Stone Week in Chicago More Like An All Out Assault

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 30, 2010 2:20PM

The Chicago area is two days away from the full throttle launch of Stone Brewing in the market, and owner Greg Koch appears to be leaving no stone unturned (pun totally intended) in saturating the market with his beers. Marching into Chicago like MacArthur returned to the Philippines, Koch will be bringing a full contingent of sales and brewery reps from California for the festivities, including Midwest sales rep Aaron Tyrell, who will soon become the best friend of beverage managers and beer buyers throughout the city. The Stone launch also dovetails nicely into the upcoming Craft Brewers Conference coming to town April 7-10.

The full list of events for Stone Week in Chicago are listed after the jump. We'll also run an interview with Koch tomorrow

Thursday

11am: Geneva Ale House (319 West State Street, Geneva, 630-262-3877)
The suburban tap house is devoting one third of all their tap handles to Stone beers.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

3pm: Brixie's Saloon (9526 W. Ogden, Brookfield, 708-387-0050)
Enjoy one of six Stone brews all night long!

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

5pm-7pm: Armanetti's Beverage Mart (3530 N. Lincoln, 773-529-0288)
The blitzkrieg comes to the city proper. Meet local Stone rep Aaron Tyrell.

5pm: Twisted Spoke (501 N. Ogden, 312-666-1500)
Every single tap--all 20 of them--will be pouring Stone! They'll have all of the year-round brews plus several special rare ones. Pair your pint with a tasty Stone Smoked Porter sausage while you're at it. You'll also get to meet the Team Stone crew, and Koch will be here to join in the celebration from 6-7pm!

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Smoked Porter
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Dry-Hopped Arrogant Bastard Ale with Citra Hops
2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2008 Imperial Russian Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels
2010 Stone Old Guardian Belgo-Barley Wine
2007 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2005 Double Bastard Ale
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

5pm-7pm: Warehouse Liquors (634 S. Wabash, 312-663-1850)
This South Loop liquor store will host a special in-store tasting of four of Stone's core brews.

6pm-9pm: Tribes Alehouse (11220 W. Lincoln Hwy., Mokena, 815-464-0248)
Head out to the burbs and you'll be rewarded with ten entire taps dedicated to Stone beers! Join sales rep Lisa Penwell from San Diego for an evening of tasty hard-to-find Stone brews.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Stone Sublimely Self-righteous Ale

7pm: Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark, 773-334-9851)
Hopleaf isn't content to serve ten of Stone's beers on tap--they're throwing a whole dinner party. Join them for a delicious evening of special fare created just for the occasion, all paired with a selection of Stone's Belgian style beers. From 7:30-9:30pm, you'll get to join in a special tasting of a lineup of very rare Stone Vertical Epic Ales with Greg Koch.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
2010 Stone Old Guardian Belgo-Barley Wine
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

Bottle:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

10pm: Kuma's Corner (2900 W. Belmont, 773-604-8769)
Arrogant Bastard meets the most intense burgers in Chicago. Several versions of Stone will be on tap to partner up with Kuma's metal-themed burgers. Koch and the Stone team will be on hand.

Draft:
Stone Ruination IPA
Dry-Hopped Arrogant Bastard Ale with Citra Hops
2009 Double Bastard Ale
2007 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Friday

6-9pm: Small Bar: Logan Square (2956 N. Albany, 773-509-9888)
Take a tour of all 3 Small Bar locations, culminating in a Stone beer and music showcase at Reggie's Music Joint! Each location is pouring a different barrel-aged Stone brew, and buses run between all Small Bars from 6-9pm. The Reggie's shuttle leaves from Division St., and Koch will be hanging out at Small Bar Division from 7:30-9pm.

Draft:
Stone Ruination IPA
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stone 12th anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
...and a cask.

6-9pm: Small Bar: Fullerton (1415 W. Fullerton, 773-525-2727)

Draft:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
2007 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine aged in Red Wine Barrels
...and a cask.

6-9pm: Small Bar: Division (2049 W. Division, 773-772-2727)

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Bourbon Barrel-Aged 2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
...and a cask as well.

6-9pm: Lush Wine & Spirits: West Town (1412 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6900)
Lush will have rare vintages of Stone Anniversary Ales available to buy in bottles. To top it off, you can meet Koch and VP of Sales Arlan Arnsten and enjoy a 2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout fresh off the tap while you're here!.

Draft:
2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Bottles:
Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale

6-9pm: Lush Wine & Spirits: University Village (1257 S. Halsted, 312-738-1900)
Meet Sales Supervisor Cat Costlow from San Diego and enjoy two even rarer Stone brews off the tap while you're here!

Draft:
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Alet

Bottles:
Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

6-9pm: Lush Wine & Spirits: Roscoe Village (2232 W. Roscoe, 773-281-8888)
Three rare vintages of Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine will be available to buy in bottles. To top it off, you can enjoy a never-been-bottled one-off Stone brew fresh from the tap while you're here!

Draft:
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops

Bottles:
2010 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2009 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2008 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine

8:30pm: Reggie's Music Joint (2105-09 S. State St., 312-949-0120)
Finish your tour of all three Small Bar locations with a huge party and rock show featuring music by the Muddy Udders and an even bigger selection of Stone brews. Catch the bus at Small Bar on Division and party with Team Stone. Koch shows up between 9:30 and 10:30 pm.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
2010 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
...plus one more!

Saturday

10am-12pm: Prairie Moon (1502 Sherman Ave., Evanston, 847-864-8328)
The whole Team Stone crew will be on hand while you enjoy selections like Stone's rare and tasty Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans!

Draft:
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
2009 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine

12:30pm: Bavarian Lodge (1800 Ogden Ave., Lisle, 630-241-4701)
Seven taps of awesome Stone brews, including rare and never-bottled beers like Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean and Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale. You'll get the chance to meet none other than Koch and Arnsten. Koch will be on hand from 4:30 and 5:30.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

1pm: Firkin (515 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville, 847-367-6168)
Try four different vintages of Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, including a special new version using a Belgian yeast. If that's not enough for you, they'll have seven other taps pouring tasty Stone brews, and you can meet Koch and Midwest Regional sales representative Jay Ashmore. Koch will be on hand until only here 'til 2:30.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
2010 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2010 Stone Old Guardian Belgo-Barley Wine
2008 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2007 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

3pm: Durty Nellie's (180 N. Smith St., Palatine, 847-358-9150)
Eight taps dedicated to Stone. Koch and Costlow will be on hand; Koch between 3 and 4 pm.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
2009 Double Bastard Ale

6pm: Finnegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant (601 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, 815-733-5177 24102 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, 815-733-5177 )
Finnegan's is lining up the largest number of Stone taps ever seen outside of California--30 Stone brews in one place!! You can also get shirts and pint glasses. Koch will be on hand from 6-8 p.m.to sign Stone DVDs. $2 from each DVD sold will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation to fund childhood cancer research.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Dry-Hopped Arrogant Bastard Ale with Citra Hops
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale
Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2007 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2006 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2005 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2004 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
Bourbon Barrel-Aged 2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
2009 Double Bastard Ale
2008 Double Bastard Ale
2007 Double Bastard Ale
2006 Double Bastard Ale
2005 Double Bastard Ale
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
2009 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
bashah (BrewDog Stone Collaboration)
21st Amendment / Firestone Walker / Stone El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale

Sunday

4-7pm: Whole Foods: Lincoln Park (1550 N. Kingsbury, 312-587-0648)
15 Stone brews on tap, including rare and vintage beers. Top that off with delicious food pairings like cheeses, BBQ, Vosges Haut-Chocolat, and many more. You'll also find a special vintage tasting room featuring rare Stone brews dating back to 2006. The Team Stone crew will be on hand for the evening.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
2010 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine
2009 Double Bastard Ale
2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

Bottles:
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale
Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
2007 Double Bastard Ale
2006 Double Bastard Ale
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

8pm: Map Room (1949 N. Hoyne, 773-252-7636)
The official send-off for the California crew will feature five taps of hard-to-find Stone beers.

Draft:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Ruination IPA
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

Monday

5pm-7pm: Binny's Beverage Depot: South Loop (1132 S. Jefferson, 312-768-4400)
$25 gets you guaranteed admission, a Stone T-shirt and pint glass, AND your first pint (selected brews only) is included! Space is somewhat limited, and you must RSVP to southloop@binnys.com to get in on the deal. Koch will be there from 5-6:30pm. You don't have to pay or RSVP to show up, but Binny's can't guarantee there will be room.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

6pm: Square Bar (2849 W. Belmont, 773-267-0123)
Stone will be pouring from three taps.

Draft:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

6-9pm: The Long Room (1612 W. Irving Park Rd., 773-665-4500)
They'll be serving up five taps of Stone, including a rare vintage of Stone Imperial Russian Stout. There are only a couple of kegs of this rare and delicious brew in the whole town, so don't be late or you'll miss your chance to try it. Koch himself will be here at 7:30.

Draft:
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
2007 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Tuesday, April 6

6-9pm: Jake Melnick's Corner Tap (41 E. Superior, 312-266-0400)
Stone Pint Night! They've got a couple of rare and amazing Stone brews on tap, and they've invited Surly Brewing, too! Koch and Rydell will be on hand.

Draft:
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale

6-9pm: Bar on Buena (910 W. Buena, 773-525-8665)
Stone Pint Night! Enjoy the rare and sought-after Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans. Share your pint with Rydell.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans

6-9pm: Sheffield's (3258 N. Sheffield, 773-281-4989)
Ric Hess and company will have eleven taps of awesome Stone brews, including some rare and hard-to-find gems. Koch and Arnsten will be on hand; Koch will be available from 7 to 8pm.

Draft:
Stone Pale Ale
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Smoked Porter
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
2007 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine

Wednesday, April 7

9pm: The Publican (845 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-9555)
Have some rare Stone brews and meet five American brewing legends at the same time! At around 9:30 or so, Koch will be on hand with the heads of the four breweries Stone recently collaborated with: Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Nick Floyd of Three Floyds, Shaun O'Sullivan of 21st Amendment and Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker.

Draft:
2010 Stone Old Guardian Belgo-Barley Wine
Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
21st Amendment / Firestone Walker / Stone El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale
Special brews from Dogfish Head and Three Floyds
... more to come!

Thursday, April 08, 2010

6pm-9pm: Quenchers Saloon (2401 N. Western, 773-276-9730)
Stone partners up with local brewing pals from Two Brothers and Quencher's will dedicate eight taps to selections from the two breweries. Rydell will be on hand.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale

7pm: Blackbird (619 W. Randolph, 312-715-0708)
Paul Kahan and Mike Sheerin have put together a dinner to celebrate Stone's arrival. Meet the brewers from Stone's international collaboration with Jolly Pumpkin and Norway's Nøgnu-Ø. Try the fruits of their labors: Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale. There is only limited seating available.

Bottles:
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale
...and more from Nøgne-Ø and Jolly Pumpkin!

Friday, April 09, 2010

Big Star (1531 N. Damen, 773-252-7767)
Choose from four of Stone's hoppiest brews, including a never-bottled extra hopped-up Stone IPA, on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Draft:
Stone Levitation Ale
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Ruination IPA
Double Dry-Hopped Stone IPA with Centennial and Amarillo Hops

7pm-10pm: Reggie's Music Joint
Stone is pairing up with Founders Brewery. Try a whole lineup of Arrogant Bastard and Double Bastard Ales, including extra-rare brews like Brandy Barrel-Aged Double Bastard Ale from 2006!

Draft:
Double Levitation Ale
Stone IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone Ruination IPA
Arrogant Bastard Ale
OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale
Dry-Hopped Arrogant Bastard Ale with Citra Hops
2009 Double Bastard Ale