New beer arrivals at the Agogo household: Summer Edition

We finally whittled down our beer inventory enough to merit bringing in a new selection. The focus this trip is on Summer beers.

Left to right:

Rosa Hibiscus Ale from Chicago's always reliable Revolution Brewing Company. I didn't expect to care much for an ale steeped with hibiscus flowers orange peel, but the Mrs is a fan and I've got to admit it's quite refreshing.

Three beers from Chicago's first Latin American-owned microbrewery (maybe even the first in the US, but I'm sure on that) 5 Rabbit Cerveceria. Initially their beer was contract brewed by Argus and then Minhas, but I think everything is now done in-house at their new facility. I don't see anything on their website about an open taproom, but I'm hoping to get there in person sometime soon. 

5 Grass is their hoppy American Pale Ale. According to their website: "5 Grass is not exactly a pale ale; its malt profile is smoother than the classic style, and the hops are neither British or Cascadian in character."

5 Vulture is a Chile Beer/Oaxacan Style Dark.

5 Rabbit is their flagship American Blonde. 

Haven't tried the 5 Grass yet, but I can vouch for the wonderfulness of the other two. 5 Vulture is a treat, but it's distinct taste makes it more of one "have one and move on" beer for me. 5 Rabbit I could drink all night and be happy.

Sol and/or Tecate are our traditional house beers for the Summer. Opted for Sol this trip.

New adult beverages in the Agogo House

Hit a beer and cider tasting today at a local liquor store (Beeeruption at Malloys in Lisle) and stocked up on a few things I had never tried.

left to right: Crispin Fox Barrel Pear cider, Thistly Cross Whisky cider, Crispin the Saint cider, New Holland   Hatter RoyaleHopquilla hopped whiskey, and three from Flesk Brewing Co, a new brewery in Lombard Gnomon saison, Front Toward Enemy IPA, and Force of Nature Belgian Ale.

Restocking the fridge: new beer arrivals

Not that the fridge was running low, but the Mrs and I were itching for some new beer so we made our first trip to 20 West Wine & Spirits in Lombard and added 4 new beers to our repertoire.

Really glad to get some Mole Stout from Ska Brewing for the house - had some on tap last week and absolutely loved it. Grabbed two from Brooklyn's Six Point, Bengali Tiger IPA and Autumnation Punpkin Ale. I guess Sixpoint was hit hard by Sandy and flooded, which is a drag. And from Chicago's Revolution we grabbed some Eugene Porter.

Beer new arrivals for the house

The house beer supply was running low so it was time to restock. Normally we go for a mix of ol' standby's and beer we never tried - this time it's all stuff that's new to us. Between the Mrs and I there were a few beers on our list going in and a few impulse buys. I'm most eager to try the Big Muddy Monster (brewed near where I went to college so there's a nostalgic appeal) and the 5 Vulture Oaxacan style dark ale.

left to right

Chocolate Stout (American Stout from Rogue Brewery-Newport OR), Big Muddy Monster (American Brown Ale from Big Muddy Brewing-Murphysboro IL), Yeti Imperial Stout (Russian Imperial Stout from Great Divide Brewing Co.-Denver CO), Walker's Reserve Porter (American Porter from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.-Paso Robles CA), and Zywiec Porter (Baltic Porter from Zywiec Breweries PLC-Zyweic Poland).

Two full six packs (the Pandora's Bock and 5 Vulture Chile Beer) and a make-your-own sixpack.

left to right
Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (American Porter from Great Lakes Brewing Co.-Cleveland OH), Purple Haze (American style wheat beer with raspberry from Abita Brewing Co.-Abita Springs LA), Pandora's Bock (bock from Breckenridge Brewery-CO), 5 Vulture (Chile Beer from 5 Rabbit Cerveceria-Chicago IL), Hazel (American Dark Wheat Ale by Uinta Brewing Company-Salt Lake City UT), Café Negro Coffee Infused Porter (American Porter from BridgePort Brewing Co.-Portland OR), Dark Rain Black Pale Ale (American Black Ale from BridgePort Brewing Co.-Portland OR), and Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout (Oatmeal Stout from Buffalo Bill's Brewery-Hayward CA).

the current beer rotation

There's always a Mexican and British beer represented - at the moment it's Smithwicks and Tecate, which bookend the photo. Also appearing, l to r: Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown (a big fave of Mrs Agogo), the thoroughly awesome Resistance IPA from Two Brothers, Three Floyds' Jinx Proof continental-style pils, also from Three Floyds the Pride & Joy light ale, A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale from Lagunitas (quickly becoming a staple for the Mrs), and the hoptastic IPA Modus Hoperandi from Ska Brewing in Colorado (who have one of my favorite brewer websites - yes, there's ska). Running low on a few of these and looking forward to restocking with a new batch of old faves and a few new ones.

Hoping to make it to Half Acre this weekend (especially after seeing them on WGN news this morning) - sad to discover there's no Daisy Cutter in the house.

Restocking the home beer supply

We're a bit restless when it comes to beer, so there's usually a variety of six packs at the ready. These are the beers currently in rotation. Guinness and Smithwick's are almost always in house along with cans of Tecate (absent on picture day). Goose Island's 312 Wheat is becoming a big fave and appears to be a new beer staple in our house. We're fortunate to have a few incredibly strong local brewers, so Half Acre and Two Brothers are usually represented. Currently it's Two Brothers' French Country Ale Domaine Dupage, although I'm hoping next week to get to Half Acre to pick up some Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and Over Ale. The McSorley's Irish Black Lager is a nostalgic choice since we can't get to New York this year. Hop Czar Double IPA is the first beer I've picked up from the much praised BridgePort Brewing out of Oregon and it's damn good, so we'll be dipping into the other Bridgeport beers soon. Thank's to the insanely large beer selection at our local Binny's we were able to pick up a six pack of Vanilla Porter from Breckenridge. Had some last year at one of my favorite bars ever, ABC Tavern in Cleveland (they are crazy enthusiastic about their love of great beer), and have been looking for it again ever since. We also had Breckenridge's Regal Pilsner on draft there, but sadly it was a limited draft only run and not in bottles. Would love to have another.

So, that's what we're currently drinking.