Whether you choose to embrace the winter weather by seeking refuge in a dark, warm-flavored ale, or you mentally escape our snowbound environs with a summery, coconut-fueled fantasy, the best beers from Chicagoland breweries offer solace and comfort in a variety of forms. With sour ales, IPAs, and even coffee-infused brews, you’re sure to find something tasty to sip on during the month of February.
Hopewell Brewing Company
Prepare to be dazzled by the stars of Hopewell’s recent double release— Neon: Cherry Lime, a fruity sour ale incorporating Montmorency cherries and lime leaf; and Low Key, a spelt pale ale “brewed with Strata and Loral hops.”
Temperance Beer Co.
Though technically released at the very end of January, Evanston-based Temperance’s new Where I’m From Hazy IPA continues to grace the month of February with its presence. This new Chicago beer is benefiting the City of Evanston’s Reparations Fund, which was established “to address, in part, wealth and opportunity gaps that Black Americans experience as a result of historical racism and discrimination.” The new beer itself is infused with delicious notes of vanilla and citrus making it one of the hottest releases from Chicagoland breweries this year.
Off Color Brewing
If you’re looking for the best new beers in Chicago that are influenced by scotch, Off Color Brewing has introduced the brand new Well Fed Sheep scotch ale, which combines a heavy malt presence with lighter Star Thistle honey. A welcome addition to the brewery’s menagerie of other excellent concoctions, Well Fed Sheep is sure to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy this month.
Empirical Brewery
Continuing to alter our ideas about great beer on an atomic level, one of Chicagoland favorite breweries, Empirical Brewery has teamed up with Hexe Coffee for the upcoming release of Vibraniyum Coffee Brown Ale. The bold new Chicago beer becomes available February 8 in cans and on draft.
Begyle Brewing
Begyle Brewing’s upcoming double release introduces the light and fruity When Pineapples Fly sour pineapple ale—with a touch of coconut!—and the Sent with Love Hazy IPA, which incorporates not only notes of berry but more coconut! Escape the cold weather and travel to a tropical climate with these new beers in Chicago starting February 11.
Chicagoland Breweries Featured Image Credit: Begyle Brewing on Facebook
