Beer Enthusiasts Rejoice As Old Chicago Launches New Explorer Series Featuring Exclusive Odell Beers in Its Colorado Restaurants

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, a traditional casual dining restaurant known for its expansive selection of craft beers, is entering new beer territory with the launch of its Old Chicago Explorer Series. This series, kicking off today, will feature one brewery for a two to three-week period, offering four to six beers that capture the most unique flavors in the craft beer world, and will be exclusive to Old Chicago. Offered at locations throughout Colorado, the first installment of the series will include selections from Fort Collins-based Odell Brewing Company until the tap runs out. 

For nearly four decades, beer aficionados have praised Old Chicago's expansive lineup of world-class craft beers. To continue this tradition, Daniel Imdieke, Old Chicago's new manager of beer operations and avid craft beer lover, teamed up with Odell brewer Tony Rau to create a Gose – a sour and salty wheat beer originating from Goslar, Germany. As a result, "Comes & Gose" was born and will be served exclusively at Old Chicago's Colorado locations during the series.

"We're really excited to launch the Old Chicago Explorer Series this month and feature exclusive craft beers not currently available anywhere else," said Imdieke. "We want to be at the forefront of bringing new, exciting and fun beers to our restaurants, encouraging guests to break out of their comfort zones and explore different styles of beer, as well as try expert beer pairings, which will only be available for a limited time."

In addition to Comes & Gose, the Old Chicago Explorer Series also will feature the following selections during Odell's installment available Aug. 25 until it runs out:

• Perle White IPA: This Perle hop shines in this crisp white IPA, with an herbal and fruit-like hop character that mingles with the delicate wheat for a clean crisp finish.
• Loose Leaf – This crisp and refreshing brew is like any respectable session ale, but a bit more hop-forward and flavorful than some.
• Oktoberfest – This seasonal amber lager is brewed with generous amounts of Munich malts that give it a toasty, biscuit aroma and delicious malty sweetness.

As an added perk, guests who try the Odell brews can keep the limited edition Odell/Old Chicago glass for just $2.

A leader in the traditional casual dining space, Old Chicago has been serving handcrafted cuisine and local craft beers in Colorado and across the nation for 37 years. Old Chicago is committed to quality creations and to showcasing Colorado-based brewers while providing great value in a welcoming atmosphere. To learn more about Old Chicago, visit www.oldchicago.com.

About Old Chicago

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom (Old Chicago) is a traditional, casual dining restaurant specializing in Chicago-style pizzas, taproom classics and craft beer. Founded in 1976, Old Chicago operates in 22 states with 96 restaurants. With over 30 craft beers on tap, Old Chicago is also the home of the World Beer Tour which rewards members for enjoying 110 of the best craft beers from across the globe. Visit www.oldchicago.com to learn more and to find the restaurant nearest you. For information about franchise opportunities, visit www.ocfranchising.com.

About CraftWorks

CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc., through its three principal operating units, Old Chicago, Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom, is the nation's leading operator and franchisor of craft beer-focused casual dining and brewery restaurants with nearly 200 owned and franchised locations across the United States. CraftWorks also operates strong regional brands, including ChopHouse and Big River. The company maintains dual headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Broomfield, Colo. For additional information, please visit www.craftworksrestaurants.com.

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SOURCE Old Chicago