Think Jesse’s drunk.

Awesome weather today, but unfortunately, I am spending the day at the hospital visiting my mom. Hopefully she is out soon.

Forgot I took this while waiting for my New York flight last month.

Me, before punk.

Miss these days. Miss Tiff. Come visit from Minn, you bologna.

Our brew space is looking sharp.

I have so many beers to work on, fuck. Brain hurts. #brewerproblems #beingwhite

Love these people very much. Taken last week at Rachel’s wedding reception.

Braggot starting to ferment. Original Gravity is 1.120. Should finish out a little over 13% ABV. Trading half for tattoos I think.

All day today people have been asking me about the recent news coming out of Lagunitas regarding their plans to build a 250-barrel brewhouse on the south side of Chicago. They would make smart ass comments like “uh oh, you little brewers better watch out” yadda yadda. I thought I’d make a post about it. I’m not going to put it on facebook and get in a big debate over it or anything. As for my stance on the new Lagunitas midwest expansion?

I’m for it. Don’t like it? Fight me. That’s me, and I’m grumpy. 

Anyway, it’s great for the south side. 18th and Rockwell isn’t exactly the nicest part of town. Hopefully, Broad Shoulder brewing, New Chicago beer co., and Lagunitas can help bring some attention to the south side and remind people that Chicago is not JUST wicker park, logan square, lincoln park, wrigleyville, and downtown. 

Second, it’s not like Lagunitas is a NEW product. Chicago has been carrying their brand for a long time. They are merely using the Chicago location to guarantee a fresh, sufficient supply of beer to the eastern half of the US. Refrigerated freight inflates the price of beer. Long freight commutes also decrease shelf life of beer due to unstable temperatures and the shaking of bottles speeds oxidation (the last thing anyone wants in a hoppy west coast beer). If a new brewery with the a brew-capacity larger than goose island, three floyds, two bros, revolution, 5 rabbit, half acre, metropolitan, and Haymarket…COMBINED then my opinion would sway a bit. And yes, 250 barrels is larger than all of those facilities put together. Mark my words, Lagunitas are going to hit 1,000,000 barrels a year very soon.

Lastly, people are complaining as if this is going to be a David versus Goliath situation here in Chicago. Chicago has been fighting a real David and Goliath battle for decades, since Goose Island decided to open shop in a city dominated by big beer. Lagunitas are not Goliath, they were a David, just like Goose was a David, just like New Chicago is a David. The only difference is that they have managed their business well, expanding without compromising their product. They are David on steroids if anything, not a monster of Bud or Miller caliber. 

Feel better after my rant. Now I will enjoy my Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins and listen to some fucking metal, man. Suck my dick, world.