World Beer Cup, Chicago 2010

[nzbrewer]

In April 2008 I did a really fantastic tour of California with myself, David Cryer, Neil Miller, and Steve Plowman. We visited a bunch of breweries, as well as attended the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, we tried some mind blowing beers and meet the brewers that brewed them.

This was the equivalent of going to the future of beer.

April 2010 - Chicago - Craft Brewers Conference

Now is the time to start planning, start saving, and planting the seed (not literally) with the wife or girlfriend (or mum) letting them know that you are possibly going to Chicago next year.

Anyone keen to join the road trip?

Possibly a stop in San Fran and or San Diego. I'm really wanting to get back and spend a bit more time at Russian River.

[nzbrewer]

Pilgram has been elevated to a YES status

YES
Luke Epic
Steve Hallertau
Joking
Greig Hamiltron
Alex Hamiltron
Pilgram

MAYBE
Colin Malthouse
Neil Miller
NVIOUS
Mike Neilson
Stu McKinlay

[nzbrewer]

Couple of suggestions to visit while in Chicago

Hopleaf Bar
Piece Brewery & Pizzeria - World Beer Cup 2006 Champion Small B...

[nzbrewer]

Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®

April 7-10, 2010
Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Tower, Chicago, IL


View Larger Map

[Geoff Griggs]

More information now online...

http://www.worldbeercup.org/index.html

[nzbrewer]

OK, we can now start sorting details for this trip to Chicago for the Craft Brewers Conference.

Below is some initial details



Sight Seeing – Chicago is a great city with a fun beer scene, two major league baseball teams and lots to see. Here is some info to get you started on your planning while you are in town –

Beer –

Illinois Craft Brewers Guild website - a great resource for Illinois breweries: http://illinoisbeer.com/

Map of nearly all things beer related in Chicago: http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=chicago

The Map Room is one of Chicago’s best beer bars: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=1530

A few of the dozens of excellent brewpubs and breweries in the Chicago area:

Goose Island’s Clybourn brewpub is a long time landmark: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=497

Piece Brewpub is more recent, also very good: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=1000

Rock Bottom – Chicago – very close to the Sheraton: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=1095


Farther out, consider –
Flossmoor Station: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=448

Two Brothers: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=1361

Mickey Finn’s to the North: http://beermapping.com/maps/reviews/reviews.php?locid=848


Baseball –

Chicago White Sox April 2010 Schedule: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=cws&m=4...

The White Sox will host the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins in Chicago during WBC/CBC week.

[Geoff Griggs]

Last night I spoke to Doug Dresser and he is offering to set up a visit to Firestone Walker for the visiting Kiwi contingent. I'd certainly be keen!

Paso Robles is roughly mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, about 3.5 hours driving time from either.

[Greig McGill]

One vote for "hell yeah". Luke: What are we doing about tickets? Worth seeing if we can get a group booking discount? Perhaps we should all meet somewhere for a pint and a planning session? Or at least get our skype on.

[666 Brewing]

Qantas currently has a special to Chicago $2099 return (fly during April) but special finishes 16 November. Our tickets cost $350 :-)...plus 150,000 FF points. We're going via NY so will see you all in Chicago...a pint and planning session sounds like a good idea, might do that tonight with Geoff!

[Greig McGill]

This trip is going to be... ahem... EPIC!

[666 Brewing]

'hellish' I reckon ;-)

[Stu McKinlay]

that's the pot insinuating that the kettle is black...

[nzbrewer]

OK looks like I might get a gap in the traffic over the next week or two, so going to spend some time on planning this trip.

I have talked to a travel agent and they indicated the next round of discounted airfares will be early in the new year, and this would be the time to book.

Here is a link for booking activities and the Craft Brewers Conference
http://www.craftbrewersconference.com/registration.html

As Mr Miller can let you know, it is best to book your accommodation in the same venue as the Craft Brewers Conference, as you tend to miss out on a few things otherwise. Even if you are staying at the hotel next door