Brad Clark is the man behind the highly sought-after blended barrel-aged beers of Private Press, and Craig sat down with him over some decanted barleywine to talk about the history and future of his members-only brewery. Brad shares how his background at the renowned Jackie O’s in Ohio led to some of the more daring experiments at his current Santa Cruz brewery, and how peaceful running led to him inventing an entire style. Also, he shares details about his meticulous blending process, how his barrels travel treacherous terrain to reach their destination, where the inspiration for his labels and beer names originate from, and why he once had to set a barrel on fire in an attempt to save it. If that wasn’t enough, we also open four of his beers that are just about unmatched in quality, and Craig talks about an unexpected visitor while dining at The French Laundry. Brad Clark Interview (00:10:02 - 00:55:28) Beers Reviewed Life is Round (Blend of barleywine ales aged in bourbon barrels) A Silent Pursuit (Blend of barrel-aged Munichwine ales) Double Barrel Almond Suite - collaboration with Side Project (Imperial stout brewed with almonds and lactose, aged in bourbon and Cognac barrels) Third Press (Blend of stout and barleywine ale aged in oak barrels)

Brad Clark is the man behind the highly sought-after blended barrel-aged beers of Private Press, and Craig sat down with him over some decanted barleywine to talk about the history and future of his members-only brewery. Brad shares how his background at the renowned Jackie O’s in Ohio led to some of the more daring experiments at his current Santa Cruz brewery, and how peaceful running led to him inventing an entire style. Also, he shares details about his meticulous blending process, how his barrels travel treacherous terrain to reach their destination, where the inspiration for his labels and beer names originate from, and why he once had to set a barrel on fire in an attempt to save it. If that wasn’t enough, we also open four of his beers that are just about unmatched in quality, and Craig talks about an unexpected visitor while dining at The French Laundry. Brad Clark Interview (00:10:02 - 00:55:28) Beers Reviewed Life is Round (Blend of barleywine ales aged in bourbon barrels) A Silent Pursuit (Blend of barrel-aged Munichwine ales) Double Barrel Almond Suite - collaboration with Side Project (Imperial stout brewed with almonds and lactose, aged in bourbon and Cognac barrels) Third Press (Blend of stout and barleywine ale aged in oak barrels)

Episode 494 - Private Press Brewing

After six episodes and 25 beers, we’re finally putting our top 6 choices for best Chicagoland/Illinois hazy IPA to one last blind test. This showdown features four GABF gold medal-winners and two “underdogs” - and each beer impresses in its own way. Which brewery do we think is making the best cloudy juice utilizing Citra and/or Mosaic (and maybe like one or two other hops)? We’ll have a definitive arbitrary answer by the end of the show. Also, Ryan is excited about his Goop Dupe, Craig’s out there waiting for fruit to be thrown at him, and someone might just guess so good that they’ll dab into the sun.  Beers Reviewed Blindly DESTIHL Brewery - Deadhead: TourBus Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus Alter Brewing Company - Ambigram Riverlands Brewing Co. - Dean Street Penrose Brewing Company - Goofy Boots Old Irving Brewing - Beezer

After six episodes and 25 beers, we’re finally putting our top 6 choices for best Chicagoland/Illinois hazy IPA to one last blind test. This showdown features four GABF gold medal-winners and two “underdogs” - and each beer impresses in its own way. Which brewery do we think is making the best cloudy juice utilizing Citra and/or Mosaic (and maybe like one or two other hops)? We’ll have a definitive arbitrary answer by the end of the show. Also, Ryan is excited about his Goop Dupe, Craig’s out there waiting for fruit to be thrown at him, and someone might just guess so good that they’ll dab into the sun.  Beers Reviewed Blindly DESTIHL Brewery - Deadhead: TourBus Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus Alter Brewing Company - Ambigram Riverlands Brewing Co. - Dean Street Penrose Brewing Company - Goofy Boots Old Irving Brewing - Beezer

Episode 493 - Hazy Flagship IPA Blind Battle Royale: Championship Edition

We’ve been admirers of Sante Adairius Rustic Ales for a decade now, and Craig’s recent trip to California brings us back the gift of SARA saisons - and a wonderful conversation with owner and co-founder Adair Paterno. The four barrel-aged saisons on this show are about as good of a lineup of beer we’ll drink all year, so get ready for the lovefest on this episode. But the real highlight is Adair and Craig’s talk which covers the early days to their now three-location status; how the house yeast culture came to be and has had to be resurrected; why so many taproom regulars have ended up joining the staff; and the time when they almost created yeast monsters underground. Also, Craig accidentally finds himself in the middle of parkour practice, and Ryan opts for opulence with the ultimate episode-ending Saison Cuvée. Adair Paterno Interview (00:09:10 - 00:50:38) Beers Reviewed Eye of the Needle (Saison aged in Venus Spirits’ gin barrels w/ passionfruit, mango, and guava) Intentional Invitation (Saison aged in Venus Spirits’ gin barrels w/ cara cara orange and grapefruit) Proper Discourse (Saison aged in Frederiksdal Cherry Wine barrels) Westly (Saison aged in barrels with apricots)

We’ve been admirers of Sante Adairius Rustic Ales for a decade now, and Craig’s recent trip to California brings us back the gift of SARA saisons - and a wonderful conversation with owner and co-founder Adair Paterno. The four barrel-aged saisons on this show are about as good of a lineup of beer we’ll drink all year, so get ready for the lovefest on this episode. But the real highlight is Adair and Craig’s talk which covers the early days to their now three-location status; how the house yeast culture came to be and has had to be resurrected; why so many taproom regulars have ended up joining the staff; and the time when they almost created yeast monsters underground. Also, Craig accidentally finds himself in the middle of parkour practice, and Ryan opts for opulence with the ultimate episode-ending Saison Cuvée. Adair Paterno Interview (00:09:10 - 00:50:38) Beers Reviewed Eye of the Needle (Saison aged in Venus Spirits’ gin barrels w/ passionfruit, mango, and guava) Intentional Invitation (Saison aged in Venus Spirits’ gin barrels w/ cara cara orange and grapefruit) Proper Discourse (Saison aged in Frederiksdal Cherry Wine barrels) Westly (Saison aged in barrels with apricots)

Episode 492 - Saisons of SARA

Summer Craig is starting off strong this year by bringing back five fantastic beers from California’s Bay Area (and beyond) for us to fawn over and attempt to recreate those vacation vibes. We learn the backstories of these breweries and their unique approaches and cover other beer-ish topics like the follies of berry beers, aggressive bread, trad saisons, and the royal need for hop names. Also, Craig has discovered a new traveling superpower and parlor trick; Ryan has picked a winner in an East Coast vs. West Coast IPA battle; and we flip through the Sam Goody poster stand for a while. It’s better than Semi-OK. Beers Reviewed Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing [Santa Cruz] - Hello Pretty (Organic blonde ale w/ strawberries) Wondrous Brewing Company [Emeryville] - Rote Augen (Franconian-style Rotbier) HenHouse Brewing Company [Santa Rosa] - Saison (Saison w/ black pepper and coriander) Fox Tale Fermentation Project [San Jose] - No Más (Gose w/ Persian lime, pink pepper leaf, and lacto-fermented honey) Ghost Town Brewing [Oakland] - Hammer Smashed EXP 586 (IPA)

Summer Craig is starting off strong this year by bringing back five fantastic beers from California’s Bay Area (and beyond) for us to fawn over and attempt to recreate those vacation vibes. We learn the backstories of these breweries and their unique approaches and cover other beer-ish topics like the follies of berry beers, aggressive bread, trad saisons, and the royal need for hop names. Also, Craig has discovered a new traveling superpower and parlor trick; Ryan has picked a winner in an East Coast vs. West Coast IPA battle; and we flip through the Sam Goody poster stand for a while. It’s better than Semi-OK. Beers Reviewed Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing [Santa Cruz] - Hello Pretty (Organic blonde ale w/ strawberries) Wondrous Brewing Company [Emeryville] - Rote Augen (Franconian-style Rotbier) HenHouse Brewing Company [Santa Rosa] - Saison (Saison w/ black pepper and coriander) Fox Tale Fermentation Project [San Jose] - No Más (Gose w/ Persian lime, pink pepper leaf, and lacto-fermented honey) Ghost Town Brewing [Oakland] - Hammer Smashed EXP 586 (IPA)

Episode 491 - Bay Area Brews

Ryan’s a University of Iowa graduate, and in the 15 years since his last visit, a few breweries have popped up and thrived in the area. After a weekend with the family in Iowa City, Ryan brought back five beers from the area to talk about what’s been happening with beer in the decade-and-a-half since. Also, Craig’s aghast to share Tom Emanski with an uninterested party, we’re both a bit confused over TMNT villains, and Ryan’s not mad about the algorithm figuring out he likes Mortal Kombat videos. We hope you like nostalgia with your beer reviews, this week.  Beers Reviewed Big Grove Brewery - Tailwind (Golden Ale) ReUnion Brewery &amp; John’s Grocery - Thrilla in Amarilla (Hoppy Wheat) Backpocket Brewing - Slingshot (Dunkel) Lion Bridge Brewing Company - Compensation (English-Style Mild) Iowa Brewing Co. - Cookie Oja (Baltic Porter w/ chocolate sandwich cookies)

Ryan’s a University of Iowa graduate, and in the 15 years since his last visit, a few breweries have popped up and thrived in the area. After a weekend with the family in Iowa City, Ryan brought back five beers from the area to talk about what’s been happening with beer in the decade-and-a-half since. Also, Craig’s aghast to share Tom Emanski with an uninterested party, we’re both a bit confused over TMNT villains, and Ryan’s not mad about the algorithm figuring out he likes Mortal Kombat videos. We hope you like nostalgia with your beer reviews, this week.  Beers Reviewed Big Grove Brewery - Tailwind (Golden Ale) ReUnion Brewery &amp; John’s Grocery - Thrilla in Amarilla (Hoppy Wheat) Backpocket Brewing - Slingshot (Dunkel) Lion Bridge Brewing Company - Compensation (English-Style Mild) Iowa Brewing Co. - Cookie Oja (Baltic Porter w/ chocolate sandwich cookies)

Episode 490 - Hawkeye Homecoming

Another somewhat recent trend in the world of local lagers is the Italian Pilsner, a style with only about a 30-year history that adds a bit more noble dry-hop character to something close to the Czech-style pilsner. It’s all winners on this show, except for the hosts who have to do rankings without the assistance of a large sandwich. Also, we welcome in Hot Grimace Summer, Craig’s empty hand is ever-reaching for an IPL, and Ryan’s got that soon-to-be-viral oyster cracker hack.  Beers Reviewed Mikerphone Brewing - Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano! Riverlands Brewing Company - Picchi Pils Pipeworks Brewing Company (&amp; J.P. Graziano) - Alla Salute Art History Brewing - Bella Strada Half Acre Beer Co. - italian Pilsner

Another somewhat recent trend in the world of local lagers is the Italian Pilsner, a style with only about a 30-year history that adds a bit more noble dry-hop character to something close to the Czech-style pilsner. It’s all winners on this show, except for the hosts who have to do rankings without the assistance of a large sandwich. Also, we welcome in Hot Grimace Summer, Craig’s empty hand is ever-reaching for an IPL, and Ryan’s got that soon-to-be-viral oyster cracker hack.  Beers Reviewed Mikerphone Brewing - Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano! Riverlands Brewing Company - Picchi Pils Pipeworks Brewing Company (&amp; J.P. Graziano) - Alla Salute Art History Brewing - Bella Strada Half Acre Beer Co. - italian Pilsner

Episode 489 - Chicago Italian Pilsners

In our penultimate round before the championship, we have one spot up for grabs with these fan favorite hazy IPAs from Chicagoland breweries. Bringing our grand total of hazy IPAs blind-tasted up to 25, this episode still manages to bring some surprising sights and smells - and the show’s winner isn’t exactly what we expected. Also, we workshop a brewer’s new brand concept, Ryan is dreaming of dunking on some suckers, and Craig just wants a banana shaped like a dolphin in his drink.  Beers Reviewed Blindly Roaring Table Brewing - Tuba Solo Art History Brewing - Major More Brewing Company - Morever Short Fuse Brewing Company - Loosey Juicy Alter Brewing Company - Ambigram

In our penultimate round before the championship, we have one spot up for grabs with these fan favorite hazy IPAs from Chicagoland breweries. Bringing our grand total of hazy IPAs blind-tasted up to 25, this episode still manages to bring some surprising sights and smells - and the show’s winner isn’t exactly what we expected. Also, we workshop a brewer’s new brand concept, Ryan is dreaming of dunking on some suckers, and Craig just wants a banana shaped like a dolphin in his drink.  Beers Reviewed Blindly Roaring Table Brewing - Tuba Solo Art History Brewing - Major More Brewing Company - Morever Short Fuse Brewing Company - Loosey Juicy Alter Brewing Company - Ambigram

Episode 488 - Hazy Flagship IPA Blind Battle Royale: Round 5

As we open our arms to embrace the start of summer, our empty glasses are going to need something flavorful yet refreshing. Luckily, Chicagoland breweries have been cranking out the hoppy lagers and pilsners lately, so we assemble five for this episode that are so good that they almost completely break the show. Also, Ryan speculates on banana pudding restaurants, The Queen’s death is really holding up new hop names, and Craig’s dry ramen-chomping has officially entered the canon. Beers Reviewed More Brewing Company &amp; Beer on the Wall - Take One Down (German-style Pilsner) Dovetail Brewery/Revolution Brewing - Thank You, Friends (Hopfenlager) Roaring Table Brewing - Melts Into Air (California-style Pilsner) Old Irving Brewing Co. - Doji* (Hoppy Lager) Mikerphone Brewing - Lager &amp; Lace (West Coast-Style Lager)   *At the time of this recording the beer was known as Oni, but is now renamed Doji

As we open our arms to embrace the start of summer, our empty glasses are going to need something flavorful yet refreshing. Luckily, Chicagoland breweries have been cranking out the hoppy lagers and pilsners lately, so we assemble five for this episode that are so good that they almost completely break the show. Also, Ryan speculates on banana pudding restaurants, The Queen’s death is really holding up new hop names, and Craig’s dry ramen-chomping has officially entered the canon. Beers Reviewed More Brewing Company &amp; Beer on the Wall - Take One Down (German-style Pilsner) Dovetail Brewery/Revolution Brewing - Thank You, Friends (Hopfenlager) Roaring Table Brewing - Melts Into Air (California-style Pilsner) Old Irving Brewing Co. - Doji* (Hoppy Lager) Mikerphone Brewing - Lager &amp; Lace (West Coast-Style Lager) *At the time of this recording the beer was known as Oni, but is now renamed Doji

Episode 487 - Hoppy Lagers

We’re just about halfway to FoBAB, so we are once again doing battle with the barrel featuring a roundup of beers we’ve been saving for this very episode. These four barrel-aged beers jostle around in our arbitrary rankings as we just luxuriate in their decadence for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Also, we explain why you (and Billy Corgan) just have to pay your hackers sometimes; Ryan’s got those Dairy Queen Blizzard flavor exclusives; and Craig gets called out for the snickerdoodle, again. More barrel-aged beers? We can never get enough.  Beers Reviewed Revolution Brewing Company - V.S.O. Gravedigger (Imperial Scotch Ale aged two years in bourbon barrels) Old Irving Brewing Co./Phase Three Brewing - Barrel-Aged Migration 2023 (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ coconut, vanilla, and Ecuadorian cocoa nibs) Half Acre Beer Company - Catch Hell 2023 (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla) Wax Wings Brewing Company - Mezcal Barrel-Aged Sweet Eddy (Imperial stout w/ vanilla, cacao nibs, and ancho chiles aged in Mezcal barrels)

We’re just about halfway to FoBAB, so we are once again doing battle with the barrel featuring a roundup of beers we’ve been saving for this very episode. These four barrel-aged beers jostle around in our arbitrary rankings as we just luxuriate in their decadence for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Also, we explain why you (and Billy Corgan) just have to pay your hackers sometimes; Ryan’s got those Dairy Queen Blizzard flavor exclusives; and Craig gets called out for the snickerdoodle, again. More barrel-aged beers? We can never get enough.  Beers Reviewed Revolution Brewing Company - V.S.O. Gravedigger (Imperial Scotch Ale aged two years in bourbon barrels) Old Irving Brewing Co./Phase Three Brewing - Barrel-Aged Migration 2023 (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ coconut, vanilla, and Ecuadorian cocoa nibs) Half Acre Beer Company - Catch Hell 2023 (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla) Wax Wings Brewing Company - Mezcal Barrel-Aged Sweet Eddy (Imperial stout w/ vanilla, cacao nibs, and ancho chiles aged in Mezcal barrels)

Episode 486 - MoBAB 3: Barrel Warriors

Our quest to find the best flagship hazy IPA from Chicagoland breweries enters its fourth round, as we blindly sample through a fresh set of five to pick a winner that best fits our own personal preferences. And though our ability to guess blind beers is as bad as ever, our taste buds are finely tuned and finally ready to deliver a surprising upset on this episode. Also, we dream up some 80s-centric unexpected sports and celebrity pairings; we’re reaching for the purple stuff over the Sunny D; and we might just let a fly determine the overall winner of this whole dang competition. Beers Reviewed Blindly Begyle Brewing - No Tomorrow DESTIHL Brewery - Deadhead: TourBus Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. - Spoonful Hopewell Brewing Co. - Lightbeam Riverlands Brewing Co. - Dean Street

Our quest to find the best flagship hazy IPA from Chicagoland breweries enters its fourth round, as we blindly sample through a fresh set of five to pick a winner that best fits our own personal preferences. And though our ability to guess blind beers is as bad as ever, our taste buds are finely tuned and finally ready to deliver a surprising upset on this episode. Also, we dream up some 80s-centric unexpected sports and celebrity pairings; we’re reaching for the purple stuff over the Sunny D; and we might just let a fly determine the overall winner of this whole dang competition. Beers Reviewed Blindly Begyle Brewing - No Tomorrow DESTIHL Brewery - Deadhead: TourBus Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. - Spoonful Hopewell Brewing Co. - Lightbeam Riverlands Brewing Co. - Dean Street

Episode 485 - Hazy Flagship IPA Blind Battle Royale: Round 4

A Chicago-based craft beer podcast with beer and events reviews.  Visit our website at www.abvchicago.com!

Always entertaining and covers a wide range of beer styles, themes and blind tastings. Also appreciate the monthly cultured butter reviews.  Craig and Ryan are great guys to virtually drink some beer with during these Covid times.

5 Star Beer Podcast

Great beer nerdery from ...Greg &amp; Brian...

Rare Hazy Mouthfeel

A Chicago-based craft beer podcast with beer and events reviews. Visit our website at <a href="http://www.abvchicago.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.abvchicago.com</a>!

ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

Be cautious beer audio traveler, there’s a dense fog advisory covering this episode as we blindly taste through six New England-style hoppy beers. We pit murky IPAs and DIPAs from Illinois against the opaque juice bombs from other states in a blind faceoff-matchup-tasting thing, because we’ve run out of original ideas. Despite our presumptuous hazy expertise, we are still shocked by a few of the results. Beyond that, we talk about around-the-house jeans, beard tips, prospective beer names, Rummikub, and papayneapples. Now I just kind of want some Jamba Juice.   Beers Tasted Blindly (in order tasted)   Old Nation Brewing - M-43 (IPA) Forbidden Root - Night Moth (IPA w/ oak spirals) Mikerphone Brewing - Super Special Sauce (DIPA) Weldwerks Brewing - Extra Extra Juicy Bits (DIPA) Tree House Brewing - Doppelgänger (DIPA) Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions - SqueezIt (DIPA) 

Be cautious beer audio traveler, there’s a dense fog advisory covering this episode as we blindly taste through six New England-style hoppy beers. We pit murky IPAs and DIPAs from Illinois against the opaque juice bombs from other states in a blind faceoff-matchup-tasting thing, because we’ve run out of original ideas. Despite our presumptuous hazy expertise, we are still shocked by a few of the results. Beyond that, we talk about around-the-house jeans, beard tips, prospective beer names, Rummikub, and papayneapples. Now I just kind of want some Jamba Juice. Beers Tasted Blindly (in order tasted)  <ol> <li>Old Nation Brewing - M-43 (IPA)</li> <li>Forbidden Root - Night Moth (IPA w/ oak spirals)</li> <li>Mikerphone Brewing - Super Special Sauce (DIPA)</li> <li>Weldwerks Brewing - Extra Extra Juicy Bits (DIPA)</li> <li>Tree House Brewing - Doppelgänger (DIPA)</li> <li>Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions - SqueezIt (DIPA)</li> </ol>

Episode 197 - Blinded by the Haze

Here’s hoping that we can talk you out of attending that backyard barbecue by offering up this refreshing bowl of audio fruit salad to help your summer isolation feel a bit more festive. We have five different fruited beers that really span the range from “pleasant fruit accessory” to “chunky berry sludge” - and they honestly succeed in ways we didn’t expect. We plan some totally radical ways to break up illicit social gatherings, please the Tootsie Pop conspiracy theorists, mistake Craig for Instagram, get hostile at Jamba Juice, and eulogize a good blender. Good gorf.  Beers Reviewed Haymarket Beer Company - Blood Orange Blonde (Blonde ale w/ blood oranges) Cruz Blanca Brewery - La Floridita (Sparkling rosé ale w/ hibiscus and passion fruit) Third Space Brewing - FROG Weiss (Kettle sour w/ fig, raspberry, orange, and ginger) Trillium Brewing Company - Daily Serving: Raspberry (Berliner weisse w/ raspberry) More Brewing Company - Frooted 3riberry (“Smoothie ale” w/ blackberry, strawberry, and raspberry)

Here’s hoping that we can talk you out of attending that backyard barbecue by offering up this refreshing bowl of audio fruit salad to help your summer isolation feel a bit more festive. We have five different fruited beers that really span the range from “pleasant fruit accessory” to “chunky berry sludge” - and they honestly succeed in ways we didn’t expect. We plan some totally radical ways to break up illicit social gatherings, please the Tootsie Pop conspiracy theorists, mistake Craig for Instagram, get hostile at Jamba Juice, and eulogize a good blender. Good gorf.  Beers Reviewed Haymarket Beer Company - Blood Orange Blonde (Blonde ale w/ blood oranges) Cruz Blanca Brewery - La Floridita (Sparkling rosé ale w/ hibiscus and passion fruit) Third Space Brewing - FROG Weiss (Kettle sour w/ fig, raspberry, orange, and ginger) Trillium Brewing Company - Daily Serving: Raspberry (Berliner weisse w/ raspberry) More Brewing Company - Frooted 3riberry (“Smoothie ale” w/ blackberry, strawberry, and raspberry)

Episode 329 - Fruit Salad

For the past three years, Bearded Iris has been bringing some exciting flavors to its home of Nashville, Tennessee, and thanks to listener Matt Milam, we get to indulge in some of their hazy and sweet offerings. We sample five beers on this show for our arbitrary review, and one beer is an “all-timer.” Also, Craig has some fresh ideas for the Fast &amp; Furious franchise, Ryan waxes nostalgic about his Woodstock ‘94 necklace, and we hear from the Grumpy Gardener. And then Ryan explains Supreme to Craig, we dream of Teddy Grahams, and Craig relives some Krispy Kreme past. Guard your crepes. Beers Reviewed Homestyle (IPA) Mood Ring (DIPA w/ blood orange, pineapple, and mango) Moon Dust (Imperial milk stout w/ chocolate, graham cracker, vanilla, lactose and Moon Pies - collaboration with WeldWerks) V. Latte (Imperial oatmeal stout w/ cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, lactose, and espresso coffee) Fresh Baked (Imperial oatmeal stout w/ vanilla, lactose, and chocolate chip cookies)

For the past three years, Bearded Iris has been bringing some exciting flavors to its home of Nashville, Tennessee, and thanks to listener Matt Milam, we get to indulge in some of their hazy and sweet offerings. We sample five beers on this show for our arbitrary review, and one beer is an “all-timer.” Also, Craig has some fresh ideas for the Fast &amp; Furious franchise, Ryan waxes nostalgic about his Woodstock ‘94 necklace, and we hear from the Grumpy Gardener. And then Ryan explains Supreme to Craig, we dream of Teddy Grahams, and Craig relives some Krispy Kreme past. Guard your crepes. Beers Reviewed Homestyle (IPA) Mood Ring (DIPA w/ blood orange, pineapple, and mango) Moon Dust (Imperial milk stout w/ chocolate, graham cracker, vanilla, lactose and Moon Pies - collaboration with WeldWerks) V. Latte (Imperial oatmeal stout w/ cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, lactose, and espresso coffee) Fresh Baked (Imperial oatmeal stout w/ vanilla, lactose, and chocolate chip cookies)

Episode 234 - Bearded Iris Brewing 

Few styles are as satisfying as a perfectly executed saison. It’s no wonder that the devotees of this heterogeneous style are as passionate as they are, passing on the latest fad IPA to reach for some stubby green bottle with the hard-to-pronounce Belgian name. This show is dedicated to saisons of much variation, and we’re joined by saison lover and brewer Mike Thorpe of Afterthought Brewing in Lombard. Though Mike’s mixed culture and oak-aged saisons are being made in extremely limited volume, the beer is already approaching expert levels of refinement. For this show, we drink seven distinct saisons or farmhouse ales from all over to experience the variations in the style while Mike gets technical about the process. There’s a lot about Afterthought, but we also just luxuriate in the wonders of saison and what makes it different than just about any style. Also, there’s a huge development in the Craig Eating Celery Saga that you won’t want to miss. And if you truly love saisons, check out our Illinois Craft Beer Week event, Saisonathon, at Pub Royale on Monday, May 21st. More details here: bit.ly/Saisonathon2018 Beers Tasted Brasserie de la Senne - Taras Boulba Blackberry Farm Brewery - Classic Saison Jester King Brewery - Le Petit Prince Afterthought Brewing Company - Saison Meer: Lilac Brasserie Fantôme - Fantôme (Saison) Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales - L’épouvantail Noir Brouwerij De Ranke - XX-Bitter

Few styles are as satisfying as a perfectly executed saison. It’s no wonder that the devotees of this heterogeneous style are as passionate as they are, passing on the latest fad IPA to reach for some stubby green bottle with the hard-to-pronounce Belgian name. This show is dedicated to saisons of much variation, and we’re joined by saison lover and brewer Mike Thorpe of Afterthought Brewing in Lombard. Though Mike’s mixed culture and oak-aged saisons are being made in extremely limited volume, the beer is already approaching expert levels of refinement. For this show, we drink seven distinct saisons or farmhouse ales from all over to experience the variations in the style while Mike gets technical about the process. There’s a lot about Afterthought, but we also just luxuriate in the wonders of saison and what makes it different than just about any style. Also, there’s a huge development in the Craig Eating Celery Saga that you won’t want to miss. And if you truly love saisons, check out our Illinois Craft Beer Week event, Saisonathon, at Pub Royale on Monday, May 21st. More details here: <a href="http://bit.ly/Saisonathon2018" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bit.ly/Saisonathon2018</a> Beers Tasted Brasserie de la Senne - Taras Boulba Blackberry Farm Brewery - Classic Saison Jester King Brewery - Le Petit Prince Afterthought Brewing Company - Saison Meer: Lilac Brasserie Fantôme - Fantôme (Saison) Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales - L’épouvantail Noir Brouwerij De Ranke - XX-Bitter

Episode 223 - The Science of Saison

In the last six months, four hotly anticipated taprooms threw open their doors for thirsty Chicagoans, and we took a day to visit them. We brought back beers from each spot to review while sharing our early impressions of the new establishments. There’s also some necessary Podcasting 101 (for Kidz), Craig’s melty-face fears, the search for Snackwell’s, and a toilet Ghoulie sighting. So pop open a growler, and have yourself a scoop of The Country’s Second Best Yogurt, in audio form.   Beers Reviewed Half Acre Beer Co. Balmoral Tap Room (2050 W Balmoral Ave) - Wallonia (Saison) Spiteful Brewing Taproom (2024 W Balmoral Ave) - Spiteful IPA Off Color Brewing, The Mouse Trap (1460 N Kingsbury St) - Myshka (Russian Serf Stout) Maplewood Brewery &amp; Distillery Lounge (2717 N Maplewood) - Fluffy Bottoms (Lactose Pale Ale)

In the last six months, four hotly anticipated taprooms threw open their doors for thirsty Chicagoans, and we took a day to visit them. We brought back beers from each spot to review while sharing our early impressions of the new establishments. There’s also some necessary Podcasting 101 (for Kidz), Craig’s melty-face fears, the search for Snackwell’s, and a toilet Ghoulie sighting. So pop open a growler, and have yourself a scoop of The Country’s Second Best Yogurt, in audio form.   Beers Reviewed Half Acre Beer Co. Balmoral Tap Room (2050 W Balmoral Ave) - Wallonia (Saison) Spiteful Brewing Taproom (2024 W Balmoral Ave) - Spiteful IPA Off Color Brewing, The Mouse Trap (1460 N Kingsbury St) - Myshka (Russian Serf Stout) Maplewood Brewery &amp; Distillery Lounge (2717 N Maplewood) - Fluffy Bottoms (Lactose Pale Ale)

Episode 207 - New Taproom Tour

Ignoring the fact that there are plenty of beers out there that relegate hops to a simple supporting ingredient, we again indulge our insatiable appetites for chronic hop-led tonics by tasting out five super fresh local IPAs and DIPAs. Are we getting too old for this sh*t? Not likely! We do have a hell of a time trying to find critical points that separate these all-hazy all-juicy hop cocktails before they disappear from our glasses. And because our usually-rich lexicon of descriptors (ha!) is limited to a few keywords again and again, we bring back the fan-favorite episode-spanning game Beers Against Humanity to force us to shoehorn dirty and terrible phrases into our normally pristine and knowledgeable beer analysis (HA!) Give in to your temptations, and let the hops take over. (And tell ‘em Bruce Candles sent you.) Beers Reviewed Forbidden Root - Radio Swan (Rye IPA) Hop Butcher for the World - Skrap Metal (DIPA) Pipeworks/Run the Jewels/Interboro - Stay G-O-L-D (IPA) More Brewing - Loose Candies (DIPA) Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions - SqueezeIt OG (DIPA)

Ignoring the fact that there are plenty of beers out there that relegate hops to a simple supporting ingredient, we again indulge our insatiable appetites for chronic hop-led tonics by tasting out five super fresh local IPAs and DIPAs. Are we getting too old for this sh*t? Not likely! We do have a hell of a time trying to find critical points that separate these all-hazy all-juicy hop cocktails before they disappear from our glasses. And because our usually-rich lexicon of descriptors (ha!) is limited to a few keywords again and again, we bring back the fan-favorite episode-spanning game Beers Against Humanity to force us to shoehorn dirty and terrible phrases into our normally pristine and knowledgeable beer analysis (HA!) Give in to your temptations, and let the hops take over. (And tell ‘em Bruce Candles sent you.) Beers Reviewed Forbidden Root - Radio Swan (Rye IPA) Hop Butcher for the World - Skrap Metal (DIPA) Pipeworks/Run the Jewels/Interboro - Stay G-O-L-D (IPA) More Brewing - Loose Candies (DIPA) Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions - SqueezeIt OG (DIPA)

Episode 185 - Can’t Stop the Hops

Whether it’s for a barbecue or a beach, choosing the right refreshing beer for your summer outing is more daunting than ever with so many choices. So, for your benefit, we drink eight Chicago-area beers that are built to pulled from ice and crushed. (For safety purposes, we must advise against you literally crushing beers, unless you own a CraigBot.) We also spend a lot of time with Summer Craig, get ball-punched by Peanut Tillman, conceptualize some mayo beers, bring down the PunGate, push for #NoMoLoMaNoMa, put out a can date mandate, talk about bad Untappd reviews, and slingshot some hams. So, it’s basically par for the course on an eight beer episode. Grab your longboard! Beers C-C-C-C-CRUSHED Middle Brow Beer Co. - Copacetic (cream ale with popcorn, lime, and peppers) Temperance Beer Co. - Greenwood Beach (blonde ale with pineapple) Pollyanna Brewing - Summerly (wheat ale with raspberries) 5 Rabbit Cervecería - Paletas Guava (wheat ale with guava and pink peppercorns and tarragon) Hailstorm Brewing Co./The Open Bottle - Boing! (NE-style pale ale w/ pineapple, lactose, and vanilla) Hop Butcher for the World - AleMerica the Beautiful (pale ale) Moody Tongue - Peeled Grapefruit Pilsner BuckleDown Brewing - Grapefruit Belt &amp; Suspenders (IPA w/ grapefruit)

Whether it’s for a barbecue or a beach, choosing the right refreshing beer for your summer outing is more daunting than ever with so many choices. So, for your benefit, we drink eight Chicago-area beers that are built to pulled from ice and crushed. (For safety purposes, we must advise against you literally crushing beers, unless you own a CraigBot.) We also spend a lot of time with Summer Craig, get ball-punched by Peanut Tillman, conceptualize some mayo beers, bring down the PunGate, push for #NoMoLoMaNoMa, put out a can date mandate, talk about bad Untappd reviews, and slingshot some hams. So, it’s basically par for the course on an eight beer episode. Grab your longboard! Beers C-C-C-C-CRUSHED Middle Brow Beer Co. - Copacetic (cream ale with popcorn, lime, and peppers) Temperance Beer Co. - Greenwood Beach (blonde ale with pineapple) Pollyanna Brewing - Summerly (wheat ale with raspberries) 5 Rabbit Cervecería - Paletas Guava (wheat ale with guava and pink peppercorns and tarragon) Hailstorm Brewing Co./The Open Bottle - Boing! (NE-style pale ale w/ pineapple, lactose, and vanilla) Hop Butcher for the World - AleMerica the Beautiful (pale ale) Moody Tongue - Peeled Grapefruit Pilsner BuckleDown Brewing - Grapefruit Belt &amp; Suspenders (IPA w/ grapefruit)

Episode 179 - Chicago Cooler Beers

With a secondary price tag higher than our mortgage payments, this show is an embarrassment of riches in flavor and in rarity. But will we be embarrassed by our blind rankings of eight barrel-aged vanilla stouts released in 2018? You bet your sweet tooth we will. We are joined by Ryan Tracy at his Park Ridge establishment, Beer on the Wall, as we fumble through our guesses and evaluate these high gravity beers based only on what’s in the glass. It’s a fun way to hear our beer careers come to an end. If that’s not enough, we talk about confusing road signs, classic Chi-Chi’s commercials, the best doorbells to lick, and waffles. And it’s totally not scripted, we swear. Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance)  Transient Artisan Ales - Gray Skies Barrel Aged Neckbeard Nectar Bottle Logic Brewing - Fundamental Observation: Batch 4 Goose Island Beer Co. - Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout (2018) Angry Chair Brewing - Barrel Aged Ultra Violence Voodoo Brewing - Big Black Voodoo Daddy (Aged in Bourbon barrels w/ vanilla beans) More Brewing - Barrel Aged Henna (Vanilla Caviar) 3 Floyds Brewing Co. - Dark Lord: Marshmallow Handjee Revolution Brewing - Vanilla Deth 

With a secondary price tag higher than our mortgage payments, this show is an embarrassment of riches in flavor and in rarity. But will we be embarrassed by our blind rankings of eight barrel-aged vanilla stouts released in 2018? You bet your sweet tooth we will. We are joined by Ryan Tracy at his Park Ridge establishment, Beer on the Wall, as we fumble through our guesses and evaluate these high gravity beers based only on what’s in the glass. It’s a fun way to hear our beer careers come to an end. If that’s not enough, we talk about confusing road signs, classic Chi-Chi’s commercials, the best doorbells to lick, and waffles. And it’s totally not scripted, we swear. Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance) <ol> <li>Transient Artisan Ales - Gray Skies Barrel Aged Neckbeard Nectar</li> <li>Bottle Logic Brewing - Fundamental Observation: Batch 4</li> <li>Goose Island Beer Co. - Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout (2018)</li> <li>Angry Chair Brewing - Barrel Aged Ultra Violence</li> <li>Voodoo Brewing - Big Black Voodoo Daddy (Aged in Bourbon barrels w/ vanilla beans)</li> <li>More Brewing - Barrel Aged Henna (Vanilla Caviar)</li> <li>3 Floyds Brewing Co. - Dark Lord: Marshmallow Handjee</li> <li>Revolution Brewing - Vanilla Deth</li> </ol>

Episode 265 - BA Vanilla Stouts Blind

It’s all about those juicy hops on this episode, as we review five beers from larger breweries looking to capitalize on the current juice obsession in hoppy beers. It’s a perilous summit to the top, but we arbitrarily agree on which beer should be on your grocery list. We go over the many other large breweries making similar beers, talk a lot about mixed 12-packs and Costco, and show off our sick snowboard tricks. Also, Craig is a mothball-eating garbage boy who wants a musket. Just to summarize. BEERS MOUNTED Stone Ripper Pale Ale Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced IPA New Belgium Citradelic Odell Drumroll APA Two Brothers Pinball Pale Ale

It’s all about those juicy hops on this episode, as we review five beers from larger breweries looking to capitalize on the current juice obsession in hoppy beers. It’s a perilous summit to the top, but we arbitrarily agree on which beer should be on your grocery list. We go over the many other large breweries making similar beers, talk a lot about mixed 12-packs and Costco, and show off our sick snowboard tricks. Also, Craig is a mothball-eating garbage boy who wants a musket. Just to summarize. BEERS MOUNTED Stone Ripper Pale Ale Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced IPA New Belgium Citradelic Odell Drumroll APA Two Brothers Pinball Pale Ale

Episode 163 - Race to Juice Mountain

Eight years of Bourbon County tells an interesting story about Goose Island as a brewery, so we have the guy who is literally writing the book on it join us for a vertical tasting. Josh Noel from the Chicago Tribune helps us nitpick our way through eight years of BCBS. There’s Goose info galore including the backlash over Josh’s sleuthing on the beer’s true origins, and how the brewery went from nearly out of business to being the juggernaut it is. You’ll also hear about the debate over aging beers, Craig the vanilla locomotive, Loggins Run, and actual news about Josh’s book release date. Don’t live life two ounces at a time, man! Years of Bourbon County Brand Stout Tasted, Vertically 2009 (22 oz.) 2010 (12 oz.) 2011 (12 oz.) 2012 (12 oz.) 2013 (12 oz.) 2014 (12 oz.) 2015 (16.9 oz.) bottled 11/9/15 2016 (16.9 oz.)

Eight years of Bourbon County tells an interesting story about Goose Island as a brewery, so we have the guy who is literally writing the book on it join us for a vertical tasting. Josh Noel from the Chicago Tribune helps us nitpick our way through eight years of BCBS. There’s Goose info galore including the backlash over Josh’s sleuthing on the beer’s true origins, and how the brewery went from nearly out of business to being the juggernaut it is. You’ll also hear about the debate over aging beers, Craig the vanilla locomotive, Loggins Run, and actual news about Josh’s book release date. Don’t live life two ounces at a time, man! Years of Bourbon County Brand Stout Tasted, Vertically 2009 (22 oz.) 2010 (12 oz.) 2011 (12 oz.) 2012 (12 oz.) 2013 (12 oz.) 2014 (12 oz.) 2015 (16.9 oz.) bottled 11/9/15 2016 (16.9 oz.)

Episode 159 - BCBS Vertical

Our Fourth Annual GABF Recap Spectacular is bursting with content, as we gathered more interviews and drank more beer than ever before! Recorded from our Denver hotel room, this show - featuring MC Johnsen - serves as our recap of the 36th Great American Beer Festival, as we share our overall highlights, favorite beers, and many interviews from the floor. We also drink two area beers - one from Cerebral and the other from Wiley Roots - to help us hold on to the glory days a little longer. We also recap a few of the related events, with focus on the weekend-long Melvin bacchanalia that penetrated the whole city. Also, hear about the Illinois medal winners while hearing from two of them, including Matt Johnsen, who stayed awake for part of this one. Relive the greatest weekend in beer and get mile high with us.   Beers Reviewed   Cerebral Brewing - DDH Rare Trait (New England IPA) Wiley Roots Brewing &amp; Outer Range Brewing - Neature Walk (Double IPA)   Interviews   Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR) - Paul Reiter &amp; James Dugan (00:08:39 - 00:11:30) pFriem Family Brewers (Hood River, OR) - Gavin Lord (00:17:00 - 00:24:07) Hi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, NC) - Chris Frosaker (00:33:19 - 00:37:55) Green Cheek Beer Co. (Orange, CA) - Evan Price (00:43:08 - 00:52:41) Prison City Pub and Brewery (Auburn, NY) - Marc Schulz &amp; Ben Maeso (00:57:57 - 01:03:53) Randy Mosher (01:10:43 - 01:22:46) Forager Brewery (Rochester, MN) - Zack Dunbar (01:27:36 - 01:33:20) On Tour Brewing (Chicago, IL) - Mark Legenza &amp; Mark Poffenberger (01:39:14 - 0:1:41:32) Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (Columbus, OH) - Chris Davison (01:45:11 - 01:50:20)

Our Fourth Annual GABF Recap Spectacular is bursting with content, as we gathered more interviews and drank more beer than ever before! Recorded from our Denver hotel room, this show - featuring MC Johnsen - serves as our recap of the 36th Great American Beer Festival, as we share our overall highlights, favorite beers, and many interviews from the floor. We also drink two area beers - one from Cerebral and the other from Wiley Roots - to help us hold on to the glory days a little longer. We also recap a few of the related events, with focus on the weekend-long Melvin bacchanalia that penetrated the whole city. Also, hear about the Illinois medal winners while hearing from two of them, including Matt Johnsen, who stayed awake for part of this one. Relive the greatest weekend in beer and get mile high with us. Beers Reviewed Cerebral Brewing - DDH Rare Trait (New England IPA) Wiley Roots Brewing &amp; Outer Range Brewing - Neature Walk (Double IPA) Interviews Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR) - Paul Reiter &amp; James Dugan (00:08:39 - 00:11:30) pFriem Family Brewers (Hood River, OR) - Gavin Lord (00:17:00 - 00:24:07) Hi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, NC) - Chris Frosaker (00:33:19 - 00:37:55) Green Cheek Beer Co. (Orange, CA) - Evan Price (00:43:08 - 00:52:41) Prison City Pub and Brewery (Auburn, NY) - Marc Schulz &amp; Ben Maeso (00:57:57 - 01:03:53) Randy Mosher (01:10:43 - 01:22:46) Forager Brewery (Rochester, MN) - Zack Dunbar (01:27:36 - 01:33:20) On Tour Brewing (Chicago, IL) - Mark Legenza &amp; Mark Poffenberger (01:39:14 - 0:1:41:32) Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (Columbus, OH) - Chris Davison (01:45:11 - 01:50:20)

Episode 194 - GABF 2017

After the first five Deep Wood releases, Revolution Brewing could’ve taken the rest of the season off and enjoyed a victory lap. Instead, they drop five more barrel-aged beers that might be collectively better than the first half. We taste through this colorful - and strong - array of styles with an early appearance from joyful inebriation. We work through the tingles by proving our age through technology, coming up with secret beer orders, weighing the seriousness of a high fudge tolerance against fudge fatigue, suggesting a legitimate new FoBAB category, and by sipping on that session bourbon. Should’ve asked for a Cherry Coke. Correction: The Beer on the Wall event we mentioned, the Deth’s Tar Crawl, has NOT yet happened, so you should go and do it on January 31st. Check the events page on their website for more info! Beers Reviewed Gravedigger Billy (Bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale) Ryeway to Heaven (Ryewine aged in rye barrels) Vanilla Deth (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ vanilla) Straight Jacket (Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine) Boss Ryeway (Ryewine aged in Armagnac barrels)

After the first five Deep Wood releases, Revolution Brewing could’ve taken the rest of the season off and enjoyed a victory lap. Instead, they drop five more barrel-aged beers that might be collectively better than the first half. We taste through this colorful - and strong - array of styles with an early appearance from joyful inebriation. We work through the tingles by proving our age through technology, coming up with secret beer orders, weighing the seriousness of a high fudge tolerance against fudge fatigue, suggesting a legitimate new FoBAB category, and by sipping on that session bourbon. Should’ve asked for a Cherry Coke. Correction: The Beer on the Wall event we mentioned, the Deth’s Tar Crawl, has NOT yet happened, so you should go and do it on January 31st. Check the <a href="http://wehavegreatbeer.com/events.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">events page on their website</a> for more info! Beers Reviewed Gravedigger Billy (Bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale) Ryeway to Heaven (Ryewine aged in rye barrels) Vanilla Deth (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ vanilla) Straight Jacket (Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine) Boss Ryeway (Ryewine aged in Armagnac barrels)

Episode 260 - Deep Wood Deeper Dive

The two great local conquests of the haze-chasers in Chicagoland for 2019, Phase Three and Hop Butcher have built a hype train of hops that has no signs of slowing down. So we do some blatant pandering to the beer geeks by having three double IPAs from each brewery in a blind tasting to finally determine...well, very little, actually. Taste is subjective, our opinions are arbitrary, and we have weird palates. It’s really just a fun experiment diving into these hazy monsters while doing just a sh*t job of guessing what they are, so enjoy the ride! Also, Craig went to an anime convention and has some predictably odd cosplay thoughts; Ryan confuses a beer with some late-night cinema; and we work out our cross-promotion with Trolls World Tour. There’s also font talk, gradient love, topical fruits, a terrible survival plan, and untrue life hacks for getting rid of Bud Light Orange.  Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance) Hop Butcher for the World - Green Moss Phase Three Brewing - Energetic Mind Phase Three Brewing - Rule of Thirds Phase Three Brewing - Discipline for Passion Hop Butcher for the World - Normalize the Signal Hop Butcher for the World - The Jewels

The two great local conquests of the haze-chasers in Chicagoland for 2019, Phase Three and Hop Butcher have built a hype train of hops that has no signs of slowing down. So we do some blatant pandering to the beer geeks by having three double IPAs from each brewery in a blind tasting to finally determine...well, very little, actually. Taste is subjective, our opinions are arbitrary, and we have weird palates. It’s really just a fun experiment diving into these hazy monsters while doing just a sh*t job of guessing what they are, so enjoy the ride! Also, Craig went to an anime convention and has some predictably odd cosplay thoughts; Ryan confuses a beer with some late-night cinema; and we work out our cross-promotion with Trolls World Tour. There’s also font talk, gradient love, topical fruits, a terrible survival plan, and untrue life hacks for getting rid of Bud Light Orange.  Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance) Hop Butcher for the World - Green Moss Phase Three Brewing - Energetic Mind Phase Three Brewing - Rule of Thirds Phase Three Brewing - Discipline for Passion Hop Butcher for the World - Normalize the Signal Hop Butcher for the World - The Jewels

Episode 285 - Phase Three vs. Hop Butcher Blind

To commemorate our big 200, we ditched all of our high concept ideas to bring it back to the podcast’s origins by having a bottle share of random beers that interested us. But we couldn’t stop there, as this star-studded episode also features a ridiculous number of brewers and industry folks as we shout trivia questions at them during FoBAB. Some of the beers we drink are stellar, one is downright terrible, and the episode-long 90’s trivia game of us versus the brewers is a belligerent cabaret of fun and follies. We also talk about our new podcast project, rolled ice cream, the bomber curse, a little show history, and getting extreme. Whether you’ve been there for 2 episodes or 200, we sincerely thank you for tuning in to our show and hope we can continue to delight your beer-loving ears. And thanks to all of the brewers and industry friends for embarrassing themselves for our twisted pleasure on this show. #CARSTAB Beers Reviewed August Schell Brewing - North Star Collection: Tidal Disruption (Berliner Weisse w/ blackberries) Hubbard’s Cave - Fresh IIPA V8 (w/ Citra &amp; Simcoe) Middle Brow Beer Co. - The Milk-Eyed Mender Oat Whiskey Aged (Imperial spiced milk stout with peppers, orange zest, vanilla beans, and cacao nibs, aged in Koval oat whiskey barrels) Casey Brewing &amp; Blending/Side Project Brewing - Jammy (Barrel-aged saison w/ blackberries) Epic Brewing - Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist (Imperial stout aged in whiskey and rum barrels with cacao nibs, barrel-aged coffee, and barrel-aged coconut) 90’s Trivia Game Subjects (in order of appearance) Jacob Sembrano (Cruz Blanca Brewery &amp; Taqueria) Dave Dahl (Lo Rez Brewing) Brian Krajack (Forbidden Root Brewing) Chris Betts (Transient Artisan Ales) Matt Johnsen (Horse Thief Hollow) Matt LaFleur (@DoodleMatt) Claudia Jendron (Pipeworks Brewing) &amp; Karina Shimkos (Blue Island Beer Co.) Chris Kingston (Metropolis Coffee) Peter Anderson &amp; Doug Hurst (Metropolitan Brewing) Roger Cuzelis &amp; Brent Banks (Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions) Neil Fisher (WeldWerks Brewing) Mike Pallen (Mikerphone Brewing) Shaun Berns (More Brewing) Josh Noel (Chicago Tribune) Brad Pulver (Smylie Brothers Brewing) Ryan Jacobs &amp; Brent Banks (Saint Errant Brewing)

To commemorate our big 200, we ditched all of our high concept ideas to bring it back to the podcast’s origins by having a bottle share of random beers that interested us. But we couldn’t stop there, as this star-studded episode also features a ridiculous number of brewers and industry folks as we shout trivia questions at them during FoBAB. Some of the beers we drink are stellar, one is downright terrible, and the episode-long 90’s trivia game of us versus the brewers is a belligerent cabaret of fun and follies. We also talk about our new podcast project, rolled ice cream, the bomber curse, a little show history, and getting extreme. Whether you’ve been there for 2 episodes or 200, we sincerely thank you for tuning in to our show and hope we can continue to delight your beer-loving ears. And thanks to all of the brewers and industry friends for embarrassing themselves for our twisted pleasure on this show. #CARSTAB Beers Reviewed August Schell Brewing - North Star Collection: Tidal Disruption (Berliner Weisse w/ blackberries) Hubbard’s Cave - Fresh IIPA V8 (w/ Citra &amp; Simcoe) Middle Brow Beer Co. - The Milk-Eyed Mender Oat Whiskey Aged (Imperial spiced milk stout with peppers, orange zest, vanilla beans, and cacao nibs, aged in Koval oat whiskey barrels) Casey Brewing &amp; Blending/Side Project Brewing - Jammy (Barrel-aged saison w/ blackberries) Epic Brewing - Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist (Imperial stout aged in whiskey and rum barrels with cacao nibs, barrel-aged coffee, and barrel-aged coconut) 90’s Trivia Game Subjects (in order of appearance) Jacob Sembrano (Cruz Blanca Brewery &amp; Taqueria) Dave Dahl (Lo Rez Brewing) Brian Krajack (Forbidden Root Brewing) Chris Betts (Transient Artisan Ales) Matt Johnsen (Horse Thief Hollow) Matt LaFleur (@DoodleMatt) Claudia Jendron (Pipeworks Brewing) &amp; Karina Shimkos (Blue Island Beer Co.) Chris Kingston (Metropolis Coffee) Peter Anderson &amp; Doug Hurst (Metropolitan Brewing) Roger Cuzelis &amp; Brent Banks (Corridor Brewery &amp; Provisions) Neil Fisher (WeldWerks Brewing) Mike Pallen (Mikerphone Brewing) Shaun Berns (More Brewing) Josh Noel (Chicago Tribune) Brad Pulver (Smylie Brothers Brewing) Ryan Jacobs &amp; Brent Banks (Saint Errant Brewing)

Episode 200 - The 200th Episode Extravaganza

Situated on a farm that also serves as a winery and restaurant, among other things, this unassuming Indiana brewery has made a name for itself through the perfect combination of eye-catching packaging and well-executed, in-demand beer styles. Craig visited the brewery and brought back a few interviews to help shed light on this growing operation while we drink through five different beer styles that range from “fresh take on a classic style” to “is this even a beer anymore?” There’s also a Fast and Furious proposal, some praise for an exceptional beer server, a potential can grenade, a 4-pack price game, and the HopHeads of the Corn. Extra thanks to McKinley and Brian from 450 North for the brief interviews! Beers Reviewed Pay Day (Hoppy Pilsner) Bouncy Castle (Creamy oat IPA) SLUSHY Fruit Cocktail (Berliner Weisse w/ peach, pineapple, mango and cherry) Diamond Nuggets (Triple dry-hopped Triple IPA) Piece of Cake - Black Forest (Pastry stout w/ chocolate, vanilla, and cherry)

Situated on a farm that also serves as a winery and restaurant, among other things, this unassuming Indiana brewery has made a name for itself through the perfect combination of eye-catching packaging and well-executed, in-demand beer styles. Craig visited the brewery and brought back a few interviews to help shed light on this growing operation while we drink through five different beer styles that range from “fresh take on a classic style” to “is this even a beer anymore?” There’s also a Fast and Furious proposal, some praise for an exceptional beer server, a potential can grenade, a 4-pack price game, and the HopHeads of the Corn. Extra thanks to McKinley and Brian from 450 North for the brief interviews! Beers Reviewed Pay Day (Hoppy Pilsner) Bouncy Castle (Creamy oat IPA) SLUSHY Fruit Cocktail (Berliner Weisse w/ peach, pineapple, mango and cherry) Diamond Nuggets (Triple dry-hopped Triple IPA) Piece of Cake - Black Forest (Pastry stout w/ chocolate, vanilla, and cherry)

Episode 238 - 450 North Brewing

When you’ve been around as long as Stone, you’re bound to take some lumps. And lumps we have delivered in the past by subjecting Stone beers to undeserved spots on our Torture Test episodes. Thanks to Lizzie at Stone, we are finally able to give the brewery its first proper set of arbitrary reviews, and we only ignore one “enjoy by” date in this episode. The beers on the show are mostly pretty great, but all the talk of redemption arcs has us reflecting on past bad beers. We do a comprehensive reflection on six-and-a-half years of the (subjectively) worst beers we’ve ever had on the show, because, well, we’re quarantined and bored. Craig wants his MTV, Ryan just wants the commercials, and we’re both missing the in-person sexual tension. There’s also talk of slamming pogs, rough pours, ᴁon Flux nightmares, flavor descriptor shirts, and a long-held Eufórqestra grudge.  Stone Beers Reviewed Buenaveza (Salt &amp; lime lager) Notorious P.O.G. (Berliner weisse w/ passion fruit, orange, and guava) Fear.Movie.Lions (Unfiltered double IPA) Soaring Dragon (Imperial IPA w/ white tea) Xocoveza (Imperial milk stout w/ cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg)

When you’ve been around as long as Stone, you’re bound to take some lumps. And lumps we have delivered in the past by subjecting Stone beers to undeserved spots on our Torture Test episodes. Thanks to Lizzie at Stone, we are finally able to give the brewery its first proper set of arbitrary reviews, and we only ignore one “enjoy by” date in this episode. The beers on the show are mostly pretty great, but all the talk of redemption arcs has us reflecting on past bad beers. We do a comprehensive reflection on six-and-a-half years of the (subjectively) worst beers we’ve ever had on the show, because, well, we’re quarantined and bored. Craig wants his MTV, Ryan just wants the commercials, and we’re both missing the in-person sexual tension. There’s also talk of slamming pogs, rough pours, ᴁon Flux nightmares, flavor descriptor shirts, and a long-held Eufórqestra grudge.  Stone Beers Reviewed Buenaveza (Salt &amp; lime lager) Notorious P.O.G. (Berliner weisse w/ passion fruit, orange, and guava) Fear.Movie.Lions (Unfiltered double IPA) Soaring Dragon (Imperial IPA w/ white tea) Xocoveza (Imperial milk stout w/ cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg)

Episode 328 - Stone Redemption

Lagers still represent the most consumed style of beer in the U.S. and it’s not even close. But consumers demand more than the watered-down adjunct-laden fare peddled by the biggest brewers and have pushed slightly less-big brewers to make some tastier options. We blind taste eight lagers - four from “macro” brands, and four from “non-macro” brands* - and try to guess what we’re drinking while ranking our preferences. It’s another one filled with blind surprises and one very unhappy host, but we’ll also take you to Dark Walgreens, toss a few barbs at the band Korn, and introduce you to The Ham Gambler. You can hang your hat on that. Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance on the show) Hamm’s Premium Lager Firestone Walker Lager Ballast Point Longfin Lager Pabst Blue Ribbon Coors Banquet Beer Founders Solid Gold Premium Lager Spiteful Lager Old Style *Founders is 30% owned by leading Spanish beer brand Mahou-San Miguel; Ballast Point is 100% owned by Fortune 500 company Constellation Brands; Firestone Walker is owned by the Duvel-Moortgat brewery; Spiteful is owned by some nice guys named Brad and Jason

Lagers still represent the most consumed style of beer in the U.S. and it’s not even close. But consumers demand more than the watered-down adjunct-laden fare peddled by the biggest brewers and have pushed slightly less-big brewers to make some tastier options. We blind taste eight lagers - four from “macro” brands, and four from “non-macro” brands* - and try to guess what we’re drinking while ranking our preferences. It’s another one filled with blind surprises and one very unhappy host, but we’ll also take you to Dark Walgreens, toss a few barbs at the band Korn, and introduce you to The Ham Gambler. You can hang your hat on that. Beers Tasted Blindly (in order of appearance on the show) Hamm’s Premium Lager Firestone Walker Lager Ballast Point Longfin Lager Pabst Blue Ribbon Coors Banquet Beer Founders Solid Gold Premium Lager Spiteful Lager Old Style *Founders is 30% owned by leading Spanish beer brand Mahou-San Miguel; Ballast Point is 100% owned by Fortune 500 company Constellation Brands; Firestone Walker is owned by the Duvel-Moortgat brewery; Spiteful is owned by some nice guys named Brad and Jason

Episode 229 - Lager Me Blindly

We were shocked to learn that it’s been 8 months since our last hazy beer/New England-style IPA-focused show - can we learn to love them again? Well, the six beers on this show certainly make a strong case, as we drink newly canned hazy offerings from a variety of local brewers. We also add to our Wall of Fame with our latest celebrity run-in, Craig explains what the hell “throat hops” are, and Ryan predicts future IPA trends. Beers Reviewed Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus (New England-style IPA) Horse Thief Hollow Brewing - Spoonful (Hazy IPA) Saint Errant Brewing - Takers &amp; Leavers (DDH IPA) Noon Whistle - Gummypocalypse (Northeast DIPA)Hubbard’s Cave - Fresh IIPA V4 (Imperial IPA w/ Mosaic and Simcoe) Cruz Blanca Brewery - Freetown (DDH DIPA)

We were shocked to learn that it’s been 8 months since our last hazy beer/New England-style IPA-focused show - can we learn to love them again? Well, the six beers on this show certainly make a strong case, as we drink newly canned hazy offerings from a variety of local brewers. We also add to our Wall of Fame with our latest celebrity run-in, Craig explains what the hell “throat hops” are, and Ryan predicts future IPA trends. Beers Reviewed Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus (New England-style IPA) Horse Thief Hollow Brewing - Spoonful (Hazy IPA) Saint Errant Brewing - Takers &amp; Leavers (DDH IPA) Noon Whistle - Gummypocalypse (Northeast DIPA)Hubbard’s Cave - Fresh IIPA V4 (Imperial IPA w/ Mosaic and Simcoe) Cruz Blanca Brewery - Freetown (DDH DIPA)

Episode 231 - Still Hazy After All These Years

Made to cellar and improve with age, this episode was recorded back in 2014, and we release it now to coincide with Odell’s entrance into the Chicago market. The younger version of us tastes through seven (!) different beers from the Fort Collins brewery, and we are pleasantly surprised throughout. There’s also some “interviews”, history on the brewery, very old sours, Craig sniffing plastic, Four Loko, and some good old boat eating. Honestly it just feels good to live back in 2014 again for just a little bit. Do we have to leave?\ Beers Reviewed Loose Leaf (Session Pale Ale) St. Lupulin (Extra Pale Ale) 90 Shilling (Scottish Ale) 5 Barrel (Pale Ale) New Belgium/Odell - Hop Kitchen #6: FOCOllaboration (Pale Ale) IPA Myrcenary (Double IPA)

Made to cellar and improve with age, this episode was recorded back in 2014, and we release it now to coincide with Odell’s entrance into the Chicago market. The younger version of us tastes through seven (!) different beers from the Fort Collins brewery, and we are pleasantly surprised throughout. There’s also some “interviews”, history on the brewery, very old sours, Craig sniffing plastic, Four Loko, and some good old boat eating. Honestly it just feels good to live back in 2014 again for just a little bit. Do we have to leave?\ Beers Reviewed Loose Leaf (Session Pale Ale) St. Lupulin (Extra Pale Ale) 90 Shilling (Scottish Ale) 5 Barrel (Pale Ale) New Belgium/Odell - Hop Kitchen #6: FOCOllaboration (Pale Ale) IPA Myrcenary (Double IPA)

Episode 160 - Odell Brewing

Bring your raincoat and galoshes as there’s bound to be some moisture as we sip six DrippyIPAs© on this episode. We’re simply sodden with delicious hoppy ales, but one beer is the biggest shocker we’ve had in a long time. We also revisit our odd time at the Chicago Beer Classic on Soldier Field, long for a visit to St. Louis, relive Craig’s car accident, pray to Pope Meltivus IV, get horses to talk, and discuss all the 90s commercials that matter. (Sorry to Matt Pinfield on this one.) Beers Reviewed Shared - J Dub Fan Club (dry-hopped pale ale w/ passion fruit) Perennial Artisan Ales - Cave Torch (dry-hopped IPA w/ oranges) Mikerphone Brewing - I Want My IPA Tired Hands Brewing - Drippy Church (oat IPA w/ orange) Bearded Iris Brewing - Double Scatterbrain (double IPA) Transient Artisan Ales - Honeystone (double IPA w/ honey)

Bring your raincoat and galoshes as there’s bound to be some moisture as we sip six DrippyIPAs© on this episode. We’re simply sodden with delicious hoppy ales, but one beer is the biggest shocker we’ve had in a long time. We also revisit our odd time at the Chicago Beer Classic on Soldier Field, long for a visit to St. Louis, relive Craig’s car accident, pray to Pope Meltivus IV, get horses to talk, and discuss all the 90s commercials that matter. (Sorry to Matt Pinfield on this one.) Beers Reviewed Shared - J Dub Fan Club (dry-hopped pale ale w/ passion fruit) Perennial Artisan Ales - Cave Torch (dry-hopped IPA w/ oranges) Mikerphone Brewing - I Want My IPA Tired Hands Brewing - Drippy Church (oat IPA w/ orange) Bearded Iris Brewing - Double Scatterbrain (double IPA) Transient Artisan Ales - Honeystone (double IPA w/ honey)

Episode 173 - DrippyIPAs

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