Shamrock Shuffle 2013

As promised from last week, I said I would be writing about my Shamrock Shuffle involvement. When my mom asked me to run the race with her, she was able to persuade me to say yes when she told me there was free beer once you finish. Obviously, I couldn’t say no to this so she signed me up. This whole time (since November) my mom had told me this was a 5k run which is 3.1 miles. It was not till a couple of hours before the race that I found out it was actually an 8k run, 4.97 miles. Not only was this a surprise, it was also at 8:30 in the morning and 40 degrees, which is not shorts weather.

Anyway, the run itself was not that bad it’s just really hard to run with thousands of people surrounding you.  Once I finished though, I was not interested in having a beer in the least bit. The Shamrock Shuffle had two sponsors supplying the beer, Stout and Michelob Ultra. Personally, I am not a fan of Michelob Ultra it is too flavorless and bitter in my opinion. But I did share some of the Stout with my Dad which wasn’t that bad for a post-run beer.

If you get the chance, totally sign up for the Shamrock Shuffle or any race of that matter. It was a good time for a good cause and made you feel good about yourself! 

(Don't we look like such pros?) 

So another beer-related race in Chicago is the “Burgers & Beer 5k” that takes place on July 15. f3running.com describes the race, “Enjoy a chip timed 5k run/walk with a flat, fast course all along Chicago’s beautiful skyline! Imagine finishing with a beer garden style after-party featuring professionally catered Burgers & Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Beer! All this just steps away from the Loop! The first & only 5k run & beer garden party on a Monday night!”

One thing that really appeals to me besides the beer, but that it is a FLAT course! It is also in the evening, starting at seven and costs $35. 

If you are looking for beer, exercise, and a good time I suggest researching the discussed races. Or if you find any other races in the Chicago land area that look interesting, let me know!

Bent River Brewing - Jalapeño Pepper Ale

Today I chose to review Bent River Brewing. Bent River's tasting and distribution center is located in Rock Island, IL, and the actual brew pub is located in Moline, IL. Outside the Rock Island station is something I have never heard of before, a drive thru station! Or as they like to call it, "The Uncommon Beverage Station." You can drive up and order your beer to go without getting out of the car.

Bent River was founded by Tim Koster who was also a part of Koski's Home Brew Fixens. Tim Koster had this vision of Bent River and recruited support to open Bent River Brewing Company in 1997. Two years later, Bent River brewed their first barrel of pale ale and now produces over 1500 barrels of their specialty beers annually. Bent River has received many aw
ards at brew competitions throughout the Midwest including second place at the Great American Brew Fest. 

In 2009 friend of Bent River, Joel Korgman, joined Bent River and helped create their restaurant and menu items. During an experience at Bent River you will not only find great food and beer, but also special events and live music by local and regional musicians to add to your experience. 

Bent River brews 8 different year-round beers:

1. Uncommon Stout
2. Oatmeal Stout
3. The Dry Hopped
4. Paddlewheel Pale Ale
5. Jalapeño Pepper Ale
6. Raspberry Wheat
7. American Wheat
8. Mississippi Blonde

Being a lover of spicy foods, I decided that Jalapeño Pepper Ale would be perfect for me. I have never had a spicy beer before and thought this could go one of two ways, delicious or too strange. Bent River describes Jalapeño Pepper as, "Light bodied and spicy! A perfect compliment of sweet fruit and bold peppers!"  

Another reviewer's opinion: "This beer has a wheat base, with a surprising kick. Slightly hazy, it appears otherwise like an American pale. The smell is nothing remarkable, but there is a subtle hint of the pepper inside. As it first hits your tongue, nothing special, like a standard wheat or very mildly hopped American pale. However, as it makes its way to the back of the tongue (and down your throat) the pepper surprise kicks in and is very present. This was really my first introduction to a pepper beer. I liked it, but I couldn't drink this all night, but its good for a pint or two. It did inspire me to brew a pepper beer of my own."

My experience: The beer poured as a slight golden but almost diluted color. Unlike the other reviewer, I had found the smell to be incredibly spicy, as if I was sniffing a jalapeño itself but also very earthy. The taste itself was very earthy/woody as well and when you take the first sip it is a tolerable spicy, but when it reaches your throat it is too much for me to handle in a drink. I thought I would enjoy this, but it is not refreshing and left me wanting to drink something else, something crisp and cooling. I'd say this is a beer to try just for fun but it is not very drinkable. More than one was too much for me. I still want to try Bent River's other brews to see what they are all about.

Next week I will be writing about Shamrock Shuffle experience in Chicago. Why you ask? Because at the end of the 5K you are rewarded with a beer!