Monthly Archives: April 2018

Pubcast 268 – Pollyanna Roselare Update

6 months later, Pollyanna’s second location continues to grow and thrive. After a brief report recorded during a very noisy soft opening night, Taproom Manager Jay Rosicky invited the B&Y Landlord, Phil Clark, to come back, and chat about how things are progressing and what to expect from this Roselle IL location. VP of Operations, Ed Malnar, joined us and not only did we sample some of the Pollyanna brews, but Phil brought along a couple that we top and tail the podcast with some reviews.

First up is a mystery beer, well at least to our guests. Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove is starting to can some of their brews, and head brewer and owner, Mike Marr, provided a sneak peek can to the podcast so we can sample and review the brew. They will have 3 varieties in cans eventually, but this one is their Beau Fleu, DIPA.

Then the Pollyanna Spring/Summer lineup is produced and we sample 3 great beers, one which is only available at the Roselle location. And while we sample, we chat on stories about the brewery, their future plans, and the atmosphere you can expect if you visit.

We also added another ‘wild and sour’ brew at the end from Imperial Oak’s Savage Oak series, just to see if the Pollyanna crew might start to get worried!

Beers Sampled:

Buffalo Creek Brewing, Long Grove IL, Beau Fleu, DIPA, 8.9% ABV

Pollyanna at Roselare, Roselle IL:
Rose Queen Blonde Ale, 4.5% ABV, 20 IBU
Die Dreaming, Orange Dreamsickle Wheat (Lactose, Vanilla, & Sweet Orange Peel), 6.2% ABV, 16 IBU
Summerly, Raspberry Wheat Ale, 4.8% ABV, 13 IBU

Imperial Oak Brewing, Savage Oak, Straw,  Belgian Style Saison with Brettanomyces, 6% ABV

Play the show from our player below, or from the Podbean player…


Pubcast 267 – Corridor 55 Special Release #4 – Miskatonic Brewing

In this edition of our Corridor 55 Special Release series, we are recording LIVE at Miskatonic Brewing in Darien, IL. Founder Josh Mowry and Head Brewer John Wyzkiewicz join the Pubcast crew, Phil Clark, Mike ‘Lingo’ Lingafelter, and Chuck Fort (brewer at Church Street), to talk about their beers and brewery.

We have their three selected beers, and talk their thoughts on brewing, hear how John relates flavors in a beer to a symphony of instruments, what they are streaming on TV, their thoughts on canning and small batches, and hear what the story is behind their Inspiration beer.

Joining us at the end is Kevin Baldus, brewer at Black Horizon Brewing, our next brewery in the Corridor 55 series. Kevin brings his ‘chain’ beer in a freshly filled can, sans label.
Join us for an hour of great pub chat and insight into this great brewery, just off the Cass avenue exit on I-55.

Flagship Beer: 
Wise Fool, American IPA, 7% ABV, 65 IBU
Showcase Beer:
The Gardener, Witbier, 5.3% ABV, 18 IBUs
Inspiration Beer:
Soubrette, Brett-fermented Golden Rye Ale with Strawberries, 4.6% ABV

Chain Beer:
Black Horizon Brewing, Willowbrook IL, Void Walker, Belgian IPA, 6.2% ABV, 50 IBUs

Play the show from our player below, or from the Podbean player…


Pubcast 266 – Mark’s U.S. Tour

We have a full pub for this show, including 3 co-hosts and a brewer!

Ex-cohost, BJCP judge and brewing consultant, Mark Naski has returned to Illinois after a trip via Kentucky and Florida, and brings us some interesting offerings from breweries he has visited. Joining him is the Yankee, Lingo, and Chuck Fort, brewer at Church Street, plus VIP guest Ken McMullen, head brewer at Hopvine Brewing in Aurora.

It’s a fun time with many excellent brews, one of which is a li’l bugger to get opened! And of course as Mark is here, you’ll learn about the styles and other fun brewing facts.

Beers Reviewed:

Covington, Kentucky, Braxton Brewing
Ignitor, Maibock, 7.2% ABV, 26 IBU – 5 thumbs up
Union Saison Blanc, 6.2% ABV, 25 IBU – 5 thumbs up
Union Saison Bleu, 6.2% ABV, 25 IBU – 4 thumbs up, 1 sideways
Braxton Labs (Braxton Brewing)
Galaxy Dry Hopped Saison, 5.3% ABV, 25 IBU , released Dec 2017 – 3 thumbs up, 2 sideways

Marietta, Georgia, Ironmonger Brewing
German Hefe, 6.5% ABV – 5 thumbs up

Boca Raton, Florida, Barrel of Monks
Nuance, Saison, 6.5% ABV – 5 thumbs up
Quandrum, Belgian Quadrupel aged in rum barrels, 10.5% ABV – 5 double-thumbs up

 Play the show from our player below, or from the Podbean player…