BEER REVIEW: Sapporo Edels Pils by Sapporo Breweries LTD, Tokyo, Japan

Very few beers make me reflect. By that I mean that I begin to ponder about the very existence of said beer in my hand. I ask questions like, "Where does this beer come from?", "What kind of a beer is this?" and "How come I have not come across this beer more often?". There are few beers that prompt me to ask those questions. Past beers that have awoken my mind are: Guinness, Yebisu Black and Goose Island IPA. Now I can add Sapporo Edels Pils to that list.

My first (and sadly, my last) encounter with Sapporo Edels Pils was at the Yebisu Beer Museum in Tokyo, Japan. In the glorious tasting lounge of the Museum they offered plenty of Yebisu beers to savor and to my great pleasure, they also had this lovely Pilsner on hand. I did not know at the time, but the Sapporo brand and the Yebisu brand are closely tied. Thanks to the relationship of the two breweries, there are some specialty drafts of Sapporo brand beers at the Yebisu Beer Museum. This works out well for all parties involved.

The Sapporo Edels Pils is a pilsner with a refreshing crisp body with a hint of citrus. It is by far one of the most drinkable beers I have ever tasted. When I had my first taste, I remember feeling pure enjoyment as I savored every drop. Sapporo Edels Pils is a beer that keeps on giving back even after you are done. The enjoyable and refreshing taste provided by every drop of this pilsner makes you wish it was more readily available. I have been frantically searching for a bar or liquor store that offers Sapporo Edels Pils. Sadly I have come up empty. Knowing that this beer is not as easily available across the globe makes you appreciate the moments you have with it that much more. As I mentioned earlier, I only enjoyed this beer while I was at the Yebisu Beer Museum in Tokyo. If that is the only place where you can enjoy this beautiful beer, I encourage you to find your way to Tokyo, Japan. Visit the Yebisu Beer Museum and enjoy one of the greatest beers available.

Sapporo Edels Pils is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

BAR REVIEW: Jack's Bar & Grill in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area of Chicago, IL

At the corner of George Street and Southport Avenue you will find the agreeable Jack's Bar & Grill. This corner bar is a great neighborhood spot to enjoy a good meal, catch a sporting event, chat with the bartenders (ask for Toni, she will treat you right!) and most importantly enjoy a good brew. Jack's Bar & Grill has a safe selection of beers. By that I mean they have beers that you would be familiar with: Stella Artois, Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Corona, Amstel Light, Guinness, etcetera. Yet, Jack's is also attempting to introduce hard-to-find and unfamiliar beers to the neighborhood. Beers such as Maudite and Delirium Tremens are also found on their beer list. What better place to try an unfamiliar beer than in the comfortable surroundings of your local neighborhood bar?

Sadly we visited Jack's Bar & Grill during the cold winter season. From what Toni the bartender was telling me, the Beer Garden found in the back is a great place to enjoy a summer afternoon. Do not let the winter blues keep you from visiting Jack's Bar & Grill; the great monthly beer specials, the fireplace and the lovely servers are more than enough to keep you warm during the cold winter months.

Jack's Bar & Grill is located at 2856 North Southport Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (773) 404-8400. Website: www.jacks404.com

Jack's Bar & Grill is Recommended by Gonzalo

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BEER REVIEW: Maudite by Unibroue Inc., in Quebec, Canada

Brewed by one of the best breweries in North America, Maudite is a Strong Red Ale from the Canadian brewery known as Unibroue. The mahogany color of this 8% alcohol per volume ale will stand out next to your other ales. With an attractive color and an even better taste, Maudite is a beer that should be part of your beer bin. The rich head and inviting aroma make this beer a must try.

Any excuse is a good excuse to drink Maudite. From enjoying a glass after dinner or enjoying it while watching the game, Maudite will add a special moment to any experience. By the way, Maudite is a beer that ages well. Therefore it is a beer that will get better with time. So I suggest storing away a 12 pack and opening one bottle up every year for the next 12 years. You are bound to taste a new sensation every year!

The name Maudite comes from a Quebecois legend of Lumberjacks who struck a deal with the devil to help guide their canoe back home in time for the Christmas holiday. Satan gave their canoe the power of flight and they made it home in time for Christmas. I am not sure what a flying canoe or Satan have to do with a great tasting ale, but I do know that when drinking a cool glass of Maudite, the last thing on your mind are the flames of hell. Though after a few glasses, one would expect to feel like he is in a flying canoe.

Maudite is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

BEER REVIEW: KRONENBOURG 1664

1664 is one of the lagers I credit with helping me appreciate a well-made beer. I came across Kronenbourg 1664 during my adventure around Paris, France in the summer of 2004. It was on a sidewalk cafe near the Notre Dame Cathedral where I savored my first pint of this premium lager. Thank you very much to the waiter who recommended this premium beer to accompany my meal. Upon receiving my draught lager served in a Kronenbourg 1664 glass, I immediately noticed the unique "1664 Seal" on the glass. Once you see the 1664 Seal, your life will never be the same again. From that moment on, every time you walk into a bar your eyesight will subconsciously glance towards the beer tap selection to see if today is the lucky day the beer gods have bestowed Kronenbourg 1664 on tap. On top of having a unique recognizable seal, 1664 has a unique recognizable aroma. Kronenbourg 1664 has a unique recipe that employs the use of the aromatic Strisselspalt hop. This unique hop is known as the "caviar of hops" (according the Kronenbourg 1664 website). The aroma and taste found in 1664 stays with you forever. After my first taste of Kronenbourg 1664 I vowed to make sure that it would not be my last. For the remainder of my voyage around Europe I would always seek out bars that had 1664 and cherish another pint (or two, or three, or four). Of course, 1664 is not only available on draft, but in the unique green Eiffel bottle or the more common shape of a can. Yet, there is no substitute for a fresh draft pint of Kronenbourg 1664. Sadly 1664 is not as readily available around the United States. As of right now, I have only come across it in Chicago, IL and Orlando, FL. That is why whenever I travel to Europe, I make sure to get my fill of Kronenbourg 1664 until my next visit...it's a good excuse to fly out to Europe.

KRONENBOURG 1664 is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

BAR REVIEW: Paramount Room in the River West area of Chicago, IL

The Grand Blue Line area in the River West neighborhood is becoming a hip destination when it comes to partaking in late night socializing. Iguana Cafe, The Funky Buddha Lounge, Butterfly Social Club, Emmit's Irish Pub, Richards Bar and Redno Five are the established favorites. If you walk south 2 blocks on Milwaukee Avenue you'll come across the newest addition to the River West drinking scene: Paramount Room.

Well, the location of the bar isn't exactly new; the site of the Paramount Room was actually a speakeasy back in the prohibition days. Currently, it is a hip destination where you can enjoy some marvelous draft beer selections and partake in some fantastic meal offerings. The downstairs lounge area is a great late night destination on the weekends. The intimate setting and overall vibe make the underground lounge area a great place to strike up conversation or enjoy a popular sporting event.

Beer wise, the Paramount Room exceeded my expectations. They have a phenomenal selection of draft and bottle beers. My personal favorites were the Arcadia IPA and the Left Hand Milk Stout. Their assortment of beers is not as grand as the Beer Bistro or the Map Room (other great drinking establishments in Chicago), but the few beers they have will keep you well hydrated through out the evening. If you become like a deer in headlights with the sure to be unknown beers available, the friendly bartenders are more than happy to give you a helping suggestion. They also have Beer Flights in case you want to sample several of the beers.

Overall, the Paramount Room gets it right on various levels. They have a terrific food menu and a grand beer menu. Plus, the historic Chicago vibe is evident through out the pub. The people behind this great drinking and eating establishment, Dine & Drink, Inc., have produced a phenomenal drinking destination in the ever-expanding River West area.

The Paramount Room is located at 415 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 829-6300.
Website: www.paramountroom.com

Paramount Room is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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BAR REVIEW: The Local Option in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL

One of the great beer bars in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL is THE LOCAL OPTION. Ever since a new owner purchased it in October of 2006, the bar has gone through some changes. When you walk into the bar now you may notice how it no longer has that "dive bar smell" it once had. You will also notice how the bar is a little bit brighter, not just because of the new paint job, but because of the neighborhood bar aura it now emits. The Local Option has been a Lincoln Park staple since the late 1980's, but for the most part it was a staple of the nightlife. With the new changes, the bar now feels like a local gathering place through out the day.

I'm almost forgetting to mention the biggest change of the bar: the impressive beer list. The Local Option went from having your typical light beers on taps to having an impressive import selection on tap. From the micro brews to the Belgium ales, The Local Option has become a haven for beer drinkers. They did manage to keep their delicious food menu, which was one of the reasons to visit the tavern. So not only do they have a fantastic beer menu, they have a delicious food menu, a powerful combination for any pub.

The Local Option is located at 1102 W Webster Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Their phone number is (773) 348-2008.

The Local Option is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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I’ve heard the many arguments that when it comes to starting a business, it’s usually better to go at it alone. When you open a business by yourself, you are the sole person in charge. There is no need to discuss your strategy or to split up the profits. It’s all you. Of course there are some downsides to being a sole proprietor, you intake all the costs and work. Those downsides are the upsides of starting a business with partners. In the case of BeerBin.com LLC, the factors of splitting the work load and splitting the profits (and losses) became our main reasons to go into business together. I’ve stated before that each of us at BeerBin.com LLC bring a different perspective to the business. Additionally, we bring different talents that help form the core of our start up. By utilizing our individual strengths we become a powerful group of entrepreneurs with one goal: To become the “go to” website of beer drinkers across the world. Together we embark on this adventure and together we will succeed. Which is the most important reason, I think, why it’s better to start a business with partners: you’re all along for the ride. The journey is a lot better when you have friends to share your glories and your failures.

BEER REVIEW: FULLER'S ESB

Few beers can be known as the "measuring stick" of their respective beer style. Fuller's ESB is the measuring stick of Bitter ales. ESB stands for Extra Special Bitter, and that is what Fuller's ESB is: Extra Special. From when it was first brewed in 1971 until today, Fuller's ESB is considered to be the best British beer and the original Bitter Ale. This special recognition comes thanks to the many awards the ESB has accumulated through out the years. I guess you can say that Fuller's ESB is the New York Yankees of British Bitter Ales. The beer itself is quite pleasant to drink. One of the traits that set this ale apart from the others is the rich aroma that emits from your glass. Fuller's ESB is an ale that carries a powerful aroma punch, one that you expect from an ale claiming to be the original and the best. The taste itself is a mixture of 4 different styles of hops along with pale and crystal malts. When you drink it, you will notice that it leaves a bitter taste (thus the name) in your mouth. Do not associate bitter with bad; this is a good type of bitter that leaves a delectable taste lingering in your mouth. Britain has many fine beers, but there is only one Fuller's ESB. The quintessential British beer, Fuller's ESB is best enjoyed at any social gathering.

FULLER'S ESB is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo