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Hit the Ground Running

February 02, 2015 by brian buckman

2015 is starting at breakneck speed and we want to get you all up to date as quickly and cleanly as possible.  We've got 5 events coming up in the near future, we'll be TRIPLING our capacity before the end of the month, AND we've got two new Sales Reps to introduce you to.  Read on...

UPCOMING EVENTS:

TONIGHT @ GRANDVIEW TAVERN - FIRSTIES! 
Come to Grandview Tavern from 7pm - Close to celebrate Sam's first sale and our first beer on tap at Grandview.  We will be tapping Pazuzu's Pedals, our Farmhouse Porter, and 2-Headed Dog, an Extra Special Belgian.
For more info, go here.

THURDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH @ QUENCHERS - IBW PRESENTS...
Another event in our series of brain-bending cultural milestones, we'll be tapping a keg of 2-Headed Dog and offering redemption with the soothing sounds of Buckingham Palace SVU, The Columbines and everyone's favorite architects of the Apocalypse... Tijuana Hercules!  There's a $5 suggested donation for the bands.  Come on and get yourself a slice!
For more info, go here.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD @ TABLE, DONKEY & STICK - IBW TAP TAKE OVER
We'll be tapping three beers and pairing them with Chef Scott's delicious food.
For more info, go here.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH - DAY OF THE LIVING ALES
Chicago Beer Society's celebration of cask-conditioned beer, widely regarded as one of the best in the States.  We'll have a cask of Kallisti, our Golden Ale conditioned on honey for you to enjoy.
Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/12848

MONDAY, MARCH 9TH @ FOUNTAINHEAD - BOILERMAKER NIGHT
Join IBW and friends to celebrate Whiskey Week in style as the bar tenders at Fountainhead pair local breweries with local distilleries to bring new flavor and fresher trouble to a classic tavern stand-by.
For more info, go here.

We've got a TON of other great events in planning right now for 2015.  Stay tuned as we release more information about these exciting events.


And now, without further ado, I want to introduce you to two new members of the IBW priest-class.  Two heavy-hitting hot shots full of the proper amounts of Piss and the Vinegar needed to help us lift this spaceship into orbit.

We couldn't be more excited and humbled to introduce you to Sam Eaton and Arman Mabry.  If you see them in the wild give them a high-five and maybe buy them a beer, eh?

sales!.jpg

2015 is going to be an insane year, we can't wait to share it with you all.

February 02, 2015 /brian buckman
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IBW Interviewed by The Hop Review

January 22, 2015 by brian buckman

The guys from the Hop Review spent an afternoon with Brian and Jason a few weeks ago.  Click here to read the interview and view the photos.

January 22, 2015 /brian buckman
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IBW is Hiring

January 06, 2015 by brian buckman

It's a new year and we've got some lofty goals for expanding our cult in 2015.  We're looking for a dedicated sales person to help us get there.

This is a part-time job, requiring about 8-10 hours a week.  This would be perfect for a bartender or assistant brewer trying to pick up some extra $$.

Requirements:

  • Strong knowledge & passion for beer
  • Several years experience in the industry in Chicago in some capacity
  • Good contacts at bars and restaurants around Chicago
  • Good sense of humor
  • Easy to get along with
  • Able to be trusted
  • A car of your own that you would be willing to use
  • Time during the week between 1pm - 4pm

If you meet those requirements reach out to info@ibw-chicago.com ASAP and let us know you are interested.

 

 

January 06, 2015 /brian buckman
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IBW & NYE

December 29, 2014 by brian buckman

Do you know what you're doing for New Year's Eve yet?  Have you made plans on just where you will begin cultivating this year's Grand Satchel of Regrets?

If you're still trying to work this out and want to begin the beginning with some of the greatest food in Chicago and IBW beer we have a couple suggestions for you:

Mott Street Lu'au Party: While it might be winter outside, inside you'll find lush jungle flora, carved fruit, tiki torches, orchids, and island vibes ready to sweep you away to the tropics for the night. And amidst this feast for the senses, you'll indulge in an actual 10-course family-style feast prepared by Chef Edward Kim centered around roasted pig and fresh seafood.  After dinner, throw on your lei and saunter over to the open tiki bar, featuring specialty cocktails created just for the night and all the Rowan Morrison you can fit in your face. Then sashay and sway to the bossanova sounds of DJ Uncanned.

Get your tickets for Mott Street here.

If Hawaiian vibes are not what you're looking for, how about heading over to Parachute for their $80 Prix Fixe menu.

Here's the menu:
ISLAND CREEK OYSTERS, SMOKED MIGNONETTE
SHRIMP TOAST
KABOCHA SQUASH, TOASTED SEEDS N’SPICES
“TTEOKGUK”, ABALONE, RICE CAKES, MATSUTAKE, SEAWEED
TRUFFLED BRIOCHE
COD, MISO, POTATOES
SQUAB, AGED PLUM SAUCE, CHICORIES
BUTTER CAKE, ASIAN PEAR, MAKGEOLLI CUSTARD
PETIT FOURS

We're very proud to continue to be the only beer on tap at Parachute.  Enjoy your New Year's Eve with Beverly and Johnny's fantastic food and wash it down with IBW's Brown Reason To Live!

Click here for more info and reservations for Parachute's New Year's Eve menu.

However you spend New Year's Eve, please make sure it's it's a barrel full of really freaking fun monkeys and, yes, please be safe to yourself and others.

We love you and believe you are the future of technology. Happy New Year!

December 29, 2014 /brian buckman
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IBW Thanks YOU for 2014!!!

December 22, 2014 by brian buckman

It’s been a hell of year for IBW.  We’re working our asses off, chiseling away at a dream and we’ve only started to cut back the stone.
 
And 2015 promises to bring More.  We’ll be doubling our capacity early in the year and putting in a tasting room.  We are small batch bottling in 2015 as well.  All this means that we’ll be in more great bars, more great restaurants and, soon, you’ll be able to buy IBW’s beer in bottle shops around Chicago as well as straight from the twisted source at our scary, back-alley, underground lair.  Stay tuned as these developments develop.
 
We are humbled and hungry.  But mostly, we are Grateful.  We know this ride of passion and poor planning is a privilege  and not a right.  And it’s a privilege gifted to us by the big hearts, big brains and good taste of all of you.  We literally could not be doing this without you.
 
So how about this: We’ll keep making beer unlike anyone else is making in 2015 and you keep drinking it.  Deal?
 
ALSO! Please do not think for a second that running a beer bar and restaurant in this hard-bitten and beautiful city of ours is easy.  We’ve seen a number of great bars that taught us how to drink properly close this year.  And we don’t want to see any more close in 2015.  So, please, support us by supporting the great bars and restaurants that have taken a chance on us and many other great brewers in this city and beyond.
 
Here’s the Roll Call, please stand and salute with me:
 
Steve-O @ Logan Arcade
Sean, Jerome and all the good people at Twisted Spoke
Bob & Andy at the Beer Bistro
Matty & the insanely talented crew at Parachute Restaurant
Mike, Davis & co. at Mott Street
Zach @ Pour Phil’s
Mike & Ed @ Maria’s Community Bar
Chris @ Iron Horse
Diana at the Village Inn
Tony, Noah, Alexi @ Local Option
Dustin & Jerry @ Une Anne
Justin @ Bangers & Lace
John & Chris at Fountainhead
Christina @ Au Cheval
John @ Table, Donkey & Stick
Emily @ Burger Bar
Greg, Brant, Adrian, Danny, Allison @ Dry Hop Brewers
Brandon, Ashley & Dave @ Andersonville Brewing Company
James, Olga, Marshall and crew at Jak’s Tap
MAX at Standard Market
Scott at The Owl
Ferber & the Jam crew at Hoptacular
Nick, Jason & Adam @ Bottlefork
 
Every one of these organizations are kicking ass and shaving years off their life for your pleasure.  Please shake them vigorously.
 
So here’s to 2014 and here’s to the future.  Let us all go now and stick our face into god and come back only for the Treasure Bath!
 
We will knock glasses with you again soon…
 
Brian, Matt, Jason & Willie (and Eric our killer volunteer, too!)

December 22, 2014 /brian buckman
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Illuminated Brew Works LLC ™, 6186 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL