Monthly Archives: May 2021

Pubcast 361 – Chris Valleau of Exit Strategy Brewing

This is our Memorial Day weekend edition, and we’re happy to say it is ‘in memoriam’ of 2020, and how it affected one (and probably many) of the breweries in the Chicago area. We visit with brewmaster Chris Valleau, who together with his wife Katherine, is co-owner of Exit Strategy Brewing located in Forest Park, IL. The Brit and co-host Ken McMullen of Hopvine Brewing, sat down with Chris to look back at how the pandemic year affected them on a personal level, how it changed their business model so they survived to be open today, and how the future looks for them and the craft brewing industry.

As usual, we sample some of the brews on tap at ESBC, which are listed below. We recommend a visit as their patio is large and the beers are great. We’ve finally put 2020 to the back of our minds, and we move on stronger than ever! Cheers!!

Brews Sampled:

  • Nobody Reads The Copy, English Special Bitter, 5.5% ABV
  • Apologize, Witbier, 5.6% ABV
  • High Violet, Kettle Sour with Blackberry, Vanilla & Lactose, 6% ABV

Timings:

  • Part 1 – 00:00
  • Part 2 – 15:03
  • Part 3 – 30:38

Here’s a link to the YouTube channel video:

Play the audio podcast on our players above…or your favorite smartphone podcast app…we have a direct link to iTunes for iPhone users, and Google Play for Android users below…

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Pubcast 360 – Ed Malnar of Pollyanna Distilling

It’s an early look at a new venture for Pollyanna Brewing, as we depart from craft beer to visit with podcast chum Ed Malnar and find out all about distilling spirits. The Brit and co-host Ken McMullen discover what all that shiny new equipment is being used to produce, ahead of the official launch date of May 20, which Ed is calling ‘Spirits Day’!

We did get to sample the American Gin, which is infused with botanicals and we find out how that is done also. No consumption of pints this time, but judging by some of the camera work there may have been some quality control sampling! Bottoms up!

Here’s a link to the YouTube channel video:

Play the audio podcast on our players above…or your favorite smartphone podcast app…we have a direct link to iTunes for iPhone users, and Google Play for Android users below…

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