Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Bangers & Lace + Une Annee Brewery: Round Two


For everyone who has been so patiently waiting for our next collaboration with Une Annee, your time is now! We brewed a really spectacular Belgian Wit-style beer for all of your summer drinking needs because let’s get real, there is nothing like a crisp, refreshing Wit on those muggy summer nights. This batch is most sessionable, with the moderate abv you need to make this truly all-day- and-all-night drinkable.  So you can imbibe to your heart's content and then be reasonably sure to make it out of here on your own two feet.


We took the classic wit recipe to the next level by introducing cascara (cherry coffee leaves) into the blend, which gives each taste a tobacco-ish spice to balance this summer crusher. So you can keep on with the pilsners and sours for a few more days, but take heart, because we’ll have your new favorite beer pouring by the end of the month.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Chef Adam Wendt on 'Chowmasters'



We’re constantly saying ‘wow’ after bites of Chef Adam Wendt’s menu items. Really, he’s asked us to stop. So we can’t help but share this throwback video to the time Adam appeared on the Travel Channel’s “Chowmasters” show and put all the other Chicago dogs to shame with his Venison Sausage dog.
Some choice quotes: 

“Is that a ‘wow’ I’m hearing in there.” “The venison sausage is amazing. Great texture, a little bit of light smokiness, gaminess, the fruit ... a little chutney is just happening for me. It definitely took me there.” “It’s heat and sweet and I love that, man.” “An elevated comfort food I found to be delicious”

Want to try this at home? Go right ahead. Want to skip the work and the dishes? We serve the Venison Sausage dog each and every day here at Bangers & Lace.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Summer Drinking: Cocktails, Anyone?

You’re probably sick of your wintertime cocktail at this point, and sunny days have you searching for a new favorite. We got you. Our Summer Cocktail menu is ready for you to take it for a spin. So if you didn’t have any plans for the weekend, now you do:

Turkish Prison - Death’s Door Vodka, curry spice, pineapple, lime
Fishin’ With Deaner - Leblon Cachaca, Giffard Pamplemousse, lime, grapefruit
Who You Calling Hipster - Rittenhouse Rye, Malort, Averna, lemon bitters
The Montiel Guey - Herradurra Anejo Tequila + Sangrita
Creepy Uncle Nate - Letherbee Gin, strawberry-sage compote, lemon
Barrel Aged Louisville - J.W. Dant Bonded Bourbon, Lillet Rouge, Lillet Blanc
 


*All cocktails have been patio-tested, and patio-approved.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

CCBW: Brew Steel

Our Brew Steel event tomorrow night is kind of like a Grand Finale to our Chicago Craft Beer Week programming. We’ve turned over 5 lines each to Solemn Oath, Penrose and Perennial ales. And the fireworks really happen when Chef Adam Wendt pairs one brew from each brewery with an awesome dish.

And our collaboration with Solemn Oath + Emporium, ‘Goth Syrup,’ is still our $4 CCBW pour. What we mean is, join us on Friday, May 23rd and cheers to a totally awesome 2014 edition of Craft Beer Week. Then join us next week, and the week after. Because it’s always Craft Beer Week at Bangers & Lace.

Friday, May 23rd
BREW STEEL
More than just being ridiculously really really goodlooking, these guys also make handsome beers.

and ... $4 Pour of Goth Syrup
A Solemn Oath + Bangers & Lace + Emporium collaboration
SOB’s ‘None More Black’ Black Farmhouse Ale with Intelligentsia Zirikana Rwanda Coffee!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Where Every Week Is Craft Beer Week

Here at Bangers & Lace, we live every week like it’s Craft Beer Week, which is why we host awesome events with all kinds of breweries and stock incredible and unique beers all the time. And then every year or so, it really is Chicago Craft Beer Week!

So here’s what we’ve got in store for you this time around — and we’re just going to get some our most exciting news out of the way, because it’s too hard to just sit still here till you read all the way to the end. Prepare to get stoked on this: Our collaborative effort with Solemn Oath + Emporium, Goth Syrup, makes its debut this week, and it’s a truly magnificent beast of a beer.

Sunday, May 18th
GOOSE ISLAND SWEET & SOUR
6-10pm
A Barrel-Aged Showdown
Bourbon Country Stouts & Funky Sours
with Brewmaster Brett Porter

Wednesday, May 21st
DIVISION STREET IPA CRAWL #3
6pm
We’ve got East Coast IPAs, so think Maine Beer Co, Victory, Smuttynose, Thornbridge and more! Please visit Small Bar Division for your West Coast IPAs needs, and catch up with a sandwich and a Midwest IPA at Jerry’s.

Friday, May 23rd
BREW STEEL
More than just being ridiculously really really goodlooking, these guys also make handsome beers.

and ... $4 Pour of Goth Syrup
A Solemn Oath + Bangers & Lace + Emporium collaboration
SOB’s ‘None More Black’ Black Farmhouse Ale with Intelligentsia Zirikana Rwanda Coffee!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Spring Patio Sippers

You may have taken advantage of the few nice days that Spring 2014 so graciously granted us and enjoyed the patio we — the eternal optimists — set up weeks ago. But maybe you’re waiting for the stars to align (a warm, sunny day with nothing on your agenda) before you take our outdoor seating for a spin.

We’ve seen a few 60+ degree days in the forecast, so we feel the timing is right to let you in on what we think is the perfect Spring patio pairing:

Our House Barrel of Old Forester is easily enjoyed as a shot or a neat pour, guaranteed to charm your palette and warm you up. In fact, it’s the perfect complement to our collaboration with Une Annee Brewery: Freres, an India Saison Ale. We brewed this first collaboration batch to be totally drinkable — it’s only 6.1% — and incredibly refreshing!

Put those two together and what have you got? A pairing both warm and refreshing, or, exactly what you need to bask in the chilly glow of Chicago’s Spring.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Chicago Speed Rack!


When we introduced you to Cristiana a few weeks back, we may have mentioned that she’s one of the top bartenders in the city. She’s also a veteran competitor in the now annual Speed Rack competition. Sure, she looks all sweet and welcoming, but she is a fierce competitor.

What’s Speed Rack, you ask? Well. It’s a national competition that places female bartenders on a platform to showcase just how badass they are while simultaneously raising money for breast cancer research. In a few short years, they’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a worthy cause.

You can check out the history of the organization in this cool Village Voice feature.   
Last year, Cristiana made it to the Top 8 (the competitors go up against each other March Madness, bracket-style), only to get ousted by fellow Drawing Room bartender Liz Pearce. Not too shabby, considering that Liz went on to win the whole thing.

Cristiana is heading back into the ring this year — and we can’t wait for her to take home the big prize!  

It’s a seriously competitive, crazy, boisterous, fun event. And you’re invited!

Sunday, April 13th
3:00pm
Joe’s Bar
940 W. Weed Street