LaSalle Grill Beer Dinner Featuring Flat 12

LaSalle Grill (South Bend, IN) is at it again with another great Beer Dinner planned for August 30th. This seems to be a regular concept for them, and I've been hearing nothing but great things. This time around, they are teaming up with my friends at Flat 12 to pair with some delicious-sounding food. The cost is $65 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 574.288.1155.

Oskar Blues in Chicago

For those that follow thebeerisgood on Facebook, you may have seen that I was recently bought by Oskar Blues to mention that their beer is available in Chicago now. They sent me a mixed package of their products which included Ten FIDY, Deviant Dales, Old Chub, Dales Pale, G'KNIGHT and Mama's Little Yella Pils.

You know me, if I don't like something, I will probably not write about it, or will be brutally honest. This beer they sent me, it doesn't suck! In fact, it's quite the opposite, it's pretty fucking good.

So yeah, this beer is now available on tap, and in cans around the Chicago area, as of August 22nd. I was lucky enough to hit Binny's South Loop on the way back to South Bend from a work trip, and they had mountains of it, including Deviant Dales, Old Chub, Dales Pale, MLY Pils, and and Gubna. All of these beers were extremely good, even the Pils, which I generally don't like. The beer that stole the show for me though, Ten FIDY. Not only was this my first time having this, or the first Imperial Stout I've had from a can, but probably one of the best Imperial Stouts I've ever had. I can't say enough about it, it's really great. Unfortunately though, Binny's did not have Ten FIDY in stock, so my quest to buy up about 20 cases of it went unfulfilled. Rest assured, I'll be back.

So if you are anywhere in the Chicago area, or plan to be soon, make sure to get some, it's in your best interest.

Potowatomi Zoo Brew Reminder

This is just a reminder and a quick update - don't miss out on this year's Zoo Brew. Your humble beer blogger (Ok, humble isn't the right word) has been honored with an invitation to be one of the beer judges for the event, which I happily accepted.

If you're on the fence, please know that this is the largest fund raiser of the year, every year, for the zoo. Every dollar they receive makes an impact, and helps maintain an important piece of our community.

Date: September 8th, 7-10PM
Ticket Price: Designated Drivers - $25, Zoo Members - $35, Everyone else - $40

Check out the Zoo Brew webpage for further details and to purchase tickets, which did sell out last year... see you there!

Bell's Oracle has landed!

It's been quite some time since I posted due to my busy schedule, but things are starting to quiet down, and I plan to hit this mother with full force once again. I recently consulted The Oracle and the advice I was given was to get back to basics, focus more on this site, and spread the good word of craft beer to the believers and non-believers alike, so that's exactly what I'll do.

Speaking of which, The Oracle from Bell's is out now. Unlike last year, bottles are only available in Michigan, but 1/4 barrels have hit the South Bend area beer scene. If you haven't heard of The Oracle, or have never tried it, suffice it to say it's amazing. I can't think of a single Double IPA brewed in the Midwest that I like better than this one (although some come close). For me, it's even better than Hopslam, less sweet due to not having honey, and a bit more dry.

So this goes against my better judgement of keeping the locations of Oracle on tap a secret, but below is where you can find it, and when. Stop by these places, get a glass (or 5, if you aren't driving) and find out what The Oracle wishes to reveal to you.

The Mark (South Bend) - Right now!!
Fiddler's Hearth (South Bend) - Right now!!
Constant Spring (Goshen) - Right meow!!
Bar Louie (Mishawaka) - September 20th (More on this in a bit)
The Pub (Granger) - September 7th (More on this in a bit)
Bleachers (Mishawaka) - August  31st

So that accounts for most of the barrels I know to exist in this area. I haven't heard, but wouldn't be surprised if Chubby Trout received one as well, so keep an eye out...

2012 Potowatomi Zoo Brew (South Bend, IN)

It's that time of year again.. College Football, and of course, Potowatomi Zoo Brew. Each year the zoo opens to craft beer fans from far and wide to taste a huge variety of beers from dozens of breweries. Local breweries represented include Four Horsemen, Bare Hands, Greenbush and Iechyd Da, along with all the other regional and national favorites. Below are further details...

If you're on the fence, please know that this is the largest fund raiser of the year, every year, for the zoo. Every dollar they receive makes an impact, and helps maintain an important piece of our community.

Date: September 8th, 7-10PM
Ticket Price: Designated Drivers - $25, Zoo Members - $35, Everyone else - $40

Check out the Zoo Brew webpage for further details and to purchase tickets, which did sell out last year... see you there!