Emmett's Brewing Co. Now Distributing to Chicago

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jul 19, 2011 7:40PM

With locations in West Dundee, Palatine and Downers Grove, Emmett's Brewing Co. makes some of the best small-batch beers in the Chicago area, but their locations have made it very hard for beer lovers who don't frequent the suburbs to wrap their hands around a pint or four.

Until now. With an increased capacity in their West Dundee brewhouse, Emmett's feels the time is right to finally distribute their beers inside the Chicago city limits. This week marks the arrival of Emmett's McCarthy Red Ale and Victory Pale Ale in bottles, and their Black IPA on tap.

Of the three, the best of the beers in our opinion is the red ale. Brewmaster Ryan Clooney has crafted a beautiful medium bodied ale with prominent toasted malt and caramel flavors on the palate, with some nice bittering hops to provide balance. The pale ale is full of hop flavor and aroma, without being sticky or cloying, yet has a sweet malt undertone.

In addition to the three initial releases, Emmett's plans on distributing some seasonal selections, like a saison, on draft. The McCarthy Red and Victory Pale ales can be purchased at all Binny's locations, while the Signature Room (the two have had a long-standing relationship over the years) also carries Emmett's selections.

Other places to purchase Emmett's beers include Whole Foods Kingsbury, Bangers & Lace, Girl and the Goat, Haymarket Brewery & Pub and Goose Island BrewPub- Wrigleyville.