random facts girl » beer

Bring on the Bell’s.

soychicka — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:39:25 +0000

I was recently heartened to learn that Illinois once again has access to the malty, hoppy nectar of the gods that is Bell’s beer. No longer must you cross state lines in search of your Oberon or Double Cream Stout, Illinoisians. For that I salute you… and am starting to think moving back to Chicago might not be such a bad idea.

But I love San Francisco. Even with the ridiculously high rents, the permafog and the crazy old ladies carrying live chickens in brown paper bags on the bus, there are very few things that could tear me away.

And Bell’s is that good. Yes, it’s so good that anytime I go back to the midwest, I take an extra suitcase to fill with 6-packs. And I always end up trying to sneak past with a bag that’s over the allowable luggage weight, so I’ve learned to force my mother to park at the airport and accompany me to the check-in counter – in the event that I need to sacrifice a few bottles from the overstuffed, oversized suitcase to make it on the flight, I know that they’ll find a good home.

So now that Bell’s has made it back to Illinois, I’ll no longer need to abscond with my mother’s car to drive in a blizzard over to Indiana and pick up my annual stash replenishment… but I’ll still be forced to hoard my stash, parceling out bottles to those I deem worthy of the rich brown elixr throughout the year.

So, in the spirit vested in me by the news of Bell’s return to Illinois, I entreat you to join me in finding a way to bring the Third Coast to the West Coast – let’s get some Bell’s Beer in our local bars and spirits retailers. And let me walk down the street to pick up a six-pack of Bell’s Amber instead of traveling halfway across the country to replenish my ever-dwindling stash.

Are you in?

Dude, where’s my Bells?

admin — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:21:35 +0000

For those of you who miss Bell’s Beer as much as I do, Delock’s is the closest place to the Illinois state border, one mile south of I-80 with a full selection of the wonderful brews at decent prices.

What six-packs did I bring home in my trunk last night?

2 Bell’s Amber.
1 Bell’s Porter
1 Bell’s Double Cream Stout
1 Bell’s Java Stout
1 Bell’s Sparkling Ale
1 Bell’s Best Brown Ale
1 Bell’s Batch 8000
1 Bell’s Winter White
1 Bell’s Cherry Stout
1 Bell’s Expedition Stout
1 Bell’s Two-hearted Ale

and 1 large bottle of the Three Floyds porter

There were even more Bell’s varieties that I couldn’t fit in the cart… I felt the need to limit myself somewhat.

The only problem is how I’m going to fit all that beer in my suitcase for the flight back to San Francisco, though…

Delock’s Discount Liquors
822 Ridge Rd
Munster, IN 46321
(219) 836-2088

Bring on the Bell’s.

Beer and Starved Rock

soychicka — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:55:36 +0000

When traversing the town of Utica on the return trip from Starved Rock State Park, Duffy’s Tavern restaurant is always my last stop before hitting the interstate.

Why? Delicious food. The deep-fried appetizers have an outstanding batter, and they’re vegetarian friendly. In this part of the state, that’s quite an accomplishment.

But more importantly, the last time I came here, they had Bell’s Double Cream Stout… ON TAP! After a glorious day of hiking around Starved Rock, nothing made for a happier girl than the dark, creamy richness that they poured ever-so-beautifully into my pint glass. Except maybe the second pint they poured. Well, the beer and successfully outrunning a tornado on the drive home… surviving was a pretty nice cap to the day.

They call themselves “The Best Irish Pub In Utica,” but I’d venture to call it the best Irish pub west of I-355. I’m very glad to see that they recovered from the tornado that swept through the area a few years back. And should I ever find myself heading across the Illinois River Valley on I-80, I know where I’ll be stopping for dinner.

Duffy’s Tavern
101 Mill St
Utica, IL 61373
(815) 667-4324

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