#local option

[abigaillphillips]

I’m alone at a bar because my librarian friend stood me up. AND without a book. But at one of my favorite Chicago bars.

An indifferent end to this conference experience.

[brewscoop]

Local Option Review

Discover Local Option, a cherished bar in Chicago for its exceptional beers, inviting ambiance, and friendly staff.

Craving a unique bar experience in Chicago? Dive into our Local Option review on Brew Scoop and discover why it’s the go-to spot for beer aficionados and those seeking a cozy atmosphere with exceptional service. It’s more than just a bar; it’s a community hub that promises unforgettable moments with every visit. Don't miss out on this gem in Chicago's bar scene! #LocalOption #ChicagoBars

[thecitylane]

Local Option, Lincoln Park

from Local Option, Lincoln Park

[quencherssaloon]

We have THREE beers from Local Option on tap right now:

Outlawger (German Pilsner) 5% ABV Sky Burial (Barrel Aged Belgian Strong Ale) 8% ABV Kentucky Common (American Wild Ale) 6.5% ABV

Try one, or all three!!

[quencherssaloon]

Local Option will be taking over our taps in a week and half! You won't want to miss this, great beer and amazing music!

[chicagobeerpass]

Chicago Beer Pass: Another Rare Bourbon County Stout

Welcome to the Chicago Beer Pass: Your ticket to all the great beer events happening in and around Chicago.

On this weeks episode Brad Chmielewski & Nik White open a couple bottles of Ten Ninety IPA as they chat about this past week. First up on the recap is the Chicago July MEATing. Nik made it over to Ale Syndicate last Thursday for some meat, beer and rock n’ roll. Then this past Saturday at the Goose Island Wrigleyville Brewpub was the Goose Wrigleyville 15 Anniversary / Benefit for Bodhi. There were some great beers being poured at Goose that night and the fun crowd made it even better.

Coming up this week there are no shortages of events, so be sure to check one of these out. Friday August 8th is the The Great Taste of the Local Option. Then if you already have tickets, have a blast at the Great Taste Of The Midwest in Madison. Right outside the city at the Brookfield Zoo on Saturday and Sunday is Zoo Brew, animals and beer now that’s wild! Finally 6:30 on Tuesday at Beermiscuous is a tasting event with Jared Rouben and Jeremy Cohn from Moody Tongue. Jared and Jeremy with be sharing free samples of the Cold-Pressed Paw Paw and Crushed Green Coriander Wit.

All that and more on this weeks episode of Chicago Beer Pass. Enjoy your week! Cheers!

Having issues listening to the audio? Try the MP3 (49.0 MB) or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

[ian-sm-blog]

Brewery Taste Test: Local Option

Last week at Kahn's Fine Wines in Indianapolis, I came upon a beer tasting for a little-known brewery known as Local Option.

Local Option is out of my home city of Chicago, just south of DePaul University.

From what I have tried so far, these beers are not typical. They are some of the most interesting flavors I have had. I am going to do my best to rate the four beers I tasted but unfortunately, because it was a tasting, I doubt I had the full experience or pleasure of these beers to truly give them justice.

Dampf Loc California Common / Steam Beer

An all-barley ale, this style of beer is inspired by the old dampfbier, a style of beer first crafted by medieval peasants in the Bavarian Black Forest (pretty awesome, right?).

Look: Rose-Golden pour with a white foam

Smell: yeasty and malty with slight citrusy hop smell.

Taste: Very malty and slighly nutty. Mild of the hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light, crisp, almost weak feel to it. I personally like a little weight on my tongue.

Overall I give this beer a 3.75/5 on Beer Advocate. It's a very decent beer and for what I only got to experience at a tasting, it could only be better with a full bottle or on draft.

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Voku Hila Helles Bock / Maibock

The Maibock style of beer is a lager that is lighter in color than other Bock beers and often has a vast hoppiness. Maibocks are popular in spring and are oftentimes featured at spring festivals and celebrations more often in the month of May. Think of it like a Maifest (as opposed to Oktoberfest)

Look: A golden color with a large, creamy white head.

Smell: Very grainy and bready. A light spiciness in the back ground.

Taste: Scattered. There's the breadiness, then theres the spice, then the pale sweetness.

Mouthfeel: High carbonation and medium body.

Overall: On the BA cite, I give this beer a 3.5/5 because of it's scattered taste. There is a lot of potential here but as of now the taste is a little too unconcentrated.

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Blood Ov The Kings American Pale (Amber) Wheat Ale

Here's what the brewery says about the beer: "At the peak of summer 1631 King Gustavus Adolphus led thousands of Swedish troops into Northern Germany. Following the destruction and subsequent plundering of Brandenburg Adolphus’ army marched through the endless wheat fields en route to Bavaria. Brewed with copious amounts of red wheat, Blood ov the Kings is aromatically driven by bread, biscuit and notes of exotic fruit. Hazy and medium bodied the beer has a rich and creamy mouth feel with a dry, bitter, and slightly sweet finish. Unbound by the Reinheitsgebot Blood ov the Kings would certainly have been the vital fluid of victory for the Swedish monarch as he spilled blood across the wheat fields of Northern Europe."

Now that the history lesson is done, let's do the rating.

Look: a thick amber with a beige head - a nice sight.

Smell: spicy wheat and biscuity aroma with a light fruity background

Taste: more biscuit flavor with a lot of spice and bitterness; a pleasant bite.

Mouthfeel: medium body and slight extra weight from yeast sediment.

Overall: I give this beer a 3.75/5 but I really want to try it from an actual bottle or on tap.

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Morning Wood Oak-Aged Coffee American Amber Ale

This was the best beer I tried from the tasting. Local Option says they use "Fresh American oak used during the aging process and Dark Matter’s El Salvador San Jose pulp-natural coffee aromatically drive the beer; while remaining subtle components of the beers’ complete flavor profile." What makes this so interesting is that it has the coffee flavor -- which is often used in darker beers.

Look: A dark and cloudy amber with a creamy head.

Smell: Coffee and malt. Blunt, I know but that is exactly what I can say about the beer. However, there was a cocoa scent in the background.

Taste: Sweet and malty coffee. Think of a beer-flavored Starbucks Frapp.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and thick but lively all at once. A complex mouthfeel that can only be experienced by trying the beer.

Overall: BA score of a 4/5 but I really want to try this fresh out of the bottle or on tap.

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Overall Local Option has some decent beers but there is potential to make improvements. Give these beers a try and you'll see what I mean.

[4cinsandouts-blog]

Chicago Craft Beer Week Comes to Trellis!

To celebrate Chicago Craft Beer Week, Trellis is giving two local brewers access to every tap they’ve got! Join Trellis this Sunday as they welcome Dark Horse and Local Option for the launch of a dueling tap takeover. Each brewer will receive 4 taps to do with what they please while we gauge the most popular brews. Drafts will be $4 all week!

50% off all pizzas Sunday night and food specials all week!

Join us Thursday night, May 22nd for a visit with Tony from Local Option. We'll take the 4 featured taps and pair them with delicious and compatible dishes! No tickets necessary. 

For a list of the featured taps click here.