Day Before Dark Lord Day 2010

I did it. I went and drove over 600 miles by myself for a beer. Sure, I drank more than one, but just one beer inspired this journey: Dark Lord Imperial Stout, brewed by 3 Floyds. You can call me crazy and I am ok with that.

Day 1. April 23, 2010...the drive to Chicago.

I loaded up the car with some PA beer, both homebrew and commercial and headed on my way. My first stop was slightly out of my way in Cleveland, OH. I had lunch at Great Lakes Brewing Company and tried some of their beers. The bartender gave me a taste of the pilsner, but it didnt really do anything for me. I went with two styles that I normally drink: irish red, and pale ale.

Conways Pale Ale: This beer made me a little nervous because something was a little weird in the nose. There was some grain aroma, but something else that I couldn't really put a finger (a nostril?) on. The flavor was all grain and malt flavors. Nice roasty/toasty notes.

Pulled pork sandwich: This (obviously) is not a beer, but drinking without eating is not recommended on a road trip... A good, but small bbq sandwich with coleslaw right there on the sandwich. I like cole slaw on the sandwich as does James from @basicbrewing...the reason I point this out is because it was a reoccurring theme on his podcasts I listened to on the way.

Burning River Pale Ale: Smells like a brewery with the mash and fermenters going full steam ahead. Nice amount of hops with some sticky/viscous bitterness in the finish. Nothing crazy or over the top, just a nice lunch beer.

Continuing on my way, I drove to Chicago where I was staying with my friend, Amanda. She took me out for some Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and then for a beer. This was really cool for 2 reasons: 1. I have been craving real chicago deep dish pizza ever since I knew what it was, but I had never been to Chicago. 2. Amanda is allergic to gluten, so she could not take part in consuming the wonderful pizza and beer of Chicago, but she came out with me to the pizza place and the bar anyway!

We went to Small Bar and I had 2 beers:

Metropolitan (Flywheel?) Lager: I am not sure if this was the flywheel or not because I didn't write it down and all I remember is that it was a pale lager and I think there was an M on the tap handle. It was good but not great (I didnt take any notes)

Two Brothers Cane and Ebel: This is a hoppy rye beer that was really good. I wish I could be more descriptive, but again no notes, just that I really liked it.

Stay tuned for part two...Dark Lord Day 2010!