ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

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)  

11/29/24 • 101:55

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  

11/27/24 • 78:44

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)

11/20/24 • 89:13

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)  

11/13/24 • 90:35

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)

11/6/24 • 73:34

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)  

10/30/24 • 115:23

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)  

10/23/24 • 91:37

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)  

10/16/24 • 137:53

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)  

10/9/24 • 89:25

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)  

10/2/24 • 96:09

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  

9/25/24 • 89:22

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  

9/18/24 • 60:03

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)  

9/11/24 • 81:26

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)  

9/4/24 • 65:58

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)  

8/28/24 • 88:26

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)  

8/21/24 • 99:15

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)  

8/14/24 • 80:11

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)  

8/7/24 • 87:11

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)  

7/31/24 • 74:10

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  

7/24/24 • 72:12

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)

7/17/24 • 77:22

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  

7/10/24 • 67:00

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  

7/1/24 • 78:26

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)  

6/26/24 • 74:09

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)  

6/14/24 • 116:43

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)  

6/12/24 • 90:53

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  

6/5/24 • 68:28

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)  

5/29/24 • 74:43

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)  

5/22/24 • 72:53

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)  

5/15/24 • 77:00