Average Joe's Above Average Beer Podcast

Hagen and Bill played host to the podcast this week, and treated me to a nice change of pace.  Sitting back and drinking lagers, wild Rauchbier, and Wild Table beers has never been more fun.  I got an education in "Dovetail German", beer styles, and the "CoolShip".  The cherry Kriek they released a day after recording (July 13th) was out of this world good and the tours are legendary.  Two guys that bonded in Munich over a "Slaughter Plate" sure have done a lot for furthering these old world styles in a new world beer scene. Dovetail Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

We hit the brew pub then the impressive production facility.  And the thing I noticed the most is that everyone in the town of BearBonnais knows Alex Lovinggood!  Such a notable brewery in such a small "Farm Town"  Brickstone has picked up so much steam over the years it is hard to picture them as family owned, but they are indeed family owned and Independent.  They opened up the doors for me and showed me a great time and some great beers.  Matt Offerman took his shirt off mid podcast and Alex sat in his squashy arm chair.  I felt like part of the Brickstone family while I was there.  Get down there and drink some beer and eat some food.  And take the back country roads there.  Actually pretty nice to look at. Brickstone Social Media: Website Facebook Page (Brewery) Facebook Page (Production) Instagram Twitter

I stepped foot in the MouseTrap for the first time.  The place was great, nice light refreshing beers and a side of Dark Matter coffee and great atmosphere.  But the reason I was there was to talk to a man who stays just about as true to himself and the integrity of his beer as possible in this industry.  John Laffler, co-founder of Off Color Brewing.  We talked about everything from the current state of things, to how he came up, his time at Goose, bee keeping, and the spark that led them to think up such an Off Color idea.  Let's open up a production brewery, but not make an IPA, or any other beer we don't want to.  John was honest real for every second of this conversation, and I thank him for that.  We need more true originals. Off Color Brewing Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Mousetrap

Another hometown brewery visit for me.  And these two reached a whole new level of LOCAL.  They support everything that is going on in the area.  They do not jump at events out of their area for more exposure, but choose to partner with businesses in there direct vicinity.  From the beer, to the music system, to the decor, local art, and locally made Beef Jerky by www.biteclubnoms.com, this place screams local.  They have a great story to tell and I am glad Melissa and Andrew told that story on my podcast.  I can not wait to get back there for their "Pizza Off" and some live local music.  Go help support them while they try to bring Downtown Joliet back to the forefront of entertainment.  And be sure to check out their amazing 100 year old floors.  Andrew is not afraid to talk about them! Elder Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Bite Club  

Love and Marriage, and a bottleshop!  I sat down with Patrick and Julie Bisch of the Open Bottle in Tinley Park, along with 2 of their "Beertenders" Joe and Michelle.  We had a little too much fun I think, but what a great group of people.  The place is always on the cutting edge of what is hot in beer.  They have put out some of their own great collabs with Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley, and most of all, it is just a cool place run by cool people.  I really enjoyed hearing their story. The Open Bottle Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

I took my first trip up to the Beer Cellar and Glen Ellyn to have a talk with a local beer legend.  Dave  Hawley!  He is the OG of the suburban bottleshop scene, and just an entertaining human to talk to.  The conversation was fun and plentiful.  Dropping some knowledge on building relationships in this industry, and the tough decisions it can present when it comes to beer buying and selling.  Just an overall awesome and positive person.  This was the best possible way to spend my Sunday morning.  Also, if you have not heard of or tried Afterthought Brewing, get out to glenellyn and rectify that! The Beer Cellar Social: Website Instagram Facebook

Well, we tried something new.  I gathered up 3 owners/brewers from different breweries in a region and had them talk a little beer with me.  Hosted and set up by my guy John Brand at Open Outcry, we were joined by Mark Kocol of One Trick Pony in Lansing, IL, and Matt Johnson, brewer at Horse Thief Hollow, just a little ways north of Open Outcry on Western Ave in the Beverly neighborhood.  We got down to the bottom of a lot of things, including, glasses, cans, crowlers, and growlers.  It was great to hear from each of them on the past, present, and future of Southside Chicago beer.  They have a lot to offer in that part of the city suburbs, both on and off trends. Be sure to follow all of them on Social Media: Open Outcry Brewing Co. One Trick Pony Brewing Horse Thief Hollow Brewing

That space though!  Maybe the most original and unique places I have been in, with the people to match.  Huge Beer selection, crazy cool decor, and the wildest Austrian Crowler Filler i have ever seen.  The food menu is legit, and of cours those beers.  Hazy, Sour, Belgian, and a whole bunch more.  Robert, the owner, is hyper intelligent, well traveled, and really interesting to talk to.  Nick is semi-new to the area and making some insanely good beers on a very cool brew system.  Forbidden Root opened my eyes and educated me on stuff I was just plain ignorant about.  Also they Forage for stuff for fun, which is awesome. Forbidden Root Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

Most people go up to the Northwoods to relax and fish.  Well I did that, but I figured, Why not squeeze a podcast in.  Last year when I went up to Arbor Vitae, WI to visit my unlce Jeff, We stumbled upon this little gem of a brewery in Woodruff, WI just a couple miles south of my Uncle's place.  Little did we know it had ties to my hometown of Joliet.  So this year, before going up I tried to find a connection via social media, and like everything else in this world, it involved Brandon Wright of Werk Force.  Brando connected us via text, and Tyler and his wife Christie agreed to do an episode during my visit.  So glad they did.  Their story is a great one, and they are amazing and generous people.  If you find yourself anywhere near the northwoods of wisconsin, make it a point to stop into Rocky Reef and meet their black lab Rocky, and drink a Musky Bite IPA. Rocky Reef Social Media: Website Facebook Instgram

Glad to finally visit Pollyanna Lemont.  It has been on my list, and Vince hooked it up.  I was treated to some fine beers, a great taproom, and just some solid dudes to talk to.  Brian, head brewer/cofounder, Paul (Cofounder), and Vince (Asst. Brewer), did exactly what I love about this podcast.  They talked, they had a conversation with me.  I could have talked all night with them.  I love their perspecitve on the business side of things specifically, and the geniune honesty.  And any day talking about Fun Size is a good day.  Get out there for some Barrel Aged Fun Size this weekend.   Pollyanna Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

IL Craft Beer Week 2018 Rolls on, as I intrude on Jerry and Dave Nelson, brothers and cohorts at Une Annee and Hubbard's Cave Brewery.  These guys have quite the story to tell, from humble beginnings making european inspired beers in a dark space in Chicago(On Hubbard St of Course).  To a current space with brand new front windows, thanks to a late 90's chevy blazer, in the Northern suburb of Niles, IL.  With them continually crushing every style they venture into, see the Fresh Series (NEIPAs), Coffee and Cakes (Pastry Stout), La Grande Monde (BA Wild Ales), and Le Seu series (Stainless Wild Ales).  They have big things coming and shared a lot of good stuff on the podcast.  True artists and craftsmen.  Their beer is a must buy. Une Annee & Hubbard's Cave Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

So happy to get the chance to sit down with Brandon, Steve and Josh from Hailstorm Brewing.  It is my go to brewery.  They have next level beer along with music and dope food trucks.  But I have been going there for years, and never really knew why Hailstorm came to be.  It was really cool getting to hear where all 3 of them came from, and their backgrounds, eventually leading them to this killer place.  They are coming straight off some insane collabs, big bottle releases, Craft Brewers conference, and their 4th Year Anniversary party.  We talked about the Vlad and Cloud series and took a deep dive into some ancillary brewing equipment chatter. Hailstorm Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Untappd

These guys, am I right!?  Way too much fun sitting with John, Emily, and Paul.  I had only heard of their greatness, but to spend a few hours with them really opened my eyes to a brewery that has been sitting under my nose for some time.  Just the most geniunely cool people you could ask for.  And that Coconut Golden Ale is insane.  The Single Hop Citra IPA was the freshest most beautiful version of a real IPA I have had in years.  The conversations spanned Fantasy Football, HBO, Dunk Tanks, Hot Chicken, Pink Boots, and a miriad of other great topics.  Get some! Social Media Info: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter

What a cool experience for me.  I have been a long time sportstalk radio fan and specifically of ESPN 1000.  I knew through listening to Fred all these years he had a love for craft beer.  So I reached out to him to record an episode of the podcast and low and behold he said yes.  Really enjoyed my time with Freddy, we just talked beer and then we sprinkled in a little sports talk here and there, but it was an honor to have his voice on my mics.  Enjoy this, it was pretty cool. Fred's Social Media: Twitter Instagram ESPN1000 Chicago Fire Weekly Podcast

It's a big one!  Lagunitas in Chicago.  I gotta say, Mary Bauer may be the most engaging person I have had on this podcast.  She was the perfect guest.  I enjoyed my time with Mary so much, I wish I would have kept her longer.  The time we spent was full of geniune stories about legit people.  Such a great perspective on a huge brand.  They are so true to who they are. Lagunitas Social Media: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter