Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 79 - Triptych & Windmill Collab Brew Day

Cruising Down I57 with my beef jerky in hand I shot down to Savoy, IL to document a pretty awesome Collaboration brew day with Triptych Brewing and Windmill Brewing.  I was joined by Anthony Benjamin, brewer and managing partner of Triptych Brewing, along with Mike G. and Justin V. from Windmill Brewing.  They brewed up a Horchata style Milkshake IPA with tons of Silk Almond milk, vanilla and a little bit of lactose.  It was really awesome to see these guys interact and actively learn while drinking and having a little fun as well.
 

Episode 78 - The Sour Note w/ Oz White and Drew Fox

I may sound like a broken record, but another episode and another world class human to talk beer with.  The one, the only Oswald White of The Sour Note Brewing.  The self-proclaimed Southern Wild Boy.  What a smart and insightful dude Oz is.  Loved hearing about his path to brewing beer and the early days of his relationship with Drew Fox of 18th Street, who also joined us for a few minutes.  The beer is killer and the conversation even exceeded that!
The Sour Note Social Media:
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Episode 77 - Roaring Table Brewing

Lane and Beth opened up their doors on a Monday morning for me, and then they served me one of the best over fruited sours I have had the pleasure of tasting.  We had a great conversation about what led them to open up a cozy and elegant taproom in the middle of a crazy strip mall in Lake Zurich, IL.  These guys are a must visit with killer NEIPA's, the Fruit Shoppe Series, and a ton of classic styles they are hitting out of the park right now.  
 
Roaring Table Social:
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Episode 76 - Riverlands Brewing

It is early in their life, but they have already cracked my top 5 breweries in the suburbs of Chicago.  They are doing everything from the over fruited Sour to Pub ales, and they do not seem to be missing.  They are only about 2 months into opening and already making some of the best Hazy IPAs in the game.  Their Rye IPA Skeleton Revival was an absolute homerun and I look forward to more offering from Riverlands for a long time to come.  The space is beautiful and the taps are packed with Bangers.
Riverland Social Media:
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Episode 75 - Smells Like a Podcast Takeover Brewers Share

So the night before any respectable beer festival, the host throws a little party for the brewers and industry folks he/she has invited to their fest.  Well Mike Pallen was kind enough to invite me and let me set up some "Mikerphones" for a little Smells like a Beer Fest Podcast takeover.  When Mike Pallen keeps feeding you amazing guests from all across the country, and also High Lifes, you just go with it!
 

Episode 74 - Podcast Collab Brew Day with LZB Jake Edwards

We broke the record set by Hop Butcher for longest podcast during a 10 hour brew day.  Sit back and relax and strap it in for a 4 hour and 10 minute marathon as Jake Edwards and I brew the podcasts first collaboration beer at Lake Zurich Brewing.  A Triple Berry Milkshake that should be hitting bottle Shops and the LZB taproom in late April/Early May.  We really covered some ground on this one, we even got a special appearance by James O'Brien from Flesk Brewing.
Lake Zurich Social Media:
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Episode 73 - Misbeehavin' Meads

My first Mead episode.  Clint welcomed me into his cozy spot in downtown Valpo, IN and schooled me on the mead game.  I probably could have talked to him for 8 hours and barely scratched the surface of Mead brewing, but we were hungry and need some Ricochet Tacos!  This was an amazing experience for me and Im all about the mead at this point. 
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Episode 72 - Mad Hatchet Brewing

It is coming on 04/20/19, Mad Hatchet Brewing will be opening its doors to the public!  I got to sit down with my old friend Mike Fosnaugh better known as FOZ, who will be their head brewer, along with their Owner and Brewer Mike Stevenson and Assistant brewer Sean McTighe!  We talked about what led them all on this path to opening a brewery and what they can expect when they get going.
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Episode 71 - Mikerphone Brewing 2019

I got to cruise up to Elk Grove Village to hang with the Mikerphone crew and check out the new Blue Room, the canning line, and preview this years Smells Like a Beer Fest!  It is always a great spot to visit.  The first 20 minutes we have the whole gang together, but then Mike Pallen has a fire to put out, so we recorded more of a one on one which is directly after the first 20 minutes, and then after that you get a half an hour of bonus content with Kyle and Mike W.  CHEERS AND ENJOY.
 

Episode 70 - Whiskey Hill Brewing

Kinds new and kinda old at the same time.  A lot of people may remember the brewery as Myths and Legends or Urban Legends in Westmont.  Well since 2018 it has been known as Whiskey Hill Brewing and they are kicking out some badass beers.  They are doing great old world styles while bringing the creativity with big NEIPA, Pastry Stouts, and Fruited Milkshakes or FLOATS!  The atmosphere is great and the people behind the place are really fun to talk to.  My fellow Leatherneck, Matt, Headbrewer Jon, and JJ were amazing hosts and provided me with a bunch of good stories and pure entertainment.