Summertime Punch

You’re still slightly hungover from Chicago Craft Beer Week, we get it. But there’s something to be said for a little ‘hair of the dog.’ And our new summertime punch offerings are total knock-outs.

Ready for the scoop on the secret history of punches? This style of cocktail originated in India and spread to the rest of the world via a little thing called Imperialism. Punch comes from the hindi word ‘panch’ or five, because of the five ingredients that make up a true punch: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. Once the English got into punches, they fairly quickly became a worldwide phenomenon.

We’ve mixed up two punch-style cocktails, in the traditional five-ingredient style, served conveniently in pitchers that serve 6-8 (or 4 really thirsty folks). Got a large group and a powerful thirst? This is your summer cocktail.

Great Lakes Tea Punch 
(W.L. Weller bourbon, apricot black tea, honey, lemon, angostura bitters)

The Big Pink 
(Death's Door vodka, house-made cranberry cordial, lemon, sugar, orange bitters)

Chicago Craft Beer Week at Bangers & Lace

Our motto is ‘Live every week like it’s Craft Beer Week,’ but maybe your interest in remarkable beer is at a fever pitch May 16-26. Whatever your beer intake plan is for the week, make sure you join us for any one of the amazing events we’ve got planned.

 

Tuesday, May 21st (6pm)

Stone Brewing Six Pack Feature: Stone Old Guardian, Stone Oak Smoked Old Guardian, Stone/Perfect Crime Black Saison, Stone Mix Tape, Stone 16th Anniversary with Green Tea, Stone Barrel Aged Imperial Russian Stout 2010.

Wednesday, May 22nd

The Second Annual Division I.P.A. Crawl! Visit Jerry’s Sandwiches for Midwestern I.P.A.’s, Bangers & Lace for East Coast I.P.A.’s and SmallBar Division for West Coast I.P.A.’s as part of our collaborative West Division Chicago Craft Beer Week I.P.A. Crawl!  Enjoy $2 off select pours with the full tour of all three spots.

Saturday, May 25th (all day)

Class of '88*: Deschutes + Great Lakes Imperial Smoked Porters

Deschutes and Great Lakes collaborated on this exception Smoked Imperial Porter, then went back home (okay, to their own breweries) and concocted their own batches. We’ll have both breweries’ versions of this collaborative beer, along with the Deschutes Black Butte Porter & the Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.

*Twenty-five years ago marked a seminal time for the budding craft brewing industry in the United States. Deschutes Brewery is working with four other craft breweries founded in 1988 (North Coast Brewing Co., Rogue Brewery, Goose Island Beer Co. and Great Lakes Brewing Co.) to create a selection of commemorative beers to celebrate their shared 25th anniversary.

Spring Cocktail Menu

With Craft Beer Week just around the corner, we know you’ll be stopping in to sample special releases and perhaps attend an event or two. But before you get all hopped up, why not pre-cleanse your palate with some stellar offerings from our resident cocktail guru, Ronnie Higgins?

We did some spring cleaning and retired our heavy winter cocktails in favor of lighter, more refreshing and completely drinkable tipples: 

Yes We CAN!

We love draft beer and that shows every day with our ever-changing chalkboard. But sometimes, especially during the warmer summer months, we just want to get down with stellar beers in an icy can. Let’s get real, what are cans but mini kegs?

That’s where this month’s pairing comes in. We’re coupling delicious dishes by Chef Adam Wendt with brews served right up in old fashioned aluminium. We’re starting with a beer that tops everyone’s summer must-drink list: SKA Mexican Logger. It’s super easy to drink and, as one beer expert close to our heart (okay, it’s our cicerone Ria Neri) explains, you can bring your own coozy.

Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter to keep tabs on all our canned beer pairings this month!