Episode 582 - A Progression of Barrels
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
A decade ago, if a beer spent a few months in a single bourbon barrel, its release would cause fanfare amongst craft beer obsessives. These days, beers are blended from an increasing number of different barrels for extended periods of time, so we decided to sample beers that represent an increasing number of different barrels to see if more barrels actually means better results. To help us better understand the barrel side of the beer world, we talk to Ethan Schulenberg of Midwest Barrel Company, who provides a variety of barrels for a large number of American craft brewers. He explains the...
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Episode 581 - Doppelbocks
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Whether you’re preparing for a fast or a feast, Doppelbocks are the German-born strong lagers you need if “liquid bread” is what you seek. We explore this style with one German version and four from Chicagoland to fine tune our expectations and enhance our overall appreciation of this malty wonder. Also, Craig gives sound advice to help Ryan navigate his children’s interest in the White Sox; we alternate between goats and dragons; and we take a mouthfeel ride down the lazy river (of flavor). Beers Reviewed Ayinger Privatbrauerei - Celebrator Goldfinger Brewing - Zlotonator ...
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Episode 580 - Cellar West, Chapter 3
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
It’s been about two years since we last checked in with one of our favorite small breweries in America, and this lineup of five from Lafayette, Colorado’s Cellar West is a real flavor ride. We talk about the medal-winning beers sent courtesy of founder Zach Nichols while trying to narrow down which we’d most like off of their cask engine. Also, Ryan’s developing a habit of rubbing beers on himself, Craig is mystified by mustache twins, and we make some initial nominations for the ABV Chicago Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Craft Beer Excellence awards. Beers Reviewed...
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Episode 579 - Local & Historical
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We get unreasonably excited when local breweries make historical and international styles that are infrequently brewed, so we jumped at the opportunity to bring five examples together. These suburban Chicago beers serve as tributes to centuries of brewing across three different countries, and we couldn’t be happier about the results. We dive into the history and stories of these styles while also revisiting our college Newcastle phase, assuming control of our IP, and making our choices for the best vending machine selections on a road trip. Beers Reviewed Bubblehouse Brewing Company -...
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Episode 578 - Werk Force Brewing
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Amanda and Brandon Wright of Werk Force Brewing have been in business out in Plainfield for over a decade, but their story and influence goes far beyond that. We spend a good long time talking with the Wrights and sampling through a lineup of their excellent beers, from lagers to IPAs to barrel-aged stouts. Just some of the topics we cover include accepting the inevitability of flagship beers, leaving ABV off the label, creating a community-based space open for all, finding the right food partner, starting a family while opening a business, capturing just the right images for label designs,...
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Episode 577 - Hop Roundup: Winter ‘25
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We love hoppy beers, and truthfully, we need to find an excuse to try more local releases that catch our attention. Introducing the Hop Roundup: a quarterly series of episodes focused on notable hoppy releases in a general timeframe. For this Winter 2025 edition, we have a brand new brewery with a resurgent style; a fresh year-round from local legends; a collab “reverse” continuation from a previous episode; a bigger take than we’ve seen on a highly-debated style; and a hopeful return for one of our favorite hops. But also, Ryan’s trying to help Craig through his jump scare fears; we...
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Episode 576 - The UT Show
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
We’re going behind the curtain for our 36th state show, as listener Jeremy hooked us up with five beers from Utah. The beers represent a pretty wide variety and offer a few real standouts as we try and make sense of some pretty…interesting beer laws. Also, there’s valuable jorts advice, heavy eye-contact cocktails, barrel-aged flashbacks, and a genuine French ending. Who says we need to keep things under 5 percent? Beers Reviewed UTOG Brewing Company [Ogden, UT] - Utah’s Only Happy Hour (American Light Lager) Talisman Brewing Company [Ogden, UT] - Uplifted (Scottish Export Ale)...
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Episode 575 - Deep Wood: Now and Later
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
To close out the 2024-2025 Deep Wood release lineup, Revolution somehow finds a way to do some new things with barleywine while retaining the spirit of their barrel program we’ve all come to know and love. It’s all about interesting woods here (and a little help from some friends) as we’ve hardly been so happy about experiencing the barleywobbles. Also, Craig’s sweet stock is in jeopardy, Ryan’s recovering from hosting his 10 year old’s birthday party, and we make some rankings promises that we actually keep (for once). It’s audio Sur Lie, because we’re definitely on the slop....
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Episode 574 - Supermoon Cellar Society
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
At a very reasonable price, Craig joined the exclusive Cellar Society for Milwaukee’s Supermoon Beer Company so we could get our hands on a full lineup of exclusive releases from one of our favorite breweries in the whole world. And this lineup still finds ways to surprise us - from style to barrel to the occasional unusual ingredient. It’s all just really really stellar. Also, Craig’s wife is developing mundane yet useful superpowers; Ryan’s ready for some more beer-inspired soaps; and we’re keeping a watch on the Costco cheese aisle for rare releases. Beers Reviewed Tabelbear...
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Episode 573 - 11 Year Blind: Old Faves
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
To recognize our 11th year of releasing this weekly podcast, we’re putting a new spin on our annual half-blind shows by…going old. We each divvied up the past years of the podcast and selected one favorite from a year until we ended up with seven to try and stump one another while we dig through our memories. Some represent fresh takes on old faves, and some are just old - which doesn’t necessarily mean bad. Also, we talk about a cult Chicago landmark in Craig’s neighborhood; Ryan no-scopes a few blind guesses; and Craig calls in a favor to make his secret blind theme work. Beers...
info_outlineIt’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 Jacket (Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine)
Ryeway to Heaven (Bourbon and rye barrel-aged ryewine)
Double Barrel V.S.O.R. (Bourbon and rye barrel-age ryewine)
D.B.X.O.D. Le Troncais (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial oatmeal stout with French oak)