2019: Greatest Hits

This incessant dry January talk has fueled my ever-growing opinions of the joy of imbibing.  Of course, there is plenty I could say about 2019, but what I most care to share is how incredibly well hydrated I was for the majority of the year. What a time to be alive in the world of craft beverage.

I spent an inordinate amount of time, and money, bouncing between Lost Larson, Diversey Wine, and The Beer Temple. These establishments are largely to credit for a majority of my favorite drinks and to blame for my slightly more pretentious preferences for beer, wine, and coffee. Don’t be alarmed. I believe I consumed more Malört in 2019 than ever before, so I am still stayin’ humble or something like that… 

1.     Amaro Hut - Half Acre

This beer was brilliant and, in my opinion, encapsulates Chicago’s drinking personality – a bit woody and possesses a somehow delicate, lingering bitterness.  That being said, it’s definitely not for everyone. This was without a doubt, the most original beer I was introduced to last year.

2.     Crudités – Hopewell

An oak-aged wild saison that is tart, bright, slightly briny. Everything I was looking for in a go-to beer.

3.     Pow Blop Whizz - Olivier Lemasson

Pink, fizzy, and a label covered in polka-dots. Aesthetically, this wine is everything I loathe. In execution, it’s near perfection. I would have agreed to wear a bright pink, polka-dot, A-line dress every day for the rest of my life for a regular supply of the ‘17 vintage. The newer vintage lands a little deeper/sweeter, which isn’t my preference.

4.     The Super Nat – Supernatural Wine Co.

Not only was this one of my favorite pet-nats of the year, but it also proved to be a wine server’s swiss army knife. Looking for some celebratory effervescence? Try The Super Nat. Sauvignon Blanc the only grape you recognize on the wine list? Try The Super Nat. Not a wine drinker, but you don’t love the only IPA offered, either? Try The Super Nat.

I take an immense amount of pride in the number of beer drinkers I was able to introduce to wine through this fine bottle.

5.     Blood from the Moon – Half Acre

It was the initial call out of peach rooibos tea in this IPA that pulled me to the taproom, admittedly because Marz’s Jungle Boogie, also made with rooibos tea, is one of the best beers ever made. Now, I cannot stress enough that I understand these two beers are WILDLY different from one another. They have nothing else in common other than their descriptions both reference a faint flavor of rooibos. I’m simply owning up to the idea that rooibos tea as an ingredient is to credit for my intrigue.

In my experience, Blood from the Moon was the most enjoyable application of the lactose trend with perhaps an honorable mention here to Marz’s Yakool. Combined with the coconut and vanilla, the beer tasted as if someone made a mildly hoppy, peach ring ice cream.

6.  Märte Weiss 2017 - Wörner

In 2019, I finally learned how to describe, with confidence, what orange wine is. It was all worth it to be able to speak to this gem without sounding like an idiot. I’ll spare you from the definition here. However, if you are curious, you could buy me a glass and we can chat about it. A little salty, a little tropical, a LOT delicious. That is my official description of Märte Weiss.

7.     Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature - Laherte Frères

I bought this bottle from Diversey for the buckets and bubbles party I threw for my birthday. I think the first sip shot my soul right out of my body and landed softly in a field of fresh spring flowers. I genuinely do not remember ever having such a strong first impression from a sip of Champagne.

8.     Fluxion III - Fable Farm Fermentory

Fable Farm Fermentory really leads the charge on “cider as wine” for me and certainly many others. Dry, slightly acidic, and mildly effervescent, the low ABV apple wines of Fable Farm are truly a perfect pairing to unctuous meats and cheese. In the case of this specific bottle, I wanted nothing more than to be sitting in a foggy, Spanish town with an enormous bowl of fabada.

9.     Table Salt – Hopewell

This gose is a year-round favorite. Low ABV, tart, refreshing and goes with any occasion. It reminds me of a slightly sourer version of Dogfish Head’s Sea Quench – an early converter of mainstream craft drinkers to sour style beers. While for some, this may be more of a one-and-done style, Table Salt is an ideal session beer, in my humble opinion.

10.  Feints – Ruth Lewandowski

I have yet to meet an Evan Lewandowski wine I do not like, but Feints is something special. There is a reason this wine has not lasted long on the shelves of any local wine shop. Feints is a super interesting red blend that balances real depth of flavor with a light and springy fruitiness. Best enjoyed lightly chilled on a patio.

11.  Macvin du Jura – Domaine de Montbourgeau

Me: I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and I don’t like dessert wines.

Also me: Eats more pastry in 2019 than the rest of my life combined and nearly floats every time I sip Macvin du Jura.