Before I left for Belgium we brewed what would be our first and final beer for the summer of 2010, a delicious and successful Saison. When I returned from my trip I learned that we had lost our sweet brewing space. Fortunately, we’ve got another lined up, it’s just not quite as cherry (or close) as our initial hook up. But by way of this frustrating loss, much to my delight, we found ourselves forced into a kind of seasonal brewing schedule. Stumbling after that path of least resistance as we sometimes like to do, we found ourselves brewing in the fall and winter and, as the evil star ventured closer to our confines, we would spend our Saturdays smoking meats where we used to be brewing.

Well, that cold snap of momma nature’s shower towel is back in the air and I swear, if you stand still enough, you can smell just the right beer to match these perfect autumnal days. For me, right now, in this wavering between Summer and Fall, I really enjoy a hoppy IPA, or, like I had on Friday, Stone’s 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA. Another fine companion to these waning days of the year I found was Revolution’s Bad Man barrel aged Old Rye ale. With it’s 9% ABV, those amazing vanilla notes and it’s tip of the hat to one of the finest science fiction movies set to celluloid, you really can’t find a finer partner to stare down the hustling winds of the city in the golden hours of the year.

I should probably make note of one other beer that I just get all a twitter over this time of year, New Holland’s Ichibad Pumpkin Ale. Lose your preconceptions of what a Pumpkin Ale is and just try it, I think you’ll love it.

So yeah, those up there are some fine beers to enjoy in Chicago this time of year. But as the fall continues it’s disintegration and the temperature heads south for the winter I’ve found myself leaning more towards Porter’s and Stouts. So, I think our initiatory brew for the fall of 2010 is going to be a Porter. I haven’t run down a recipe I’m happy with yet, but I do swear on the good name of my now deceased grandmother that I will post it to this here blog just as soon as I have one.

Mmmmm, mmmm. The promise of Chicago, I do believe, hides itself, somewhere, just around October.

I just scrubbed this from Half Acre’s blog. Sounds awesome, almost awesome enough for me to jump on it despite it being so spendy. Check it out:

Half Acre is taking part in a big collaborative beer dinner on Feb 22, 2010.

Every year, Mindy Segal, owner of Hot Chocolate on Damen, throws a celebratory anniversary event. This is her 5th anniversary and she’s put together a beer dinner that promises be stellar. 7 chefs & 7 breweries.

Check out the lineup of talent:

Benjamin Caulfield of Three Floyd’s passed apps…House made charcuterie
Nick Lessins of Grate Lakes Brewing Co passed apps

Aric Miech…Hot Chocolate (starter) with Half Acre Beer Co

Bill Kim…Urban Belly/Belly Shack (soup) with Lagunitas

Paul Kahan…Blackbird/Avec/Publican/Big Star (Seafood/Fish) Three Floyd’s

Michael Kornick…mk/dmk (poultry or game) Goose Island

Rick Bayless…Topolobombo/Frontera grill (meat) Surly Brewing Co.

Paul Virant…Vie restaurant (composed cheese) Revolution Brewing Company

Mindy Segal…Hotchocolate (dessert) Piece Brewery

Tickets are $150 per person and will likely sell out fast. See Hot Chocolate for details.