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)

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)  

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)

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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  

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  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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  

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)

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  

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  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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)  

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  

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)  

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

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)  

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)  

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)  

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  

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)  

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 GoFundMe for Nick Segura 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)  

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)  

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)  

Recorded on Black Friday (and previously released a month ago for our Patreon subscribers), this episode is our return to the Bourbon County lineup - after managing to get ourselves uninvited from the Goose Island media tastings. Luckily, we have our own beer sherpa in Beer on the Wall owner Ryan Tracy as he joins us to sip through all six beers in the back of his Elmhurst tasting room. Also, we measure the tasting against seeing the third Trolls movie in theaters, make plans to eat some rice cakes and drink some Dr. Fongs, try to eat everything at the fancy restaurant, shout out our special tube guy, and identify which store is actually ruining the BCBS release. In terms of beer rankings, two reviewers reach a consensus, and one is way out in left adjunct field. It’s a fun one, folks. BCBS Beers Reviewed Bourbon County Brand Stout 2023 Bourbon County Brand Eagle Rare 2-Year Reserve Stout Bourbon County Brand Angel’s Envy 2-Year Cask Finish Stout Bourbon County Brand Backyard Stout Bourbon County Brand Bananas Foster Stout Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout 2023