This is the list of beers that we brew during a typical year. (Please note that not all of these beers are currently on tap.)
Our German-style Strong Doppelbock is full bodied and deep amber-dark brown in color. Malty sweetness is dominant but not cloying. Some elements of caramel and toffee can be evident and contribute to complexity, but the predominant malt character is an expression of lightly toasted Munich-style barley malt. Fruity esters, such as a hint of raisin, are perceived but at low to moderate levels. Astringency from roast malts is absent. Alcoholic strength is high, hop bitterness and flavor are low and hop aroma is absent.
ABV: 9.6% IBU: 30 Color SRM: 28
This American-style brown ale has roasted malt, caramel-like and chocolate-like characters of medium-high body and intensity in both flavor and aroma. Color is dark brown. American varietal hop aroma is evident in this beer as is hop bitterness and hop flavor. Fruity-ester characters are subdued in this beer by the roasted maltiness.
ABV: 5.6% IBU: 34 Color SRM: 19
This beer is a rare 'Sticke Alt' originating from Dusseldorf. 'Sticke', or 'secret', means the brewery does not reveal its recipe. It is an ale, but is fermented at colder temperatures like a lager. It is more intense than a regular altbier. The brew is full-bodied and well-hopped, with a great balance between bitterness and nutty-malty sweetness, overlaid by strong notes of caramel and roasted malts. It is dark-copper in color, has the flavor complexity of an ale, the noble hop bouquet and creamy head of a Pils, and the clean, mellow-smooth finish of an Oktoberfest.
ABV: 5.5% IBU: 60 Color SRM: 23
This Strawberry Blonde Ale is made using fresh strawberries added to secondary fermentation, providing obvious, yet harmonious, fruit qualities which are not overpowered by hop character. The beer is golden-strawberry blonde in color, and it has a crisp, dry palate, light body and light malt sweetness. Low hop floral aroma is present but does not dominate, and hop bitterness is low.
ABV: 5% IBU: 15 Color SRM: 3
Our Belgian-style Tripel is characterizied by a complex yet mild spicy character with yeast-generated fruity banana, pineapple and tropical fruit esters being present; however clove-like phenolic flavor (like in a Hefeweizen) is absent. This is a very pale/light-colored ale which finishes lightly sweet, has a medium body and an equalizing hop/malt balance. Belgian candi sugar is used to lighten ther perception of body, although alcohol strength and flavor are evident in this beer. Very low hop flavor, dense head retention, chill haze and slight yeast haze are also typical.
ABV: 8% IBU: 28 Color SRM: 5
This summertime seasonal beer is light straw in color and has a crisp, dry palate, light body and light malt sweetness. Low to medium hop floral aroma is present while hop bitterness is low. Fruity esters can be perceived, but the citrus flavors of lemongrass added to this brew predominate in this very drinkable summer beer.
ABV: 4.9% IBU: 19 Color SRM: 3
'California Common' beer is a hybrid style of beer brewed with lager yeast, but at ale fermentation temperatures. This truly American beer style was first developed during the California Gold Rush when cold fermentation for lager yeast was not readily available due to lack of refrigeration, resulting in a highly effervescent beer. It is amber in color and medium bodied with a noticeable degree of caramel-type malt character in flavor and in aroma. Hop bitterness impression is medium-high and is balanced with a medium-low degree of fruity esters, hop flavor and aroma and malt character to give an impression of balance and easy drinkability.
ABV: 5% IBU: 43 Color SRM: 11
This is a German-style Märzen characterized by a medium body and light reddish-orange color. Sweet maltiness dominates slightly over a clean hop bitterness. Malt character is light-toasted rather than strongly caramel with bread or biscuit-like malt character present in aroma and flavor. Hop aroma and flavor are low but notable, while fruity esters are absent.
ABV: 6.2% IBU: 24 Color SRM: 9
This full-bodied, high-gravity, London-style robust porter is black in color with a dark deep-red tint and has a strong roast malt flavor balanced by a lot of hop bitterness and aroma. Fruity esters are evident but balanced with the roast malt and hop bitterness.
ABV: 6.98% IBU: 58 Color SRM: 35
120 Shilling is a strong Scotch ale with high maltiness and a full body. Perception of hop bitterness, flavor and aroma are very low to nonexistent. Color is very deep copper. The clean alcohol flavor balances the rich and dominant sweet maltiness in flavor and aroma. A caramel character and slight dark roasted malt flavors and aroma are evident, and fruity esters are medium. Some chill haze is present at cold temperatures. This ale also exhibits a low level of peaty/smoky character from the addition of small amounts of peated malt.
ABV: 6.8% IBU: 22 Color SRM: 27
This imperial stout is very robust and opaque black with a high alcohol content. The extremely rich malty flavor and aroma are balanced with assertive hopping and fruity-ester characteristics. Bitterness is high and balanced with full sweet malt character. Roasted malt astringency and bitterness can be moderately perceived but are not overwhelming to the overall character. Hop aroma is high with hop-floral, -citrus or -herbal characteristics.
ABV: 8% IBU: 100 Color SRM: 107
Since the early Middle Ages (or Late Antiquity), rye has been widely cultivated in Europe, and it is a European Rye that is used to create this rare, practically non-existent beer style. Closely resembling an English-style barley wine but with a caramelized, spicy/peppery note from the rye, this beer is dark copper in color and has a full body and high residual malty sweetness. The complexity of alcohols and fruity-ester characters are high and counterbalanced by the perception of low bitterness and extraordinary alcohol content. English-variety hop aroma and flavor is present but minimal. Caramel, dark toffee and vinous/sherry-like aromas and flavors dominate.
ABV: 8.6% IBU: 21 SRM: 28
This medium-bodied barrel-aged Belgian-style brown ale is characterized by the presence of lactic sourness. A fruity-estery character is apparent with no hop flavor or aroma. Flanders brown ales have low to medium bitterness and a low degree of malt sweetness is present and in balance with the natural acidity produced by lactobacillus activity from prolonged contact with the wood barrel. There is a roasted malt character in aromas and flavor with slight smokiness from the use of peated malt. Oak like or woody characters are pleasantly integrated into the overall palate.
ABV: 9% IBU: 21 Color SRM: 27
Our overwhelmingly popular, but most difficult to brew and very unique, dark German-style rye beer is brewed with over 30 percent rye malt and low rates of the soft spicy hops. A banana-like fruity-estery aroma and flavor are typical but at low levels; phenolic, clove-like characteristics should also be perceived. This style is dark amber to brown in color, and the body is light in character. Roasted malts are evident in aroma and flavor with a cocoa/chocolate and light caramel character and a low level of roast malt astringency whic is appropriately balanced with malt sweetness.
ABV: 5.7% IBU: 20 Color SRM: 16
Aroma and flavor is malty, sweet and rich with some chocolate, caramel and toasty quality. This Americanized version of the style features a stronger, citrusy-American hop aroma and character and relatively high bitterness. Fruity esters are low, body is medium and color is medium-light brown. The medium-dry, resiny finish provides a pleasant lingering taste of both malt and hops. This beer is related to an amber/red ale, but with more chocolate character, which tends to balance the hop bitterness and finish.
ABV: 5.59% IBU: 42 Color: 21
Extra special bitter possesses medium-strong English-hop qualities in aroma, flavor, and bitterness. The residual malt and defining sweetness of this richly flavored, full-bodied bitter is more pronounced than in other bitters. It is copper colored with fruity-ester character in aroma and flavor.
ABV: 7% IBU: 50 Color SRM: 9
These reserve beers are aged for several months in Bourbon Barrels to infuse the complex characters of bourbon and the burnt oak wood into the beer. A balance of flavor, aroma and mouthfeel are sought with the marriage of the beer and the barrel and bourbon flavors.
This beer is a Belgian-style pale or golden ale brewed as a ReplicAle for this year's AleFest in Chicago. It is characterized by low but noticeable hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma; however, this version is 'Americanized' by increasing hop levels with American Cascade hops. The beer has a light-medium body, low malt aroma, golden color and low to medium fruity esters evident in aroma and flavor. Low levels of phenolic spiciness and slight sourness from yeast are perceived as well as low caramel and toasted malt flavor.
ABV: 4.5% IBU: 30 Color SRM: 4
This very small batch, strong pale ale has a deep golden to copper color, medium body, medium maltiness and low caramel character. Floral and citrus-like American-variety hops have been used to produce high hop bitterness, flavor and aroma. Fruity-ester flavors and aromas are moderate to strong.
ABV: 7% IBU: 99 Color SRM: 19
Drunken Weasel
This Dunkelweizen is a dark German-style wheat beer characterized by a distinct sweet maltiness and a dark chocolate-like character from roasted malt. Fruity and phenolic esters are evident but subdued, the color is dark brown and the beer is appropriately cloudy with yeast. Dunkel is highly carbonated, and hop bitterness is low while hop flavor and aroma are absent.
ABV: 5.4% IBU: 17 Color SRM: 22
Jivaro Oatmeal Espresso Stout
Named after the headhunting, beer brewing people of the 'sacred waterfall' in South America, this oatmeal stout includes oatmeal in its grist, resulting in a pleasant, full flavor and a smooth profile that is ruch without being grainy. A roasted malt character which is caramel/chocoate-like is evident but is smooth and not bitter. Coffee-like roasted barley and roasted malt aromas (chocolate and nut-like) are prominent and only intensified with the use of several pounds of DESTIHL's own blend of South American coffee in this beer. Underhopping allows the coffee to contribute to the flavor profile while not becoming excessively bitter.
ABV: 5.7% IBU: 26 Color SRM: 57
Obatar ('Ordinary Bitter')
This English-style ‘Ordinary Bitter’ is gold-copper colored with medium bitterness, light body, and low residual malt sweetness. English hop flavor and aroma character is evident with traditionally mild carbonation. Fruity-esters and very low diacetyl (butterscotch) characters are acceptable in aroma and flavor, but are minimized in this form of bitter.
ABV: 3.3% IBU: 30 Color SRM: 9
Big Small Pale Ale
A 'small beer' or 'small ale' refers to a beer made of the "second runnings" from a very strong beer (e.g., a scotch ale, barley wine, or in our case, an imperial IPA) mash. These beers can be as strong as a mild ale, depending on the strength of the original mash. Making small beers was done as an economy measure for centuries. This particular small beer is actually big for a small beer, meaning that its gravity was still fairly high despite the first runnings being used for our soon to be released imperial IPA. We only brewed one keg and one cask of this beer. it closely resembles an American-style Pale Ale, with a deep golden to copper color, a well-pronounced fruity, floral and citrus-like American-variety hop bitterness, flavor and aroma from abundant use of Cascade hops. it has a medium body, low maltiness and low caramel character. Fruity-ester flavor and aroma is moderate to strong.
ABV: 5.5% IBU: 36 Color SRM: 10
Nit Wit
This is a Belgian-style white or 'wit' ale. it is very pale in color and is spiced with coriander, peppercorns and orange peel which will all be perceived in flavor and aroma. Phenolic spiciness and yeast flavors are evident at mild levels. These beers are served cloudy with an unfiltered, nearly opaque haze in appearance. The style is further characterized by the use of noble-type hops to achieve a low hop bitterness and little to no apparent hop flavor. This beer has low to medium body, no diacetyl and a low to medium fruity-ester level. Mild acidity is appropriate.
ABV: 4.7% IBU: 20 Color SRM: 3
Bar Sinister Mild Ale
This beer is an English-style mild ale with a brownish-red color, but brewed with American varietal hops. Malt flavor and caramel are part of the flavor and aroma profile while licorice and roast malt tones contribute to the flavor and aroma profile. This beer has very little hop flavor or aroma and is quite light-bodied and lower in alcohol.
ABV: 5.5% IBU: 30 Color SRM: 21
Dampfbier
Dampfbier is an obscure, centuries-old style from the region of the Bavarian Forest near the Czech border. It is an all-barley ale, usually deep golden to light amber in color, with a unique feature: it is warm-fermented with Weissbier yeast at a temperature above 70 degrees Farenheit (21 degrees Celcius), which gives the beer a slightly phenolic taste. Brewed mostly in the summer, it is medium-bodied, very mildly hopped and is low in effervescence.
ABV: 4.75% IBU: 18 Color SRM: 9
Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout
This beer is black in color, high in alcohol content, very robust with a rich malty flavor and aroma balanced with assertive hopping and fruity-ester characteristics. Hop bitterness is high but balanced with chocolate malt, Belgian chocolate and red raspberry fruit character. Roasted malt astringency and bitterness can be moderately perceived but do not overwhelm the overall character.
ABV: 9.8% IBU: 96 Color SRM: 65
Dark Side Schwarzbier
This dark German lager style beer has a deep reddish-brown to black color with a mild roasted malt character without the bitterness commonly associated with other dark beers. It has a moderate body which gently enhances the malt flavor and aroma with low levels of sweetness. Hop bitterness, flavor and aroma are low but perceptible with no fruity esters.
ABV: 5.1% IBU: 31 Color SRM: 28
Bière Brune
This Belgian-style Brown Ale has a nice malty aroma and flavor that dominates over the moderate hop bitterness. A roasted, chocolate-like and biscuit-like aroma is derived from dark malts. Noble-type hop flavor and aroma, fruity esters and phenolic spiciness & slight sourness from the yeast are perceptible.
ABV: 5% IBU: 25 Color SRM: 23
O.G. Dunkel
This 'Original German' Münchner Dunkel style is a dark brown lager beer which has a pronounced malty aroma and flavor that dominates over the clean, crisp, moderate hop bitterness. This beer does not offer an overly sweet impression, but rather a mild balance between malt sweetness, hop bitterness and light to moderate mouthfeel. Dunkel has roasted, chocolate-like and biscuit-like aromas from the use of Munich dark malt. Noble-type hop flavor and aroma are low but perceptible.
ABV: 5% IBU: 25 Color SRM: 23
Minlinster Framboise
Belgian-style fruit lambics are characterized by their fruit flavors and aromas. Framboise (French for raspberry), Kriek (sour cherry) and Peche (Peach) are just a few of the fruit flavorings that are used in these distinctive beers. The color is light-copper with a slight reddish hue from the fruit. Sourness is an important part of the flavor profile, though sweetness compromises the intensity. Our Framboise is brewed in very small batches, and the second half of this batch will be fermented and aged for about two years in a red wine barrel to extract additional desired flavors from the wine and from the oak.
ABV: 6.5% IBU: 14
Raspberry Berliner Weisse
Dubbed the "Champagne of the North" by Napoleon's soldiers in 1809; this cousin of Bavaria's Hefeweizen is tart and refreshing. Tartness is achieved with lactic acid acting in conjunction with our Hefeweizen yeast strain. Hop bitterness and aroma are negligible while banana esters and clove-like phenolics fade into the background. Berliner Weisse is pale in color and quite effervescent. This beer strikes an incredible balance between mild fruitiness, bright acidity and thirst quenching tartness. Although purists often drink it straight, Berliner Weisse is commonly mixed with a shot ("mit schuss") of fruit syrup (in our case, Raspberry syrup) to soften the tartness.
ABV: 5.9% IBU: 6 Color SRM: 3.5
Cask Beers
We serve a different cask-conditioned beer about every other week or so. These beers are naturally carbonated in English firkins. They are often dry-hopped for greater hop flavor and aroma, and they are served out of our beer engine which pulls the beer to the tap rather than using carbon dioxide to push the beer. They are served slightly warmer than our other beers, and the cask conditioning results in a cascading, thick beer foam with great head retention and lacing.
Samhain Pumpkin Ale
Our seasonal Pumpkin Beer is made by using over 200 pounds of pumpkins which are first roasted and caramelized in our brick oven and then added directly to the mash, providing obvious yet harmonious pumpkin qualities which are not overpowered by hop character. The beer is copper to dark orange in color. Cinnamon, coriander, allspice, nutmeg and juniper.
ABV: 6.77% IBU: 29 Color SRM: 13