Chicago is known for its love of beer, and one of the most well-known beers associated with the city is Old Style. Despite branding itself as Chicago's beer, Old Style actually originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was first brewed in 1902. It caught on in Chicago, and by 1935, the brewing company had moved to the city. Old Style remained primarily an Illinois brand until 2016 when it moved its operations back to Wisconsin. Today, Old Style is still widely available in Chicago, and visitors to the city can enjoy this local favourite in many taverns and bars.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Origin | La Crosse, Wisconsin |
Year of first brew | 1902 |
ABV | 4.6% |
Can size | 12oz |
Shipping | Free on orders over $75 |
Age requirement | 21+ |
What You'll Learn
Old Style beer is available at Delilah's on Lincoln
If you're looking for a place to buy Old Style beer in Chicago, look no further than Delilahs on Lincoln. This spot is a gem, offering a great selection of beers, including the famous Old Style.
Old Style is a Chicago staple and a well-loved beer, known for its double fermentation process, or "kraeusening", which gives it that extra carbonation and a rich, complex flavour. It's a simple, blue-collar beer that's highly carbonated and pours from a cheap, 20 oz can into your mug. It has a light colour and body, with a delicate aftertaste.
Delilahs on Lincoln is the perfect place to enjoy this classic brew. Whether you're a local or just visiting Chicago, be sure to stop by and grab an Old Style. It's the perfect place to unwind after a long day and enjoy a cold one.
So why is Old Style beer so special? Well, it has a rich history dating back to 1902 when it was first brewed in Wisconsin. While it's not originally from Chicago, it caught on in the city like nowhere else, and by 1935, the brewing company had moved to the Windy City to keep up with demand. Although the brand moved its operations back to Wisconsin in 2016, Chicago still claims Old Style as its own, and it remains a beloved local favourite.
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Old Style is brewed in Wisconsin and is an American Adjunct Lager
Old Style Beer is a brand that was originally founded in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1902, by the G. Heileman Brewing Company. It is a classic American Adjunct Lager that became wildly popular in the Midwest in the mid-20th century. Despite its Wisconsin roots, Chicagoans often claim this beer as their own. In fact, Old Style served as the official sponsor of the Chicago Cubs at the peak of its popularity.
The history of Old Style Beer in Wisconsin is an interesting one. The G. Heileman Brewing Company, which was the city's premier brewer from 1858 to the 1990s, introduced several beer labels, with the first being The Old Times Lager in 1900. However, due to a lawsuit in 1902, the company had to rename the beer to Old Style Lager, the name it still bears today.
The beer's departure from Wisconsin began when Michigan's Stroh Brewery Co. purchased the brand in 1994. Five years later, in 1999, Pabst Brewing Co. acquired the brand rights when Stroh was dissolved, and the beer has been brewed at Pabst's facilities in Milwaukee ever since.
In 2019, the City Brewing Company, the only remaining outpost of the original Heileman Brewing Company, made a deal with Pabst to bring the beer back to its roots and move production back to La Crosse, Wisconsin, ending a 24-year absence. This return to its birthplace was cause for celebration among locals, with La Crosse area bars featuring custom Old Style tap handles, bar signs, pint glasses, and flags.
So, while Old Style Beer has had a complex journey over the years, it is indeed brewed in Wisconsin, specifically in La Crosse, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many Chicagoans as well.
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Old Style has a double fermentation process
Old Style Beer is a Chicago staple, but it is actually native to Wisconsin, where it was first brewed by the G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1902. It is an American Adjunct Lager, like many of its commercial competitors. Old Style is known for its double fermentation process, or "kraeusening" (kroi-zen-ing), which is typical of bottle-fermented beers.
The double fermentation process is used to create strong beers, and can be achieved in a few different ways. One way is to simply transfer the beer to a second vessel after the first fermentation is complete, leaving the bitter yeast at the bottom of the first container. This is known as secondary fermentation, and is often used for lagers and high-gravity beers like barley wine. Another method is to add fermentable corn sugar or a higher tolerance yeast after the primary fermentation, which will increase the alcohol content.
Old Style claims that their double fermentation process gives their lager "extra carbonation and complex richness," as well as makes it "doubly aromatic and singularly intricate in taste." However, some reviewers disagree with this assessment, describing the taste as "forgettable" and "narrowly a beer." Despite this, Old Style has developed a loyal following, particularly in Chicago, where it is often enjoyed at baseball games or local bars.
If you're looking to purchase Old Style Beer in Chicago, you can try the following locations:
- Delilah's on Lincoln
- Stores just east of Lincoln
- Jewel's in central Illinois
- Schnucks
- Local liquor stores in Western Illinois
- Hyvee
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Old Style is available at liquor stores in Western Illinois
Old Style Beer is a Chicago staple, but it is actually native to Wisconsin, where it was first brewed by the G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1902. It's an American Adjunct Lager, and is known for its "kraeusening" or double fermentation process. This process is typical of bottle-fermented beers and gives Old Style its extra carbonation and complex richness.
Although Old Style is no longer primarily an Illinois brand, it is still available in Western Illinois. One Reddit user mentions that they found Old Style in liquor stores in Western Illinois in Macomb. They also mention that Hyvee sold it, and that there are some stores in Springfield, Illinois, that sell it.
You can also use the store locator on the Old Style Beer website to find stores near your location that sell Old Style.
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Old Style is available at Jewel's in central Illinois
If you're looking to buy Old Style beer in Chicago, you may be in luck at Jewels in central Illinois. While Old Style is a Chicago staple, it's actually native to Wisconsin, where it was first brewed by the G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1902. It's an American Adjunct Lager, with a double fermentation process that is said to give it "extra carbonation and complex richness."
Old Style has a strong connection to Chicago, with its iconic signs hanging from taverns across the city. However, it's worth noting that the brand originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and only moved its operations to Chicago in 1935. In 2016, it moved its operations back to Wisconsin, where it continues to brew its Oktoberfest beer.
So, if you're in central Illinois and craving an Old Style, head to Jewels. Enjoy the crisp, rich freshness of this classic Pilsner-style lager, with its light colour and body, medium aroma and bitterness, and full flavour with a delicate aftertaste. Cheers!
To find specific Jewels locations in central Illinois that carry Old Style, you can try using the store locator on the Old Style website or checking with local stores in the area.
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Frequently asked questions
Old Style Beer is available at the official Old Style Beer Store. You can also use the store locator on their website to find a retailer near you.
No, Old Style Beer is not brewed in Chicago. It was originally brewed in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and later moved its operations back to Wisconsin in 2016.
Old Style Beer is an American Adjunct Lager, with a double fermentation process called "kraeusening". It is light in colour and body, medium in aroma and bitterness, and full-flavoured with a delicate aftertaste.
Yes, you can order Old Style Beer online from the official website, which offers free shipping on orders over $75.
Yes, Delillah's on Lincoln is known to serve Old Style Beer.