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Episode 562 - FoBABlin’ 6: FoBAB Time Machine

Release Date: 11/13/2024

ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

When you spend any amount of time in Wisconsin, you’d better leave room in your trunk for a whole lot of delicious beer - and that’s exactly what Craig did on a recent stop in Madison. We throw caution and care to the WI-nd, as we open five beers from New Glarus and Madison’s Working Draft with a range of styles that all do what we’d hope for - and better. Also, Craig accidentally stumbles into some stolen valor thanks to some brewery apparel; Ryan’s ready to whip up that Matzo Ball Soup Sorachi Ace beer; some beers get poked that should never have been poked; and one host discovers...

Episode 632 - Wine, Not

ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

Though beer has long lived in wine’s shadow as a prestige drink, it can do an impressive job of borrowing flavors or even mimicking them from the grape-based beverage. We open four very different takes on wine-inspired beers, some that have aged gracefully, and some that go places with styles in a way we haven’t experienced. Also, Craig discovers a new innovation in frozen pizza technology; we re-examine the arch of sour programs in the U.S. over the last decade; Ryan’s trying his hand at being a Zoom-based magician; and we try to avoid the crash of flabby sweetness. Beers Reviewed...

Episode 631 - DIPA Nostalgia

ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

In a time before hazy, there once was the Double IPA: malty, boozy, bold, and bitter. While some trends suggest the days of haze are a bit behind us, will we see a resurgence of the old school DIPAs of yesteryear? Or will it just be more of the same pale and fruity modern “West Coast” versions? We drink five classic examples that we hope separate themselves from the current trends, and find that some hit that nostalgic target just right. Also, Craig faces a hospital TV dilemma; we remember when breweries kept hop recipes a secret; and Ryan needs a big train beer just for himself. ...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

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 only hit like five breweries every year.

Beers Reviewed

Off Color Brewing - Whiskey Barrel-Aged Beer for Pizza [2022] (Malt beverage w/ dark candi syrup, kola nut, lime juice, vanilla, lemon zest, orange zest, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, and citric acid aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels)

More Brewing - Barrel-Aged Doppelbock (Doppelbock aged in Elijah Craig bourbon and Old Elk barrels)

Mikerphone Brewing - I Believe In A Thing Called Lager (Imperial dark lager aged 21 months in Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey barrels)

WeldWerks Brewing & Toppling Goliath Brewing - Asesino De Medianoche (Imperial stout aged in Templeton Rye and Blanton’s barrels w/ Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans)

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