Episode 614 - Pitt Fall
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
At the tail end of summer, we recorded this little gem when we knew we’d need it most to help keep us thinking warm thoughts as the temperature falls faster than the leaves. When our friend Aaron Keefner was in town, he dropped a heavy case of Pittsburgh goodies on us, and we use this episode to sip through an exciting lineup of lagers and hops. Also, Craig has found the perfect exclusive club for a first date (and bulk goods), Ryan wants to see a brewery who is dedicated to kicking ass, and we’ll take that time machine straight back to a Wendy’s SuperBar. Beers Reviewed Coven Brewing -...
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Episode 613 - Deth Proof
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
The barrel storm that is Revolution’s Deep Wood series rages on throughout the Fall and Winter months, so we’re catching up on the last release of their Deth’s Tar stout and its variants - and this year’s batch is better than they’ve ever been. We try to place these in the context of past years’ releases and try not to overanalyze the calculated magic that comes out of Rev’s barrels. But also, we are living for Dumpkin Spice season, we try to name a Skele-Boy, and we’re sorry for all the talk about…well, you’ll figure it out. Beers Reviewed Deth’s Tar (Imperial...
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Episode 612 - Torture Test 9: Circles of Adjunct Hell
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Unnecessarily crammed with junk, this year’s spooky six-pack is an adjunct party that no one ever wanted to be invited to, as we’re on to our ninth iteration of the infamous Torture Test. We both try to outdo one another by attacking our flavor weaknesses - or just finding straight-up old catastrophes of beers that were probably never good in the first place. The goal is to avoid the Cuvée of Doom, but we can’t avoid descriptors like “rancid piña colada,” “wet basement cardboard,” dirty old pennies,” “liquified grandma’s candy,” and “diet medicine.” But also, you...
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Episode 611 - FoBABlin’: 7th Barrel Heaven
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
In our annual leadup to Chicago’s best beer fest, we’re talking all about the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers as it is set to return early in November this year. Along with drinking and reviewing four barrel-aged beers from a few FoBAB regulars (and one new to the fest), we look over the new and returning breweries, share our picks for brewers not to miss, rattle off a few general festival tips, and conduct a mock draft of our Fantasy FoBAB teams. Also, Craig devises a plan for packing future festivals, Ryan keeps pushing that coffee bean, a girthsome and titan beer write-up is...
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Episode 610 - GABF 2025
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Denver is the closest to Heaven that we’ll ever be, and we don’t want to go home right now. Broadcasting amongst the Rocky Mountains (from our very cushy hotel room), we file our annual report on America’s largest beer festival and competition: the Great American Beer Festival. We open three Colorado beers over two nights and relive our extended weekend celebrating beer and the people who make it by running through our Denver-area highlights, recapping the festival and awards results, and sharing from our long lists of favorite beers. Plus, we snagged some interviews with brewers from...
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Episode 609 - Triptych Quadriptych
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
One of Illinois’ best breweries rarely makes it up to Chicagoland shelves, so when Craig had a chance to go down to Savoy for a visit to Triptych Brewing, he loaded up for our fourth featured show in our history. We have five beers that represent what Triptych does best: from immaculate lagers to hop-driven ales to a roasty delight, this show does not disappoint. But also, we may have stumbled upon a secret bus of jugglers; Ryan explains how not all scented candles are created equal; and Craig revisits some dark days when he was addicted to the Dew. Beers Reviewed Herp Slurp (Pale...
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Episode 608 - IPA All Stars Blind, Rd. 4
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
In our seemingly endless quest to find the best long-made IPA that America has to offer, we are a little all over the map on this one with a mix of Wisconsin and Western U.S. offerings to run through the blind scoresheet wringer. It’s a study in contrasts, as each clear IPA brings a little something different to the table - and then one just blatantly steals the show. Also, we imagine if GABF allowed us to curate their experience areas, we recall the days of IBU bombs, Craig is born anew yet again for this episode, and we invent cheese jibbets (and SlimJim-bets) for when you need a snack...
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Episode 607 - Road to GABF 2025
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Our favorite time of year approaches again, but we can’t set off for Denver without doing a ridiculous amount of prep work and research. So to celebrate the oncoming Great American Beer Festival for 2025, we drink four GABF-adjacent beers while sharing our picks for what to drink from local breweries, our most dependable steady hands, the ever-exciting new-to-us names, and the familiar faces that are always worth a pour. Grab a pen and paper, because this episode is chocked full of almost a hundred damn solid recommendations (if we must say so ourselves.) Plus, Craig has an extremely...
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Episode 606 - Earth-Friendly Beers
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
Just like most good things in life, the beers we so love can be quite taxing on the planet before even getting to our glasses. But some breweries are taking the lead on exploring more sustainable practices, whether it’s using regenerative grains, organic ingredients, or even solar-powered farms. The five beers on this show represent different ways breweries can make a difference for the sake of the planet - and we’re glad to report that none of that comes at the cost of delicious tasting beers. Also, we call in the experts to help get us out of a regatta, we have our reservations about The...
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Episode 605 - Festbier v. Märzen
ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
There are many essential ingredients for a successful Oktoberfest celebration, but none is more important than the beer. But which style is going to fill your massive stein: the younger, bright Festbier or the old-school, bready Märzen? We found four breweries making both styles to have a side-by-side of each to help determine our personal preference - and the only thing missing is the lederhosen. Also, we explore the world of Christian pirate shanties, consider acceptable adjuncts for Oktoberfest styles, and try not to piss off MC Hammer. Beers Reviewed Paulaner Brauerei -...
info_outlineIn our second exploration of Czech styles made locally, we sample five Czech Dark Lagers - a style that has slowly grown into a dependable stand-by for many brewers. We get into what makes a beer like this that perfect balance of dark malt and clean lager drinkability while drinking more of these than we probably should. Also, we contemplate if we’re too old for concerts being marketed directly at us, we fail to fully ban bad puns, we hit up the Hop-O-Rama, and there’s a reason they never made an aroma box for virtual meetings.
Beers Reviewed
Samson (Budějovický měšťanský pivovar) - 1795 Original Czech Lager Dark
Art History Brewing - Varitace
Pollyanna Brewing - Czech Dark Lager
Maplewood Brewing - In Dark Trees
Roaring Table Brewing - Accordance