Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Metropolitan Krankshaft Kölsch

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 13, 2010 7:00PM

It was the day after Christmas and we struck out on getting some early morning takeout tortas at XOCO. To be fair, the churros and almendrada cocoa was a more than adequate consolation for a long walk from River North to the South Loop and lunch at Hackney's Printers Row. We've mentioned before that Hackney's is one of the more underrated beer bars in the city, back when we named Blanche de Bruxelles "BotW."

Normally we tend to drink kölsch beers during the warmer months. This particular kölsch, however, merited a sampling. It's one of only three beers Metropolitan Brewing produces. Krankshaft Kölsch is also one of the more crisp versions of the style around. Doug Hurst hops Krankshaft with some nice Santiam hops, then rounds out that bitterness with wheat malt. Hackney's serves it up at a perfect temperature, even in the dead of winter. The beer paired well with Hackney's New Mexico chicken melt sandwich. You can also pair this with Thai food, barbeque, Mexican food, spicy hummus and thick burgers.