Christmas Cookie Stout, Holiday Spirit On Tap At Flipside Brewing

TINLEY PARK, IL — The holiday spirit is flowing at Flipside Brewing in Tinley Park, with a schedule packed with special events and treats—including a beer inspired by cookies left for the big guy in the red suit.

Flipside Brewing, 7144 183rd St., in December will debut a specialty beer dinner, and its Christmas Cookie-inspired beer, "Santa's Midnight Snack." The brewery is also serving as a drop spot for Toys for Tots, accepting donations through Dec. 16. Pizer will offer a 5 percent discount on bills for those who donate a toy.

Set for Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m., Flipside's beer dinner will feature a four-course meal with suggested beer pairings and a specialty cocktail, owner Erik Pizer said. The menu includes an amuse, second course, main course and dessert. Tickets are $55 each; the event is halfway sold-out as of Nov. 27. Tickets can be purchased online.

Courses include:

• Thousand Layer Root Vegetable: potato, parsnip, rutabaga, celery root, béchamel, fennel and herb salad
• Pappardelle: house-made pappardelle, braised short rib, au jus and chopped herbs
• Porchetta: porchetta, Southern-style grits, pork jus, herb pesto
• Blood orange mousse: Blood orange chocolate mousse, dark chocolate ganache, candied blood orange

"I’m excited to let our awesome kitchen team show off their creative side with some dishes we wouldn’t normally do for daily Flipside service," Pizer said. "Adding in beers that pair well with them is just an added bonus for me."

On Saturday, Dec. 16, Pizer and The Open Bottle will tap Pizer's Christmas-cookie inspired beer, Santa's Midnight Snack. Inspired by the classic pecan ball cookies, the Imperial Milk Stout features flavors of brown sugar, pecan, and vanilla.

"It's a big, rich, chewy Imperial Milk Stout," Pizer told Patch.

A release party is planned for 11 a.m. Dec. 16. The beer will then be on tap at the brewery, as well as The Open Bottle, 7101 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park, and 16437 S. 159th St. in Lockport. Limited bottles will also be available for purchase, with $1 of each bottle sold to be donated to nonprofit Tinley Wish, a community organization that seeks to brighten the holidays for families in need.

"It'll be a jumpstart for next holiday season," Pizer said, of selecting the nonprofit.

Flipside will also make an appearance in the Palos Heights holiday parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 2. The parade kicks off at 10:45 a.m. at 126th & Harlem Avenue, traveling along Harlem Avenue and ending at College Drive. Pizer, a Palos Heights resident, will pass out candy and coupons for dine-in visits.

Pizer said he's looking forward to the festivities.

"It'll be a fun week!"

Flipside Brewing is open Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.