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Chicago-area brewers are known for their creativity in releasing beers with unique ingredients, having nostalgic tributes to people or places, or capitalizing on current events in making a statement. What readers will find below is a periodic roundup of notable beers that have grabbed the attentions of Eater Chicago’s staff.
October 20
Buffalo Creek Brewing
The fall was once a time where brewers would inundate customers with pumpkin-flavored beers. Pumpkin beers are still around, but that doesn’t mean brewers can’t look for new ways to autumn-ize their beers. Last year, Buffalo Creek Brewing unleashed its Candy Corn Ale, a cream ale made with candy, featuring — according to a news release — marshmallow, vanilla, and “butter caramel-like flavors.” It’s only available on draft for $7 per pint at the Long Grove brewery starting on Friday, October 23.
Marz Community Brewing
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Filmmaker Kevin Smith enjoys selling stuff to his fans, hocking items like hockey sweaters with his logo and action figures of himself. As organizers prepare to launch the Chicago leg of his pop-up tour for Halloween at Saint Lou’s Assembly in West Loop, Marz Community Brewing is getting in on the action with two beers with can art inspired by Mooby’s, the fast food restaurant from Smith’s films. Mooby’s Sparkling Lager is 4.8-percent ABV. It’s Marz’s Chug Life in disguise for Halloween. A second beer, Floridaweiss, is 8-percent ABV. It’s a wild ale with pineapple, mango, guava, and passion fruit. it’s $22 for a four pack and available for pickup at Saint Lou’s during the pop-up starting on October 30.
Solemn Oath Brewery
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Now that Claudio Velez, Chicago’s Tamale Guy, is healing at home after a severe bout with COVID-19, Solemn Oath Brewery will release a tribute to the man bar-goers love to see. Earlier in October, Solemn Oath began brewing a beer with the team from Tamale Guy Chicago, Velez’s Ukrainian Village Restaurant. Proceeds will benefit Velez’s medical expenses. It’s a hazy pale ale inspired by paletas. Brewery Jared Saul has known Valez for years and says they’ve added mango, which is Velez’s favorite. The beer also has notes of strawberry and ancho chile. The label art by Jourdon Gullett features Velez’s red cooler. The beer is called El Rey de Tamal, which means “the king of tamale.” The beer is set to release on Friday, October 23 on draft at the Naperville brewery. Four packs will also be available at Ukrainian Village’s All Together Now, the charming wine store and restaurant down the street from Tamale Guy. Delivery is also available on Saturday for those who can’t make it out to Naperville. Preorders start 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22 online.
