ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It’s always wine o’ clock somewhere, especially when you’re opening up the finest barleywines and ryewines Revolution has to offer. This episode features three different ‘wines and a special release stout as part two (or three?) of their barrel-aged Deep Wood series for this year, and at least one of us deems this the best set of four Rev has ever done. Also, we don’t think we really want to smell our TVs; someone is in need of a little Halloween costume inspiration; and we get to know Captain Check (and his alter ego, Captain Czech). 2024 Deep Wood Beers Reviewed Straight...
info_outline Episode 565 - Bourbon County 2024ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Even though Black Friday doesn’t mean what it once did, Bourbon County is still an event - and we have Ryan Tracy with us at Beer on the Wall to help us taste through this year’s lineup of six from Goose Island. Sure we were banned from the official media tasting, but we assess the whole group fairly - and find some surprises that are real standouts in the history of BCBS. Also, shenanigans may be afoot at FoBAB in regards to our Fantasy League; Ryan T. and Craig have a proposed wardrobe swap; we discuss BCBS variants that “don’t exist”; Tracy shares a Rare Day story that can only...
info_outline Episode 564 - Ciders N’ StuffABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It’s been 8 years since we last did a whole lineup of ciders, and this was just the re-evaluation we needed to fall back in love with these well-crafted non-beer drinks. But it’s not just apples this time: each cider brings something else to the mix - to consistently surprising results. Also, Craig has created a glitter problem he can’t solve, Ryan learns of a surprising cidery connection to the beer world, and we’re both forced to put on the oversized blazer before being let inside. Ciders Reviewed The Northman - Hopped Cider Stem Ciders - Apricot Haze Eris Brewery & Cider...
info_outline Episode 563 - Thanksgiving Beer FeastABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Not content with waiting for one single day to stuff ourselves with our favorite traditional foods, we just had to drink our way through a feast of Thanksgiving-adjacent beers to get us hyped for what might be our favorite holiday. We see how many of this lineup of five Illinois beers would make a nice addition to the table while also playing a full game of Personal Preference: Thanksgiving Foods. Plus, Ryan tries to make sense of a possibly inappropriate teacher costume, Craig takes a hardline stance against mixing foods, and we both have a few sides we like better than turkey. Loosen that...
info_outline Episode 562 - FoBABlin’ 6: FoBAB Time MachineABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
As this year’s Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers approaches, we dive deep into FoBAB topics while drinking through four barrel-aged beers from breweries featured at this year’s fest. Our jumbled attempts to look back at previous year’s memories notwithstanding, we look ahead to new and returning breweries we can’t wait to try, old favorites and dependable options to seek out for a first pour, our general tips for navigating FoBAB, and a little mock Fantasy FoBAB draft to round things out. Plus, Craig encounters a real life Air Bud, our time machine is broken, and we wonder why we...
info_outline Episode 561 - Mega DethABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The warmest thing about the colder months is that we have three different Deep Wood releases to look forward to, and we start the season with four stouts - three as variants of their annual Deth’s Tar line. We talk about what makes this year’s lineup unique while Revolution supports its case as one of the most dependable barrel-aged programs anywhere. Also, Craig waited in a line only to learn about bad dog names; Ryan has basically forgotten the last two years of beer releases; and we get a little carried away with the tactile experience. Beers Reviewed Deth’s Tar (Imperial oatmeal...
info_outline Episode 560 - Torture Test: The Hateful 8ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The horrible tradition continues for an eighth year as we try to outdo one another in a test of our ability to withstand liquid torture - and this year might be the most spiteful, mean-spirited collection of all. Seizing upon our known flavor aversions, each of us hosts finds something to attack our insecurities and threaten our actual livelihood through a half-blind tasting - all leading to an unimaginable Cuvée of Doom in the end. Also, we live out some mundane horror situations, we raise a few torture legends’ jerseys to the rafters, and I’m pretty sure someone is getting sued by the...
info_outline Episode 559 - Farmhouse FallABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
After a long, arduous Brat Summer, we be-sweater ourselves for a little Farmhouse Fall by opening five autumnal saisons from some of the best in the rusticity business. Whether it’s due to ingredients, barrels, or aesthetic, each saison here is the liquid equivalent of jumping into a pile of crunchy leaves, and we have some wildly divergent rankings by the end. Also, Craig immediately destroys our attempts at having a classy show for once; we define what we mean when we say “rustic”; and we consider what we expect fall to taste like. (Thanks to Don Kasak and the folks at Hold Out for...
info_outline Episode 558 - GABF 2024ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
This year’s Great American Beer Festival brought some new energy (with a small pour of confusion) to the four decade-old fest and competition, and we were out in Denver to cover it all. Though the theme areas were a bit disorienting at times, this year’s GABF felt like more of a party than ever. We report back on the amazing beers we drank while sharing some top-notch festival floor interviews with new friends and industry-influencing vets alike. We also open three stellar Denver lagers in the hotel while recapping four days of beer-fueled fun. Plus, we weigh in on the local radio...
info_outline Episode 557 - So Fresh, So WetABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We’re right at the end of hop harvest season, so now’s the time to bask in the seasonal glory that is fresh and wet hop beers. We expand our understanding of fresh and wet hop beers on this episode by sifting through the research while drinking five pretty incredible local beers using those straight-from-the-bines hops. Also, we have a little unfulfilled Chekov’s Corgi situation; we take some responsibility for getting the Conservatory slide shut down; Ryan’s got a metaphor straight from 2005; Craig’s writing his new erotica about a Hop Farm; and we explain why Three Floyds is...
info_outlineAfter a long, arduous Brat Summer, we be-sweater ourselves for a little Farmhouse Fall by opening five autumnal saisons from some of the best in the rusticity business. Whether it’s due to ingredients, barrels, or aesthetic, each saison here is the liquid equivalent of jumping into a pile of crunchy leaves, and we have some wildly divergent rankings by the end. Also, Craig immediately destroys our attempts at having a classy show for once; we define what we mean when we say “rustic”; and we consider what we expect fall to taste like. (Thanks to Don Kasak and the folks at Hold Out for providing two of these beers.)
Beers Reviewed
Scratch Brewing Company - Wild Carrot and Nettle (Farmhouse ale w/ wild carrot leaves & stinging nettle)
is/was brewing - Saison Effrayant (Autumnal Rye Saison w/ sage)
Side Project Brewing - Loam: Vidal Blanc Orange Wine Process 2023 (Wheat saison aged w/ Vidal Blanc grapes)
Waypost Brewing - Saison Du Bois (Oak-lagered Saison)
Hold Out Brewing & Keeping Together - No Moon Tonight (Dark Saison w/ cinnamon, cocoa nibs, dried chiles & honey aged in Sotol barrels)