Episode 647 - Red, White, and Blue: Two Ways
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
With the impending 250th anniversary of this country of ours (AMERICA), we celebrate the only way we know how: by drinking three IPAs and three Belgian Trappist beers that are only united by three common colors. We sample the Reds, Whites, and Blues of Lombard, Illinois’ Noon Whistle Brewing and Chimay, Belgium’s Brasserie de Chimay in a side-by-side that frankly makes no other sense (and creates a real boondoggle in rankings.) We get a bit nostalgic in a different way as we feel some 2012 coming back to us; we get some real superstars for our own patriotic backyard wrestling celebration;...
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Episode 646 - Hot Days, Cold Times
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
You can thank the lager renaissance for allowing this nerdy and delicious mixed 12-pack to exist, and Revolution absolutely knocks it out of the park with this one. Along with the four different lagers under the “Cold Time” brand, we add in a throwback Wit just for kicks - and we can anticipate many coolers full of Rev this summer. But also, we debrief on the first ever tornado delay on the podcast (and the legion of dads keeping an eye on it); we introduce Chunky Boy Lagers™ into the mix; and we create our ultimate dream mixed Revolution 12 pack. Revolution Beers Reviewed Cold Time...
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Episode 645 - Tales From The Kettle
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
While more and more craft breweries streamline their releases to reflect what’s popular and marketable, we’re happy to see when others make weirdo quick sours that include unconventional ingredients - and we’re here to celebrate four of those types of beers. For this one, we try to abandon our fears and embrace the tart while learning a bit about what we prefer off of these quickly-made abnormal sours. Also, Ryan’s ready to market an invention that’ll change how you wash your face; Craig was secretly hoping for a smoothie; and we relive the horrors of that one Genesis music video....
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Episode 644 - Hop Roundup: Taste The Summer
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Bare knees and tight tees on patio dads call for some hopped-up brews to pair with that carefully-curated summer vibes playlist, and we’re here sampling a half dozen interesting locals. We’re also considering what makes warm weather food vs. cold weather food; we’re having a hell of a time ranking our favorite hops; and we are admittedly a little biased against gazpacho. Four out of five dentists agree - and we don’t even like that fifth dentist. Beers Reviewed Revolution Brewing - Anti-Zero (Non-Alcoholic IPA) Old Irving Brewing Company - Billy Goat (IPA) Saint Errant Brewing -...
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Episode 643 - Supermoon Cellar Society 2025
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It takes a certain level of trust in a brewery to join a membership program - and we have full faith in everything Milwaukee’s Supermoon does, so Craig’s re-upping every year he can. We get to sample the four quarterly, limited releases for members of Supermoon’s Cellar Society from last year, and it’s downright spooky how good they all are. Also, Ryan just might have to fight a bird, Craig is uncertain about mushrooms, and we are proposing that next year Rob make a bad beer, just to see what it’s like. Beers Reviewed No Sudden Moves (Flanders Oud Bruin-style Sour aged in oak w/...
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Episode 642 - London Pouring
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
While American craft breweries are cycling back to showing English appreciation, what’s going on with craft beer from England? Thanks to friend & listener Ryan Lamb, we get to sample beers from five London breweries that prove that there’s no loss of quality across the pond. We get the stories behind each of these producers while appreciating the subtle differences in their presentation that make us respect the British way. But also, Ryan is mad at Guy Fieri for tarnishing the name of dad jokes, so it’s still the same old ABV Chicago. Beers Reviewed Signature Brew - Studio...
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Episode 641 - Tennesseein’ is Tennedrinkin’
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It’s been a long while since we’ve celebrated some of the great breweries of Tennessee, but thanks to Craig’s Dollywood trip we have a lineup of solid and surprising options here from The Gulch and beyond. We study up on the breweries, which includes a “World’s First…”, and then we learn more about chestnuts than we expected. Also, we wonder if the music industry is de-valuing the album anniversary; Ryan’s found the robustanut; and Craig shares the truth about Knoxville’s Sunsphere - and why you really shouldn’t jump in its elevator. Beers Reviewed Yazoo Brewing...
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Episode 640 - Lactose Tolerance
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Some might say that using lactose is antithetical to good beer, but there’s some distinct purpose in using milk sugar in certain beers despite it causing all us 40-and-ups some real tummy troubles. For this episode, we try four lactose-enhanced beers to see how it impacts mouthfeel and sweetness, and we are a little surprised by the all-bangers lineup that results. But also, Craig’s got a new dog-walking mystery, we’re trying to find the right pairing for meat crepes, Ryan’s SNL audition was a little one-note, and we’re popping those bungs through the ceiling with some Lemon Milk™....
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Episode 639 - IPA All-Stars Blind Rd. 6
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Back from a brief IPA supply-based hiatus, we resume our quest to review and rank as many long-tenured and well-regarded flagship IPAs as possible - and this ragtag bunch is adding some unexpected twists to the results. Acquired while in Wisconsin, these five IPAs span the map and keep us guessing long past the end of the episode. Also, we continue our secondary purpose of being a CostCo podcast by talking about large backyard games; Craig’s story about running into a bike is slightly exaggerated; and you get the pleasure of experiencing a blind show where the more convinced we get, the...
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Episode 638 - MoBAB 6: Back In The Groove
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
After a few months of recovery from Barrel-Aged December, we’re back in the wood groove with four big beers from a Mt. Rushmore of Chicago’s best breweries. Two stouts and two barleywines make the lineup here, and we’re going to get a little extra sticky for the end-of-show cuvée. Also, Craig is ready to help someone discover the wonders of magnets; Ryan is angling for a little promotion bonus from a big streamer; we finally talk about that big local craft beer merger; and we are surprised by the shots being poured at Dave & Busters. Beers Reviewed Half Acre Beer Co. (w/ The Bruery)...
info_outlineNo matter what your strategy is at the fest, it’s almost impossible to avoid FoBAB FOMO. We were lucky to attend the 19th edition of FoBAB, but we also felt like we missed out on trying some of the exciting medal winners - until now. For our second Barrel-Aged December show, there are five medal winners from 2021 across various styles on this episode that confirm, hey, yeah, maybe the judges know what they’re doing. We also brainstorm some local beer gift box ideas, find Craig roaming the island of misfit candy, and audition to #FineTuneFoBAB.
Beers Reviewed
The Hopewell Brewing Co. - Arrow of Time [Blend 002] (Oak-aged Wild Ale) - Silver in Wild Mixed Culture Beer (Acidic) Sours
Black Horizon Brewing Co. - Gin Barrel-Aged Stand and Deliver (Gin Barrel-Aged Golden Strong Ale) - Bronze in Other Pale Beer
Milwaukee Brewing Company - Barrel-Aged Barleywine - Bronze in Barleywine/Wheatwine
Short Fuse Brewing Company - Bourbon Barrel-Aged Precious Little Treats (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ vanilla beans) - Silver in Specialty Strong Porter/Stout
Werk Force Brewing Company - Double Barrel Sleepy Bear (Double Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout w/ milk sugar, cacao nibs, and vanilla)