Dovetail Brewery - Chicago's Old World Beer Makers

There's a place in Chicago, a spot where the art of making beer gets a lot of attention, and it's called Dovetail Brewery. This particular brewery really likes to focus on beer styles from continental Europe, using very old ways of doing things to create its drinks. It's a place, you know, that makes beer for that good, simple tradition of just hanging out with people, sharing a moment. They've got a lot of fans, too; many folks enjoy what they do, and quite a few people have stopped by their location.

This spot, Dovetail Brewery, has become quite a favorite for folks who appreciate German, Czech, and Belgian kinds of beer. You can, for instance, give their lager a try, or maybe their hefeweizen, and they even have a unique rauchbier. It’s pretty cool, how they bring these tastes to life, sort of like bringing a little piece of Europe right here to the city. The drinks they offer are, in some respects, a gentle nod to those long-standing brewing practices that have been around for ages.

The story of Dovetail Brewery actually starts with two people, Hagen and Bill, who met while they were in Germany learning how to be master brewers. They found they had a lot in common, especially their shared liking for the beer styles from continental Europe. This common interest, you see, helped them become friends, and that friendship, as a matter of fact, turned into a rather exciting, newer brewery that is very much about those older ways of making beer. They really do care about making beer the proper, time-honored way.

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Table of Contents

• What Makes Dovetail Brewery's Beer Special?
  • The Dovetail Brewery Approach to Flavor
• Who Are the Folks Behind Dovetail Brewery?
  • The Dovetail Brewery Founders' Story
• How Does Dovetail Brewery Craft Its Brews?
  • The Dovetail Brewery Way - Traditional Tools
• What Can You Expect at Dovetail Brewery's Place?
  • Dovetail Brewery - A Welcoming Spot for Everyone
• Where Can You Find Dovetail Brewery's Creations?
• A Taste of Dovetail Brewery's Best
• Dovetail Brewery and Community Happenings
• The Dovetail Brewery Experience and What to Know

What Makes Dovetail Brewery's Beer Special?

Dovetail Brewery, you see, really puts its heart into making beer that stands out. They focus on those older, continental European styles, meaning they make beer that tastes like what you might find in places like Germany, Belgium, or the Czech Republic. It's almost like they've got a secret recipe book passed down through generations, because they stick to traditional ways of doing things. This means, for instance, that each beer they make is crafted by hand, with careful attention to how it will feel and taste. They want every sip to really wake up your senses, so to speak. They even use malt and hops that come from Europe, which, you know, helps give their beers that genuine, old-world flavor.

The Dovetail Brewery Approach to Flavor

When you try a beer from Dovetail Brewery, you're getting something made with a lot of thought. Their commitment to those old ways of brewing, like using specific European ingredients, really shines through. They have a lager, for example, which is a helles style beer, made right there in Chicago. People who've tried it seem to like it quite a bit, giving it good marks. Then there's their Vienna lager, which is pretty well-known for having a taste that's a bit sweet and malty, finishing in a way that feels very clean. Other popular choices from Dovetail Brewery include their Kolsch, which is known for being dry and crisp, and their hefeweizen, which manages to get the flavors of banana and clove just right. It’s quite amazing, how they balance all those different notes in their drinks, really.

Who Are the Folks Behind Dovetail Brewery?

The whole idea for Dovetail Brewery started with two people, Bill Wesselink and Hagen Dost. These two met while they were at beer school, which, you know, happened to be in Munich. They quickly found out they both had a lot of respect for the really tasty beer made by the smaller breweries in places like Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. It was this shared appreciation, this common liking for good, honest beer, that brought them together. Their friendship, you could say, became the foundation for this rather exciting, newer brewery that is very much about keeping those old ways of making beer alive and well. It's pretty cool how a simple meeting in a faraway place can lead to something like this, actually.

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The Dovetail Brewery Founders' Story

Hagen and Bill, the folks who started Dovetail Brewery, got their master brewer papers from the Siebel Institute while they were over in Germany. It was there, you see, that they found a common interest in beer styles from continental Europe. This shared liking, this similar taste in beer, formed a bond between them. Their friendship, in short, led to this interesting, newer brewery that is really dedicated to those older ways of making beer. Hagen Dost, one of the main brewers at Dovetail Brewery, often talks about the traditional ways they make their beer. He goes into detail about things like open fermentation and coolships, which are, you know, very old and respected ways of brewing. He even shares his own story of how he got into making beer, talking about his German background and a class he took that helped him develop certain skills he thinks would be good for anyone who makes beer. It's quite a personal approach to the craft, really.

How Does Dovetail Brewery Craft Its Brews?

Dovetail Brewery takes its brewing very seriously, sticking to what they call "traditional methods." This means they use ways of making beer that have been around for a very long time, often for hundreds of years. Hagen Dost, the master brewer there, is particularly good at explaining these old ways. He talks about things like open fermentation, which is where the beer ferments in open containers, letting it interact with the air in a specific way. He also mentions coolships, which are wide, shallow vessels where hot wort cools down naturally, picking up unique characteristics from the air around it. These are, you know, not the fastest or easiest ways to make beer, but they believe it makes for a better, more authentic product. It’s a bit like cooking with an old family recipe; it takes time and care, but the result is usually worth it. This commitment to traditional tools and ways of doing things really sets Dovetail Brewery apart.

The Dovetail Brewery Way - Traditional Tools

The folks at Dovetail Brewery are quite particular about the tools and processes they use. When Hagen, one of the founders, talks about how they make their beer, he often mentions specific, older pieces of equipment. He might tell you about their coolships, for example, which are, you know, these big, open tubs where the beer cools down slowly overnight. This slow cooling, as a matter of fact, lets the beer pick up unique flavors from the environment, something you just don't get with faster, modern ways. They also use open fermentation, where the beer ferments in large, open vats. This method, basically, allows the yeast to behave a little differently and gives the beer a very particular taste profile. It's like they're honoring the past with every batch they make, focusing on continental European styles and traditional ways of working. This dedication to old-world brewing, you know, is a big part of what makes Dovetail Brewery's beer special.

What Can You Expect at Dovetail Brewery's Place?

When you walk into the taproom at Dovetail Brewery, there are some things you'll definitely find, and some things you won't. You can expect a warm, friendly feeling, a place where people can just relax and enjoy themselves. They have a variety of their handcrafted beers on tap, all made with those continental European styles and traditional methods. What you won't find, however, is any kind of bad behavior or language that makes people feel uncomfortable. They're very clear about that. But don't worry, they're super friendly about letting you try things; they'll give you a sample of anything they have on tap, and they offer different sizes of pours too. So, you can, you know, really explore their offerings without feeling like you have to commit to a big glass right away. It's a very inviting space, actually.

Dovetail Brewery - A Welcoming Spot for Everyone

Dovetail Brewery really wants everyone to feel at home when they visit. They make it a point to welcome all people, no matter their gender, who they love, their background, their health, what they believe, their age, or if they have a disability. It’s a pretty open-minded place, you know. They have a clear rule, though: if someone says things or uses words that are mean or make other people or the staff feel bad, that person will be asked to leave. This policy helps make sure that the taproom at Dovetail Brewery stays a comfortable and respectful spot for everyone. It’s about creating a good atmosphere where everyone can just, you know, enjoy their beer and the company without any worries. They really value that sense of community and fairness, which is, basically, a great thing.

Where Can You Find Dovetail Brewery's Creations?

If you're looking to try the beers from Dovetail Brewery, there are a few ways to do it. Of course, you can always visit their spot in Chicago. Many people do, and they've got a lot of good things to say about the experience. You can also look them up on Untappd, which is a popular app where people share their thoughts on different beers and breweries. There, you can, for instance, find out what others think about Dovetail Brewery's drinks, read reviews, and see where you might be able to get their beers. They don't, you know, sell big kegs directly to people who want to buy them for their homes. If you're hoping to get a larger amount, you'll need to go to your local Binny's store and ask them to order it for you. So, while you can't just pick up a half-barrel from the brewery itself, there are still good ways to get your hands on Dovetail Brewery's creations.

A Taste of Dovetail Brewery's Best

Dovetail Brewery, located in Chicago, offers a good selection of classic Belgian and German-style beers. They've become pretty well-known for their Vienna lager, which has a taste that’s both malty and sweet, with a clean feeling at the end. People really seem to like it. Other popular choices include their Kolsch, which is known for its dry and crisp taste, and their hefeweizen, which, you know, perfectly balances the tastes of banana and clove. They even have a special beer called Grodziskie, which is light in color and has a lively fizziness, and it's the specialty beer of a town in Poland that shares its name. It’s pretty cool, how they bring these different styles to life. One of their beers, a dark lager, was actually inspired by a trip to Prague, where one of the founders spent an afternoon at a brewery that has been making dark lager for over 500 years. This particular Dovetail Brewery dark lager, you could say, shows off tastes of chocolate, bread crust, caramel, and a slight coffee roast. It’s quite a range of flavors, really, that they manage to produce.

Dovetail Brewery and Community Happenings

Dovetail Brewery isn't just about making good beer; they also like to bring people together. They sometimes host events that are, you know, a bit different from your usual brewery gathering. For example, they've teamed up with the Mahjong Society to put on an evening where people can learn how to play Mahjong. It's called "Mahjong 101," and it's a chance for folks to get together and try something new. These kinds of events show that Dovetail Brewery is more than just a place to grab a drink; it's also a spot where the community can connect and share experiences. It’s a good way, basically, to enjoy their beer while also engaging in something fun and social. They really seem to value creating a friendly, interactive space for their customers, which is, you know, pretty neat.

The Dovetail Brewery Experience and What to Know

When you visit Dovetail Brewery, you're in for more than just a regular beer tasting. They offer a unique experience that lets you get a little closer to how beer is made. You might, for example, get to participate in a water tasting, which, you know, is probably something you didn't expect to do at a brewery! You'll also get to do a hop rubbing, where you rub hops between your hands to release their smell, and a malt tasting, where you try different grains. These activities help you explore the special features of their brewing process. They really want you to understand what goes into each glass. And while they have a lot to offer, it's good to remember that they don't sell big kegs to the public directly from the brewery. If you want a half-barrel, you'll need to go to your local Binny’s to place an order. But don't worry, they're always happy to give you a sample of anything they have on tap, and they offer different sizes of pours, so you can try a little of everything at Dovetail Brewery. It’s a very hands-on way to learn about beer, actually.

This article has given you a look into Dovetail Brewery, from its beginnings with founders Bill and Hagen and their shared love for traditional European beer styles, to the specific methods and tools they use, like open fermentation and coolships. We've talked about the special taste of their beers, such as the Vienna lager and Kolsch, and how they make sure their taproom is a welcoming place for everyone. You also got an idea of where to find their beers and the unique activities you can experience there, like water and malt tastings. It's a place that really cares about making good beer the old-fashioned way and creating a friendly spot for people to gather.