Spring Brewer's Fest showcases local ales

Several local and regional microbrewers and brewpubs were represented at the annual Spring Brewer's Fest (held Saturday, May 20) in the Downers Grove, a suburb west of Chicago. Many of the breweries mentioned on this site were present at the fest, but I unfortunately was only able to taste a few of their beers.
   The most satisfying beers were a Whiskey Stout and Wheat Wine from Flossmoor Station brewpub, in Flossmoor, Ill., a Maibock from Mickey Finn's brewpub in Libertyville, Ill., and an India Pale Ale from Two Brothers Brewing Co., in Warrenville, Ill. Here's a rundown of the beers tasted.
   Whiskey Stout (Flossmoor Station): Whoa!! A huge bourbon-like aroma! (Yes, I said bourbon-like, as in whiskey.) Tastes like a dry stout mixed with Jim Beam and Bailey's Irish Creme. Smooth!! The Bourbon flavor is probably an acquired taste, but all three people I was with tried this beer and liked it. I was told the whiskey taste comes from the beer being aged in old wooden bourbon barrels; it sure adds a unique flavor!
   Wheat Wine (Flossmoor Station): This one was a beer made with 50 percent wheat malt to a high alcohol strength of a barleywine. A barley wine is not really a wine, but an English term used to describe strong ale in the range of 7 to 10 percent alcohol. I didn't get to find out the particular strength of this brew, but I did find it tasty, with the wheat malt added a distinct "smoothness" to the beer. I think the wheat made this beer smoother than most barleywines I have tried, but not any less flavorful. Hops in this beer were good, but malt dominated, which is not unusual for the style. This particular example had a light amber color and good foam.
   Maibock (Mickey Finn's): A very good example of this German beer brewed to commemorate spring. As with most bock beers, this is a stronger lager, but not necessarily as strong as a barleywine. This beer was blonde in color with a malty sweetness with just enough hops from keeping too sweet. I detected a slight taste of honey, although I don't know that any was added. This was a very refreshing beer.
   I.P.A. (Two Bros.): A commendable example of an India Pale Ale (an extra hoppy top-fermenting beer) from the nice folks out at Two Brothers Brewery in Warrenville. I have some firsthand experience with Jason, one of the brewers, as he tends to the homebrewers' supply shop adjacent to the brewery. The Brewers Coop is where I get some of the my homebrew supplies. I also tend to pick up a "growler" of fresh beer that they've made. These beers taken in a jug to go include some products that have a limited availability and are often quite tasty. I suspect that this IPA is one of those "limited editions" but I think it could sell as a year round product. This beer had a good body and an excellent hop aroma, that was somewhat curious, and not readily identifiable as a commonly used type of hop. Although an I.P.A. can be quite bitter, this beer had a good hop flavor and aroma, which I tend to prefer, more than a beer that is just bitter.

Send comments and suggestions to: marc@marcobrau.com