Monthly Archives: October 2015

Pubcast 163 – Tasting, Tasting…1,2,3 – To Infinium and Beyond

We are back in the pub studios for this edition, and it’s all tasting for Mark and Phil.  The lovely Kimberlee makes a guest appearance to keep us in line!

We have a brew that is past the best-by date by 4 years, Sam Adams / Weihenstephaner collaboration, Infinium,  and it has changed it’s profile, perhaps for the better.

Then we go back and retaste Noon Whistle‘s Bob Ross Did It, Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch Ale, and we discover that it is a darn fine brew.  The first bottle had lost it’s carbonation, but brewer Paul Klein have us another to taste, and it passed our rigorous taste test!

Finally, we are tasting a beer that is 30 years in the making, Bell’s 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout.  And it’s pretty darn good!

Pubcast 162 – Heartland Beverage

This week we welcome Brian Kerby from Heartland Beverage to the pub. He brings some of his brand’s brews for us to taste, and we learn about a new beverage, kombucha. We chat about the big merger news and how Brian is growing his business.
Brews we taste are:
Middle Brow‘s Parklife – A wheat beer with sorachi ace hops, fresh lemon zest & fresh mint.
Unity Vibration‘s Bourbon Wild Peach – an American Wild Ale, or Kombucha Beer – your choice!
Middle Brow / Unity Vibration Collaboration Moscow Mule – another American Wild Ale / Sour
Cahoots Brewing AmEn! – a barrel-aged Barleywine Ale

It’s a great episode, and is longer than usual, so please pace yourself! Cheers!
Here’s the Soundcloud version to play, and a gallery of photos


Pubcast 161 – John Bittermann – Illinois Beer Historian

Mark and Phil start the podcast by discussing the Style of the Week, Mild, but don’t actually drink any – that’s up to Phil when he meets Illinois beer historian, John Bittermann.  What they do drink is a 51st Ward, Krispy Kascadian, and you find out why no Mild.

Meanwhile, at Hopvine Brewing, John and Phil are drinking Weekday Mild, and chatting about GABF, Illinois and Joliet beer history, and the Illinois beer scene in general.  It was a great pleasure meeting John who has wealth of knowledge and breweriana waiting to be shared!

Joliet John - Expert
Check out this article on John while you listen to the podcast!

Pubcast 160 – Cademon Brewing Co.

The pubcast begins with a visit to Noon Whistle‘s Oktoberfest celebrations, but then we travel out West and visit with brewer/owner of Cademon Brewing, Andrew Nordman.
Situated in Genoa, IL, the brewery is located in a turn of the century building on Main Street (Rt. 72).

We try their beers and their craft sodas and chat with Andrew about his background and philosophy, and his involvement with brewing system, Brewbot.

Weaved into our visit is our Style of the Week, Stout, and Brewmaster Mark gives us his views and some notes on this style.

It’s a bumper edition, so grab your favorite brew and settle in, or if you are driving and listening, just hold off on the brew till you get home!