CHICAGO — A barrel that helped revolutionize American sour beer brewing has found a temporary home in Chicago, landing at Off Color Brewing’s “Mouse Trap” taproom in Lincoln Park — and with it, a new chapter in craft beer history is underway.
The barrel, famously known as pH1, has spent decades traveling between some of the most innovative craft breweries in the country. Now in the hands of Off Color founder John Laffler, the oak vessel is set to play a starring role in the brewery’s ongoing experimentation with wild ales and mixed fermentation.
pH1: A Barrel with a Legacy
Originally used for wine more than 30 years ago, pH1 became iconic in the early 2000s after its role in producing La Folie at Colorado’s New Belgium Brewing. Brewmaster Peter Bouckaert, who helped introduce mixed fermentation to the U.S., calls pH1 “a symbol of what we did.” The barrel has since been used by just a handful of elite brewers, each leaving their mark — and sometimes even wedding rings — made from its wood.
The pH1 barrel’s journey brought it from New Belgium to Russian River Brewing in California, to The Rare Barrel in Berkeley, then to Side Project Brewing in St. Louis — and finally, earlier this year, to Laffler’s Chicago taproom.
What’s Brewing at Off Color
Laffler, a pioneer of Chicago’s wild ales, has already begun aging a blend of witbier with native yeast cultures inside pH1. The resulting beer — expected to age for at least six months — will produce a limited yield of just 15 to 20 cases.
“The intention is to have just the microflora from the barrel itself and from all the breweries that have been in there to express itself,” said Laffler.
While Off Color’s popular Apex Predator was considered for the barrel, Laffler decided the assertive farmhouse ale would overpower pH1’s subtle character.
Crafting Beer History in Chicago
The barrel’s stay in Chicago is temporary, but meaningful. As with all past custodians, Laffler plans to brew two small batches before passing pH1 to the next brewer — someone, he says, who shares the same reverence for craft, history, and experimentation.
In a poetic twist, Off Color will join other legendary breweries by stamping their branding iron onto the barrel’s face — marking their place in the pH1 legacy. But in Laffler fashion, he also hinted he might add a personal touch:
“I tend to draw pictures of cats on things.”
Do you have a favorite Chicago craft brewery or sour beer? Share your recommendations or visit Off Color’s Mouse Trap taproom to try a sip of history — and tell us what you think at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
