Double "Do This": Beer Edition

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 11, 2009 6:00PM

One person who probably loves beer more than us is Bob Skilnik. If you haven't read his musings on beer, you're missing a real treat and may actually learn something. Skilnik delves deep into the history of beer, with a particular emphasis on Chicago's history with the suds. Example: did you know that the recipe for Miller Lite was purchased by Miller from Meister Brau?

That's the kind of cool stuff you're going to learn if you attend Skilnik's lecture and tasting of the beers that once dominated this market. On Monday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m., Skilnik will take attendees back to the days when Old Style was pure brewed in God's Country, Schlitz gave you the kiss of the hops with none of the bitter, and Pabst Blue Ribbon was what made Milwaukee famous. The lecture will be held at Mather’s-More Than a Café (3235 N. Central Ave.) and costs $8.

The day before, L2O is hosting a beer dinner in honor of St. Patrick's Day that doesn't feature any Irish beer as part of their monthly dinner party series of intimate dinners. And Hallelujah to that! Instead, L2O is looking to the Far East for inspiration, pairing select dishes with brews from Kiuchi Brewery's Hitachino Nest line. Now the cost is steep, at $195 for six courses — this is L2O, after all — but for the opportunity to dine in a smaller setting in the restaurant's Tree Room, it's worth it. The dinner starts at 6 p.m.