Mark McDermott's Beer Page

In my quest for new challenges, I became a homebrewer! I started with the local Brew on Premises, but when they closed down, I got myself everything I need at home to whip up a batch of beer. But even more fun than making beer is designing the label to stick on the bottle! Sure beats collecting stamps! Okay, my homebrew labels have been pushed down the page by my writing about beer in Chicago. Give me more time to square this page away, and you'll see them again!

Sep 29, 2011

Chicago craft beer events, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

Founder's Canadian Breakfast Stout goes on sale Saturday! Plus more Oktoberfest celebrations!

Sep 25, 2011

Chicago craft beer events, September 26-29 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

Stone Brewing goes whole hog, international food and rare beers, and Oktoberfests go on.

Sep 22, 2011

Chicago craft beer weekend, September 23-25 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

More Oktoberfests from Valpo to Plano! Nights with dark beers and New Hollands.

Sep 17, 2011

Chicago craft beer calendar, September 19-22

Ancient Ales from Dogfish Head, a charter school fundraiser, local collaborations, and oh yes, Oktoberfests!

Sep 15, 2011

Chicago craft beer weekend, September 16-18 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

The Cystic Fibrosis Festiv-Ale is this weekend, Alphabeer VI, Zwanze Day, Brewfest in Racine, plus ongoing Oktoberfest, and Girls' Pint Out steps out.

Sep 12, 2011

A taste of Mexico's Bohemia Clásica beer

I get to sample some Bohemia Mexican lager as part of its push into the U.S. market.

Sep 11, 2011

Chicago craft beer events, September 12-15 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

More Oktoberfests in town. An Oysterfest, and Smuttynose pairings too.

Sep 8, 2011

Chicago craft beer events, September 9-11

100 beers at Chuck's Fest, Bridgeview; German-American Fest kicks off Oktoberfest season; Rockford hosts Screw City Fest

Sep 4, 2011

Chicago craft beer calendar, September 5-8

Beer tasting to benefit Swedish Covenant, 5 Rabbit and Brooklyn Brewing events, beer schools and brewery tours.

Sep 1, 2011

First Midwest Brewers Festival in Plainfield goes over big!

All I can say is: I was there. Didn't get a full perspective, but enjoyed many good beers.

Chicago Labor Day weekend craft beer events - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

Not all's quiet during Labor Day Weekend: Trappist pairings at SmallBar, Maria's celebrates its birthday, and Goose Island pops a Farmer's Market beer.

Aug 28, 2011

Chicago craft beer calendar: August 29-September 1

A lot of beer dinners and tastings this week. Get in on 'em, cause Labor Day weekend is light on events.

Aug 26, 2011

Craft beer alert: Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout coming in October

Keep reading for updates when this beer becomes available in Chicago!

Aug 24, 2011

Chicago craft beer weekend, August 26-28 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

Four big beer fests, a farm dinner, bike pub crawl, Bell's tastings, more!

Aug 23, 2011

Plainfield's first Midwest Brewers Festival is August 27

Over 60 brewers will be pouring at the first Midwest Brewers Festival Saturday, August 27 in Plainfield.

Aug 22, 2011

Craft beer review: Lunar-Blue Cat Black Zemon saison beer - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

Here's an advance impression of Black Zemon, the black ginger saison debuting at Lunar Brewing Tuesday!

Aug 21, 2011

Chicago craft beer events, August 22-25

More beer pairings, tastings and events in town than you can even lift a stick to shake at!

Aug 19, 2011

Minhas is brewer for Frank Thomas Big Hurt Beer

Government records show cheap beer brewer Minhas is the brewer for Frank Thomas Big Hurt Beer.

Aug 17, 2011

Chicago craft beer weekend, August 19-21 - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

Missed the Great Taste? Fuhgeddaboutit! This weekend the Oak Park Microbrew Review and The Livery's anniversary party kick off a stretch of fests right here!

Aug 16, 2011

Dropping in on Q-BBQ - Chicago craft beer | Examiner.com

We drop in on Q-BBQ for some, what else, barbecue. And I find a bargain beer I like.

Aug 13, 2011

Beeronaut Chicago calendar, August 15 to 18

Events heat up again as brewers recover from Great Taste of the Midwest. A Stone tap takeover, Two Brothers beer dinners, La Trappe and other Belgian tappings, and New Holland with empanadas.