Chicagoist's "Beer Of The Week:" Lakefront Brewery's "Fixed Gear" American Red Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 9, 2012 11:00PM

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

A few months back Kevin Robinson found himself in Milwaukee and asked if I wanted him to bring me back some beer. (Kev does this often.) The key to taking Kevin up on his offers for cross-state beer runs is to specify the beer you want. Otherwise, you wind up with a 30-cube of Old Style on your hands.

The last time Kevin made this offer, I asked for some selections from Lakefront Brewery, which is doing some good work 100 miles to our north. I've been enjoying my Robinson-procured supply of Lakefront's "Fixed Gear," an American Red Ale that is as red, bold and damn good tasting as the label suggests. This is a hearty red ale with a dominating hoppy characteristic on the mouth and nose, thanks to Cascade and Chinook hops. The aroma of this beer gives off some pleasant floral and citrus notes. the color and caramel flavor comes from 2-row pale and dark caramel malts.

Fixed Gear is given some aggressive dry-hopping to intensify the spice and floral aromas and bitterness that lingers in the back of the palate. At 6.5 percent alcohol by volume, it drinks like a heavier IPA.

Given all the hoppiness going on in this beer, the perfect pairings would be barbeque and Thai food. A search for Fixed Gear in Chicago at BeerMenus.com happens to show it's available at Lille's Q, one of the best low and slow joints in the city.