Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 69 - The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (Danielle D'Alessandro, Katie Carrier, Alex Lovinggood)

Nice to have a class and intelligence on the show for once, but enough about Alex Lovinggood and his Pit Vipers.  Danielle and Katie brought the knowledge on the podcast.  I frequently found my eyes glazing over trying to keep up with Danielle's well thought out explanations to my moronic questions.  This is an impressive group and they do so much for the Illinois Craft Beer scene, which is now widely considered one of the best 2 or 3 beer scenes in country.  From Springfield government shenanigans to FoBAB, the work never stops, so sit and listen and get to know these cats!  And get ready for Alex Lovinggoods new podcast coming soon "The Maker in Me"
 
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Episode 68 - Phase Three Brewing Announcement

Feeling lucky to have Shaun Berns and Evan Morris share their huge news on my little podcast.  They are finally stepping out on their own.  They sent out some cryptic social media the day before recording and then share all the dirty little details with me!  Days like this are why I started this podcast in the first place.  Can not wait to watch them grow.
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Episode 67 - Pink Boots Society Brew Day

Happy international Women's Day 2019!  Emily Slayton, Owner and Brewer at Skeleton Key Brewery in Woodridge was kind enough to let me be a part of this awesome collaboration brew day extravaganza.  They made a Lithuanian style IPA with a yeast strain brought to America by Omega Yeast Labs of Chicago.  It was a great day that was enjoyed by all the participants and the patrons of Skeleton Key.  Look for the beer in early April.

Episode 66 - Open Outcry 2019 with Wil Turner

My friend John Brand makes his 3rd appearance on the show, this time showcasing a new brewer at the southside brewpub, Wil Turner.  A man who has been in the game as long as anyone in Chicago, making great beers and moving it forward while paying homage to the classic styles.  We had a fun conversation over some cheese curds, Wil's homemade beef jerky, and some tasty beers.  Gotta love that southside baby!
 
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Episode 65 - Wolfden Brewing

What a stunning place to have a beer in the burbs.  Every detail mattered on this one.  Just has the feel of a Northwoods tavern meets an old Irish Pub.  The wood work, layout, and atmosphere are insanely cool.  They are young but they will be a powerhouse summer spot.

Episode 64 - Lake Zurich Brewing

Took a long trip up north and west of Chicago to sit down with the crew at Lake Zurich Brewing.  Their Head brewer Jake and owners Jason and Eric had some great stories to share and some outstanding beers.  Get out to their taproom and be on the lookout for their cans under the Beltane and Magnetic North name.
They also did a recent collaboration with youtube fishing star Jon B follow him on Instagram. 
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Episode 63 - Hop Butcher for the World (Podcast 1 Year Anniversary)

An event 1 year in the making.  Great things come to those who wait.  Jude and Justin were an outstanding time.  We covered so much in a short 4 hour time span.  We talked hops, business, movies, nonsense, life, the beginnings and the current state of Hop Butcher.  We also got to drink some of their newest offerings hitting shelves today.  Double Grid, Elder Secrets of an Ancient Past, and a new run of Milkstachio.  Cheers to one year and the "Hop Gods of Chicago"!
 
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Episode 62 - Mikerphone (Mike Pallen), More (Shaun Berns), Bottle Logic (Brandon Buckner)

During FOBAB week I got a chance to do an episode with Bottle Logic while they did a collaboration beer at More Brewing.  Well, while doing that, Mike Pallen from Mikerphone happen to walk into the More taproom, so I asked for a minute of his time as well.  What happened was an awesome 1 hour conversation between Shaun Berns (More Brewing), Mike Pallen (Mikerphone Brewing), and Brandon Buckner (Bottle Logic Brewing).  

Episode 61 - Bottle Logic

Thanks to Shaun at More Brewing, I got to piggy back on his collab with Bottle Logic and get a conversation in with Wes, Dylan, Brandon, and Steve from BL! Their beers are legendary in the secondary and trade market, so talking to them during FOBAB week just seemed to make sense.  Just an awesome group of humble guys who are still having fun after 5 years!

Episode 60 - Crafted 1979 + Hubbard's Cave Anniversary Collab

Crafted 1979 Bottleshop in Mokena brewed their first collaboration beer for their one year anniversary with Hubbard's Cave.  I got to accompany them for brew day along with a bunch of Crafted regulars they call Hoperatives.  I set up the podcast gear and pitched in to help can V6 and dump some grain into this big ass dessert stout.  Bananas Foster ingredients make breweries smell amazing by the way.