Average Joe's Above Average Beer Podcast

CHET BRETT.  That is all you need to know.  I got to sit down with the Mayor of Beer and head brewer TJ over at Church Street last week, along with owner Lisa Gregor.  As entertaining of a chat as I have had on the podcast.  Chet was just engaging as all hell, and TJ was breaking down some deep state brewing knowledge, which was fascinating.  And in depth look at "Contract brewing".  The whole crew there works so well together from Austin, to Andrew, to Saraa.  It is definitely worth a stop in when you find yourself in the northwest burbs.  Cool spot making some classic brews.   Church Street Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

I took a trip to Tinley Park to visit Soundgrowler Brewing's Cofounders and Head brewer.  It is a really nice taproom, and Larry, Head Brewer, is cranking out some pretty bad ass brews while listening to Doom Metal.  They schooled me on the music genre and gave me some insight on how this young brewery for started and where it's going.  Did I mention TACOS?  They have some dope ass tacos.  Even if you do not like beer, you should go for that food.  They were all great guys and we had a good time talking about Soundgrowler and the beer industry in general.  Check them out.  And go get your face rocked off by some DOOM METAL. Soundgrowler Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

On a mildly warm "Spring Day", that just so happen to be 420, I sat down with two super chill and super awesome dudes in the city of Chicago.  Co-Founders Kevin Lilly and David Dahl treated me to some great conversation and great beer.  They stick to what they know and what they love, and make no mistake about it, they make and love some good shit.  In a world of IPAs and Stouts, they manage to do their own thing with Rye Saisons, Sours, Triples, and a bunch of Belgium inspired beers, while still keeping a solid IPA on draft, and offering a nice Big Barrel aged stout.  They were super cool and I loved hearing about their Tech background, and you will too.  Enjoy!   Lo Rez Social Media:  Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

Had Sparkling good time talking to David Kerns and John Barley at Solemn Oath Brewery.  Take a listen so you can be educated on Brony and Vanning cultures, along with whats happening over at Solemn Oath.  They been doing it for a real long time in the Brew game.  I could not help but ask about their epic can art, and David had some great stories about his time spent over the pond getting schooled. Solemn Oath Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

Took a trip to meet Brian Buckman and his assistant brewer Tony to talk ancient conspiracies and secret societies.  Well, we mostly talked about Illumintaed Brew Works Beer, Sex Chairs, Kill Floors, Burning man, Bonfires, Yeast "Proping" and a host of other non-sense.  These guys could not have been nicer.  I loved hearing their story and drinking their world class beers.  We enjoyed some Purple Surp, Orange Sunshine, and a little Astronaut Ice Cream and just talked.  These two were just great guys, and I hopefully I fall into the category of "People they Trust".  Check them out, they have big plans coming down the line for a Bottle shop and Tasting room. IBW Social Media: Website (Be sure to sign up for their email list to get invited to the Bonfire Parties) Facebook Instagram Twitter  

On a fateful, beautiful sunny thursday in April, I got the long awaited email from Shaun Berns that he would indeed be up for the podcast that same day.  We walked through the brewery then sat down with his assistant Brewer John and GM of More Brewing Evan and had a short 3 hour conversation on everything from beer to food, to mustaches, and winning some pretty impressive Hardware from Stout Fest.  They could not have been cooler, and lucky me, they had tapped a Henna varient that day.  And they were selling cans of Azzaca DH Dusty.  Big win for me!  We had a blast, but we also got some honest insight and a little breaking news on expansion and canning for More Brewing!  And also we hit 10,000 download today.... AWESOME!  And thank you all for listening! More Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter  

We're going Dutch!  Dyer, IN has quite the gem on its hands in Windmill Brewing.  Besides Luther, their brewery cat, they also have tremendous beers made by dudes that just love beer and brewing it.  I sat down with the owners, Justin and Scott and their other brewer Mike and we just hashed out the Windmill Brewing story.  They are becoming well known for the "Milkshake" IPAs like Memes and Dreams and Two if by Citra, but they make a wide variety of styles and some pretty cool inventive stuff.  I left with a mad love for their Pink Lemonade Gose.  The color and taste will blow you away for sure.  Had bunches of fun with these fellas (And Luther the Brew Kitty).  Get out to Dyer and get to know them. Windmill Brewing Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

A regular chucklefest ensued when i sat down with Mike Pallen and the Mikerphone crew, Kyle and Mike #2.  What a fun group of guys to drink beer with.  They were very honest, and they even shared some breaking Mikerphone news.  We covered the Smells like a Beer Festival coming at the end of April, and how each of them got their start in the beer world.  Really great story tellers and just some all around authentic guys!   Mikerphone Social media: Website Facebook Instagram  

Feeling pretty lucky to have done this one.  Gabriel was one of the most engaging people I have come across, not just in beer, but in life.  Between the demeanor, the back story, and the conversation, I can not imagine this one not appealing to everyone.  From blowing glass in Colorado to 2 Half Acre taprooms and a Chicago Institution!   Not to mention a woodshop project.  This episode is special.  Also listen for the sultry tons of Justin, Senior Brewer in the background belting out some REM.  And a big shout out to Meredith for putting this all together, you kick ass at your job! Half Acre Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

I could have hung out with these fellas all night, and I kind of did.  I love having 4 mics rolling.  These guys are an awesome story.  Super young brewery open less than 1 year.  Great stories to tell, and great chemistry between them.  They are doing some really good things on a really small scale.  definitely a must stop when in the area of the Southwest burbs.  A Teacher, A Brewer, and An IT guy.  It made for some good story telling and some tasty brews in a pretty sweet taproom.  Be on the look out for these guys, and if you are getting rid of larger scale Brew supplies, hit them up, they are looking to get grow their current 2 Barrel operation! Black Horizon Social Media:  CLICK EM ALL! Website Facebook Page Instagram Twitter

They do not get much bigger than this.  I reached out to Jeremy Kosmicki of Founders last month when I heard he was doing a Keynote for a local Brew Competition in Crest Hill, IL.  He said he would be glad to come into town early and talk a little Founders with me.  He was as cool and down to earth as a guy can get after 20+ years in the Craft beer world.  He has a resume that consists of KBS, CBS, Mosaic Promise, and a bunch more Founders classics.  Thanks to Colt and the Iron&Glass Family for rolling out the red carpet for him and breaking out a 2012-2017 vertical of KBS.  I think he made a lot of peoples days just by hanging out with us afterwards and even throwing down a Chug of their new Lager Solid Gold.  It was a great day for myself and this podcast and a lot of other Iron&Glass Patrons. Founders Social Media: Website: https://foundersbrewing.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundersbrewing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/foundersbrewing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersbrewing/?hl=en    

ATB!  Big thanks to Randy for hooking this thing up!  And to Iron&Glass for use of their outstanding bottle shop and taproom.  Dan and Lindsey were buckets of fun to talk to during our first live in taproom broadcast.  It started slow with only 1 person in the taproom listening and ended with a completely overloaded taproom full of people that Randy had to pour samples of Around the Bend beer for.  Hey Lindsey, if you read this, it is great for your brand exposure.  You have seen their cans all over, but sit down and take a listen to what makes this beer company so "Classically Experimental".

Bro's.  Actual Legit Bro's.  I sat down with John and Mark Newton of Woggly Square Brewing this week for a little chat, and we had a little bit of fun.  If you have not heard of Woggly square yet, you are not alone, but you will be hearing more about them very soon.  They are brewing out of 350 Brewing in Tinley Park, and have 1 bottle release under their belt, which was a smashing success.  They brew "Beer With a Purpose".  That purpose is to help folks with Autism.  I want you to hear their story from them, so enjoy the show.  I love these guys, and I am pretty sure we are friends now, whether they are okay with that or not.  Also Gina, we all love you! Woggly Square Social Media: Website: https://www.wogglysquare.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wogglysquare/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wogglysquare/ (@WogglySquare) Twitter: https://twitter.com/wogglysquare?lang=en (@WogglySquare)  

It was a long time coming sitting down with John Brand.  We have been in contact for a couple months trying to sync our schedules up, but it was worth it!  Really enjoyed hearing his story and tasting the great beers they are making.  Really like the Peach Milkshake IPA I had, their DIPA was outstanding, and the Peanut Butter Stout was top notch.  He is an interesting guy, and I enjoyed his sense of community, and I think you will too.  From the world of Futures to the world of Hazy IPAs we covered it all.  We also got a paid a visit from Brady Potts the ChiBeerGuy.  Look for him on social media, he is entertaining.   Open Outcry Social Media: Website: http://www.openoutcrybrewing.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openoutcrybrewing/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openoutcrybrewing/?hl=en @OpenOutcrybrewing Twitter: @OpenOutcryBrew

FINALLY!  I got to sit down with Noon Whistle.  Paul (Head Brewer/Beer Guy) and Mike (Business Guy) were kind enough to grant me some time nestled between some empty kegs and their canning line to talk about one of my favorite spots, NOON WHISTLE BREWING.   Gummies, as far as the eye can see.  The gummy series gave me my intro to the NEIPA style beers I love to talk about so much, along side the Hailstorm Cloud Series.  I found out some things that surprised me about the start of Noon Whistle and where it is heading.  We talked about everything under the big beer sun.  I think you will like this one.   Noon Whistle Social Media: Website: http://www.noonwhistlebrewing.com/home-page.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Noon-Whistle-Brewing-1381433485432405/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoonWhistle?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noonwhistlebrewingco/