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 Jack Muldowney.
In this week’s Hoplinks, a popular beer festival returns, more breweries set their eyes on Chicago (kinda), folks battle over beer names (again), pumpkin beers are in danger and one not-so-diplomatic country rallies the country around beer.
LAWNDALE, CHICAGO — BeerHoptacular, one of Chicago’s original craft beer festivals, will make its triumphant return on November 5th at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The sixth event in the long-running series will feature over 150 beers, live music, and a homebrew competition. Tickets start at $50 and are available now. [THR Wire]
LOOP, CHICAGO — Downtown Chicago’s massive food hall, Latinicity, is set to open an 80-seat beer hall this week, “Cerveceria.” Despite more than enough local brewery options, the new space will open its doors as a collaboration with Denver-based Crazy Mountain Brewery. Expect plenty of their western-themed beer names on draft and in package–see the menu, here. [Eater]
WEST LOOP, CHICAGO — Yet another case of trademark ‘opposition’ in the beer world. This time, Chicago’s own Haymarket Pub & Brewery has filed a complaint, against Brooklyn Brewery over the use of the beer name The Defender. Haymarket has used the name for it’s award winning stout since 2011, while Brooklyn has released their same-name IPA since 2012. The news comes just days after the New York brewery was in Chicago for it’s multi-day beer celebration, MASH. [Chicago Tribune]
CHICAGO/DETROIT — In case you missed it, Detroit outfit Atwater Brewery announced plans to open a Chicago outpost by 2018. Despite distribution in the Windy City since 2012, Atwater has failed to gain much traction. As a plan to help bolster the Michigan brand, they’ll aim to open a small taproom and 5- to 10-barrel system, making beers exclusive to Chicago. Further plans for the brewery’s growth include hopes to open in Austin, Boston and North Carolina by 2020. [Chicago Tribune]
MUNICH, GERMANY — Here in the US, we’re used to beer choices at airports being less than inspiring—with some exceptions of course. As you’d expect, Munich Airport is the first to have it’s own on-site brewery called Airbräu, and a new beer brewed following the strict Reinheitsgebot purity laws. Just one more reason to visit the Bavarian capital. [THR Wire]
USA — No matter your opinion on Pumpkin beers, we can all agree that July isn’t the time to be drinking them. However, brewers’ desires to get these beers made and out of the door early may be understandable when you hear of this year’s struggle for some to source the necessary pumpkin puree. [Draft Magazine]
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA — If you need any more evidence that craft beer is a global phenomenon, check out North Korea’s first beer festival. Somehow, a country accused of some of the worst human right violations in history has managed to host a 20-day beer festival. Whether or not your average North Korean citizen is invited (doubtful) is unknown. [Telegraph]
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Photograph of Airbräu’s Aircraft bottles provided by Munich Airport.