X-Tra Pale

We brewed an X-Tra Pale Ale as a specialty, draft only one-off that the Map Room is putting on today.  You guys should go to the Map Room to check it out.  You'll find a hoppy / blonde beer that will put your mind in spring even if the weather pushes you elsewhere.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Sorry.

Sorry guys.  No Half Acre Hunt today.  We got slammed at the brewery, and making beer comes first.  Next week will be extra sweet, though.

With Deepest Regret, 

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Stoutfest

Matt and Tommy kegged a 1/2bbl of Baume’ for Stoutfest yeasterday. If you’re not familiar, Stoutfest is a casual fest that Goose Island puts on every year at the Clybourn brewpub. We brewed Baume’ in the hopes that we’d be able to pour at the event yesterday, and sure enough, after being up all night Tommy got one kegged off.

The stout was one of about 30 total that were poured, and it was very well received. Baume’ is a pretty big American Chocolate Rye Stout, and I personally drank off the keg all day. We’re pumped about releasing it. I have a feeling that it will disappear too quickly, but we didn’t brew it in the hopes of having it around for long. Release scheduled for early April.

There were some great beers all around at the event. We were parked next to Andrew of Three Floyds who was pouring Dark Lord, and if there was ever a beer attract the geeks, it’s Dark Lord. Goose had a big line-up, Lunar Brewing Co, Walter Payton’s, Piece, Flossmoore, Rock Bottom, Mickey Finn’s, Two Brother’s were all in attendance. It seemed like everyone had a good time, and only one girl yakked.

Our thanks to the folks at Goose, especially John and Greg hall. They’ve been super supportive of us, and we appreciate that.

Half Acre Beer Co
Chicago, IL

Winner #3

Here's the winner of week three, who was kindly photographed by another hunter.  Cheryl made mention that her pal Shawn told her to go for it even though she'd be late for dinner.  Shawn obviously has his priorities straight.  A quality job on both accounts.  

Cheers, 

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

FOUND!

An adrenaline pumped woman named Cheryl found the capsule.  That makes this week's hunt...over.  Better luck to you next week.

Half Acre Hunt #3

Sorry for the delay -- we got bombarded with activity.

Here's this weeks clue.  Be sure to call or text if you've found it.  773 351 5709

"Big Buildings above and too many people so we need some space, and once we find it it's near magnificent.  Won't stay long, so no need for the classic hotel before us. Trees get chopped so look for the stumps.  It's there you'll find what you seek."

As always, the winner gets at least a free case of beer.

Geocache

We got a call just after the capsule had been found last week from a guy who had found an Altoids tin stuck to the underside of a different bleacher than we had hid our capsule.  We remarked how it was odd that there would have been another item hidden, but left it at that.  

It turns our that this was a "Geocache."  We were contacted by a member of the geocaching community who asked if we could get it back.  To learn about geocaching, check it out here.

So, if you were that guy that found it, please put it back, if you can..  Thanks.

Half Acre Beer Co.

Chicago, IL

New Beers / New Skin

After all the blather about the building, zoning changes, moratorium lifting, equipment moving, construction, and on and on and on...... we've come to the time we can share some new beers with you.  

We genuinely couldn't be more pleased to be at this point.  There's a lot of work still to be done, but most of it is building related and not brewing related.  Our boiler is puffing steam and our brewhouse is chugging away, and that means that new beers are coming .

The first that you guys will be able to purchase is BAUME'.  This is a Rye Stout that fires off notes of chocolate and coffee and balances hop and malt edges with class.  It's a commemorative, limited edition beer that we only brewed 15 bbl's of, so it won't be around long.  It will be available on draft and in 22oz bombers.  This beer was a chance for us to thank those who helped us get this place up and running, and for that we couldn't be more appreciative. 

BAUME' kicks off the first of our bomber series that we hope to keep rolling for some time.  After BAUME's quick appearance we'll follow it up with Daisy Cutter Pale Ale.  We've been itching to get this one in the tank for a while and now that we have some new toys, a bunch of new hops and the ability to do whatever the f*@k we want, we're rolling out the Daisy Cutter.  It will lean in more of a west coast aromatic Pale Ale direction with less on the bittering end.  We're packing it full of the dank hops, and we have big hopes for this PA.

We'll let you know who's carrying both beers once they hit.

We worked hard on the labels and feel they're both representative of the Half Acre vibe.  Our friends at the Federal Government have approved them both, so you'll see them stuck to the side of brown bottles  before you know it.  Let us know what you think.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Half Acre Hunt - Moving Forward

We had another week of fun with the hunt.  The capsule was found within about 20 minutes of posting the clues. We're trying to gauge the difficulty of the clues and overall process-- some people are saying "man, you've got make those clues harder,"  and others are coming to us saying "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."  If you guys have suggestions as to how to improve or change things in order to increase enjoyment, then feel free to let us know.  We'll take any and all suggestions into consideration.  We can make things far more complex, adding stages of information one has to scavenge, etc, but want it to be fun and not a chore.  

Posts about new beers coming later today or tomorrow.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL 

Capsule Found

Capsule found.  Nice work gents.

Half Acre Beer Co.

Chicago, IL

Half Hunt, Week #2

We’re back for the second week of the Half Acre Hunt. Last week was a lot of fun, and we hope this week will follow suit. This week the lucky winner will take home a case of 22 oz bombers filled with Exhale, an Extra Pale Ale / Blonde that we brewed that will not be available for purchase in the world. We’ll also give you and your crew a tour of the space and a look into how we make beer at Half Acre Beer Co. All you have to do is find the capsule and bring it to us.

Some were asking the dimensions of the capsule because they weren’t sure how big it was. So, it’s about 3” in diameter and 1” deep. (Pictured above)

With that said, you have to be 21 years old with proof of age to play. We’ll do our best to post when it’s found, but feel free to text or call 773 351 5709 or email Gabriel@halfacrebeer.com to touch base. If you’ve found the capsule let us know so we can make other hunters aware.

Here’s this week’s clue:

"Another nice day so off to the park. Think of Winston in the town of Man Deer. No sporting events, but grab a seat front and center. Reach below and find what you seek."

Good Luck.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Half Acre Hunt #2

Will post clues and prizes today at 5:00.

Winner

The Capsule was found by a local Northcenter resident who has already come to claim her prize.  Here she is dumping some hops into the batch of Over Ale we were brewing when she came by for a tour and to collect her prize.  Thanks to all the people who were eagerly on the hunt -- it was an intense response.  We're going to try and keep it going every week and mix it up by neighborhood and concept, so your chance will come.  See you out there.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Capsule Found

We just got the call....The Capsule was found (Welles Park, horseshoe courts) by a local Northcenter resident.  I'll be posting about the lucky winner once they collect their prize.  Better luck next week to all who didn't win.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

Half Acre Hunt

We've been having a blast at the brewery.  Finally brewing beer, being able to have the overhead door open with warm breezes and folks popping their head in to say hi.  All of it is coming together in a way that makes the hurdles well worth it.

So, in effort to have a little more fun we've decided to do host a treasure hunt of sorts, The Half Acre Hunt. Today marks the first hunt.  Pictured above is the capsule you'll have to find.  Below is list of clues that should point you in the right direction.  All you  have to do is find the capsule, bring it to us and collect your free case of beer and we'll throw you up on the blog.  You must be 21 years old with proof of age to play.  So, here goes..... get outside and find it.  Bring it to us today and you'll have beer for the weekend.  Good Luck -- and if you absolutely need more clues, then email gabriel@halfacrebeer.com or text 773 351 5709.

"A warm day in a park close to home.  Maybe a game with an equine twist.  Think of the #5 and look for the green carpet"

We're waiting.....

(We'll get up a notice asap when it is found)

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL

The Half Acre Series

Half Acre Cycling, the cycling team we sponsor, has stepped up and organized a five-day series of sanctioned racing in Calumet Park:  Kevin's Crit Series (named for Kevin Clark of Half Acre Cycling).  It's affordable and sure to be a good time.  Read more here.

The brew on Friday went really well.  There's a lot of room for potential issues, as many operating functions are being tested completely for the first time.  The steam pumped, the water flowed, the mill milled, the boil rolled, the heat exchanged, the Glycol cooled and fermentation has been burping ever since.  Needless to say we're relieved and excited to rack this beer and get it into mouths.  The EPA we brewed might find its way to some bars, but give a shout and we'll offer you up some samples at the brewery.

Half Acre Beer Co

Chicago, IL