Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Menabrea Lager

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Nov 12, 2008 7:00PM

Our favorite new wine store, hands down, is Perman Wine Selections in the West Loop (802 W. Washington Blvd., 312-666-4417). Craig Perman (a former Sam's Wine and Spirits staffer and avid wine collector) has taken the space formerly occupied by Bennett Wine Studios, done some slight expansion for small tastings and events, and stocked the shelves with a wide variety of wines. Perman is also free with his opinions on his selections without the slightly domineering tendencies of his predecessor in the space, former Bennett Wine Studios owner Liesel Bennett.

Perman's also stocked a small but quality beer selection. We had a hankering for pizza Saturday night and stopped in to pick up a couple selections for pairing. Normally, Italian lager selections veer toward either Peroni or Moretti; both are serviceable, but we wanted something different. Perman suggested a bottle of Menabrea 1846 ($3.99 per 22 ounce bottle) and he was spot on in his assessment of the beer. Brewed in Italy's oldest brewery, Menabrea has a nice crisp bite from the hops on the finish coupled with a bright malt flavor that was neither overly sweet nor intrusive. If every lager tasted like this, the style wouldn't be so maligned. It also made a perfect complement to one greasy sausage pizza from Phil's in Bridgeport.

Next week's "BotW" selection will also be a Perman selection. Until then, head to the West Loop to check out Perman Wine Selections and buy a bottle of Menabrea 1846 Lager, Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."