Episode 630 - ‘Nati Lights
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We know from various beer festivals that Ohio has a pretty incredible craft beer scene, and this show courtesy of listener Ryan Lamb focuses on Cincinnati beers that take it easy on the ABV. We try six beers from three different breweries - including one now-closed legend - and find ourselves mapping out a road trip by the end of the episode. We also get our minds (and appetites) freaked by the Criss Angel Breakfast Lunch and Pizza (CABLP) menu, comment on those Arnold Palmer rumors, appreciate the art of the subtle pastry, and try not to lose that grain feeling. Beers Reviewed...
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Episode 629 - On The Dark Side
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Being stuck in the winter that will never end isn’t so bad when you’ve got some dark and roasty beers, so for this show we get five different dark styles from some of our local favorites to warm us up. This set of nourishing beers has us wishing for a hot pokin’ while considering our blanket fort construction tactics. Also, we try to decide on two arcade cabinets for our own imaginary pizza joints; Ryan’s not afraid to throw some things during playground basketball; and Craig imagines a glass girthier than has ever been. Beers Reviewed Brother Chimp Brewing - Novia (Schwarzbier)...
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Episode 628 - A Goodbye Toast
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The painful reality of 2026 craft beer is seeing great breweries make the decision to close, and this episode is a tribute to two of those that we admired greatly: Miskatonic and Alarmist. We drink up three beers from each brewery as a way to show appreciation to their contributions to Illinois craft beer - and for making all those weird styles that helped us plan many a podcast episode. In addition to sharing some nostalgia to help us reckon with these huge losses, we also talk about why the roller rink is so dangerous; we briefly join the Lace Gang; and Craig’s looking for lactose and...
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Episode 627 - SoCal Hops
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The West Coast is still best when it comes to hoppy beers, and this episode provided to us by listener, Patreon supporter, and Californian Dave Adams has us considering the past and future of hops through a variety of IPA styles. Recorded back on Halloween in 2025, the only thing spooky about these five breweries’ beers is just how quickly they decimate our sobriety. Also, Ryan’s found a new hill to die on that involves Bruce Springsteen and jorts; Craig tries (and fails) to guess the number of locations each of these breweries operate; and we are inspired to establish Pellets & Cones...
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Episode 626 - Deep Wood: Gap Year
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
To close out the most recent season of Revolution’s Deep Wood series, we have quite an array of barrels in this foursome that - once again - has us smitten. With two 12-ounce cans and two big old pipes, we’re staring down a blend for the ages once we can successfully reckon with our arbitrary rankings. Also, we’re looking to get deep into the Bread Rave scene; Ryan’s going to piss off a lot of folks in the cognac Facebook group; and Craig dons a new persona (and an old hat) to stir things up. We’re going to need our moms to pick us up after this one. Beers Reviewed Dethurana...
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Episode 625 - 12 Year Blind: Feels LIke The First Time
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We’re celebrating a dozen years of providing our arbitrary craft beer opinions through a half-blind episode focused on six different styles (out of a possible twelve) that include both long-made stalwarts and brand-new (to us) Chicago brews. Craig and Ryan try to guess each other’s blind beers while also attempting to solve some hidden themes - with some surprising results. Also, we hold our first ever Cheese Draft (vote in the comments of our social media posts, please!); we say hello to 10 Sack Craig; and we relive memories of infected beers we drank for the podcast. Thanks for listening...
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Episode 624 - Barrel-Aged Hop Butcher
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Compared to the pace at which Hop Butcher releases IPAs, their barrel-aged offerings might as well be Halley’s Comet. But when they do release a big beer aged in barrels, it’s absolutely worth tracking down, just like the four beers on this episode. We continue our Barrel-Aged Winter with these Hop Butcher for the World beers that saw limited release from their taproom over the last year or so and try not to get yelled at by bourbon Facebook groups in the process. Also, we consider walking a mile in condiment shoes; Craig somehow still has faith in ice cream beers; and Ryan’s on the...
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Episode 623 - Hop Roundup: Premium Hops
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We settle for no less than the best when it comes to choosing beers for our semi-regular hop roundups, and these five locals more than rise to the occasion. With our white gloves on, we’re sampling some of the finest hops known to man, and sometimes we’re surprised where we find the bitterness (or don’t). Also, Craig needs grocery store advice, we touch on a brewery location rumor, Ryan’s got some hot tips on curds (and nugs), and we both know now that we should’ve gone thick cut. Beers Reviewed Saint Errant Brewing - Lonely Negatives (West Coast IPA) Maplewood Brewing Company &...
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Episode 622 - Amburana Aged
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Aging beer or spirits in the wood from the Amburana cearensis tree native to South America can add noticeable cinnamon spice and vanilla - and brewers have been more than happy to experiment when they can find (and afford) a barrel. But FDA regulations keep Amburana-aged beers in some sort of weird limbo for competitions, so we tap our good friend and guest expert Neil Fisher from Colorado’s WeldWerks to drop in and school us on this Amburana-factoid. Then for the rest of the show, we just get our socks completely blown through our shoes by this lineup of 4 beers of various ages. Plus, Craig...
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Episode 621 - Let The Fun Be Gin
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
For the first time in Barrel-Aged December history, we have a whole show of gin barrel-aged beers - and we’ll tell you why that’s something of a rarity. With an all-star lineup of breweries, nothing here is a letdown - but there are still plenty of flavor surprises to be had. Also, we’re drawing up some jukebox strategies given unforeseen circumstances; we’re ready to bring back the horse blanket; and we’re letting the gin make us more poetic. And then there’s the introduction of GinBot 3000, the worst character we’ve ever created. Beers Reviewed Afterthought Brewing -...
info_outlineAfter two years of selling bottles from what is essentially his front porch, Rob Brennan opened the doors to his Milwaukee taproom in 2022 - and his rustic farmhouse beers are absolutely worth a trip. For this episode, we drink through four funky and beautiful Supermoon bottles that show artistry beyond what you might expect from such a young brewery. Also, Craig has a bounce in his step (and not just because of the house cultures); Ryan shares some moon facts and comes up with the perfect collaboration; and we’re both aching for that Yanni/Bootsy/McD collab to drop.
Beers Reviewed
Saison Bay View (Farmhouse style saison brewed w/ pilsner, malted spelt and oats)
Oaxen (Abbey Style Pale Ale brewed w/ aged hops & fermented w/ Brettanomyces Bruxellensis in neutral French Oak)
Epitope (Bière de Coupage - Young saison blended w/ French oak fermented saison aged for 3 years)
Marbelle (A blend of mixed culture saisons fermented in French Oak aged 12 months, refermented on Petite Pearl wine grapes & Tart Montmorency cherries)