The Beer Report

Beers on the show:  Hop Valley – Citrus Mistress, Founders – Frootwood, Tahoe Mountain – Viejo Rojo. How does this happen? Groucho just happens to be driving through Las Vegas the same day that Superfan PJ is flying in for a 2 day work trip???  Kismet according to PJ! Groucho and PJ hang at the local craft beer bar and have some great beers along with some conversation about Rick Steves, whiskey tastings and cigars. Show recorded at Rebel Republic in Las Vegas Nevada! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbrviva.mp3  

Yeah…  Its everything your expecting…  Fun giggles…  Awkward moments…  And a horrible crash. Then…  Groucho and CHUD run out of beer. This one is a dandy!  Enjoy! Beer on the show:  All Day IPA by Founders Brewing Company in a tallboy can! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr91.mp3

Welcome to Episode 90!  Sponsored by Brewfoods.com We are at Studio CHUD for a 2 beer show.  We use the stand alone microphone method of recording and get a real good feel for what its like to podcast at the dining room table with a 1 year old in the house!  The Chudlet is a star! Beers on the show:  Sun King Osiris Pale Ale and Half Acre Gone Away IPA. On the show: Trump and Fake News. Twitter Activism. Liberal Tea Party? CHUD says read up on Bolsheviks and Nazis.  He then lays out the story of Osiris of the cuff.  He can do that! SNL skits with Melissa McCarthy nail it.  The rest of SNL sucks though. Check out the videos from Drunken Lullabies on our Facebook page. Podcasts still sucks!  Groucho cant find much to listen too. Joe Rogan Experience with Henry Rollins.  The best show ever?  CHUD says no. Jordan Peterson…  Maps of Meaning.  CHUD’s book of the week. Shout out to JeffryT from the Good Beer Show. Where was your first beer? Beer Beer Cars Beer Sun King provided by Superfan IRISH…  Half Acre picked up at Broadway Liquors in Pekin Illinois! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TBR90-2M1B.mp3  

Here is a gem from the end of last year.  Groucho brought back a couple “Crowlers” from the Stone World Brewing Headquarters in Escondido California last fall.  We drank these beers very quickly after arrival back to Central Illinois .  This is the second show from that night… We got a little rocked and you can tell by the end of this one! Beer on the show:  Stone Jerkemon Go. On the show: Crowler?  Can I get a definition please? Pokemon Go…  The future of our lives? The Wally Chair! TBR on the local radio? This beer is delicious!  Groucho says its flat after a week… CHUD says its good. Sweaty Betty.  “This beer tastes like sour corn!” The Schlafly Beer Dinner was the best beer dinner ever?  Stephen Hale was special guest at Harvest Cafe. Bloomington Normal News.  Destihl love.  Beercade in Normal?  Fatjacks is not CHUD’s favorite place on the weekends. Odabed and Issac’s…  Groucho needs to check it out. Skinny pants?  CHUD loves them! The hangover prayer vigil.  Worship Stone. Internet sovereignty?  THEBEERREPORT.COM Fake News? Oh God! Yes, we talk about it.  Facebook Manipulation of the news for their algorithm testing. Fish are not screwing because of your antidepressants Seattle! The Greatest Generation would have kicked your ass! Groucho is a paid writer. Dad talk about infants. Family role models?  Where have they gone? The new Pee Wee movies is hate filled according to CHUD. The Amish are multiplying.  So Sayeth the CHUD. Ron Paul Seed garden would not have helped John Goodman in Cloverfield Lane. Meandering and dishing on Iron Maiden and other assorted topics fill the show out. Beer on the show purchased at Stone Brewery.  You owe it to yourself to get there! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TBR88-Crowler.mp3  

We had a beer sent to us… And we drank it. Corporate Shills?  Not us.  This is one of those rare times when we try out a beer that has been sent to Beer Report Studios.  It sounded interesting and was close enough to justify a little “pimping” by the show.  You should be able to find Linalool at any liquor depot in the Northwoods of the upper Midwest.  It appears to be readily available.  Enjoy. As the picture implies… Politics are a key subject to this show.  But, you all should be thanking Groucho for the “post” editing.  We clocked in a show that was 70 minutes before the chopping began.  The politics of the minute were not compelling enough to listen to for me… So I sure as shit was not going to lay that on you!  Your welcome!  Just know this.  We are both Independents and hope that both sides can work together to get something done in this country! Beers on the show:  Pearl Street Brewery Linalool, 10 Barrell Brewing Company JOE IPA, St Peters English Porter. On the show: Why Groucho does not shill. Mudvayne talk until Groucho shuts CHUD down. 2016 Election Commentary. Beer Advocate.  Shoot me now! Podcasting makes us self righteous beer snobs? Groucho’s Trail Repair. Tantric?  Is that a sexual thing? Studio A memories. End of politics talk for the year! Thanks to Pearl Street Brewing for donating the Linalool.  10 Barrel beer was picked up at random liquor store in Colorado.  St Peters picked up at Friar Tuck in Peoria IL. Linalool IPA https://www.10barrel.com/ http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/ http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr89.mp3  

32 N Brewery’s Best Coast IPA Groucho heads out west for an anniversary brewery crawl with Dude Night’s Hogdawg.  (Cheers to you who remember Dude Night!)  It had literally been 10 years to the week that Groucho and CHUD came out to San Diego for the Stone 10th annual beerfest.   This time, we behave ourselves and hit a few new brewhouses and enjoy our drinks with a little more moderation! On the show: Lost Abby Confessional Tony Guinn beer CHUD’s philosophy on food establishments. Pickled carrots. Thrillist list guided our day of breweries. 32N Brewing.  Totally cool brewery.  Best Coast IPA was great! Little Miss Brewing Company.  Groucho liked it!  2 months old. Breweries everywhere! Ale Smith IPA. Blue Angel Interruption! Groucho rails on Watermelon Dorado…  Again!  This horse is beat for God’s sake! Thanks to Hogdawg for making the time to host another great day imbibing. http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr87.mp3

Groucho comes back from San Diego and brings back some fresh Stone Brewing Beer.  Not Arrogant Brewing…  That would be confusing.  Wait a second… That is confusing!  What the Hell are they doing out there in Escondido with the brewery names???   Thats for a different show. Anyway.  Groucho brings back a “crowler” of Stone Brewing Ripper IPA. Its a great way to start a new string of shows! This show was recorded on International Podcast Day, September 30th 2016.  For whatever that is worth! On the show: Crowler??? Groucho has been spending time with other podcasts.  Sorry CHUD. San Diego Homecoming of sorts? Groucho cant pour a beer! Kevin’s excuses to abandon us do not hold water. Flashback…  Dude Night Podcast and some TBR history. Stone Brewing Restaurant is great for kids. Lost Abbey Tequila Farmhouse Ale.  Amazing.  Seek it out. Groucho’s love of the 5oz sample. 32 North Brewing gets us a beer on the house. Little Miss Brewing. Groucho has forgotten how good a Pliny is. Watermelon Dorado gets bashed again…  Sorry… Cant refrain. International Podcast Day 2016 – Wave your freak flags people! Podcast life skills. Political Talk.  Debate Talk. “Trump was on coke” says the Chud. Election predictions? We wind the show up in politics…  Sorry! Chud doesn’t dig the Stone as much as Groucho. Thanks for listening!  New show from live in the Ale Smith Brewery with Hogdawg coming soon! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr86.mp3

I will admit to being pretty blessed when it comes to this silly little podcast that CHUD and I have been plodding along with for the past decade.  It’s taken us to San Diego where we met new friends and interviewed Greg Koch.  It’s gotten us VIP visits to breweries and opportunities to work with those breweries to get a handle of the topic.   We have interviewed top Brewers and up and comers.   It’s even gotten Groucho a steak dinner in DC!  If we made a list of benefits that come from our 6 bucks a month invested in a domain and online space… It would be an article unto itself. Adding to this amazing pile of benefits was a recent invitation I got from Dustin “The Voice” over at Drunken Lullabies podcast.  If you don’t know them, they are the other Pekin beer podcast.  Apparently this town IS big enough for two!  Dustin was doing a remote show at the Social Kitchen in Lasalle Illinois  with a few musical acts…  And figured out through shared friends that I followed one of the artists.  Primarily, he was talking about Bob Walkenhorst of the Rainmakers.  Also filling out the bill was Cody Diekoff, more known as the solo artist “Chicago Farmer”. Cody is from Delavan.  He has been plugging away from complete obscurity a decade ago to near local celebrity in Peoria at this time.  The last time I saw him play was back in 2005 at the Farmhouse in his hometown.   He played against a wall to a local crowd that payed him no mind.  At the time it seemed a little sad, but in hindsight appears to be a testament to the perseverance that it took to get to where he is now. Bob Walkenhorst.  The reason I listed all the great things that TBR has brought to us was to show you the reverence I had for seeing Bob.  This is right up there as a top benefit to doing the Beer Report.  I have been following his band The Rainmakers since their first major release in 1986.  Yeah, that’s a bit of time.  Bob still plays with the band, but recently seems to spend more time doing solo engagements as he travels across the Midwest.  I pretty much own everything he has produced…  Several times over as media has transformed from LP’s, Cassette and CD’s.  If Dustin was looking for a Bob expert to tag along for this show…  There are few in the Peoria area more qualified. Drunken Lullabies does specialize in craft beers for its podcast.  But it also serves double duty by focusing on local bands.  Dustin had a unique advantage for this hosting job when he was manager of the local record shop, Co-Op Records.  Even though he is not there anymore, his love for music is evident in his efforts to bring local artists like this to the public. The invite was to co-host this episode.  Of course, I was taking this gig! The best part about taking part in something like this was coming across a new venue for great food, craft beer and music.  The Social Kitchen was new to me…. I had no idea that Lasalle was hiding this little gem on its historical Main Street area. Pre show, we sat down to dinner.  Social Kitchen’s menu is a fresh and inventive mix of local flavors.  They combine that with off the wall items.  Delicious lobster corn dogs anyone??? I had one of the amazing salads and a few Revolution IPA’s.  We shared a table with some other folks and everyone raved about their dishes.   Had we been to the Social Kitchen just to explore a new restaurant, this would have been enough to call the night a success. Dave Gualandri got up to introduce tonight’s acts.  Dave is a rabid music fan turned promoter.  His sheer will and love to music is driving a series of concerts at Social Kitchen called the “Songwriter Series”.  I was not prepared for what he was announcing next.  He said that Bob and Cody would be playing side by side passing a virtual baton back and forth as they sang songs about subjects they had agreed to over dinner.  Of course, both a[...]

Groucho sits down with Kevin (Harvest Cafe), Kyle (RJ Distributing Cicerone) and Stephen Hale (Schlafly Brewing Company Brewer) at the Harvest Cafe before their beer dinner with Schlafly Brewing. This one starts off a bit slow…  I think that comes with Groucho not having warmed up with several beers and doing the show at the end of the night as we normally do.  Stephen Hale from Schlafly is probably one of the best guests we have ever had on the show, and its a shame we only had 39 minutes of interview time.  Next time we are gunning for that 4 hour show about all things happening in the brewing world. Heres the biggest shame in this episode…  Its recorded before dinner.  You cant even imagine how good Chef Terry’s dinner was.  It was one of the best “beer” dinners I have done with any brewery or restaurant.  That is saying a lot.  Kudo’s to Harvest Cafe’s Kevin for putting on an excellent event and bringing together The Beer Report, Kyle and Stephen for this show. On the show: The Kilt! Owning the St. Louis market. Lawn mower beer. Kolsch Education. Glassware talk. Groucho slams Watermelon Dorado by Ballast Point.  See, I didn’t edit this out Kyle! Beer Bubble! Distribution Philosophy. You can get Schlafly beers at most decent liquor stores in Illinois and parts of the Midwest.  Yeah, Stephen spelled it out… We are special here…  And some of you cant get their stuff! Theme song as always by Too Much Joy.  “Drunk and In Love”.  Better than any top 40 song of the same name.  Word is… Tim Quirk and the boys were recording a few weeks ago.  This could be a glorious year if we hear something new from them.  www.toomuchjoy.com http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr85.mp3

Groucho makes the leap and heads over to see whats going on over at the new Drunken Lullabies studio.  Why not include it in our feed? These guys are great!  Dustin, the Voice, rolled out the red carpet and Blake rolled out the amazing beers!   Even with the age gap, we found tons of common ground and uncommon ground.   See Groucho pissing all over David Bowie later in the show. This show did have a “morning zoo” vibe to it… That probably comes from it being a housewarming party and podcast.  There were people coming and going during the show.  How Dustin can keep this crew together is reminiscent of the great and powerful JefferyT at Good Beer Show years ago.  (Look that one up noobs) Thanks for having me and I am looking forward to the next show with even more guests! G From their description: The Voice is throwing a Bottleshare party at Drunken Lullabies Studios and we’re pregaming on this episode. Joining the show this week is Beermansky, Hippie, newcomer Andy Savage, as well as Godfather Groucho of The Beer Report. We drink some great beers Buckledown, Shipyard, Grassroots, Hailstorm, Mikerphone, Goose Island, and Destihl. Our Band of the Week is The Temperance Movement from Scotland. We enjoy two songs from their new album White Bear and talk about Smells Like Pancakes, Bahamas with Beermansky, Poker Machines Everywhere, Luc Longley, “I’ve Thrown Up On a Show Before”, Scratch Off Intervention, Beloved Comedian Robbie Williams, Marion Berries, Biff Tannin & Hops, Bowie Is An Iceberg, Star Wars, Baby’s First Taste, and Music Man Singalong. Link to the show:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/drunkenlullabiespodcast/DL_EP37_COMPLETE.mp3

Beer on the show: 2013 Goose Island Bourbon County Barley-wine. On the show: The Bourbon County Rage. Chud’s cellaring philosophy. PABN.  (Secret Handshake required)  Whats up with the chugging?  CHUD recommends burning dollar bills. Consistency is an accomplishment!  80% of success is attendance?  Who said that?  Axel Rose sitting. The new Tick series.  Griffin Newman who plays Arthur let us down! Marc Maron Podcast and Show. Gary Schandling tribute. Goo Goo Doll’s…  John Mayer…  Not Jack Johnson!!!  Dave Matthews Band? Buffalo Wild Wings…  Hooters girls in Peoria…  Sad times. Arrogant Bastard cans? Boston. Fireball???  Why? Meat sweats. Aftershock is a hookup lock!  In 1997 at least! Tindr…  Yeah…  What do two married guys know about this? Chud digging on Frank Zappa…  Then comparing it to South Park. Trump, Clinton…  OMG.  Sanders? Fracking.  Groucho and CHUD break it down non-scientifically. The Future… Dont use self check.  Dont use restaurants that use robots.  Use businesses that support local jobs. If your going to be a sh*tbag… Your going to reap the rewards.  The moral of Krampus. A last dash of CBR love. This lovely beer purchased in Pekin Illinois at Broadway Liquors.  Tell them the Beer Report sent you… They will probably ask you WTF that means! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr84.mp3  

Its been a while since we sat down for a PURE Beer Report…  Finally, Groucho and CHUD sit down and have a few beers and ramble about all things common and uncommon about art, Pekin and beer. TBR 82?  Its a smattering of Facebook videos from the Peoria Beerfest… We will see what we can make of those later. Beers on the show: Leinenkugel Grapefruit Shandy, 3 Floyd’s Yum Yum, Cathedral Square Brewing. On the show: Long time out of TBR studios saddles! The Shandy Style.  Groucho lays it out for you newbies! Hot chicks like fruity beers! Fragglerock reference? The sad truth of Zika. The Sprecher Brewery tour. PBC upheaval. My Little Brony. The gender thing and raging hormones of children. LGBT bathrooms. 3 Floyds vs Illinois seems like constant drama. Dark Lord Day 2016…  The horror story. 30 second lecture on the value of art. The token PJ mention. PABN…  Groucho might get evicted for mentioning the groups existence. The DLD arrest story. Gambling machines… The scourge of Illinois. Internet…  Is it bad or good?  2 pod-casters discuss. Ballast Point Dorado… With Watermelon.  Groucho rates is a ZERO! Shoutout to Drunken Lullabies…  Dustin and the gang are knocking out shows. Destihl love. CHUD hits Pekin for a night on the town after watching wrestling in Peoria. 64oz of sadness. Friend’s bar in Pekin. Do Lutherans have Saints? Karaoke… White trash entertainment? Russia and Missouri have a lot in common.  We would probably get along great with redneck Russians. Art break!  Graphic Novel talk. Ignorance is bliss. CHUD will not tweet! Summer Shandy purchased anywhere in the Midwest…  Yum Yum picked up at a small liquor store in Attica Indiana…  Cathedral Street picked up at Friar Tuck Bloomington.     http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tbr83.mp3

Hey… When its the day of the beerfest, where are you gonna eat breakfast???  A the Fox Pub of course!  Matt Rixner and his crew always serve up an amazing English breakfast on Saturdays, and its a great base layer before hitting the VIP tent. On this show, Groucho, Chud and TBR Photographer Ken eat, drink and talk about: Periscope LinkdIn.  Whats the point? Richard Branson has now clue about the struggle anymore. Trump? Democracy Now protests. The internet is ruining us as a civil society. Lets talk about our food…  Visualize with us! Ken’s Egg theory. Make sure to check out our other recordings from this years Peoria International Beerfest! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TBR81.mp3

Groucho gets the invite to hang in Delavan at Harvest Cafe and taste a couple of great Point Brewing beers to get us ready for Summer…  Then Kevin rolls out some secret beers and a massive BBQ plate to round everything out! CHUD is home with the Chudlette and could not make the recording!  Hopefully, this is one of very few shows ever recorded without him! Also on the show is Kyle from RJ Distributing.  He is the second Cicerone in the Peoria area.  We enjoy some banter between Kyle and Kevin later in the show as they discuss tap politics. The show is over an hour!  Sorry.  You do need to stick around and hear about selfies with Auggie Busches exhumed body.  Just saying. Beers on the show:  Point Brewing Session pale Ale, Point Brewing Siesta Key Pale Ale, Goose Island Sophie, Deschutes Disadent 2015 Reserve,  New Holland Vinilla Chia Dragons Milk. On the show: Cicerone program. Fresh beer! Julian (Spell?) dates. Two week old beer! Porch Pounder???  Who coined that one? Cuban party with these Point beers? Kevin is the king of hugs! Groucho’s history lesson on his first visit to Harvest Cafe. Bourbon Barrel GI mistakenly priced. Shoutouts to local small bars…   Haynes on Main, Maquets and Kemps. No CHUD tonight! Kevin’s BBQ life lessons.  Make your kid the “Mop Boss”. Harvest Cafe fresh spring produce. The farm to table.  The real deal! The middle of everywhere…  Delavan IL. Bacteria!  The endless battle! Drink with your nose! Cheers Amy. Groucho gets to Soapbox. Fat Tire 25th Anniversary Beer Dinner at Harvest Cafe.  Mark your calender’s.  JUNE 21ST!!!! (Groucho, take your foot out of your mouth!) Sentimental Beer. Coor’s Banquet Beer gets a shout out! Kevin will not let the show end!!!!   More beer! BBQ Night at the Harvest Cafe! Halibut served with smashed Potatoes and local Ramps garnished with edible flowers. Kevin is becoming a foodie. Pork “Three times”. We all miss Grandpa Johns in Peoria. Kemp’s in Lexington talk edited out to protect ourselves from litigation! Kevin’s love for Notre Dame. Breakfast at Harvest. Jess, one of our “Number Ones”. Have you ever had a bad beer event…  Kevin answers all. Beer-tap wars. August Busches dead body would move some Budweiser at Harvest Cafe. Re-Grand Opening of the Exchange on April 9th!  Come down and check it out! THANK YOU HARVEST! THANK YOU KYLE from RJ Distributing. Beers on the show are mostly Kevin’s private selections saved up for this dinner. See you at the 2016 Peoria Jaycee’s Beerfest!

Welcome to 2016! Groucho and CHUD sit down with an extra special bottle of 2013 DeStihl St Dekkera Excommunie Quatre.  From Barrels:  136, 138, 139 and 140.  Thanks to Shane! On the show: We are fresh out of ideas…  We posted some questions on the Facebook page asking for ideas. Sours are the new IPA’s??? Groucho’s tweet war.  @peorialawyer will get a tweet from Groucho in 3 years. CHUD…  Still like that Trump guy? Lemmy is dead! Glenn Campbell documentary. State of craft beer after the revolution. January 29th… Get with Groucho and CHUD at the VIP area and lets talk craft beer! New Brewery/PUB in Peoria…  Groucho gets flamed for being skeptical. A new podcast in Pekin!!!! Drunken Lullabies! Don’t make me sue you! http://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TBR79.mp3