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Wednesday: Uncommon Ground Barrel-Aged Beer Tasting

Writer: Bob Benenson
Bob Benenson
1 day ago
2 min read

Partnerships with Journeyman and Judson and Moore Yield Baltic Porter


Uncommon Ground in the Lakeview neighborhood helped establish the Chicago's farm to table restaurant sector following its opening in 1991. Owners Michael and Helen Cameron expanded their space in 2014 to add Greenstar Brewing, the first organic brewery in Illinois.


I just learned yesterday that they are hosting an event on Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., to launch their new beers. The lure of barrel-aged Baltic Porters would have been enough to get me to sign up immediately. But knowing I'll be in the company of old friends is a bonus.


Michael and Helen are among the Chicago friends I've know the longest. I first met them not long after Barb and I moved to the city in 2011, and I have written about their Uncommon Ground ventures often.


Then there are their partners in the Baltic Porter project:


  • Journeyman Distillery: I was fortunate when I moved out here to meet someone who hired me to write about some of the region's rising star adult beverage startups. I visited founder Bill Welter in early 2012 not long after Journeyman's first location in Three Oaks, Michigan opened and wrote one of the first articles about the company. Journeyman's excellent spirits fueled growth that has included a second distillery and event space in Valparaiso, Indiana.


  • Judson and Moore: After several years of development, Judson and Moore released its first bottling in 2022 and quickly developed a strong reputation for the quality of its whiskeys. It sources much of its grain from Cow Creek Farm — also owners of Silver Tree Spirits — in Paxton, Illinois, and stores some of its barrels in Silver Tree's warehouse. I recently crossed paths with founder Collin Moore on a July tour of Cow Creek Farm and Silver Tree Spirits.


If you are free Wednesday evening, I recommend this event, which is a guaranteed good time. Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 North Clark Street, about three blocks north of Wrigley Field.



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