Five new Chicago summer beers and where to find them

A glass of 5 Rabbit poured at Hopleaf in Andersonville/PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Warmoth

Chicago changes with the seasons, and so do the beers served up by its local brewers. The Windy City boasts an abundance of brewing operations and many of them have new batches of beverages that have recently been made available or will be showing up soon at your neighborhood pub or liquor store. Here are five notable summer releases and a handy map to show you where they can be found.

1. Dripping Saison, Half Acre Beer Company

http://www.halfacrebeer.com/

Half Acre added a little sweetness to this new yellow batch that came out at the end of June. If you like your beer a little fruity, look for it on tap wherever they keep Half Acre on hand. If you live near the corner of North Rockwell Avenue and West Iowa Street, you should be able to snag some at Archie’s.

2. Bourbon Barrel Aged General Molasses Porter, Revolution Brewing

http://revbrew.com/

On the darker side of new Chicago beers, Revolution Brewing just broke out their Bourbon Barrel Aged General, a molasses porter, earlier this month, and they’re pouring pints at their brew pub in Logan Square.

3. Fear! El Chupacabra, Vienna Lager, Rock Bottom Brewery

http://www.rockbottom.com/chicago

July 15 marks the return of this dark Vienna Lager to the tap at Chicago’s Rock Bottom Brewery. If you like your beer light and toasty, but not too strong, cruise on by their West Grand Avenue location and grab a glass while this batch lasts.

4. 5 Rabbit, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria

http://5rabbitbrewery.com/

The newly established brewers at 5 Rabbit in Chicago want to bring a taste of Latino heritage to their work. Their namesake beer will shower your summer with just enough body and some refreshing citrusy goodness. This is a beer to get you through any heat waves that the season can throw at you.

5. Cut Throat Pale Ale, Finch’s Beer Company

http://www.finchbeer.com/

Chicago newcomer Finch’s Beer Company entered the brew game with a pale ale that also uses a little citrus with its hops. You’ll find it at taps across the city, including Beckett’s Public House at the busy intersection of Ashland Avenue and Lincoln Avenue.

Need directions to track one of these beers down? Check out the addresses in the map above, or visit the brewers’ websites to find more options.