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 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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Episode 542 - Pineapple Fever
06/26/2024
Episode 542 - Pineapple Fever
These sweltering summer days have set off our symptoms that can only be diagnosed as a serious case of Pineapple Fever. For this show, we’re as surprised as anyone that we have a swinging good time cruising through a whole set of pineapple beers in defiance of our usual fruit show disappointments. Also, we’re finding ways to invite crows to the table; a chunky phase is never realized; Tim Allen answers for Craig now; and we request that our cakes stay right-side up. Beers Reviewed Temperance Beer Co. - Greenwood Beach (Blonde ale w/ pineapple) Pipeworks Brewing Co. - Pineapple Guppy (American Pale Ale w/ pineapple) Energy City Brewing - Piña Sunset Sorbet IPA (NEIPA w/ pineapple & coconut) Triptych Brewing - Fruit Aisle: Pineapple Whip (Tart ale w/ pineapple, vanilla, & lactose) Young Blood Beer Co. - Pineapple Demogorgen In the Upside Down (Pastry sour w/ pineapple, marshmallow, graham cracker, and vanilla)
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Episode 541 - Maplewood At 10
06/14/2024
Episode 541 - Maplewood At 10
In the 10 years since Maplewood started producing beers in Chicago, the brewery and distillery has become one of the most recognizable, available, and consistent craft brands in the city. We sit down with the crew of Roger Cuzelis, Adam Smith, and Adam Cieslak to talk about how the company has evolved over the last decade with their multiple medal-winning beers and spirits leading the way. We also drink through a 4-pack of their “Heritage Series” beers for their 10th anniversary which resurrects some old favorites - albeit made with the technical skill and top-notch ingredients they’ve acquired through ten years of business. Furthermore, we bring our own 4-packs back to our respective bunkers to give them a thorough dissection by mostly just raving about how perfect they all are. Plus, Ryan can’t help but look awkward in photos, and Craig just wants the corn dogs to come back. Maplewood Interview (0:00:00 - 01:01:30) Beers Reviewed The Charlatan (Pale Ale) Azacca Morris IPA Creepy Ginger (Belgian-Style Strong Golden w/ ginger) Husky Pants (Hazy Double IPA)
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Episode 540 - The Half Acre Report
06/12/2024
Episode 540 - The Half Acre Report
CHICAGO (ABV) - With the 15th anniversary of the American Pale Ale that changed craft brewing in Chicago - Daisy Cutter - we file an urgent report on Half Acre beers recently released and break some news about the potential beer of the year (already). Expect to hear memories of early Daisy Cutter experiences, some slight pandering for a Firestone Walker Invitational ‘25 invite, a philosophical issue with variant beers, and a top beer/life experience for Ryan. Also, shout-out to all the Spreadsheet Wizards out there, re-open the Lava Lamp stores, and no, you don’t need that Train-inspired beer. Beers Reviewed Trailing West Pils [collaboration with Firestone Walker] (Italian-style Pilsner) Daisy Cutter (American Pale Ale) Daisy Cutter 15 (Tropical Pale Ale) Daisy Cutter Select [collaboration with Sierra Nevada] (Double IPA) Smoking Gull (American Pale Ale)
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Episode 539 - Blinded by the Light Lagers
06/05/2024
Episode 539 - Blinded by the Light Lagers
After years of pushing boundaries with flavor, craft beer has come all the way back to banking on uncomplicated light lagers built for summer coolers. For this episode, we test out five local versions of lighter lagers in a blind tasting, finding ourselves surprised by the amount of variation contained within. Also, Craig is reaching unprecedented levels of comfort, Ryan’s confronting his lager biases, and we take a little run through the corn field. Beers Reviewed Blindly Hop Butcher for the World - Butcher Gold Pollyanna Brewing - Lite Thinking Noon Whistle Brewing - Frothie Old Irving Brewing - Windy Revolution Brewing - Cold Time
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Episode 538 - MoBAB 4: Barrels in Space
05/29/2024
Episode 538 - MoBAB 4: Barrels in Space
Our fourth installment of drinking more barrel-aged beers (MoBAB) at about the halfway point to FoBAB lifts off into orbit with four different styles aged in bourbon and whiskey barrels. Sipping these leads to talk about length of barrel stays, some cocktail inspirations, and the hopeful regular return of a once-mighty barrel program. Also, Ryan’s got an unexpected “kids in taprooms” take; we sort out some John Cusack 80s movie details; and Craig gets knocked off of his socks - which he was apparently standing on. Beers Reviewed BuckleDown Brewing - Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy (Wee Heavy aged 10 months in Four Roses barrels) Third Space Brewing - Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ice Bear (Baltic Porter aged 2 months in Central Standard Cabin Strength barrels) Pipeworks Brewing - The Murderous [2024] (Barleywine aged 4 years in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels) Old Irving Brewing/Forbidden Root [Columbus] - Barrel-Aged Peace Treaty (Imperial Stout aged in Old Elk & Wild Turkey barrels w/ vanilla bean, cocoa nibs, and peanut butter)
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Episode 537 - Clearly Hazy
05/22/2024
Episode 537 - Clearly Hazy
Science beckons us to drink these side-by-side versions of similar IPA recipes: one hazy and one clear. We want to know how much difference the yeast makes in the flavor, whether bitterness levels will be noticeably changed, and how the mouthfeel transforms the experience. We also want to know why we got so drunk by the end of this one. Plus, Craig’s curious about condiment-based Monopoly, Ryan reveals the true worth of blue Jolly Ranchers, and we assert that we are indeed a grown-up podcast for serious grown-ups. Beers Reviewed Hop Butcher for the World - Unwind Your Mind (Hazy Double IPA) Hop Butcher for the World - Clear Your Mind (Clear IPA) Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus (Hazy IPA) Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus Clear (Clear Hazy IPA)
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Episode 536 - Live Oak
05/15/2024
Episode 536 - Live Oak
Austin, Texas’ Live Oak Brewing has been making world-class lagers and traditional styles through step-mashing and decoction mashing going back to 1997, and their regionally-available beers have inspired brewers worldwide to embrace not taking any short cuts. Thanks to Craig’s Austin trip, we have five stellar beers here, a lineup bookended by their other speciality: smoke. Also, Ryan explains how some food is homework and shares his story of the worst example of that; Craig withholds important beer storage information; and we are having it made in the shade. Beers Reviewed Grodziskie Gold (German-style Pilsner) Hefeweizen Kalt IPA (Cold IPA) Fumigator (Smoked Doppelbock)
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Episode 535 - The Hop Butcher Report
05/08/2024
Episode 535 - The Hop Butcher Report
CHICAGO (ABV) - The folks at Hop Butcher have released some beers of note over the last few months, and we are on the scene (at home) to sample four of these newsworthy beers. A hazy IPA tribute to a beloved Chicago weatherman? That’s here. A collaboration with one of our favorite flavor masters working? You bet. A porter with a history lesson that also happens to be fantastic? You know it. A golden ale with healing powers??? Quite possibly! Also, we consider how to send beers as various secret distress signals, we shout out other notable Chicago news legends, and we might just risk it all for some late night Mexican food. Beers Reviewed Regeneration Station (Golden Ale) Monadnock (American Porter) Tom Freaking Skilling (Hazy IPA) Royal Palm [collaboration w/ Cruz Blanca] (Hazy Double IPA)
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Episode 534 - High Gravity Half Acre
05/01/2024
Episode 534 - High Gravity Half Acre
In somewhat sporadic drops over the last few months, Half Acre has released some highly-desired cans of barrel-aged beer that push the ABV further than ever before. We sample four of these special beers while turning half of this into a tribute to the writer of Half Acre’s Instagram beer release posts. It’s not often we have chowder of this sort, so we get a bit shaky aboard the raft of final gravity while trying to avoid the Reinheitsgebot funnel cloud. Also, Ryan’s auditioning to be a pitchman for a new product, we throw back a handful of gravy beans, and Craig is taken aback by all the Suits love. It’s kind of a cosmic gumbo. Beers Reviewed Twin Chariot (Imperial stout aged in bourbon & peach brandy barrels w/ vanilla) Wilderness of History (Double barrel barleywine) On & On Pt. 4 [Collaboration with Revolution Brewing] (Double barrel-aged imperial stout) Triple Barrel Catch Hell (Triple barrel-aged imperial stout w/ vanilla & cinnamon)
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Episode 533 - Jester King
04/24/2024
Episode 533 - Jester King
For over ten years we’ve wanted to do a full lineup of Jester King’s beers, and thanks to Craig’s recent Austin trip, we get to open five unique styles from the farm. We’re happy as a bunch of grazing goats (except for Gary) as we sample through this lineup and Craig revisits his experience visiting the brewery site. Also, Craig has brought Cronch to a whole new level, Ryan’s strongly considering a tattoo straight from one of these labels, and there’s some light Sega talk. Beers Reviewed Staked Plains Pilsner Hazy IPA Meowsonry! (Best Bitter Farmhouse Ale) Nocturn Chrysalis (Barrel-aged sour refermented w/ blackberries) All Y’all N’ Co. (Blended barrel-aged farmhouse ale w/ Aglianico grapes)
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Episode 532 - Carolina Sauce
04/17/2024
Episode 532 - Carolina Sauce
As the third in our recent unplanned trilogy of Carolina shows, this one proves that sometimes the B-sides are better than the album. We have five beers from various Carolina locations, thanks to listeners Benji & Suzanne, and each drink finds a way to impress us in unexpected ways. What else could inspire talk of cask alerts, EKG love, Double Table Beers, and foam beards? Also, Ryan needs advice on training his RoboVac, Craig is a beer grandpa, and there are some awkward t-shirt interactions. Beers Reviewed Whaley Farm Brewery [Old Fort, NC] - Best Bitter Ale Hobcaw Brewing Co. [Mt. Pleasant, SC] - Same Old Sidewalks (Wheat saison) Baker & Brewer [Charleston, SC] - You’re Kiwing Me Smalls (Kiwi sour ale w/ blue spirulina) Munkle Brewing Co. (w/ ThaCommunity) [Charleston, SC] - ThaCOMMUNITY (Belgian blonde aged in Uncle Nearest whiskey barrels) Zebulon Artisan Ales [Weaverville, NC] - Belgian Patersbier (Trappist-style Blonde)
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Episode 531 - Straight Barleywine
04/10/2024
Episode 531 - Straight Barleywine
Believe it or not, there was a time when breweries would release barleywines that were not aged in any sort of barrel, and the biggest choice you had to make was American-style or English-style. For this episode, we have four local takes on the barleywine, two of each style, none with any barrel or adjunct - and the sips are sending us back in time. Also, we test the impact of age on one barleywine, we wonder if any of these would actually be improved with barrels, and we dare Revolution to bring back the old Institutionalized. Plus, Ryan gets an early glimpse of summer, Craig reveals the amazing choice for the first mp3 he ever downloaded, and one beer actually gets docked for being “too drinkable. Beers Reviewed More Brewing Company - Liquid Legacy (American Barleywine) Miskatonic Brewing Company/Flipside Brewing/Seldom Beer Co. - Pigloo (Barleywine) Off Color Brewing - Aqua Regia (English Barleywine) Werk Force Brewing Company - Mabel (English Barleywine)
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Episode 530 - The TX Show
04/03/2024
Episode 530 - The TX Show
Because we heard that things tend to be bigger down in Texas, our 35th State Show features six beers from Craig’s recent travels. We try our best to span the Lone Star state (despite being a little Austin-heavy), and the focus on perfect execution and maximum drinkability is clear. Also, Craig tests out how to become a series regular on The Bear, Ryan wants the full recap of the Texas Trader Joe’s, and we both plead with Illinois to follow the lead of the Texas Craft Brewers Cup. Beers Reviewed Family Business Brewing Company [Dripping Springs, TX] - Golden Age (German-style Pilsner) Good Line Beer Co. [Lubbock, TX] - Range Life (German-style Pilsner) Acopon Brewing Company [Dripping Springs, TX] - Karnstein (Amber Lager) True Anomaly Brewing [Houston, TX] - Cryonaut (Cold IPA) Hold Out Brewing [Austin, TX] w/ Keeping Together [Santa Fe, NM] - All Over the Map (Saison w/ orange peel, toasted cumin seed, sage, sea salt, and honey) Martin House Brewing Company [Fort Worth, TX] - The Penguin (Barrel-aged Imperial Stout w/ peanut butter, chocolate, vanilla, and lactose)
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Episode 529 - Back to the Barrel 5
03/27/2024
Episode 529 - Back to the Barrel 5
Just as the season can’t decide if it’s going to get warm or stay cold, we choose to get nice and toasty with four barrel-aged stouts we’ve gathered over the past few months from local sources. The four beers on this show ascend in adjuncts, and Craig and Ryan don’t see eye-to-eye on the rankings at all. Also, we explore different foodstuff cafe possibilities; we try not to promote *clown horn*; and we practice the ancient art of the Soul Burp. Beers Reviewed Central Waters Brewing Company (w/ Binny’s) - 12 Seasons of Slumber (Stout aged 3 years in Binny’s hand-picked Weller Wheated Bourbon Barrels) Hop Butcher for the World - Overwhip (Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout conditioned on Ugandan vanilla beans) Saint Errant Brewing - Barrel-Aged Tepoztecatl (Imperial Stout w/ Guatemalan coffee, cassia bark, and Mexican vanilla beans aged 30 months in Weller and Sazerac Rye barrels) Old Irving Brewing Co. - Barrel-Aged Krampus Kandy 2023 (Blend of Willett, 1792, & Basil Hayden Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Milk Stout w/ vanilla, cocoa nibs, toasted almond, and toasted coconut)
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Episode 528 - Heavy Riff Brewing
03/20/2024
Episode 528 - Heavy Riff Brewing
St. Louis’ Heavy Riff Brewing has built a strong local following since 2013, and their mix of experimental styles, barrel-aged beers, and rock-n-roll sensibility has started to make its way up the state of Illinois. Craig talks with co-owner Rick Hagen about the past and future of the brewery before we try through a lineup of five standout beers. Also, Ryan takes us down the Robin Williams Quotes Facebook page rabbit hole, Craig is getting spoiled by all the lactose, and we agree that there’s a lot going on in here. Rick Hagen Interview (00:13:20 - 00:32:50) Beers Reviewed Love Gun (Vanilla Cream Ale) Velvet Underbrown (Brown Ale w/ lactose) Vanilla Coffee Underbrown (Brown ale w/ vanilla & coffee) Gose to Fino’s (Gin barrel-aged Gose w/ lemon and lime zest) Quadraphonic Euphoria (Belgian Quad-style Ale aged in port wine barrels)
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Episode 527 - Local West Coast DIPAs
03/13/2024
Episode 527 - Local West Coast DIPAs
A decade-and-a-half ago, West Coast DIPAs were changing the craft beer curious into full-on obsessives, and breweries were in an IBU arms race to melt faces with hop bitterness. Recently, now that some of the haze has settled, breweries are returning to the aggressive style again - with some bringing newer juicy hop varietals to the mix, while others attempt to throw it back to the classics. For this episode, we enthusiastically drink through five locally made West Coast Double IPAs and can’t really agree on anything other than the beers taste too dang good. Also, Craig’s hyped about the features of his new chair, Ryan swears he did his research, and we put a few hops into the Hop Hall of Fame. West Coast-style DIPAs Reviewed Pollyanna Brewing Company - Beads on a String Maplewood Brewing Company - Sidewalk Surfer Miskatonic Brewing Company - West Coast Warlock Midwest Coast Brewing Co. - Vertical Canine Old Irving Brewing Co. - Chaos Weaver
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Episode 526 - Asheville
03/06/2024
Episode 526 - Asheville
The city of Asheville may not even be in the top ten most-populated cities in North Carolina, but it might be the state’s capital for breweries. Thanks to the generosity of listeners Benji and Suzanne, we drink five beers from Asheville (and the surrounding area) that represent a wide amount of styles - and Craig is absolutely giddy about a secret Chicagoland connection to one. Also, Craig has found a secret bag that is oddly fortuitous; Ryan’s taking a week off to put on bread weight; and we’d like a spritz of that Red Vine Perfume, please. Beers Reviewed Hillman Beer - Old Fort Original (American Lager) Zillicoah Beer Company - Bo Pils (Open-fermented Czech-style Pilsner) Cellarest Beer Project - Marakio (India Pale Lager fermented in a cherrywood foedre) Burial Beer Co. (w/ Cloudwater Brew Co.) - A Compilation of Sporadic Contemplations From Minds Unraveled (Imperial stout w/ toasted coconut, fresh orange zest, and cocoa butter) Whistle Hop Brewing Company - Ilaria (Mezcal barrel-aged smoked peach Lichtenhainer)
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Episode 525 - Baltic Local
02/28/2024
Episode 525 - Baltic Local
The Baltic Porter is making some more regular appearances in breweries’ seasonal lineups, so we find five local examples of the robust lager style to sample for this episode. We also ponder the benefits and drawbacks of barrel-aging this particular style, throw around the word “creamy” a lot, and admit we don’t always want the slow pour. Plus, Craig becomes Greg, Ryan keeps trolling the Young Sheldon podcast, and one brewery has made us almost entirely forget about a ska band. Beers Reviewed Old Irving Brewing Co. - Ursa Major Goldfinger Brewing Company - Baltic Porter Phase Three Brewing - Baltic Porter Black Horizon Brewing Company - Forgotten Tomb (Bourbon barrel-aged Baltic Porter) Imperial Oak Brewing - Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ragnarok
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Episode 524 - San Diego
02/21/2024
Episode 524 - San Diego
It’s been over a decade since Craig and Ryan have been out to beautiful San Diego, and thanks to listener Dave Adams, the podcast gets a lovely flavor vacation with beers from five of the city’s breweries. The lineup is stylistically diverse, the rankings deviate in the middle, and at least one beer surprises at every step. Also, there’s a lukewarm take on POGs from our youth; one brewer profile is seemingly inviting potential suitors; hop kief gets its introduction; and the path from Flavor Utopia is followed to meet Smokey Robinson at ‘Gasmville. Beers Reviewed Burgeon Beer Company - Invita (Mexican-Style Lager) Seek Beer Co. - Scenic Route (Strawberry & Banana Fruited Sour) Ketch Brewing - Celestial Navigation (San Diego-Style IPA) Pure Project Brewing - River Queen (Murky Triple IPA) White Labs Brewing Co. - Frankenstout WLP096 Frankenyeast Blend (American Stout)
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Episode 523 - Stout Me Up
02/14/2024
Episode 523 - Stout Me Up
Sometimes you want a stout that’s not sweet, adjunct-free, and stripped down to just the base style interpretation, and we were so excited to find five readily-available local examples. (No barrels, coconuts, vanilla beans, or cacao nibs were harmed in the making of this episode.) In addition to our straight stout sippin’, we marvel at Dog Surfing Championships, discover that The Alley is still around, and speculate that one brewery must’ve put a chip in Ryan’s brain. Beers Reviewed Roaring Table Brewing - Baby You Don’t Know (Oat Stout) Revolution Brewing Company - Repo Man (Rye Stout) Half Acre Beer Company - Original Reaper (American Stout) Mikerphone Brewing - Symphonic Stout (American Stout) Hailstorm Brewing Co. - The Malt Slayer (Russian Imperial Stout)
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Episode 522 - Deep Wood: On Heavenly Jacket
02/07/2024
Episode 522 - Deep Wood: On Heavenly Jacket
Donning our heavenly jackets for this one, we drink the final set of Revolution’s Deep Wood lineup for the 2023-2024 season. Three ‘wines and a stout make up this unsurprisingly spectacular four pack, and even through all of our nit-picking we can’t deny who is making the best barrel-aged beers in the city and state. Plus, we’re doing our part to stop the TV game show idea shortage; Craig shares his Deep Wood release party recaps (with some glaring consequences); and Ryan gets to test out his Doug Veliky impression. Deep Wood 2023-2024 Beers Reviewed Straight Jacket (Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine) Ryeway to Heaven (Ryewine aged in bourbon and rye barrels) V.S.O.R. Select (Ryewine aged in bourbon and rye barrels) On & On Part 3 [collaboration w/ Half Acre Beer Co.] (Blended double barrel-aged stout)
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Episode 521 - The SC Show
01/31/2024
Episode 521 - The SC Show
Our 34th state show is just as sweet as it is sour, as we tackle five beers from South Carolina courtesy of listeners Benji & Suzanne. Even though it’s a bit heavy on the tart beers, we learn about five breweries that represent a pretty good cross section of the South Carolina brewing scene. Also, Craig needs to bail someone out of the hellscape that is a community Facebook group, Ryan has stern words of warning about ranch delivery methods, and we’re attempting to flex our marketing muscles again. Beers Reviewed Munkle Brewing Co. [Charleston,SC] - Saison Holy City Brewing [North Charleston, SC] - Sparkly Princess (Sour IPA) Westbrook Brewing Co. [Mt. Pleasant, SC] - Ranch Water Gose (Gose aged in tequila barrels w/ lime & salt) Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company [Charleston, SC] - Sour Mango Papaya (Sour ale w/ mango & papaya) Ghost Monkey Brewery [Mt. Pleasant, SC] - Jojo Coffee Stout
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Episode 520 - 10 Beers for 10 Years
01/24/2024
Episode 520 - 10 Beers for 10 Years
Ever since January 22nd of 2014, the ABV Chicago podcast has released a new episode every single week - and nobody could be more stunned about this fact than us. To commemorate a decade of arbitrary beer reviews, brewer interviews, and tipsy shenanigans, we open ten beers from ten breweries that all also got their start in 2014. The twist is that Craig and Ryan both present their five beers to the other as a blind tasting, forcing some surprising brewery, style, and “secret theme” guesses. Also, we spend a little time on memory lane, rank some celebrity hunks, and do what we do best: talk about candy, mostly. Thanks for checking us out at any point over these ten years, and expect a lot more to come because we literally don’t know how to stop doing this podcast. Beers Reviewed, In Half-Blind Order Middle Brow Beer Co. - Yard Work (Kölsch) Illuminated Brew Works - Clurichaun Trap (Session Stout) Imperial Oak Brewing - Roundabout (Pale Ale) Werk Force Brewing Company - Really Decent (Light Lager) Penrose Brewing Company - Day Off IPA Sketchbook Brewing Co. - Amistosa (Mexican-Style Lager) Marz Community Brewing Co. - Boogie Nights (Dark Wheat Ale) Pollyanna Brewing Company - In the Cards (Hazy American Pale Ale) Maplewood Brewing Company - Barrel-Aged Cuppa Stuffff (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon & whiskey barrels w/ vanilla beans, cacao nibs, and coffee) Noon Whistle Brewing - Good Piebrations: Banana Cream Pie (Hefeweizen w/ bananas & vanilla beans)
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Episode 519 - Hop Butcher: Taproom Edition
01/17/2024
Episode 519 - Hop Butcher: Taproom Edition
It’s been almost three years since the announcement that Hop Butcher for the World would be taking over the original Half Acre brewery space, and it’s been a year since the rebranded taproom opened. So we take time to sit down with co-founder and co-owner Jude La Rose for a long chat about the present and future of his brewery that was recently named Craft Beer & Brewing magazine’s top Small Regional brewery in the country. We dive into formulating recipes, developing a lager program, releasing periodic barrel-aged stouts, and giving a defined purpose to every hazy beer they release. We also reminisce about the early days and what it means to take over such a legendary Chicago beer location. In addition, we also review four Hop Butcher beers of different styles, get curious about that kief, and somehow fall into old sitcoms. All that and a shout out to the late Stas Bulanda. #BringBackFirkinFridays (Hit the if you can help in any way.) Jude La Rose interview (00:07:34 - 0:1:18:56) Beers Reviewed The Origins of Polka (Saaz-hopped Czech-style Pilsner) Symbols of Math (Vic Secret, Sabro, and Simcoe-hopped [clear] Double IPA) The Adventures of Strata and Peacharine (Strata and Peacharine-hopped [hazy] Double IPA) Lincoln Anniversary Stout (Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout)
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Episode 518 - Cereal Beers
01/10/2024
Episode 518 - Cereal Beers
You don’t turn to us for advice on a balanced breakfast, but we’re happy to spoon up five cereal-inspired beers so good that even Mikey likes it. Through clever use of ingredients (or just throwing the cereal right in the beer), these beers really test the nostalgia influence of sitting a foot from the TV in our PJs while watching Captain N: The Game Master. Also, we consider all the different ways to attack the mat, share our own cereal biases, establish our independence through Cocoa Puffs, and endorse Malt-O-Meal above all. I’d say this episode is pretty gr-r-r-eat!!! Beers Reviewed WeldWerks Brewing Co. - Bamm Bamm Rubble Rubble: Watermelon (Sour ale w/ fruity rice cereal, watermelon, milk sugar, vanilla, & marshmallow) Tripping Animals Brewing Co. - YABADABADU (Sour ale w/ orange, lemon, cherry, tangerine, vanilla, F**ty P*bbles, and milk sugar) Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company Cereal For Dinner (Blonde ale w/ vanilla bean, toasted coconut, toasted almonds, and lactose) Artesia Brewing - FrankenStan (Sour ale w/ strawberries, marshmallow, and honey) Old Irving Brewing Co. - Cinnamon Prost (White stout w/ Saigon cinnamon, Tahitian vanilla bean, and milk sugar)
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Episode 517 - Brandy, You’re A Fine Barrel
01/03/2024
Episode 517 - Brandy, You’re A Fine Barrel
We fetch another round of barrel-aged beers for this episode, but with a twist: all four beers are aged in different kinds of brandy barrels. We explore the world of sweet brandy barrels and how they work on different styles, and we are totally surprised by our takeaways. Also, we talk mixed drinks, New Year sugar fears, John Entwistle, cooked malt, surprising personal revelations, and Jolly Rancher complaints. (Such a fine barrel.) Beers Reviewed Third Space Brewing - Wisconsinator (Doppelbock aged in Wollersheim Distillery brandy barrels) Central Waters Brewing Company - Peach Brandy & Maple Barrel-aged Barleywine (English-style barleywine with honey aged in peach brandy barrels & Bliss maple syrup barrels) Maplewood Brewing Company - Black Seed (Wheated stout aged in apple brandy barrels) Half Acre Beer Co. - Cherry Brandy Benthic 2022 (Cherry brandy barrel-aged stout with coconut and vanilla)
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