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BEER REVIEWS

Matt contributes to the UNOB collective Guinness review
There's no Wisconsin Beer Delegate, so these Sprecher beer reviews were brought to you from Chicago by Matt Morgan
Matt Morgan undresses a pretty, floral-scented beer with a lovely body. It must be Ebel's Weiss beer
Matt follows up on his Ebel's Weiss experience by reviewing other Two Brothers beers
The latest in his series of Two Brothers reviews sees Matt Morgan try out the Two Brothers Artisan beers for 2007, Cane and Ebel and Victor's MemoriAle
Sieben's Real Lager beer doesn't need the back story to make it special -- but Matt Morgan finds that it doesn't hurt it, either
Jeff Evans kicks back with a 2003 vintage bottle of Thomas Hardy beer while eating his fill of... a free BBQ buffet! Is the man a total barbarian?!
Matt Morgan's honeymoon with Two Brothers is over, as he is unimpressed by the anniversary brew, Monarch White beer
Michelob Oak Aged Dark Vanilla Premium lager is not extraordinary for its awfully long name, says Jeff Evans. It's simply a Michelob that's enjoyable. Hold the front page!
Matt Morgan says Kalamazoo Royal Amber ale is a great revenge brew, with a little extra love that's easy to taste

BREWERY, BAR AND BREWPUB REVIEWS

Maker of two of his favourite beers, Matt's review of Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI is a fitting tribute
Matt gets down and dirty at Cal's Bar, Chicago
Matt Morgan reveals a best-kept secret: The Cove Lounge, Chicago, IL and cocks a snook at an ex-colleague
Matt Morgan grabs a couple of bitter geese by the throat at Goose Island Brewpub, Chicago, IL
Burgers, baseball and actors called Aaron? It must be a typical Matt Morgan Monday at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
Matt Morgan goes to Smallbar, a bar that is... small. Genius!
Matt Morgan says tasting Bare Tree Weiss from Two Brothers will force you to recalibrate your taste buds for the Weiss style

ARTICLES AND RANTS

Matt reviews the inaugural AleFest Chicago beer festival 2007
A fantasic piece of work from Matt Morgan sees our Guide to Illinois Breweries take a huge leap towards completion
Matt staggers around the myriad stands at Beer on the Pier Chicago 2007
Matt Morgan learns the newbie secrets via The Wizard of Oz, the Rolling Stone and The Matrix at the National Homebrew Conference Great Lakes regional

ABOUT THE ILLINOIS DELEGATES

Illinois

Matt Morgan, aka The Wolfman, wanted for murder in Chicago Loop.

Matt Morgan describes himself as being on an 'enforced vacation', which sounds like the story of my life, too...

Jeff Evans, snapped during a BEER FEST. Co-incidence? We think not.

... while Jeff Evans bases his entire life on beer, including navigation. That's why you'll find him in The Map Room bar most days.

We believe that an Illinois beer guide should have balls of steel, a strong stomach and a thirst for knowledge, as well as beer.

Matt Morgan fills those shoes and then some. Ex-lifeguard, ex-barman (and ex-con for all we know), he's well-placed to report with authority about Illinois' wonderful beer scene.

One of the Secretary- General's favourite authors, Paul Theroux, wrote a novel called Chicago Loop about a crazed killer known as The Wolfman.

Judging by Matt's pic, the police can finally close the case.

Every good criminal needs an accomplice. And, having ploughed a lone furrow through IL's beer scene for over six months, we've finally found another Delegate worthy of helping out.

Meet Jeff Evans. He's such a fan of beer that he seeks out the best vintages. My god! The UNOB has turned into a wine site...

Enough "wine-ing" from me. Time for their speeches.

Your application speech, Matt

I'm an EX-bartender at the Cove lounge on the south side of chicago. Over the last several years, my palate has matured.

I've discovered pubs such as The Hopleaf on the north side which boasts hundreds of brews and a plethora of belgian, Trappist style, and Microw-brew libations.

Yet I'm still a fan of the dive bars such as Cal's Liquors in the chicago loop. I'm also an avid camper who enjoys pairing brews with a good meal cooked on an open fire.

My favorite beers include Bell's Oberon and Bell's Amber of Kalamazoo, MI, and most wheat beers, Hacker-Pschorr being top of that list.

Your application speech, Jeff

Illinois. Hops. Malt. Yeast. Water. Of course.

But there's more. The people you drank it with. The little corner bar that had the unexpected bottle you wish was in your cellar. The stories the brewer told you about that one fateful batch that changed everything.

The one-armed bartender that beat you and all of your friends at billiards. You knew better than to play that second game, but you couldn't help yourself, could you? He's a one-armed bartender! How's he gonna beat me?!

Yes, the beer experience includes the flavor profile. And it includes so much more.

Great stuff, guys! Good to have you with us.

Join Matt, Jeff and their colleagues at the UNOB!

Fancy yourself as a UNOB Beer Delegate for your country, province or state? Great! Come to our Beer Delegates page for details and an application form.

Submit a review to our Illinois beer guide!