Hop Cast

Nope those aren’t beers in front of Ken and Brad, but they do contain a good amount of alcohol. In episode 171 of the Hop Cast, Ken and Brad decide to take a look at a couple local ciders. Both of these ciders are from Vander Mill in Spring Lake, Michigan. The first cider they... View Article

After a couple big beers in the previous episodes Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski decide to dive into a couple lagers for episode 170. First up is Jinx Proof from 3 Floyds. This continental-style pils was brewed in collaboration with Jinx Proof tattoo in Washington D.C. At 5.10% ABV it’s the kind of beer that... View Article

In episode 169 of the Hop Cast Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder explore a couple of beers with Brettanomyces. The first beer they open is the Galaxy White IPA from Anchorage Brewing Company. This White IPA was brewed with 100% Galaxy hops, kumquats, coriander & peppercorns. Then fermented in French Oak Foudres and Bottle conditioned... View Article

In episode 168 of the Hop Cast Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski reach for a couple beers from the Pacific Northwest. The first beer is the Jubel 2010 (Once A Decade Ale) from a brewery Ken and Brad are very familiar with Deschutes. This 10% American strong ale had been hanging around in Brad’s cellar... View Article

Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder brave the Chicago winter and head to the roof of Rock Bottom Chicago to drink and dance at the 2nd Annual Polar Beer Festival. With over 30 beers on tap between the roof and in the downstairs warming room, it was was a great festival. It’s great to see so... View Article

In episode 166 of the Hop Cast Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski are joined by good friend Charlie Drews. The three of them reach for a couple barrel aged beers Brad has lying around. The first is the barrel aged version of Great Lakes Blackout Stout. The original version is a fantastic beer and is... View Article

Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski sit down with Pete Crowley in the barrel room of Haymarket Pub & Brewery. After a long stout tasting with a group of friends the three of them recall some of their favorites and discuss the issues with cellaring beers. For them the stand out beers of the night were... View Article

In episode 164 of the Hop Cast Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder are at The Farmhouse bar in Chicago. They had a rare opportunity to sample Revolution Brewing’s Eugene, Weegene & Hugene outside of the brewery. Eugene is the standard robust porter that you’ll usually find on tap at the brewery. Hugene is a humungous... View Article

In episode 163 of the Hop Cast Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski are at The Farmhouse for the Revolution Brewery tap takeover event. The Farmhouse focuses on local midwest beers so the idea of a local brewery tap takeover is perfect. Robert Diaz joins the Hop Cast to talk about what The Farmhouse has been... View Article

In episode 162 of the Hop Cast Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder dig deep into Brad’s cellar and pull out 10 years of Doggie Claws from Hair Of The Dog. This 11.5 % ABV Barleywine was first first brewed by the Portland brewery, Hair of the Dog in 2001. Brad didn’t have a bottle of... View Article

In this holiday episode Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski have cozied up in front of the fire for a couple of tasty beers. The first beer they crack open in episode 161 is the Biere Au Nougat from Brasserie Bourganel. Biere Au Nougat lives up to its name in that you’re not going to miss... View Article

The holidays are here and for episode 160 of the Hop Cast Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder are sitting down in front of the tree for some liquid holiday cheer. The first beer they open up is the 4 Calling Birds, the latest holiday beer from The Bruery. This tasty Belgian Strong Dark Ale comes... View Article

In episode 159 Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder reach into the depths of the cellar to pull out another couple Anniversary beers. This time the two beers are both from Ithaca Beer Co. in Ithaca, NY. Brad and Ken weren’t that sure on the years that these two bottles were released, but since the thirteen... View Article

In episode 158 Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder decide to open a couple Anniversary Ales. First up is a beer they got from Lee Williams, AKA Hoptopia. It’s the Captain Lawrence 5 Years Later Ale. Brewed with five different malts and five hop varieties; this deep, dark and hoppy 10% ABV ale is meant to... View Article

In episode 157 Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski are at The Ninth Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers. This festival is held once a year and if you’ve seen the last couple years episodes, you know how great it is. Ken and Brad had a blast this year! It was great to see... View Article