ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast
A Chicago craft beer podcast. Events, beer reviews and much more. It's Another Beer View.
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Episode 572 - Singles in Your Area
01/22/2025
Episode 572 - Singles in Your Area
In an ill-advised experiment almost 4 years in the making, this episode is our style exploration of the Belgian Single - sometimes called Patersbier, sometimes Enkel, and definitely rarely made stateside. Even most of the Trappist breweries keep them in house and rarely send them overseas. With a glacial pace of local Belgian single releases, we’ve held on to some American versions with hopes of one day finally completing our Monastic Cycle. So we took one fresh single - and four definitely way less fresh singles - to see how compatible we all could be. It’s certainly a learning experience! Also, Craig meets a hand model so we dream of showing off our wrists and elbows; Ryan gets drenched by a surprise gusher; and we all agree not to age this style of beer ever again. Beers Reviewed Miskatonic Brewing Company - St. Maximus Maplewood Brewery - Belle La Vie Gathering Place Brewing Company - Prière Buckledown Brewing - Gas Lamp Spencer Brewery - Trappist Ale
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Episode 571 - Heavy Riff: Dear Agony
01/15/2025
Episode 571 - Heavy Riff: Dear Agony
It took us almost a dozen years to catch on that Heavy Riff Brewing out of St. Louis is an absolute treasure, and we are more than happy to open a little vertical of their signature barrel-aged stout series, Dear Agony. Crafted from a lactose mistake, this rich and creamy imperial milk stout sees yearly release with multiple variants representing different barrel picks or adjuncts - and the only agony on this show comes from the beer’s name. Also, Ryan’s son has created a superhero with surprising powers; Craig is experiencing his 44th year molting; and neither of us can recall anything about Breaking Benjamin. Beers Reviewed Dear Agony 2021 (Imperial Milk Stout aged in Willett bourbon barrels) Dear Agony 2022 (Imperial Milk Stout aged in Old Forester bourbon barrels) Dear Agony 2023 (Imperial Milk Stout aged in George Dickel bourbon barrels) Dear Agony Breakfast Stout 2023 (Imperial Milk Stout w/ coffee beans aged in bourbon and maple barrels)
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Episode 570 - Riverlands Brewing Company
01/08/2025
Episode 570 - Riverlands Brewing Company
Pride of the Fox River and St. Charles, Illinois, Riverlands Brewing is approaching six years with a refreshed love of their own lagers, thanks to their U.S. Beer Open Championship gold-winning pilsner, Kayak. We sit down with co-founder and head brewer Eric Bramwell along with assistant brewer Brianna Levi to chat all things Riverlands - not limited to their horizontal tanks. Eric and Bri tell their stories about influential local brewers that helped them learn how to move from homebrewers to the commercial space and what inspires them to play with different ingredients and endlessly tinker with recipes. Also, there are stories about unexpected collaboration partners, lager advice from the experts, secret burrito accounting, amazing shark facts, and majestic heads of hair - all while we sip through a stellar lineup of beers. Beers Sampled Tri-City Black (Session Stout) Kayak Pils (German-style Pilsner) Dean Street (Hazy IPA) All Night Revival (DDH Hazy DIPA) - Collaboration w/ Toppling Goliath Parallel Rivers (Hazy DIPA) - Collaboration w/ Hop Butcher Orbital Velocity (Chocolate Peanut Butter Imperial Stout) Splitting Rivers (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ wild Thai bananas and cinnamon) - Collaboration w/ Whiskey Hill Brothers in Barleywine (Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine) - Collaboration w/ Brothership
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Episode 569 - Pulpit Rock
01/01/2025
Episode 569 - Pulpit Rock
Back in August, we had the great fortune to drink through an entire lineup from Decorah, Iowa’s Pulpit Rock Brewing (thanks to listeners Benji and Suzanne) and this resulting episode is sounding great out of the cellar, thanks to some interview snippets with co-head brewer Bob Slack from the Great Taste of the Midwest. It doesn’t take long until we go a little nuts over nuts, but we also learn to appreciate long written-off desserts, rank the gorgeous can art, and stand in bewilderment over ice cream truck music. Bob Slack Interview (00:09:06 - 00:15:50) Beers Reviewed Whatever (West Coast-style Pilsner) Saftig (New England-style IPA) Tingles, Vol. 1 (Hard Seltzer w/ pineapple juice, lemonade mix, grenadine, and passionfruit puree) Church Salad (Sour w/ toasted walnuts, marshmallows, coconut, and pineapple juice) Haywire (Pastry Imperial Stout w/ malted milk balls, peanuts, cashews, and almonds)
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Episode 568 - A Side of Side Project
12/25/2024
Episode 568 - A Side of Side Project
It 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)
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Episode 567 - FoBAB Winners 2024
12/18/2024
Episode 567 - FoBAB Winners 2024
The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers came in late November this year, and we have another episode to add to our wall-to-wall coverage of Chicago’s best beer fest. As has become a delicious tradition, we have gathered medal winning beers from this year - but with a totally sessionable twist. Three gold medal winners, one bronze, and one Best in Show gives us a lineup of 4 that’ll go down as one of the best we’ve done. Also, we break down FoBAB winners by the numbers, recap our festival highlights, and replace the Elf on the Shelf with Craig on the Keg. Beers Reviewed Milieu Fermentation - smol. (Barrel-aged mixed culture table beer) Off Color Brewing - Funky Beer for Tacos (Gose fermented with wild yeast aged in lime gin barrels) Cruz Blanca Brewpub - Tepache Cowboy (Mexican lager aged in añejo mezcal barrels with pineapple and spices) Half Acre Beer Co. - Orin (Bourbon and brandy barrel aged strong ale)
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Episode 566 - Deep Wood: Wine O’ Clock
12/11/2024
Episode 566 - Deep Wood: Wine O’ Clock
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 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)
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Episode 565 - Bourbon County 2024
11/29/2024
Episode 565 - Bourbon County 2024
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 lead to bias; we can’t help but fondle the box; and we are finally sponsored by Jazz, the style of music. And don’t miss out on our annual trip through Bourbon Country. Beers Reviewed Bourbon County Stout 2024 (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels) Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout (Imperial Stout aged in Bardstown Rye and Cherry Wood Oak Barrels) Bourbon County Brand Rare Stout 2024 (Imperial Rye Stout aged in King of Kentucky Bourbon Barrels) Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout 2024 (Imperial Rye Stout aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels w/ Madagascar vanilla beans) Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout (Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels w/ cocoa nibs, sweet candied ginger, and toasted coconut) Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine (Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels w/ tamarind, lime, whole Guajillo chiles, and piloncillo)
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Episode 564 - Ciders N’ Stuff
11/27/2024
Episode 564 - Ciders N’ Stuff
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 House - Strawbarbarella Wölffer Estate Vineyard - No. 139 Peach Cider Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead - Pumpkin Hard Cider
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Episode 563 - Thanksgiving Beer Feast
11/20/2024
Episode 563 - Thanksgiving Beer Feast
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 belt and bring on the post-show couch nap. Beers Reviewed Werk Force Brewing Company - Soup Season (Hazy IPA w/ Simcoe, Superdelic, and Citra) Bent River Brewing Company - Sweet Potato Ale (Wheat ale w/ sweet potato & spices) Midwest Coast Brewing Co. - Friendsgiving (Strong ale w/ cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and orange peel) Energy City Brewing - Bistro: Apple & Cranberry Crumble (Berliner Weisse w/ apples, cranberry, brown sugar, and cinnamon) Maplewood Brewing Company - Lil’ Pumpkin Cakes (Blonde ale w/ pumpkin spices)
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Episode 562 - FoBABlin’ 6: FoBAB Time Machine
11/13/2024
Episode 562 - FoBABlin’ 6: FoBAB Time Machine
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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Episode 561 - Mega Deth
11/06/2024
Episode 561 - Mega Deth
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 stout aged in bourbon barrels) Café Deth (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ coffee) Deth by Bramble (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ blackberry, boysenberry, and marionberry) V.S.O. On & On Pt. 3 (Blended stout aged in bourbon barrels)
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Episode 560 - Torture Test: The Hateful 8
10/30/2024
Episode 560 - Torture Test: The Hateful 8
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 end of this one. Beverages Endured Untitled Art & Speciation Artisan Ales - Michelada (Berliner Weisse-style w/ lime juice, Tabasco sauce, and sea salt) Unpossible Mead Inc. - Pickle-Ӧrt (Bread & butter pickle-inspired mead aged in a Malört barrel) Energy City Brewing - Bistro Strawberry Pineapple Habanero (Flavored Berliner-style Weisse) 450 North Brewing - Bananafinger (Smoothie-style sour w/ banana, candy bars, peanut butter & milk chocolate) Beak & Skiff Orchards - Double Double Toil & Trouble (Candy Corn Hard Cider) Rar Brewing - Out Of Order: Mmm-hmm (American sour w/ cheesecake, butter pecan, pastry cream, and lactose) Twelve5 Beverage Co. - Rebel Berry Crisp Latte (Hard coffee w/ mixed berries) Twisted Pine Brewing Co. - Ghost Face Killah (Chili beer w/ ghost pepper, serrano, jalapeno, habanero, fresno, and anaheim peppers)
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Episode 559 - Farmhouse Fall
10/23/2024
Episode 559 - Farmhouse Fall
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 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)
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Episode 558 - GABF 2024
10/16/2024
Episode 558 - GABF 2024
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 station’s attempt to rank 1,055 songs from the 21st century, and find out that a brewing legend is a listener to this very podcast. Interviews Rob Tod of Allagash Brewing Company (00:20:32 - 00:35:07) Andrew Bergeron of Milieu Fermentation (00:45:45 - 00:52:04) Hayden Winkler & Pete Knight of Hold Out Brewing (01:09:43 - 01:21:05) Eric Salazar of Strangebird Brewing (01:29:23 - 01:36:16) Wayne Burns and Laura Worley of Burns Family Artisan Ales (01:49:39 - 01:58:37) Craig Neuzil of PIVO Brewery (02:00:18 - 02:07:23) Beers Reviewed Burns Family Artisan Ales - Midnight Czech-In (Czech Dark Lager) Bruz Beers - Belgian Country Lager Cohesion Brewing Company - Polotmavý (Czech Amber Lager)
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Episode 557 - So Fresh, So Wet
10/09/2024
Episode 557 - So Fresh, So Wet
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 totally normal now. Beers Reviewed Solemn Oath Brewery - Kidnapped By Vikings: Fresh Hop (IPA) Mikerphone Brewing - Defresh Mode (DIPA) 3 Floyds Brewing - Broo Doo (Harvest Ale) Phase Three Brewing - Fresh Fresh (Hazy IPA) Off Color Brewing - Aqua Predator (Saison)
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Episode 556 - Road to GABF 2024
10/02/2024
Episode 556 - Road to GABF 2024
As we plan our 11th year of covering the Great American Beer Festival out in Denver, we take this episode to preview some of the Illinois beers pouring at the fest while sharing a comprehensive list of which breweries we’re most amped to check out. We review the Illinois pour lists, find many exciting “new-to-us” breweries, revisit some “familiar face” breweries, and put our total faith in those “steady hands” that still crank out essential beers. Also, we discuss t-shirts that aren’t exactly getting the joke across, point out one style that Illinois has dominated as of late, embody both “High” and “Stinky,” and get punished by one beer in particular. Beers Reviewed Sketchbook Brewing Co. - Grodziskie DESTIHL Brewery - Deadhead IPA More Brewing - Mango Double Marbles (Milkshake IPA w/ mango, lactose, and vanilla) Hubbard’s Cave/Une Année Brewery - El Zacatón (Imperial stout w/ almond flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, ancho chilies, guajillo chilies, and habanero chilies)
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Episode 555 - West Coast West Coast IPAs
09/25/2024
Episode 555 - West Coast West Coast IPAs
IPA can be a whole lot of things, but when we were cutting our teeth on hoppy beers, the West Coast style dominated. Appreciation of the style never really died off, but it’s regaining a bit of ground on the still more-popular hazy IPAs. So we turn to the actual source - the West Coast - for five beers that are somewhat varied in their interpretation. And because we love this style so much, it doesn’t take us long to have too good of a time. Also, we deem 90s music safe for professional development meetings with some caveats; we motion for a “C” Change; and there’s an almost unhealthy amount of beer nostalgia to wash it all down. Beers Reviewed Pure Project Brewing (San Diego, CA) - Pure West AleSmith Brewing Company (San Diego, CA) - IPA The Lost Abbey (Vista, CA) - The Right Side of Happiness Beachwood Brewing (Huntington Beach, CA) - Citraholic Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR) - Easy Lift
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Episode 554 - Rice Lagers
09/18/2024
Episode 554 - Rice Lagers
Using rice as a fermentable in an adjunct lager has been common in Japanese brewing for a long time, and recently more American craft brewers have made their own versions with an emphasis on the remarkably dry finish of the style. We try two icons of Japanese Rice Lagers before sampling three from the Chicagoland area, and we’re surprised with how much rice really does make the difference. Also, Craig’s such a sucker for certain I.P. that he bought his first ever coffee, Ryan would be down with some rice pizzas, and we have maybe the best ramen-based business pitch we’ve come up with yet. Beers Reviewed Sapporo Breweries - Sapporo Premium Beer Asahi Breweries - Asahi Super Dry Phase Three Brewing - Japanese-Style Rice Lager Pollyanna Brewing Company - In the Glow Maplewood Brewing Company & Piece Brewery and Pizzeria - Arroz By Any Other Name
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Episode 553 - Wisconsin Borderlands
09/11/2024
Episode 553 - Wisconsin Borderlands
Just a short drive north from Chicago, a land of interesting breweries awaits across the Wisconsin border, so we drink through five beers that’ll hardly cost you a quarter tank of gas to pick up yourself. The beers bring up a lot of interesting discussion about beer styles loved and lost, and we even have a brief chat with G5 Brewing’s head brewer Tim Goers about anchovy hops, gluten-free smoothie sours, and calling in for a little advice from Stone Brewing. Also, Ryan finally experiences the Dog Surfing National Championships and has a lot of questions; and Craig is still really hung up on the amount of lime flavor that constitutes a “hint.” G5’s Tim Goers interview (00:27:32 - 00:36:56) Low Daily [Burlington, WI] - Snacker (Session IPA) Public Craft Brewing Co. [Kenosha, WI] - Sweet Colleen’s Irish Red Ale G5 Brewing Company [Beloit, WI] - Joanie (Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake Sour) Faklandia Brewpub [Saint Francis, WI] - NPC Cal (Imperial Lime Cream Ale) Second Salem Brewing Company [Whitewater, WI] - Bone Orchard (IPA)
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Episode 552 - BA Coconutz
09/04/2024
Episode 552 - BA Coconutz
Like some sort of softball-sized, hairy drupe falling from a tree to knock us on the head, within this lineup of four beers is a surprise that almost completely brings the show to a grinding halt. But otherwise, it’s a fun little exploration of our relationship with coconut as an adjunct in barrel-aged stouts, and there’s no suntan lotion to be found here. Also, 3 Floyds is normal now, Disney is entering ill-advised music territory, Head & Shoulders should sponsor this episode, and Ryan explains why the result of this show is like checking for a cockroach in your shoe. (It’ll all make sense, later, we swear.) Thanks again to Dan Roemer for help in procuring the Phase Three! Beers Reviewed 3 Floyds Brewing - Cocomungo (Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ toasted coconut and maple syrup) Hop Butcher for the World - Steel (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ vanilla beans and coconut) Phase Three Brewing - Eunoia Batch 2 (Barrel-aged imperial stout w/ coconut and Saigon cinnamon) Half Acre Beer Company - Double Barrel 2x4 Benthic 2023 (Double bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ toasted coconut, vanilla, and coffee)
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Episode 551 - Holy Toledo
08/28/2024
Episode 551 - Holy Toledo
The titular exclamative comes thanks to Craig’s unexpected finds during a recent trip to Toledo, Ohio. This lineup of five Toledo-area beers is almost total adjunct bacchanalia - and one that surprises us at every step. We get into the geography of Toledo while shouting out most of the bartenders that made this one possible. Also, we discuss odd school fundraisers, make some major baseball and football connections, choose syrup beard as the worst possible torture, and try to make sense of the ways kids talk these days. Hey Vern, how’s about I open u a brewery? Beers Reviewed Maumee Bay Brewing Company - Ballgame (Kölsch w/ salted caramel & roasted peanuts) Inside the Five Brewing Company - Sunshine Sky (American Wheat Ale w/ lemon & orange) Twin Oast Brewing - Ship Burner (Porter) Earnest Brew Works - Wake & Bake Crunchy Hippie (Brown Ale w/ coffee, maple syrup, oats, wheat, brown sugar, honey, sunflower/flax/chia seeds, hemp hearts, raisins, and mixed berries) Pavlov’s Brewing Company - Red Raspberry Wheat/Big Friendly (Wheat ale w/ raspberry blended with Imperial Stout w/ peanut butter)
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Episode 550 - Weekend Warriors: WI vs. MI
08/21/2024
Episode 550 - Weekend Warriors: WI vs. MI
At the start of August, Craig and Ryan took extended weekend getaways to Wisconsin and Michigan, returning with a sweet little haul highlighting some favorite spots along the way. Whose weekend three-pack turns out the best? We gladly sip through these six to report back with our arbitrary opinions. Plus, we both share some recent notable DJ experiences, Ryan has a new superpower he doesn’t want, Craig relives some Wisconsin IPA Fest highlights, and we have a brief interview with Nate Fakler of Faklandia Brewing recorded at this year’s Great Taste of the Midwest to round things out. Nate Fakler interview (00:51:20 - 00:56:42) Beers Reviewed Low Daily (Burlington, WI) - Top Bins (English Dark Mild) Waypost Brewing Co. (Fennville, MI) - Kölsch Component Brewing (Milwaukee, WI) - Simcoe Overflow (IPA) North Pier Brewing Company (Benton Harbor, MI) - Old Shuck (London-style Porter) Faklandia Brewpub (St. Francis, WI) - Blue Magic (Blueberry IPA) One Well Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI) - Tequila Barrel-Aged Only Gose to Show (Barrel-aged Lime Gose)
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Episode 549 - Hoppy Reds (Directors’ Cut)
08/14/2024
Episode 549 - Hoppy Reds (Directors’ Cut)
Though this was recorded in the early summer months, this episode explores a broad style designation that’s seeing a bit of a resurgence - and hopefully more so with the coming colder temperatures. We open five red ales to see what makes a good one and learn quite a bit about the broad variance that exists beyond simply “red” and “hoppy.” Also, Craig recommends the horrors of MLB Rain Delay Twitter, we debunk a pretty dumb beer belief around ABV, and we make some picks for the worst candies ever made. And with the new directors’ cut, you get to hear us drink a 6th beer that somewhat inspired this show - and why it might taste like Summer Craig dying. Beers Reviewed Brothership Brewing - Red Planet (Hoppy Red Ale) Pipeworks Brewing - Blood of the Unicorn (Hoppy Red Ale) Soundgrowler Brewing Co. - The Willing Blood (Red IPA) Maine Beer Co. - Zoe (Hoppy Amber Ale) Black Horizon Brewing - Walk the Plank (Imperial Red Ale) Directors’ Cut Beer: Maplewood Brewing - Radio Silence (Red IPA)
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Episode 548 - Flipside Brewing
08/07/2024
Episode 548 - Flipside Brewing
The story of Flipside Brewing begins and ends with Erik Pizer, the owner and head brewer whose career has led him back to Tinley Park with his now 2-year old brewpub. This conversation is a long-time coming as we’ve been fortunate to follow Erik’s brewing career over the last decade - and we must concur that Flipside is an excellent showcase for his talents. After a few handfuls of garlic cheese curds, we sip through a nice variety of his high quality beers while talking about everything that brought him back to where his professional brewing career started. Also, we dig into his no-nonsense approach to recipes and brewing techniques across many styles; we have a little beer déjà vu; and we gotta talk about those bathrooms. Plus, we nerd out about Easter eggs on labels, English-style beers, and potential musician collaborations. KornWine. Beers Sampled Sun Side (Kolsch) Last Stop (IPA) Monochrome Dream (Hazy IPA) Kobabazoobie (Hazy IPA) Double Stop (Double IPA) Barrel-Aged Decision Fatigue 2024 (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout)
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Episode 547 - One Crazy Rev Summer
07/31/2024
Episode 547 - One Crazy Rev Summer
These summer Deep Wood releases keep getting bigger and bolder, so we sample the three barrel-aged beers Revolution released in July (alongside a little leftover Springtime coffee pick-me-up) to once again fawn over the results. Craig puts on his silly sun hat while we sip through all 55.2 ounces, and Ryan lets his Revolution truth spill out with all the subtlety of Bobcat Goldthwait in a Godzilla costume. Also, Craig gets recognized and gifted ramen, Ryan’s dreaming up the lozenge for weaning yourself off of barrel-aged beers, and we certainly aren’t looking for 50 ways to leave your barleywine. 2024 Deep Wood Beers Reviewed Supermassive Café Deth (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial coffee stout) Coconut Deth (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial oatmeal stout w/ toasted coconut) V.S.O.J. (Blended bourbon barrel-aged English barleywine) Cherry V.S.O.J. (Blended bourbon barrel-aged English barleywine w/ cherry)
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Episode 546 - APA Style
07/24/2024
Episode 546 - APA Style
For all the high concept shows we’ve done over the past decade, we were shocked to learn that we’ve never just focused on the American Pale Ale - those clear, approachably hoppy styles of old. We have five Chicagoland examples here (well, two Lake Zurich and three Chicago, oddly) that are all impressive in their own way as we try to figure out what we look for in this style. Also, Craig is left with an infomercial cliffhanger, Ryan’s got your next beer trip all figured out, and we accidentally flashback to the origin of Mosaic blindness. American Pale Ales Reviewed Begyle Brewing - Sunny Afternoon Phase Three Brewing - Lake Trip Pipeworks Brewing - Lizard King Roaring Table Brewing - RTB Pale Alarmist Brewing - Pantsless
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Episode 545 - Icy Treats: Italian Ice & Bomb Pops
07/17/2024
Episode 545 - Icy Treats: Italian Ice & Bomb Pops
We’ve covered a lot of summer-friendly light drinking beers on the podcast lately, but this one goes right for the freezer aisle. Taking inspiration from a few popular icy treats, this lineup is summer fun in a glass, for the most part, even if said “fun” isn’t, like, “beer.” We have two beers inspired by lemon italian ice and two beers (plus a seltzer) mimicking that blue raspberry-white lime-red cherry trio of classic American popsicle. Also, we consider what eating contests we might have an okay shot at to win, there’s a new level of cuvée happening, and Ryan’s weirdly hung-up on Craig’s stubbornness around Mission: Impossible. Just be sure to toss the wooden stick when you’re done. Drinks Reviewed Hopewell Brewing Co. - Italian Ice (Citrus Lager w/ Meyer lemon) Old Irving Brewing Co. - Miko’s Italian Ice (Sour ale w/ Meyer lemon) Quirk (Boulevard Brewing Co.) - Raspberry Rocket Pop (Hard Seltzer) Brothership Brewing - Plasma Wave: Bombs Away (Fruited sour w/ raspberry, lime, cherry, and lactose) Transient Artisan Ales - Bomb Pop Smolverine (Sour ale w/ blueberry, raspberry, cherry, key lime, vanilla ice cream, and lactose)
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Episode 544 - Hop Water Revisited
07/10/2024
Episode 544 - Hop Water Revisited
Since we last sampled a batch of non-alcoholic sparkling hop waters in November, we assumed the market would be flooded with new options from local and non-local breweries alike. That growth has proven to be a lot more gradual, but we hope the dam bursts sooner than later because this lineup of five hop-enhanced sparkling waters has us happier than we should be while sober. Also, Ryan throws Craig into the neighborhood Facebook group cesspool, we try to find a way to make drinking hop waters at work more socially acceptable, and we hope these adaptogens and neotropics restore Craig’s ability to taste and smell Mosaic hops. All this with none of the calories. Hop Waters Reviewed Pollyanna Brewing Company - Hop Water Noon Whistle Brewing - Lemon Lime Hop Water Short’s Brewing Company - Thirst Mutilator: Lemon Lime HOP WTR - Mango Lagunitas Brewing - Hoppy Refresher: Berry Lemon
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Episode 543 - The Beers of Summer
07/01/2024
Episode 543 - The Beers of Summer
We can tell you that our love for these breweries will still be strong even after these beers of summer are gone, but heck, we’ll enjoy them now while they’re here. We drink through five beers marketed as easy Summer drinkers - three lagers, and two ales - to determine what’s stocking our coolers for the next month-plus. Also, Craig has joined the gummy revolution, Ryan has a lot to say about CostCo, and we get a nice little Patrick Swayze story in as well. Put your Wayfarers on, baby. Beers Reviewed Goldfinger Brewing Company - Summer Beer Half Acre Beer Company - Reef Knot Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Summerfest Revolution Brewing - Sun Crusher Solemn Oath Brewery - Total Midwest Love
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