About
Local Option Bierwerker is the brewing division of The Local Option, a pub in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Owner Tony Russomanno has established himself in the craft beer community through years of experience, and today he partners with six different breweries to create all of Local Option's diverse and innovative beers. Local Option Bierweker believes partnering with different breweries gives them maximum flexibility, allowing them to brew as large or as limited a batch as needed. They’ve taken up recipes long forgotten by the mainstream, such as the Kentucky Common, and perfected well-established favorites, like their steam beer Dampf Loc. Local Option Bierwerker offers a brash, in-your-face approach to craft beer; they brew with bravado and aren’t afraid of a little well-placed irreverence while still respecting the long-standing traditions that provide the foundation for their heavy metal brews.
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6.1/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
500mL bottle poured into a Courage tulip-snifter. I didn’t get a head for this beer and it poured a thick orange color, low clarity. Aroma is full of sweet orange marmalade fruit yeastiness. Light dough ones as well. Flavor is It’s sweeter, less orange and a bit more dough. Thick muddy body with some tingly carbonation trying to cut through it. Not really sure how this is a saison. It’s to fruity but thankfully not banana. A dud from a place I usually enjoy.
Tried from Bottle on 11 Apr 2015 at 03:58

6.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Tap at Local Option - lightly hazy copper - I really appreciate what they were going for here, I guess trying to replicate a Keller straight from the barrel - it mostly works - there is a nice herbal and moderately bitter lager here, with a nicely clean and subtle sweetness - the oak adds an interesting dimension, but is a little strong and bitter in the finish, making it a little less enjoyable - overall, though, pretty strong.
Tried from Draft on 29 Mar 2015 at 20:17

7.4/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Bottle - Coffee and nice caramel malt notes with a touch of cocoa. Cloudy gold with a decent white head. Cocoa and nice mellow cocoa notes. Nice and mellow. Pretty nice.
Tried from Bottle on 15 Mar 2015 at 23:23

6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
[2/12/15] Draught at The Sycamore in San Francisco. Hazy deep golden. Aroma of yeast, a bit vegetal, some grassy hops and wood. Sweetish flavor with malt, yeast, wood, a bit of alcohol and a bitterish finish. Medium-bodied.
Tried on 15 Mar 2015 at 20:28

7.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7.5
The Sampler, Brooklyn bottle: Pours black with a tan head. Aroma is rich dark chocolate, burnt malts, tobacco, and pretzels. Taste is pretty brutal and burnt in a good way. Somewhat bitter. Hefty aftertaste. Hops burn.
Tried from Bottle on 11 Mar 2015 at 21:38

7.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Brewvival 2015 Trip #96. Keg at Brewvival. Pours a slightly hazy golden with a large frothy off-white head. Decent head retention. Aroma of bready malt, floral hops and spice. The taste is bready and biscuit malt, caramel, apples, floral hops. Medium bodied.
Tried on 11 Mar 2015 at 12:55

6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
Bottle - Grains and a bit sweetness. Cloudy gold with a nice white head. Grainy and light sweetness. Very boring.
Tried from Bottle on 04 Mar 2015 at 22:31

5.6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 5 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
500mL bottle, pours a hazy dark golden orange with a small white head. Aroma is very herbally, earthy and spicy. Flavour is around the same, with loads of earthiness upfront, with some herbal and spicy qualities. Very dry and earthy, like drinking dirt almost. Not overly enjoyable, but quite a competent one.
Tried from Bottle on 04 Mar 2015 at 22:20

7.2/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
~16 oz mug draft at Local Option in Chicago, Illinois. The pour is a mostly clear golden copper with a smallish off white head. The aroma is sweet herbal, earth, grain, and a fresh oak character. The taste is initially big on the woody oak flavor, though opens up quickly to reveal the herbal earth and sweet malt graininess. As the beer warmed, integration of flavors came together nicely. The palate is medium bodied, softer carbonation and the oak herbal finish. Nice unique take on the style.
Tried from Draft on 02 Mar 2015 at 15:46

6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
On tap at City Beer. Hazy amber with a white head. Aroma and taste of light orange, yeast, citrus, malt and some caramel. Also some weak notes of wheat. Drinkable but nothing special.
Tried from Draft on 14 Feb 2015 at 05:06