Rides

Despite Monday's record high temperatures, the final brewpub ride of 2026 is upon us, as your faithful guide to the Chicago beer scene cannot reliably depend on air temperatures above 55 degrees any longer.  We'll be pushing my luck this week - the forecast temperature as I draft this announcement for 11 o'clock on Friday is 51 degrees.  If it doesn't improve, I will post a cancellation notice by 9:30 a.m. 

My "zero mile" alternative will be to assemble at St. Errant Brewing, 2000 Dempster St., Evanston at noon.  They have a terrific dark mild (session brown ale), and lots of well hopped IPA's to sample.

Our destination is Piece Pizzeria and Brewery, in Chicago.  Our proposed route is here: Piece PIzzeria and Brewery Complete

The specific ride link is here: EBC Ride Sign Up

Dining Notes:

Piece is noted for their interpretation of New Haven style pizza.  The classic for this style is white clam, which is very much a New England thing.  The pizza is similar to Chicago Tavern Style, but the topping selections are somewhat more eclectic.

This is the rare brewpub north of Division St. I haven't visited yet, so this will be an adventure for me, too.

There is a lunch special, which is an individual pizza.  I probably will go that route, although I am not averse to splitting a larger pizza with others.

In any event, bring cash for lunch - I cannot ascertain by phone whether they will split checks or not.  The link to the menu is below:

Beer Notes: 

Piece has done quite well in the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.  They recently took home a gold medal at the WBC for their Dark and Curvy Dunkelweitzen - a classic German style dark wheat beer.  If you scroll down below the beer menu, you'll see all the awards they've received.

I am torn between choosing the Gold Medalist Dunkelweitzen, the Oktoberfest, and the 25th Anniversary Porter.  I might just order all 3, and share with everyone.  The beer menu is below:

The last word (for 2026):

It just so happens that our northbound route takes us very near Spiteful Brewing, which has marvelous beer, but isn't open for lunch on weekdays.  It will not take much arm twisting to get me to add a stop here on the way home, to put a finishing touch on the year's libations, should the forecast warm up.  Their web page is here: Spiteful Brewing - Proudly Brewed in Chicago

Thank you to all who have joined me on the past two year's brewing extravaganzas; I've enjoyed your company, and any excuse to visit a brewery.  Just to provide a glimmer of hope over the winter, the Biweekly Brewpub series will resume on Fridays next May, and I am planning a dozen rides for next year.

With the potential return of Alarmist (now owned by Polyanna Brewing), and with Phase Three Brewing taking over the old Metropolitan Brewing space, there may be new locations to visit and new beers to taste, plus old favorites to revisit.

Happy winter ales and barleywines, everyone!

Ron