BAR REVIEW: Duke of Perth in the Lakeview area of Chicago, IL

Step into the cozy confines of this quaint Scottish pub located on Clark Street, just north of Diversey Parkway. Duke of Perth brings together all the fine elements that one would expect from a pub located in Scotland: large selection of whiskey, fireplace, friendly staff, neat accents, charming decor, pub food and of course, a fine selection of ales and lagers. The impressive selection of ales brewed in Scotland is what you will notice first when you glance at the Beer Menu. Pay special attention to the "Scottish Historic Ales." Some of these ales claim to be in the style of ales brewed in Scotland in 2000 BC.

When you visit Duke of Perth, try to go on a Wednesday or Friday evening. On those 2 nights they have their famous "all you can eat fish and chips" special. For $9.50 you can enjoy all the fish and chips your body can handle. At the end though, you do not a special reason to go to the Duke of Perth, any reason will do. There is not a finer place to enjoy a pint of a nice Scottish Ale in all of Lakeview.

Duke of Perth is located at 2913 North Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (773) 477-1741. Website: www.dukeofperth.com

Rating: Raise your glass, Duke of Perth gets 5 cheers!

BEER REVIEW: Gaspar Ale by Picobrouwerij Alvinne in Ingelmunster, Belgium

There is a small corner liquor store in the West Lakeview area of Chicago, Illinois, USA where they seem to cram in as many exotic and specialty beers as possible. This quaint Liquor shop is called WEST LAKEVIEW LIQUORS and is located at 2156 West Addison Street in Chicago. The knowledgeable staff and impressive beer selection make this an ideal store for any beer fan. It was at this store that I came across a bottle of Gaspar Ale by the Picobrouwerij Alvinne. The gentleman behind the counter recommended this Belgium Ale to me after I informed him that I was looking for a “hoppy” beer. He said that Gaspar Ale is the hoppiest of the Belgium beers. Consider me curious.

Belgian beers are a curious breed to me. I know what to expect when I drink a Belgian Ale: good presentation, strong aroma and a taste that I have only come to associate with Belgian beers (it’s a rather yeasty taste). They are not my beers of choice, but I do fancy one on occasion. The Gaspar Ale is no exception to my expectations. Upon pouring your nose picks up the scent of the high quality yeast and hops. Once you finish pouring, be prepared to wait for a while before the creamy foam head levels down. Never have I seen such a foam head. At best I can compare it to the creamy head a milk shake topped off with whipped cream would have. Once the head settled in my tulip glass, I embarked on my first taste. The flavor is all Belgian. Even though the hop and extra bitter finish would have you thinking of an IPA and an ESB. Overall, this is a hoppy Belgian ale in every sense.

This beer may not be for everyone, but it does merit a taste. At least then you would be able to claim that you tried one of the hoppiest Belgian ales and survived!

Rating: Raise your glass, Gaspar Ale gets 3 cheers!

BEER REVIEW: Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55 by The Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, New York, USA.

During the month of October, no other sport grabs the attention of the citizens of the United States like Baseball. It is during the month of October that the Major League Baseball championship winner is declared. Eight baseball teams go into October, one team leaves as the winner. It was during the fall of 1955 that the Brooklyn Dodgers captured their first Championship and thus baseball history was made. A couple decades later, the brewers of The Brooklyn Brewery in Utica, New York, decided to honor the 1955 Champions with their Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55.

This Pale Ale is a great companion while watching October baseball games. From its smooth finish and inviting aroma, this ale goes great with ballpark food: hamburger, hot dogs and fries. The 5% alcohol by volume ensures that you enjoy the game while you keep drinking away. Now there may be some Chicago Cubs baseball fans that insist that the only beer that goes well with a baseball game is Old Style (a strong debate). To these baseball fans I would say that not only does Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55 go great with all your ballpark staples, it also is named after a winning baseball franchise. So there is no competition, in fact, these two beers can be drunk through out different parts of the baseball game. Start off the game with your Old Style and finish it off with Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55.

You do not have to be a baseball fan to enjoy Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55. The Scottish Maris Otter malt from which it is brewed ensures that this beer has a smoothness that can be appreciated by any beer fan.

Review: Raise your glass, Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55 gets 3 cheers.

BEER REVIEW: La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue

After pouring yourself a glass of La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue, you will immediately breathe in the complex scent emanating from this 9% alcohol triple fermentation ale. It catches you off guard, not because it’s overwhelming, but because it awakens you. La Fin Du Monde carries with it a presence you would associate more with old-fashioned Trappist Ales. The complex scent along with the dynamic presence of rich wild spices, malts and hops that awaken your taste buds make this an ale fit for any fine meal or any grand occasion. What I enjoyed most from this fine ale is that it lived up to my expectations. For some time now I have been hearing how La Fin Du Monde is one of the better beers to come out of the Americas, and now, after tasting it for myself, I can truly agree with that claim.

Rating: Raise your glass, La Fin Du Monde gets 5 cheers!

BEER REVIEW: SIERRA NEVADA PALE ALE

The Microbrews of the United States do a great job of producing some of the world’s best pale ale’s. The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company from Chico, California produces a wonderfully fresh Pale Ale. When I ordered the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale I was not sure what to expect. I have seen the beer make appearances in various TV shows and movies, but I never got the urge to enjoy a pint of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Just recently I came across a bar in the Chicago neighborhood of Lake View that offered Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as a Friday night special. My opportunity to taste the beer that put Sierra Nevada Brewing Company on the map had presented itself. I knew I made the right choice after my first sip. The finishing hop present in this fine Pale Ale are Cascade Hops, and boy do they leave a pleasant finish. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a perfect companion through out the late night in your favorite bar. The inspiring taste of hop and orange comes together to produce an ale made for drinking amongst friends.

Rating: Raise your glass, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale gets 4 cheers!

BEER SCHOOL at The Beer Bistro in Chicago

When you give an event a name like “Beer School” you get a great idea of what’s in store. Don’t worry; there are no tests or boring teachers at this school. Beer School at The Beer Bistro is a once a month event that deserves your full, undivided attention. On the last Wednesday of every month, students gather in the bottom level of The Beer Bistro to educate themselves on beer, beer and beer. There are no pop quizzes or chalkboards, just plenty of beer and plenty of knowledge. Professors sample the beer style of the month and discuss the many attributes found with that beer. I sat in on the February class where the professor sampled and discussed Belgian ales. What a treat it was! From ales to lambics, this professor discussed the history behind the beers and the attributes that set them apart. My favorite beer of discussion was the Orval Trappist Ale. The dry-hopped and uniquely complex ale is one of the few beers that taste better with age. Made by Trappist monks in Belgium, this ale is considered a world classic. Most beers of discussion are readily available upstairs in the bar. Luckily for me, the Orval Trappist Ale was one of those beers that required extra attention (extra credit!) and it was found upstairs.

If you are in Chicago on the last Wednesday of the month, you will be wise to attend the next class. The Beer Bistro is located in the West Loop Gate neighborhood of Chicago at 1061 West Madison Street. Their phone number is (312) 433-0013.