Part 16: Best of the Chicago Beer Festival

A representative pours a glass of purple haze. Photo by Alex Rich

The Chicago Beer Festival held its inaugural event this Saturday at Union Station. This blog was there to taste as many of the different varieties as possible, and then posting twitter reviews about each one.

Unfortunately, due to time constrains (not to mention the staying power of the human liver), not every beer was tasted and some vendors skipped entirely.

Here are the best of the best from the Chicago Beer Festival:

Image via 365 Beers

1) Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar

This beer tastes amazing. The nuts gave the beer a wonderfully sweet aroma. Although it was good to sip, overkill could be a problem. It would work wonderfully as a sweet desert beer.

Alex's Food & Drink Blog Rating: 9 of 10

Image via Wyder's Cider

2) Wyder's Dry Pear Cider

Very tasty if you like sweet, smooth drinks. By far the best Cider of the festival, with a very nice pear taste and the right amount of sparkle.



Alex's Food & Drink Blog Rating: 8 of 10

Image via AllWomen'sTalk

3) Bell's Oberon Summer Ale

Sweet and not too hoppy. Very nice aftertaste. Light enough for a nice summer afternoon on the back porch.


Alex's Food & Drink Blog Rating: 8 of 10

Image via Summit Brewing

4) Summit Brewing Extra Pale Ale

Very nice taste for a Pale Ale. A great balance of hops and sweetness.

Alex's Food & Drink Blog Rating: 8 of 10

Honorable Mentions (Rating of 7):

Crispin Fox Barrel Pear: much more pearful than the other. Still good.
Blue Moon Blackberry Tart: very berry.
Shiner Bock: very good.
Delirium Tremens: very sweet.
Uinta Dubhe Imperial Bock IPA: wow. Very alcoholic, dark beer.
Emmett's Victory Pale Ale: very good. Not too hoppy.
Hamburger Mary's Peanut Butter: Rich, dark. You can actually taste the peanut butter.
Rock Bottom Red Ale: Very sweet

Finally, the award for best named beer goes to Big Muddy Brewing Companie's Saluki Dunkel Dog (rated a 6).