenter. If ya get to Bottles & Cans, ask for other recommendations from owners Joe and Carly or any of the other knowledgeable staff on hand. And tell ’em we say hey!
THR Thoughts…
They weren’t kidding when the said they deliver fresh beer. Our 4-pack carrier was proudly displaying a packaged on date of 3/23/15. That means our beer was less than a week old when we cracked it open. For an IPA, freshness is king and that played right into this beers strong suit. Packed with Simcoe, Mosaic and Chinook hops, this IPA has tons of tropical fruit aromas mixed with some spicy and piney notes as well. The appearance is slightly darker than expected but with its orangey amber hue and fluffy white cap of frothy foam, this is a beautiful beer to look at. As this one sloshes around the mouth you get more of the resiney and spicy notes that were present in the aroma and the tropical fruits take a back seat. This one finishes crisp and clean and it makes going back for another sip a no brainer. Overall this is a great beer and we’re excited to see more of the Only Child lineup rollout in 4-packs.
