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, two hyped breweries collab with one hyped band to create an ultra-hype beer, there’s finally news from Half Acre’s new spot, Wrigley visitors have a new craft option, macro beer might not be all bad, a former CEO discovers flying while drunk isn’t a good idea, and two breweries from surrounding states are set to expand.
LOGAN SQUARE, CHICAGO — Sure to be one of the most hyped collabs in US craft brewing this year, Pipeworks and Brooklyn’s Interboro Spirits & Ales are teaming up with rap duo Run The Jewels and Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade to brew and release Stay Gold, a New England Style IPA. The pop up bar will run the week of Lollapalooza (8/2-8/6). We can’t wait to check this one out. [Pipeworks Facebook]
BOWMANVILLE, CHICAGO — There’s finally more news from Half Acre’s new production facility. The hugely popular brewery’s upcoming restaurant and taproom is aiming to open during the second half of August, after a two year wait. The new space will feature a more traditional dining room compared to the Northcenter location, along with a 100 person beer garden. [Eater Chicago]
WRIGLEYVILLE, CHICAGO — Yet another pre/post Cubs came drinking option opened last week, but this one seems like a place we’d actually visit. From the creator of craft friendly spots like Old Irving Brewing and Billy Sunday comes Lucky Dorr, a 700 square-foot space featuring 20 taps pouring mostly Chicago craft beer. We’ll surely be checking this place out next time we visit the Friendly Confines. [Eater Chicago]
CHICAGO, IL — What is the craft brewer’s macro beer of choice? We ask this question a lot during our interviews but the Tribune put together a formal test with three craft brewers tasting 16 widely available macro-brews. The results are pretty interesting, especially following our latest interview with MillerCoors’ Master Cicerone and their Know Your Beer program. [Chicago Tribune]
SWANSEA, IL — In one of the more bizarre stories of the last week, former Anheuser-Busch CEO August A. Busch IV was arrested in a St. Louis suburb when he landed his helicopter in an office park, apparently intoxicated. No charges have yet been filed though Busch did spend the night in the local drunk tank. [Washington Post]
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — An Indiana staple is making moves as Sun King Brewery announced plans to distribute their beer in Chicago and Louisville. Previously held back back antiquated production laws, the brewery now has room to grow thanks to a change in legislation they helped push through last year. Look for Sun King on Chicago store shelves starting in mid-August. [Indiana Business Journal]
NEW GLARUS, WI — The famous Wisconsin only brewery New Glarus is set to double their production capacity with the order of 16 new fermentation tanks. The brewery will soon be able to produce more than 400,000 barrels. Unfortunately there are no plans for out of state distribution however, as the increased capacity is aimed at filling distribution gaps in their home state. [Brewbound]
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Photo of canning in progress at Pipeworks Brewing, from our 100th interview with Master of Barrels Mike Schallau — by Jack Muldowney.