Beers Now Available In Chicago Fireman S Kona Jenlain Pietra

• Julia Thiel
• From French farm country to downtown Chicago

Expanding almost as rapidly as local craft-beer production is the selection of craft beers made elsewhere that are now available here. Among the latest entries to the market: Fireman’s Brew, an LA-based brewery founded by two firefighters, and Kona Brewing Company, from Hawaii’s Big Island. French breweries Pietra and Jenlain aren’t new to the market, but they’re both celebrating winning medals at the World Beer Championships, and their publicist sent a couple samples my way.

The Fireman’s Brew website has one of the cheesiest Flash intros I’ve seen in a while: an animated background featuring a blazing fire with the slogan “Extinguish your thirst” printed on it. Naturally, it comes complete with a crackling fire soundtrack. The names are pretty corny too—Blonde, Redhead, and Brunette. Still, the company does donate some of its proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (though they don’t specify what percent).