Monthly Archives: October 2018

Pubcast 289 – Pokro Brewing

It’s the last part of our trilogy focusing on the trinity of breweries, just over the Illinois border in Griffith IN. This time, the Brit and his wife the lovely Kimberlee, head to Pokro Brewing, and meet with man-of-many roles, Dave Gizynski. His formal business card says Sales & Distribution, but we found him cleaning the lines ahead of opening, and once they were ready for business the beer and conversation flowed. We hear he cooks and brews as well!

Pokro is one of those places you need to visit, and if you’re like us, wish you lived closer as the ambience, camaraderie, and especially the beers are ones you want to return to. Named for the founder and head brewer, Joe Pokropinski, and naturally with a name like that there’s a certain ‘Polish’ feel to the brews and food. Here you can find there grodziskie in a bottle, and you can pair it up with pierogie platter! But as we found out, there’s also a belgian-style to many of their offerings, and although a non-drinker, Kim found some Wookie Love…it’s their Russian Imperial Stout that apparently tickled her taste-buds!

Brews sampled:
Dirty Blonde, Blonde Ale, Belgian Blonde / Golden, 7.3% ABV
Grateful Brew, smoked brown porter, 6.5% ABV
Cold Taxi, English strong ale, 6.5% ABV
Wookiee Love, Russian Imperial Stout, 10.0% ABV

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


Pubcast 288 – Wildrose Brewing

Continuing our trilogy of podcasts focusing on Griffith IN breweries, this edition reports from Wildrose Brewing Company, 1/2 mile from New Oberpfalz featured in show 287 and a different vibe completely. Brewer and co-owner Dave DeJong welcomed us down to the brewery ahead of opening time, and we talked to him about their roots, what a pole barn is, and many other topics, while sampling three of their offerings.

Many thanks to Dave for spending time with us, and for also being one of our stops on our annual brewbus tour, held Oct 20.

Brews sampled:
Saz Squash, spiced ale with butter nut squash (seasonal), 5.8% ABV
Hopside of the Moon, black rye IPA, 5.8% ABV
Theze Nutz, peanut butter porter, 7.0% ABV

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


Pubcast 287 – New Oberpfalz Brewing

Every year the podcast arranges a brewbus tour where we visit 3-4 craft breweries we feel should be on people’s radar. This year we are heading just over the border to Griffith, Indiana, where there are 3 breweries that are receiving some attention in the craft media. The Brit took a trip down there ahead of the scheduled bus trip, joined by his wife, the lovely Kimberlee, and they recorded interviews with three of the brewer/owners for each location.

In this edition, we speak with New Oberpfalz’s Dan Lehnerer, who talked about his roots, how he came to start the brewery, and what the future holds for his brand, and why he doesn’t like cans. And of course we sample some of his brews, just so we can tell you if they’re good…and they are!

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


Pubcast 286 – Avery 25

This year sees the 25th Anniversary of one of the larger craft brewers, Avery Brewing from Boulder , Colorado. The Brit visited their location back in January and brought back 3 of their ‘Brewery Only’ barrel-aged brews, and when they released their anniversary offering, he knew that we had to gather together a panel and record an Avery show.

Our panel of tasters includes 2 brewers, Ken McMullen from Hopvine, and Chuck Fort from Church Street. John Karwoski, ex-tavern owner joins The Brit, Phil Clark, and The Yankee, Mike Lingafelter for the consumer perspective.

We learn about Avery and how it started, but of course there’s plenty of other pub chat on a variety of topics, including whether the stake that Modelo has in their brewery is a good thing or a bad thing. We conclude that their beers are pretty good, but the brewery-only brews, whereas being unusual and well-made, are not always taste-stunners. We’ve avoided the ‘big beers’ that Avery is known for in this show, and tried to focus on the smaller ABV offerings, but alas a couple of big boys have crept in!

A slight correction to a statement we made on the podcast: It is not Modelo that has a stake in Avery Brewing, it is Mahou San Miguel. We apologize but really don’t care!!

Brews Reviewed:
Ginger Sour, BA Sour with Ginger, ABV 6.0%
Raspberry Sour, BA Sour, ABV 6.5%
Nox Repasado, BA Dark sour ale, ABV 6.9%
Scarlata Cucumis, BA Blonde Sour Ale, ABV 5.4%
Flavus Cattus, BA Blonde Ale, ABV 15.6%
Twenty-Five, Oak Aged Dark Ale, ABV 14.5%
Bonus Beers:
Pum(KY)n, BA Pumpkin Porter, ABV 17.22%
El Gose, German Sour ale with lime and salt, 4.5% ABV

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