Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 57 - BuckleDown Brewing

Nice monday morning trip up to Lyons to visit Sean and Ike over at Buckledown Brewing.  This is the brewery you need to convince your wife to stop at before or after trips to the zoo with the kids.  It is located perfectly to pair with a Brookfield Zoo trip.  They were coming off their huge Oktoberfest party and they were there bright and early canning up some fresh Fritzticuffs.  The guys are the real deal, blue color all day!

Episode 56 - Afterthought Brewing Co.

Afterthought Brewing was introduced to me by Ryan Jacobs of Saint Errant Brewing, in Episode 17 he referred to their beer as "HILL FARMSTEAD Level".. Saisons are not always thought of as the "Sexy" Style.  But god damn is Afterthought making some beautiful beers.  It is a small operation, but Mike and now his two brewers are just killing it.  You can only get his beer in Glen Ellyn at the OG suburban bottleshop The Beer Cellar.  Dave Hawley, owner of the Beer Cellar, has supported Mike's beer from the jump and helped get it into more people hands.  If you have not tried his beers I recommend driving there immediately.  We had a great conversation about the Past Present and future of Aftethought, including the great story of how it got it's name.  The world should look forward to more from this brewery.

Episode 55 - Oswego Brewing Company

After an almost 3 week Podcastless streak I ventured west to Oswego Brewing to sit down with Marc Wilson and Chris H.  Marc is the headbrewer at OBC, and just so happens to a World Beer Cup Gold Medal under his belt.  Chris is one of the founders and owners of Oswego Brewing, and I would say the 3 of us had a great time.  We talked about everything from first brew mishaps to industry trends, and water chemistry.  It is an amazing spot and everyone should head out that way and try these really techinically sound and tasty beers.  Also a special thanks to Eric, on instagram, @TheBrewtog for taking pictures during the episode.  Dude is talented! 
Oswego Brewing Social:
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Episode 54 - Chi Brew Werks Panel w/ More Brewing, Hailstorm Brewing, and Werk Force Brewing

Adjunct stout talk with "The Avengers" of the Chicagoland Stout game.  I was very honored to lead this conversation with 3 guys who make such amazing beer.  It was a stellar night for the audience and myself.  We got to listen to some great discussion and drink some incredible beer.  All 3 brewers spent time with the audience after the recording and appeared to have an absolute blast.  The next one of these will be a highly sought after event.  I can not wait to do this again.
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Episode 53 - Pipeworks Brewing with Strong Mike Schallau

When you get a shot to talk to the "Master of Barrels" at Pipeworks, you talk to the "Master of Barrels" at Pipeworks!  Otherwise known as the "Oaken Nap Coordinator". This was an amazing experience from the conversation to the tasting of different barrels of Murderous and Jones Dog out of random barrels, and even a couple custom blends on the spot.  Pipeworks is a true Chicago pioneer and they continue to pump out great products after revolutionizing IPA's in the area!  It was an honor to have this conversation.  Also thanks to Brian Pautsch for hooking this up!
Pipeworks Social Media:
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Episode 52 - Omega Yeast Labs

Joined by a couple of brilliant minds, I got an above average education in beer and particularly YEAST!  So much fun hearing about all the things that go into Omega Yeast labs and having one of my favorite brewers there to help further the conversation was not bad either.  Learn about these Nordic yeasts the lab is putting out.  They seem awesome.

Episode 51 - John Bitterman Beer Historian

Finally sat down with my friend and Beer Historian John Bitterman!  We used the monkey house as our studio to talk a bit about beer history and beer collectibles.  John has an immense collection of Beer history and you can see a large chunk of that on display at the Joiet Historical Society through the end of the year.  It is a beautifully done exhibit, and I encourage anyone who has a slight interest in beer to go check it out!  
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Episode 50 - Aleman Brewing Co

What do you do the day after you throw an engagement rager in your brewing space?  A nice Sunday Nooner podcast.  At least that is what you do when you are Jim and Nate of Aleman.  These dudes opened up their space to me at noon on a Sunday and they powered through.  Loved hearing their story and drinking their beer.  Keep your eye out for these guys.  Legit humans.
 
Aleman Social media:
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Episode 49 - Dovetail Brewery

Hagen and Bill played host to the podcast this week, and treated me to a nice change of pace.  Sitting back and drinking lagers, wild Rauchbier, and Wild Table beers has never been more fun.  I got an education in "Dovetail German", beer styles, and the "CoolShip".  The cherry Kriek they released a day after recording (July 13th) was out of this world good and the tours are legendary.  Two guys that bonded in Munich over a "Slaughter Plate" sure have done a lot for furthering these old world styles in a new world beer scene.
Dovetail Social Media:
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Episode 48 - BrickStone Brewery

We hit the brew pub then the impressive production facility.  And the thing I noticed the most is that everyone in the town of BearBonnais knows Alex Lovinggood!  Such a notable brewery in such a small "Farm Town"  Brickstone has picked up so much steam over the years it is hard to picture them as family owned, but they are indeed family owned and Independent.  They opened up the doors for me and showed me a great time and some great beers.  Matt Offerman took his shirt off mid podcast and Alex sat in his squashy arm chair.  I felt like part of the Brickstone family while I was there.  Get down there and drink some beer and eat some food.  And take the back country roads there.  Actually pretty nice to look at.
Brickstone Social Media:
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