Cask Ale

There was an interesting article in the New York Times's Dining section addressing the resurgence of cask ale in the New York area. Does anyone know of a restaurant or bar in Chicago that serves cask ale? Thanks.

Goose Island always has at least one cask conditioned ale running.

Last night several of us descended upon Edgewater Lounge and had some cask-conditioned Rogue Brutal Bitter. (They go through their casks fairly quickly and expected to be out of that particular flavor within a week)

Also, in the late winter / early spring, there is an event at Goose Island Wrigleyville called "Night of the Living Ales" that features cask-conditioned ales. I believe it's put on by the Chicago Beer Society

I believe the Map Room usually has some cask ale too.

Excellent! Thanks much for the tips.

There is always one cask ale available at Clark Street Ale House

742 N Clark St
Chicago
(312) 642-9253

Best,
Michael

Remember that cask conditioned ales tend to be rather warm and flat. It is an aquired taste. It works well with some beers, like bitters, but with others, not so much.

I was reading an article on NYT today about cask treated beers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/dinin ... ei=5087%0A

and was interested if anyone knew of bars in the chicagoland that were serving this...I think I may have seen one at the Map Room at a time, but can't remember...

To add on to this question, does anyone know where they also serve more bavarian style german beers. The absolute best beer I have ever had was wheat beer in Munich and I was wondering if anyone knew of a place around that could come close (as I have not.) Obviously surroundings have to do with it, but the purity law has a large impact, as freshness in beers is key. Any input, comments would be appreciated.

wickerparker wrote:I was reading an article on NYT today about cask treated beers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/dinin ... ei=5087%0A

and was interested if anyone knew of bars in the chicagoland that were serving this...I think I may have seen one at the Map Room at a time, but can't remember...

To add on to this question, does anyone know where they also serve more bavarian style german beers. The absolute best beer I have ever had was wheat beer in Munich and I was wondering if anyone knew of a place around that could come close (as I have not.) Obviously surroundings have to do with it, but the purity law has a large impact, as freshness in beers is key. Any input, comments would be appreciated.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=15929

Oh, I also think the Lakeview Twisted Spoke had a couple cask ales. It's closed now, but maybe the original one does?

Twisted Spoke on Ogden (and Grand) has a hand pull, but the last three times I've been in there they've been out, or the staff uses that as an excuse to avoid the work involved

I've been out to Poor Phil's in Oak Park (139 S. Marion St) twice, and both times their hand pull has been empty. On my list of 'to go' places is Brisku's Bistro (4100 North Kedzie Ave) and Mac's (1801 West Division) both claim to have hand pulls, but I haven't gotten to either yet. Anyone?

The last hand pull I had was at Clark Street Ale House, and it was a Two Brother's Hop Juice. It was so fresh, it was like drinking a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice, except with hops, and with 9.9% ABV.

Both Mac's on Division and Sheffield's have casks. The Map Room updates what is on tap regularly on their website.

Finally, the brewin' beagle focuses on cask (real) ales in Chicago. They have an e-mail newsletter they send out.

Mac's
1801 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-782-4400

Sheffield's
3258 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657-2211
773-281-4989

Map Room
1949 N. Hoyne
Chicago, IL 60647
773.252.7636