Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 27 - Mikerphone Brewing - Mike Pallen, Kyle, Mike Dos

A regular chucklefest ensued when i sat down with Mike Pallen and the Mikerphone crew, Kyle and Mike #2.  What a fun group of guys to drink beer with.  They were very honest, and they even shared some breaking Mikerphone news.  We covered the Smells like a Beer Festival coming at the end of April, and how each of them got their start in the beer world.  Really great story tellers and just some all around authentic guys!
 
Mikerphone Social media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
 

Episode 26 - Half Acre Beer Company - Gabriel Magliaro

Feeling pretty lucky to have done this one.  Gabriel was one of the most engaging people I have come across, not just in beer, but in life.  Between the demeanor, the back story, and the conversation, I can not imagine this one not appealing to everyone.  From blowing glass in Colorado to 2 Half Acre taprooms and a Chicago Institution!   Not to mention a woodshop project.  This episode is special.  Also listen for the sultry tons of Justin, Senior Brewer in the background belting out some REM.  And a big shout out to Meredith for putting this all together, you kick ass at your job!
Half Acre Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Episode 25 - Black Horizon Brewing Co.

I could have hung out with these fellas all night, and I kind of did.  I love having 4 mics rolling.  These guys are an awesome story.  Super young brewery open less than 1 year.  Great stories to tell, and great chemistry between them.  They are doing some really good things on a really small scale.  definitely a must stop when in the area of the Southwest burbs.  A Teacher, A Brewer, and An IT guy.  It made for some good story telling and some tasty brews in a pretty sweet taproom.  Be on the look out for these guys, and if you are getting rid of larger scale Brew supplies, hit them up, they are looking to get grow their current 2 Barrel operation!
Black Horizon Social Media:  CLICK EM ALL!
Website
Facebook Page
Instagram
Twitter

Episode 24 - Founders Brewing Jeremy Kosmicki

They do not get much bigger than this.  I reached out to Jeremy Kosmicki of Founders last month when I heard he was doing a Keynote for a local Brew Competition in Crest Hill, IL.  He said he would be glad to come into town early and talk a little Founders with me.  He was as cool and down to earth as a guy can get after 20+ years in the Craft beer world.  He has a resume that consists of KBS, CBS, Mosaic Promise, and a bunch more Founders classics.  Thanks to Colt and the Iron&Glass Family for rolling out the red carpet for him and breaking out a 2012-2017 vertical of KBS.  I think he made a lot of peoples days just by hanging out with us afterwards and even throwing down a Chug of their new Lager Solid Gold.  It was a great day for myself and this podcast and a lot of other Iron&Glass Patrons.
Founders Social Media:
Website: https://foundersbrewing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundersbrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/foundersbrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersbrewing/?hl=en
 
 

Episode 23 - Around the Bend

ATB!  Big thanks to Randy for hooking this thing up!  And to Iron&Glass for use of their outstanding bottle shop and taproom.  Dan and Lindsey were buckets of fun to talk to during our first live in taproom broadcast.  It started slow with only 1 person in the taproom listening and ended with a completely overloaded taproom full of people that Randy had to pour samples of Around the Bend beer for.  Hey Lindsey, if you read this, it is great for your brand exposure.  You have seen their cans all over, but sit down and take a listen to what makes this beer company so "Classically Experimental".

Episode 22 - Woggly Square Brewing

Bro's.  Actual Legit Bro's.  I sat down with John and Mark Newton of Woggly Square Brewing this week for a little chat, and we had a little bit of fun.  If you have not heard of Woggly square yet, you are not alone, but you will be hearing more about them very soon.  They are brewing out of 350 Brewing in Tinley Park, and have 1 bottle release under their belt, which was a smashing success.  They brew "Beer With a Purpose".  That purpose is to help folks with Autism.  I want you to hear their story from them, so enjoy the show.  I love these guys, and I am pretty sure we are friends now, whether they are okay with that or not.  Also Gina, we all love you!
Woggly Square Social Media:
Website: https://www.wogglysquare.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wogglysquare/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wogglysquare/ (@WogglySquare)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wogglysquare?lang=en (@WogglySquare)
 

Episode 21 - Open Outcry Brewing

It was a long time coming sitting down with John Brand.  We have been in contact for a couple months trying to sync our schedules up, but it was worth it!  Really enjoyed hearing his story and tasting the great beers they are making.  Really like the Peach Milkshake IPA I had, their DIPA was outstanding, and the Peanut Butter Stout was top notch.  He is an interesting guy, and I enjoyed his sense of community, and I think you will too.  From the world of Futures to the world of Hazy IPAs we covered it all.  We also got a paid a visit from Brady Potts the ChiBeerGuy.  Look for him on social media, he is entertaining.
 
Open Outcry Social Media:
Website: http://www.openoutcrybrewing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openoutcrybrewing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openoutcrybrewing/?hl=en @OpenOutcrybrewing
Twitter: @OpenOutcryBrew

Episode 20 - Noon Whistle Brewing

FINALLY!  I got to sit down with Noon Whistle.  Paul (Head Brewer/Beer Guy) and Mike (Business Guy) were kind enough to grant me some time nestled between some empty kegs and their canning line to talk about one of my favorite spots, NOON WHISTLE BREWING.   Gummies, as far as the eye can see.  The gummy series gave me my intro to the NEIPA style beers I love to talk about so much, along side the Hailstorm Cloud Series.  I found out some things that surprised me about the start of Noon Whistle and where it is heading.  We talked about everything under the big beer sun.  I think you will like this one.
 
Noon Whistle Social Media:
Website: http://www.noonwhistlebrewing.com/home-page.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Noon-Whistle-Brewing-1381433485432405/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoonWhistle?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noonwhistlebrewingco/
 

Episode 19 - Old Irving Brewing Co.

Okay Bro-Tato Chips, this place was sweeeeeet.  And really big.  It is run and owned by a great group of people.  I had a great time with Owner/Head Brewer Trevor Rose-Hamblin and his Asst. Brewer Andreas.  I got to meet the whole cast of characters, including Nee-Lo, who also works for the Lucky Door, and Mailman John, who supplied a Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist for us.  Join us on our ride from Michigan to Illinois to over seas and back to Chicago again.  This place is the real deal, and Trevor, if you are reading this, please change the name of Trendi to O I B Juicy.  Also congrats on Engagment and your Upcoming Nuptuals with Amanda (Which will be at the Brewery!) 
Old Irving Brewing Social Media:
https://www.oldirvingbrewing.com
OIB Facebook
Twitter: @OldIrvingBeer
Instagram: @oldirvingbrewing

Episode 18 - 18th Street Brewery Drew Fox

It was a lucky and fortuitous day for myself and the podcast.  Drew Fox gave me a couple hours of his time on a Saturday morning in early March at the Hammond, IN location of 18th Street Brewery.  I had to miss the Energy City Brewing Beer Release in Batavia, but as luck would have it, my wife offered to go stand in line for me, while I talked to the Overloard of 18th Street and Sour Note Brewing.  On top of that, and completely unplanned, it organically turned out to be the 18th episode of the podcast!  He is a smart, insightful, driven, kind, and generous person.  I have never interviewed anyone like him, but I am sure the experience benefits me more than it does him.  I can not thank him enough for his time and his generousity.  Dude is dope and so is this episode.  Hope you all enjoy it and be on the look out for the 18th Street Distillery and Sour Note Brewing stuff.  This guy straight hustles!
18th Street Brewery Social Media:
Website: http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/18thhome
Facebook: Hammond Location  Gary Location
Instagram: @18thstreetbrewery
Twitter:@18thStreetBrew