Heading to a Memorial Day barbecue this weekend and looking to bring something more creative than buns or brats? Try some really tasty beer.
After finishing an interview last week at Inovasi, I stumbled into Lake Bluff Brewery for the first time. Patch has written about these guys before, but I actually didn't know the place existed until reading about it as the final destination of an awesome day-long bike ride in the Chicago Reader.
It was around 5 p.m. on Friday when I walked in and the place was packed, but not too busy that the friendly bartender couldn't find time to let me sample a few beers. I tried the Derailleur first, since, for better or for worse, IPAs are typically my starting point. Then, I tried the Skull and Bones Double Pale Ale.
Then, I bought a growler of it.
The Skull and Bones is actually the first batch these guys brewed on their brewing system, and it ended up maltier and stronger than they intended. It also ended up delicious. I walked out of the brewery with a 64 ounce glass jug of beer, a little embarrassed to admit that I was slightly tempted to crack it open on the Metra ride south.
Instead, I brought it home and stuck it in my refrigerator. The bartender told me it'd keep for two to three weeks so long as I kept it sealed.
That's where it's staying till Monday.