Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 17 - Corridor Brewery & Provisions and Saint Errant Brewing

Thank god for remodels and tank deliveries, otherwise Corridor Brewery & Provisions would not have been shut down for 3 days and given me the oppurtunity to sit down with not 1 but 2 of my favorite breweries going!  Roger Cuzelis, head brewer at Corridor, and Ryan Jacobs & Brent Banks, the duo that make up Saint Errant Brewing sat down for a nice long free form conversation with Average Joe's to talk some beer and whatever else came up.  Mostly beer.  These dudes were so knowledgable and just being around them, by the power of osmosis, I think I can brew a decent DDH IPA.  We crushed some amazing beers from both Breweries (Punchers Chance, Fuzzy Britches, Contrapasso - Saint Errant and Mosiac Monsoon, Mystic Fog, Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good - Corridor) along with a Hill farmstead and a Breaksides, and yes I call it Hillstead farm in the podcast, like an idiot.  More fun than you could shake a stick at.  Hope to talk to all these guys again soon.  
Social Media: 
Corridor    
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Saint Errant
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Instagram
Twitter

Episode 16 - Alter Brewing

Took a trip to Alter Brewing in Downers Grove to sit down with Co-Founders Mark Hedrick and David Yob and talk a bit about their story.  That taproom is immaculate.  Plenty of room for events in the taproom and a couple of hidden event spaces as well.  I sipped on some Alterior Motive Mosaic, Galaxy and the 7-C, a delicious Hoppy Red with Galaxy, and the Denali Llama IPA.  I really enjoyed our conversation about their story, their new lab program, a recent Hop Rub event, and basically all things Alter and beer.  Couple of world class dudes that are running a damn fine shop.
Average Joe's Facebook Page
Alter Social Media:
Website: https://www.alterbrewing.com
Facebook: Alter Brewing Page
Instagram: @Alterbeer
Twitter: @AlterBeer
Youtube Channel

Episode 15 - Alarmist Brewing

What can I say?  I can not wait to get back there.  Gary (Owner/Purnhubber), Aaron (Brewer/Badass/Rogan Listener), Chris (Taproom Manager/Cutie/Rick & Morty Enthusiast), were all so welcoming and entertaining.  We spent some time checking out the shop, bashing the Adam's over at Maplewood Brewing (Thanks to them for pointing me in the direction of Alarmist), talking life love, and all the things to come, like canning lines.  A lot of Cask beer and Hazy beer talk.  Mostly general nonsense.  What a great time they were, and by the way, THE BEER IS SO GREAT!  Their flights have 6 beers, so that is worth it alone.
Average Joe's Above Average Beer Podcast Facebook Page
Alarmist Social Media: 
Website: https://alarmistbrewing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alarmistbrewing/
Twitter: @AlarmistBrewing
Instagram: @alarmistbrewing
 

Episode 14 - Energy City Brewing

So Small, So Great.  It feels like being in on a little secret.  Though I hope after I post this episode, the secret will spread like wil fire.  Energy City in Batavia, IL is only open 11am - 3pm every first saturday of the month.  I have advice, GO THERE AND BUY BOTTLES.  Though I have no business talking about anything with a chemical, David Files was a scholar and a gentleman.  He has a great and balanced view and approach to beer making.  I am so impressed by the 4 or 5 beers I have tasted from them, I could not wait to share this episode!  Hop Nawi is a must!
 
Energy City Social Media:
https://www.energycitybrewing.com
Energy City Facebook Page

Episode 13 - Miskatonic Brewing

Shield Maidens, Literature, Gypsies, and Collaborations are just a few things we covered.  Josh Mowry is one of the most engaging people I have talked to yet on the podcast.  He offered great insight on different perspectives of the beer world.  With their traditional approach to beer (With a little twist sometimes) they have created a badass little beer harth right off I55 on the frontage road off Cass Ave in the Southwest Burbs.  They have had the popular Hop Butcher fellas brewing out their facility for sometime now and Josh breaks down that dynamic when you have two different breweries with two different approaches under one roof.  Look out for their BA Russian Imperial Stout coming in early March "The Bell Witch".  And be sure to get to their taproom.
Average Joe's Facebook
Miskatonic Social Media:
http://miskatonicbrewing.com
Miskatonic Facebook
Twitter: @MiskatonicBeer
Instagram: @miskatonicbrewing

Episode 12 - Imperial Oak Brewing

Awwwww Yeaaaah.  We had some fun during Snow-Ma-Geddon 2018 in Willow Springs, at Imperial Oak Brewing.  Brett and Grant were so dope.  They gave me more than 2 hours of their time, and Grant and I may have extended that party a little further once the mics were turned off.  I got to try just about everything.  What a tremendous line up.  They shared the vision and drive behind how they got started, and touched on their "Savage Oak" sour/wild/spontaneous program, which is super exciting for any beer lover.  They do monthly BA Releases and soon will be pairing those with a sour too.  Grab a beer and Give it a listen.
Average Joe's Above Average Beer Podcast Facebook Page
 
Imperial Oak Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Twitter: @imperialoak

Episode 11 - The Joliet Brewers Guild (JBG)

World Class DUDES!  We sat down with Members of the Joliet Brewers Guild at Chicago Street Pub in downtown Joliet to talk some JBG and some beer in general.  Along with my buddy Kyle Symons, I was joined by Doug Cowan, Other Doug (Ricky D), Paulie, and Brewer of the year Joel Rakoski!  We had a little fun sampling homebrews while talking homebrews.  If you are a local brewer I highly suggest you pay their meetings a visit every 2nd Wednesday of the Month, and tell em Average Joe sent you.  We heard stories of home brews past, and a little of what's in store for the future, and we got a little visit from Chicago Street Pub owner "Trizz".  We covered a lot in 2+ hours, and it was sensational.
Average Joe's Facebook Page
 
Joliet Brewers Guild Social Media:
Website: http://www.jolietbrewersguild.org
JBG Facebook Page
CHECK THEM OUT!

Episode 10 - Maplewood Brewing and Distillery

Quite possibly the most fun I will ever have in front of a Microphone.  The 2 Pack of Adam Cieslak and Adam Smith was a force to be reckoned with.  Tucked into an awesome spot in the Logan Square area, their Brand new LOUNGE is everything you want in a Beer venue.  It provided us with a great setting to talk everything from Fat Shaming to Jerry Saviano to How Maplewood got it's start to what the future holds for the States only Brewery/Distillery.  These guys were truly funny and even more passionate about what they do.  It is a must to pay them a visit.  
Average Joe's Above Average Facebook Page
Maplewood Brewing and Distillery Social Media:
Maplewood Website
Maplewood Facebook Page
Twitter: @maplewoodbeer
Instagram - maplewoodbrew
 

Episode 9 - Joe's Beverage Warehouse Joliet

A new perspective on the Podcast, talking to Ammar Sheikah who's family owns Joe's Beverage Warehouse in Joliet.  We sat right in the aisle amongst the beer and talked about what it takes to pivot from your run of the mill neighborhood liquor store, to a Craft Beer Super Store fit for a Beer Geek.  And their upcoming collaboration with MyGrain Brewing, Escape from Staeville.  They truly do "Speak Craft Beer" there.  We talked about their utilization of Social Media when hosting big time releases of CBS or Bourbon County, and Daily beer drops.  Great guy and a great spot to buy really good local beer and some damn good Bourbon and all types of other booze as well!  Go pay them a visit, they have it all.
 
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Cardinal Liquor Depot Social Media:
BrewsFlash Blog
Facebook Page
Twitter Page: @LiqDepotJoliet

Episode 8 - Werk Force Brewing

I was so pumped for this episode and Brandon and Amanda did not disappoint.  We laughed we cried, we consumed, and we gave Brando a platform to tell the full story of the legend of "Brando's House of Awesomeness".  Though that dream had to be tempered, it lives on within each beer he brews.  I know you all will love this Orgin story along with a bunch of banter and nonsense thrown in.  Amanda and Brandon are two local entrepenuers worth supporting so, get out to Werk Force Brewing and Chicago Brew Werks Brewing supplies, and make sure to have a beer and saddle up for story or 2 as well.  They have a huge accomadating taproom they opened recently and the small tasting room is still there like your favorite old hoodie ready to give you some comfort and an experimental beer or 2.  
 
Facebook Page: Average Joe's Above Average Beer Podcast
Werk Force Social Media:
Website: http://www.werkforcebrewing.com
Instagram: @Werkforcebrewing
Twitter: @werkforcebrew
Facebook: Werk Force Facebook Page