Glunz Marks Its 20Th Annual Global Beer Expo

• Julia Thiel
• Furthermore Beer wasn’t looking to take home any leftovers

On Monday Louis Glunz Beer hosted its annual Global Beer Expo at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. There’s always plenty of variety, but because it’s a trade tasting brewers are unlikely to bring the rare and one-off beers you might expect to see at a typical tasting—beer buyers aren’t there to taste products that aren’t available for purchase. Every year, though, there are new beers to try from new breweries, new-to-Chicago breweries, and established breweries that are expanding their lineup. Last year I was especially impressed by local newcomer Ten Ninety; this year it was Temperance and Urban Legend, both suburban breweries that launched in the second half of 2013.

Similarly, Ten Ninety, which launched last spring with four high-alcohol beers—an imperial porter, IPA, and witbier, and a tripel—is now brewing nonimperial versions of its IPA and witbier that, at about five percent alcohol, clock in at half the ABV of the flagship beers. Both were as solid as I’d expect from the brewery, but it was the tart, citrusy Half Wit that I’d go back for; I loved how well the orange, coriander, and banana flavors were balanced.