Episode 443 - The Bend Show
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Though it may not be many people’s pick for Oregon’s best beer city, it’s hard to ignore the quality beers produced in Bend. From Craig’s trip, we have five diverse beer styles from five different Bend breweries that both impress us with new flavors and stir up some nostalgia. Also, Craig talks about his trip to The Last Blockbuster and quizzes Ryan on related trivia. Plus there’s talk of squirrels drunk off of tree fermenters, a Rule 34 Brewery, imaginary berries, and a desperate plea for someone to take Ryan’s unwanted DVD of the movie “Funny People.” Make it an ABV Chicago...
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Episode 442 - Mixed Culture Cooler
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Plunge that hand deep into the slushy depths of that beach-ready cooler and help yourself to a cold and refreshing serving of…lactobacillus, saccharomyces, and brettanomyces?! That’s right - we are packing our coolers with refreshing and fruity mixed culture sour beers from local breweries to bring some new energy to our summer gatherings. These are the kind of tart beers that can only be measured in beach balls, deck chairs, patio lights, and floppy sun hats. Also, we imagine the stories behind memorable commercials and jingles; we identify the most well-rounded brewery in Chicago; Ryan...
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Episode 441 - Hair of the Dog
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
For almost 30 years, Alan Sprints and his Portland, Oregon brewery Hair of the Dog pioneered American craft beer through some of the earliest barrel-aging experiments and developed potent beers built for aging, creating some of the original “whales” in the process. Once Alan decided to retire and close his legendary brewery in June of 2022, Craig booked a trip to experience Hair of the Dog for a final time and to get Mr. Sprints on the microphone to reflect on his career and look ahead to the joys of retirement. In addition to the interview, we are fortunate to drink through five Hair of...
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Episode 440 - Saison Death Match: Chicago vs. Milwaukee
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The time has finally come to pit the world’s premier saison producing cities - Chicago and Milwaukee, obviously - against one another in an arbitrary competition to determine once and for all whose farmhouses rule the I-94 corridor. We have six saisons, three from each city, going head-to-head in specified categories to help determine a “winner.” Also, we evaluate which candies would make the best breakfast food, Craig’s mundane superpower of ABV-detection, and our desire to drink fancy bathroom beers. Beers Reviewed Round 1: Saisons with Brett Is/Was Brewing - Spandrel (Saison...
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Episode 439 - Pfriem Pforever
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We’ve long loved Hood River’s Pfriem Family Brewers, and thanks to Craig’s recent travels, we are able to drink through five of their impressive beers. For this one, we experience a wider array of styles, and a few challenge the best of style available locally. Also, we dream of having our own Streisand-like underground malls, we settle into a good butt nook, and we try to forget some bad brut memories. If you’re down with P(friem), then you’re down with me. Beers Reviewed Helles Lager Sparkling IPA Druif Blanc (Barrel-aged grape ale) Rum Barrel-Aged Porter Bourbon Barrel-Aged...
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Episode 438 - Necromancer Resurrections
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Pittsburgh’s Necromancer has just crossed over a year in operation, and we’re already onto our second show featuring only their beers. Why? Kuit beer is the reason. We catch up with head brewer Lauren Hughes about five of her “Resurrection” releases - beers that were previously “dead” or so obscure that there’s almost no example for comparison’s sake. (Much like our beloved Kuit beer.) She also shares updates on Necromancer’s expansion plans and what in the hell is a Pennsylvania Swankey. Also, we test our innovative snack ideas, battle a little foam gremlin, vape the...
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Episode 437 - Midwest Pils
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
No matter how much trends fluctuate, one of the steadiest beers to bank on is the pilsner. Everyone who loves beer loves a great pilsner, and in our opinion, no beer list is complete without one. So we pick five pilsners from five midwestern states to taste through and appreciate while trying very hard to banish the term “drinkable” from the show. Also, Bo Jackson is behind the wheel on the way to our pheasant-hunting trip; we talk about how going to New Glarus is like going to Six Flags; and we evaluate which bubbles make Craig feel happy. Beers Reviewed Fair State Brewing...
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Episode 436 - MoBAB 2: Dark Territory
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It is once again time for us to drink more barrel-aged beers (MoBAB), with Craig and Ryan as the only two heroes that can withstand this lineup of sinister and imposing stouts. Because it’s a sequel, we brought in ALL RINGERS for this one, and capping it at four beers was the best decision we could’ve made. Also, we sketch out Jef Lambic, Attorney at Law; struggle mightily against wax; and reflect on exactly what TMNT has taken away from us. Beers Reviewed Mikerphone Brewing - Sir Blends A-Lot [Blend #2] (Blend of barrel-aged imperial stouts) More Brewing Company - Mehndi Special...
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Episode 435 - Giant Jones Brewing Company
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Giant Jones is a woman-run, certified organic brewery specializing in big beers and obscure styles - a few of which are completely new to us. So we have on co-owner and brewer Jessica Jones to talk about how Giant Jones gets creative within the limits of organic ingredients, why some of their signature beers were born somewhat accidentally, and how they’ve evolved from their origins as a barleywine brewery. We also review five beers that each surprise and impress us - which serves as a distraction to how drunk they actually make us in the end. We also celebrate...
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Episode 434 - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Established in 1998, Kuhnhenn remembers a simpler time for craft beer. But Kuhnhenn also remembers that there were big and flavorful beers done differently - to emphasize style while also honoring drinkability - in the early part of the 21st century. This lineup of five beers from the Detroit suburb-housed brewery gives us a lot of nostalgia while finding a way to keep up with some of the big flavors of today. Also, we explore the relationship between sandwich size and happiness, get our drippiest Gwar masks ready for TikTok, and get disturbed by innocuous words. Kuhnhenn remembers. Beers...
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Mikerphone Brewing - Sir Blends A-Lot [Blend #2] (Blend of barrel-aged imperial stouts)
More Brewing Company - Mehndi Special Reserve 2022 (Imperial stout aged in Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year bourbon barrels)
Half Acre Beer Company - Double Barrel Benthic (Imperial stout w/ coconut and cinnamon, aged in Willet/Heaven Hill bourbon barrels and apple brandy barrels)
Werk Force Brewing Company - Cowabungus Chungus (Double barrel-aged imperial pastry stout w/ coconut, vanilla, and cacao nibs)