Category Archives: Brewery

Pubcast 356 – Zoomin’ To Idaho – Part 1 – Bryan Garcia-Brown of Edge Brewing

Baltic Porter, Brewery

We’re doing something a little different in this pubcast as we travel outside the boundaries of Illinois and head northwest to Idaho. Boise is the center of the burgeoning craft beer scene with over 25 breweries in this state capitol.

We are visiting with just 5 of these, courtesy of a care package of sample brews sent by our chum, ex-cohost, and beer aficionado, Mark Naski. Mark thought that The Brit needed to get a taste of what’s brewing out there, so he arranged for us to talk with the brewers via Zoom, while we tasted the sample beers. We want this to incent you to visit Boise for a beer-cation, especially these 5 breweries and tell them The Brit sent you!

In part 1, we welcome Bryan Garcia-Brown who is the brewmaster at Edge Brewing, and there’s a Baltic Porter to try. Cheers!

Here’s a link to the video on our YouTube channel –

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

Apple podcasts badge  

Pubcast 355 – Larry Hough of Soundgrowler Brewing

Brett, Brewery, Craft Beer, Lager, Porter, Red IPA

Our first pod/vid-cast of the year is an extended interview with FOBAB medal winner Larry Hough from Soundgrowler Brewing Co. in Tinley Park. We recorded this just after Thanksgiving but reserved it for release in the New Year.

Soundgrowler has been around for just over 3 years and this past 2020 FOBAB gave them their first medal for a BA brew, which we were lucky enough to get a can of to taste! Join The Brit and co-host Ken McMullen for this extended interview to learn about Soundgrowler and Larry’s beers!

This is available as a podcast or as a video-cast on our YouTube Channel.

Brews Sampled:

  • War Blood, Red IPA, 6.8% ABV
  • Leather Apron, American Porter, 5.6%
  • RYVERN, American Pale Ale, 5.6% ABV
  • Tequila BA Tortilla Hands, Lager, Bronze Medal 2020 FOBAB
  • Plague of The Locusts, 9% ABV, Mixed culture Brett beer barrel
    aged in port wine barrels on blackberries

Our YouTube video…

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

Apple podcasts badge  

Pubcast 354 – Josh Grubbs of Black Lung Brewing

Brewery, Craft Beer, DIPA, Farmhouse Ale, Saison

This week we have another audio / video edition, which is rapidly becoming our ‘new normal’ in these Covid-19 times. So, you can choose your viewing or listening option!

Despite those Covid problems, Josh Grubbs is pushing forward with getting his taproom ready to open in 2021. Black Lung Brewing Company is currently producing their beers out of the Zumbier space in Waukegan, but Josh has big plans for his own space in Round Lake Beach and a Kickstarter fund running to help him.

Join The Brit and Hopvine brewmaster, Ken McMullen as we talk to Josh who is in his ‘man-cave’, and we sample his beer. If they are a sign of anything then he’ll be killing it next year!! Cheers!

Update: when we recorded this, BLB had not made their kickstarter goal, but as of Dec 3 it was achieved!

Brews Sampled:

    • Mind of Peace, Saison/Farmhouse Ale, 6.0% ABV
    • Caduceous, Wine DIPA, 8.0% ABV

Our YouTube video…

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

Apple podcasts badge  

Pubcast 353 – Phil Castello of Side Lot Brewery

American Pale Ale, Belgian Tripel, Black IPA, Brewery, Craft Beer, Pils

Just like corner taverns, small craft breweries are key communal locations for some neighborhoods, even more so in these days of social distancing and closed bars. Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda IL is one of these craft breweries, who under the guidance of owner/brewer Phil Castello, continues to produce a variety of great style offerings, and has adapted their outside beer garden for safe consumption.

This video / audio edition, recorded via Zoom, visits with Phil to find out more about his brewery, his beers, how they help support local events and organizations. Ken McMullen from Hopvine Brewing joins The Brit to sample and discuss 4 Side Lot brews, a complimentary sample 4-pack of which will be provided to one lucky person!

As The Brit is also a ‘Phil’, he becomes English Phil, and Phil Castello is Italian Phil, and not to be left out, Ken claims the name Irish Ken.

Note:   The drawing is open from 5pm, Nov 11 2020 to Midnight, Nov 16 2020, and the rules are laid out by English Phil at the start of the recording. All you need to do is listen for the “Magic Phrase”! If you are listening past the closing date, then never mind and carry on about your day…the offer expired!

Brews Sampled:

    • Philsner, German Pilsner, 5.5% ABV
    • Yours, Mine + Ours, APA, 6% ABV
    • Vibranium, Black IPA, 6.5% ABV
    • Jimmy The Weasel, Belgian Tripel, 10% ABV

Our YouTube video…

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

Apple podcasts badge