Episode 633 - WI Not?
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...
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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...
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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. ...
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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...
info_outlineIt may not be the main course, but we make a meal out of this four bottle Side Project lineup, gifted to us by listener and friend Don Kasak. We may think we know where things are going with these four barrel-aged beers of differing styles - but we quickly get swept up in some surprising flavors. Also, we are adjusting to some of the new holiday traditions, we make some New Year’s fruit resolutions, and after this episode we’re heading down to our shift at the Farm Barn to check out Beyond Tart’s set.
Beers Reviewed
Merci 2024 (Blended oak-aged American wild ale)
SpontanFermier - Blend #2 (Missouri saison blended with Belgian lambic - collaboration with Mikkeller)
Calamansi (Brett pale ale aged in oak with Calamansi limes, Tanzanian and Madagascar vanilla, and toasted coconut)
A Long Time Ago (Blend of Oregon Adambier [2014 Adam and 2018 Adam] and Missouri bourbon barrel-aged Adambier [2022 Längst] - collaboration with Hair of the Dog)