What to do on a wintery Sunday afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, as the wind was starting to pick up but before the snow came, we headed to the Old Chicago just up the road. Now I must say that beer wasn’t the only reason we were going. The Vikings game would be starting shortly and they have good football watching food.

As expected their selection wasn’t outstanding, but since I’d had zero, count ‘em zero seasonals during my favorite beer season, this was as good of a place as any to try some of the more widely distributed ones. The first one I ordered was Schell’s Snowstorm. Three or four years ago I really loved it, but the past couple of years I haven’t been as enamored by it. What I was brought was very different from what I expected (and Mag suspects that it was in fact another beer…but that’s something to investigate another day). It was much lighter in color and body but actually had good flavor, so who knows.

Mag had ordered a Summit Winter first off and was kind enough to let me try it. I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint. This is another one that has been hit or miss for me, but it’s a definite hit this year.

With my maybe-Snowstorm gone I felt compelled to order Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale since a couple people I know had commented on how good it was. And was it ever! Much hoppier than I would have expected but for a hop lover, pure joy. After a second one of those, the Vikings making a pretty good showing and the weather getting worse we decided it was time to head back home.

Although I don’t enjoy trips to Old Chicago as much as I once did that’s probably more about what I’m looking for having changed rather than an actual change to their selection. For the most part it’s not a half bad destination, especially when you’re out in the ‘burbs and want to go some place close that will satisfy both food and beer requirements. Now if they could just bring back the NTN trivia….