Stone Beer In Chicago

As I sit outside on a wonderful (finally) summer day in Chicago, I drink a Stone Russian Imperial Stout. Typical summer beer? No. That summer doesn't typically bring one to crack open a dark, heavy, put-hair-on-your-chest beer - I find that this beer is perfect for my mood. A little ornery to be honest. Why the ef won't Greg Koch bring his shiz to Chicago? Why do I have to pay $75 bucks at Woodman's in Kenosha to drink RIS, Arrogant Bastard, and Smoked Porter? From what I know of Greg, he is a little particular about who drinks his beer. Let's discuss.

Sitting next to Greg for lunch at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego 2008, I was fresh off a "diss" from Greg. Knowing he was in Chicago for a meeting, I asked him to take a tour of beer Chicago with me and see the sights. Okay, diss really isn't the word. He had plans in place, and couldn't be changed. That fact did not diminish the awkwardness that occurred at lunch, though, I will say. Nonetheless, Greg's contention that the beer business in Chicago is as dirty as it's politics seems to be the holdout to bringing his sweet nectar to the second city.

Look. I know that shit is dirty here in Chicago, but I also know that there are plenty of craft brewers that are doing *pretty* well here without spending a penny on discounting and giveaways. I contend that the "Big 2" are here to outspend each other, but the craft brewers that can sell their message and product at full price are the ones to stick around and make a buck.

The further I get through this RIS, the more I wish I could walk down the street and get another one.

I contend, unabashedly, that if you don't have your product in Chicago, you haven't made it to the big time yet.

Have you ever drank the arrogance of Stone? Do you wish it to be here in Chicago? What are your thoughts?