\n“Rich with almond-marzipan depth and cherry syrup sweetness in perfect balance, starting off almost like candy and developing as it warmed into a flavor akin to a delightful cherry cola hovering atop a roasty Mounds bar. It was awesome. Also it was called \u201cJohnny Toughnuts\u201d which is super fun to order. And it reminded me, not for the first time but for the first time in a while, that great beers can be found everywhere. And when you find one, it reminds you why you keep hunting them down.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
If you can still recall a flavor months after tasting it, it’s made a real impression. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to make a return trip in hopes of trying it again.” ~Karl Klockars<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOur Best Beer Experiences: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n“I had some great brewery visits this year, but my visit to Finland this summer stands head and above everything else as the best beer experience of this year and probably the last few years as well. While beers weren’t the primary reason I went abroad with my family, it was fascinating to see a culture that has gravitated to a lot of the same tastes in beer as America, just through a prism that’s a few years behind ours. It was a little like time travel. Tasting a variety of hazy IPAs from breweries still feeling out the flavors and their processes was pretty illuminating, and sipping smoked stouts and West Coast IPAs from a floating taproom on an inland lake was a real memorable moment. Oh, and while it’s not beer, it’s also where I learned to love Long Drinks: the original RTD. I was just craving a blueberry one a few days ago.” ~KK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n“Phase Three<\/strong> has been one of the best, most consistent and most popular craft breweries in the Chicago area since it started in Lake Zurich nearly five years ago. I was eager to see what they’d do with a kitchen\/taproom in Elmhurst. Guy Drinking Beer Steve and I visited during opening weekend in late August, and I’ve been back a bunch. The lumpia (pork-filled spring rolls) and corn ribs are great appetizers, the double smash burgers are incredibly good and the double dipped fried chicken is a tasty sandwich. You’re probably already familiar with the beer thanks to the hazy IPA craze, but Elmhurst also offers beers off the lukr faucet and an engine. I go mostly for what only gets released to members and through Oznr. In just four months, I’ve happily tried Eunoias 14 (big cinnamon fan so this was a hit), 15 (a bit sweet) and 16 (apple brandy BA stout that I loved), and Arches (again with the great cinnamon). Bonus: Bottle Theory Elmhurst<\/strong> is just a short walk away, and the tap list is usually great.” ~EK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n“My best beer experience of 2023 was a father-son road trip from Austin to Indianapolis and the brewery and barbecue map he created to guide our journey. From a Lone Star at Terry Black\u2019s BBQ in Austin to flights at Turning Point near Dallas, waiting out an Oklahoma tornado at Prairie Artisan Ales to pilsners at BKS before a Kansas City Royals game (and a visit to Arthur Bryant’s BBQ after), freshly tapped Budweiser at the source in St. Louis to sharing a bottle of Side Project BBT, the Father\u2019s Day weekend trip was a reminder that beer is as much about moments and the people you\u2019re sharing them with as it is the product.” ~SP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When we think about 2023’s best beer and our favorite beer experiences, here’s what we’ll look back on fondly:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34409,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[2269,2266,2267,2265,2268,447,928,2152],"yoast_head":"\n
Our 2023 "Best Beer" and "Best Beer Experience" Roundup - Guys Drinking Beer<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n