Brewer Highlight - Half Acre Beer Company
Slow. Steady. Consistent. Half Acre’s rise as one of the most popular and revered breweries in the Midwest was no case of overnight success , and that’s just how they planned it. Since 2008, their business blueprint has allowed them to grow organically on the backs of bold, yet approachable, beers like Daisy Cutter pale ale, Gossamer golden ale, Pony pilsner and Space IPA. Starting with a second-hand brewery and small retail shop, a taproom followed, and the last year has seen the addition of a full taproom kitchen and a 60,000-square-foot production facility less than two miles away.
Ask any craft-beer-loving Chicagoan who’s on their short list of favorite local breweries, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find one who doesn’t mention Half Acre. Order their beer on tap anywhere, and you’re almost guaranteed a fresh pour as the kegs tend to drain quickly (a humbling nod to their popularity). Their pale ales, including Vallejo, Gone Away and Navaja, burst with dank, grassy and tropical aromas and have made them reliable go-to’s for even the most discerning of hopheads. Annual special releases such as the uber-hoppy IPA Beer Hates Astronauts, Galactic Double Daisy Cutter and smooth, chocolatey Big Hugs imperial stout, bring fans out in droves to line up down the block. To put the exclamation point on Half Acre’s appeal, their label art jumps off the shelf with bright colors, striking graphics and aesthetic nuances that speak to their maturity in the market.
Featured Beer: Daisy Cutter Pale Ale
Clocking in at a crushable 5.2% ABV, this flagship brew undoubtedly falls into the pale category but packs a bigger bite than its bark. Dank and weedy, its West Coast-style cluster of Columbus, Amarillo and Simcoe hops shine from the moment you raise it to your nose through each refreshing gulp. Despite its sessionable appeal for warmer climates, Daisy Cutter is enjoyed year-round and has become known as one of Chicagoland’s craft beer staples.
The fourth annual Naperville Ale Fest will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2016 and will showcase over 200 unique beers from craft breweries around the country. The fest will also feature live music and food from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and food trucks. Situated on the grounds of the Naper Settlement, with downtown Naperville as a backdrop, it is the ideal setting to experience craft beer. A portion of the proceeds from the Naperville Ale Fest will benefit the Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society.
Tickets>>
Naperville Ale Fest
Saturday, July 16th
Naper Settlement