Average Joe and Friends Podcast

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. 
https://www.instagram.com/rigged_official/?hl=en
 

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.

Bolingbrook Brew Fest Episode - AJ Maka, Woggly Square, MyGrain, Elder, Tribes, Dave Benes, and Mike Layhew

I set up some Mics at the Bolingbrook Brewfest October 13th and talked to whoever I could grab in the middle of chaos underneath the McQs Golf dome.  Got to hear from some people at the fest like Mike Layhew and Dave Benes.  And talk to some brewers like John Newton at Woggly Square and Dan Rosenberg at MyGrain brewing.  The famous Chet Brett joined me and Co-Owner of Elder Brewing in Joliet, Melissa Polykandriotis.  Good times were had by all!

Episode 59 - Surrounded by Idiots w/ Hailstorm, More, Transient, Werk Force, Brickstone, Flesk & Rock Bottom Warrenville

 THE CREEEEAAAAMMMM RIIIIIISES TO THE TOP!  What a crazy day this one was.  This episode was originally going to be centered around the group texts between brewers Brandon Banbury, Steve Miller (Hailstorm), Chris Betts (Transient), Alex Lovinggood (Brickstone), Brando Wright (Werk Force), Shaun Berns (More), Erik Pizer (Rock Bottom Warrenville), and James and Will O'Brian (Flesk).  It turned into a giant Imperial Stout Collab called Surrounded by idiots.  So Alex reached out and asked if I could spend the day with them and just record some of the nonsense that ensues.  It was an amazing day, hopefully the audio reflects that.

Episode 58 - Triptych Brewing

I travelled way on down past Champaign, IL to visit Triptych Brewing for their.  Sausage (And Beer) Party.  But before the party I got to spend 2+ hours with Anthony, Luke, and Mike from Triptych and find out a little bit about their story.  We honestly could have gone 4 hours if need be, but the sausages were calling.  What a great group making some outstanding beer.
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