Did you see the news on Friday?  After a 30 year run (and countless cases of cirrhosis) Miller is out, Modelo is in. I have mixed feelings on the whole deal, and I hope we learn what happened, but more than likely we’ll never really know the details.  It ends a relationship that seemed to be mutually beneficial for both groups, but maybe it is time to move on.  As reported, Modelo is the 2nd leading beer in the city of big shoulders behind Lite. In the 108, it makes an appearance during the summer on Beefloaf’s Patio, sometimes several.  Reportedly this opens up what will be served at the park, which is quite the selection as it stood.  I know we all wanna know if they will be serving Cheladas, which could get very interesting. Let take a look at some of new options that the Sox have included in the conversations going forward.

What are the “NEW”  local options?

Two new breweries have been announced for G Rate Field, Baderbrau and Pollyanna. Let’s take a look at what they both have to offer.

There is this little brewery a mile or so away from the park called Baderbrau. It is often credited as the first craft brewer in Chicago, serving a Czech-style pilsener in the mid-90’s.  They have a sweet location on 25th and Wabash that the 108 posse has hit many times. But the best part? SOUTH SIDE PRIDE. A Helles style brew that it damn tasty.  I suggest you take a look the next time you wanna buy a local beer and give that can a try.  They have several styles, lots of lagers, that are easily session beers that will hold up with any in the Chicago scene. Being so lager forward, it is an easier transition for the domestic drinker to move to a crafty style lager. The Chicago Pils might be one of the most easy drinking beers I have ever had.

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I am not as familiar with Pollyanna, but I will be taking acre of that problem as soon as possible.  I am pretty sure I was drinking Mazzie during the NIU/Toledo football game in Nov, but who knows?  Whatever it was went down smooth and helped me forget that there were only 47 people at that game.  Their offerings on their website look delish, including a high ABV Porter (Eleanor) and IPA (Lexical Gap). I promise to write yet another blog about beer after I have been to or drank a shitload of Pollyanna Beer. I will do all that drinking just so you don’t. Sacrifice, it’s what the 108 is all about.

What are the OLD “local” options?

A 108 fave is a Revolution Brewery.  We’ve talked at great length about the Sec 112 24oz Anti-Hero for under $12, but they produce other awesome beers. Lagunitas is already there too, but I’d love to see more options from another brewery that is only a couple miles from the park.  Lagunitas serves up some great food too, and the people that work there take great pride in introducing you to a vast array of lovely beers.

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I love me some 3 Floyds too, but not a fan of Yum Yum, which is what they sell at the park now.  I get why they sell that there though, one of the more easy drinking beers they produce, I’d hate to see a rowdy crowd killing Zombie Dusts’ like they are going out of style.  Even with a 6.66% ABV, it sneaks up on you and you can go from zero to drunk rather quickly.  With a season upon us that could prove to be brutal on the scoreboard, it could get bad with high alcohol beers in mass quantity.

I get that most folks don’t really like to crush what they consider “heavy” stouts at a summer game.  But as a coffee stout aficionado, I’d love to see an option on the menu for the early and late season games.  Stouts and porters tend to open up as they warm so even if you sip it, it just get’s better.  One of my faves is from Great River Brewery in the Quad Cities. Redband Stout, which used to be readily available, but now seems to be only available at special times.  Or not at all.  Who knows? If we go outside the state, Coffee Bender from Surly is a strong choice too.  Check it out if you like coffee flavored beers.

So what is the best case scenario?

What I would like to see, it a bunch of draft options, that could be limited, could be unlimited, but always should be fresh.  Can any one brewer in Chicago handle the output?  I am guessing no, but that let’s conquer it in numbers.  Have several breweries there providing their best beers, let’s make it like a beer festival up in the G Spot (ugh, shudder).

For all you domestic drinkers, I am sure you will be well taken care of, as Lite will still be in the park, just not in the bins.  The Shandy’s will be around I am sure, so that should suffice about 75% of our beer drinking fans.  I’d encourage you to try some of these other beers when you are out and about in your home drinking scene.  I wouldn’t suggest giving them a try at the park when the price will make it even worse if you dislike it.  And you should be fair to beer, it’s earned that right.

The beer revolution has been great to me and other beer drinkers and I think the Sox have been right on the pulse getting good beer options to the fans.  Way better than up north, that is for sure.  The Sox are the beer (and BP Cup) champions.  I think they will continue this trend with more great options.

Have any suggestions for us?  Send them to us on Twitter – @fromthe108

Cheers fans.

-MSS

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