Average Joe and Friends Podcast

Episode 37 - Skeleton Key Brewery & Incubator

These guys, am I right!?  Way too much fun sitting with John, Emily, and Paul.  I had only heard of their greatness, but to spend a few hours with them really opened my eyes to a brewery that has been sitting under my nose for some time.  Just the most geniunely cool people you could ask for.  And that Coconut Golden Ale is insane.  The Single Hop Citra IPA was the freshest most beautiful version of a real IPA I have had in years.  The conversations spanned Fantasy Football, HBO, Dunk Tanks, Hot Chicken, Pink Boots, and a miriad of other great topics.  Get some!
Social Media Info:
Website
Facebook
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Twitter

Episode 36 - Fred Huebner of ESPN1000

What a cool experience for me.  I have been a long time sportstalk radio fan and specifically of ESPN 1000.  I knew through listening to Fred all these years he had a love for craft beer.  So I reached out to him to record an episode of the podcast and low and behold he said yes.  Really enjoyed my time with Freddy, we just talked beer and then we sprinkled in a little sports talk here and there, but it was an honor to have his voice on my mics.  Enjoy this, it was pretty cool.
Fred's Social Media:
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ESPN1000
Chicago Fire Weekly Podcast

Episode 35 - Lagunitas Chicago Mary Bauer

It's a big one!  Lagunitas in Chicago.  I gotta say, Mary Bauer may be the most engaging person I have had on this podcast.  She was the perfect guest.  I enjoyed my time with Mary so much, I wish I would have kept her longer.  The time we spent was full of geniune stories about legit people.  Such a great perspective on a huge brand.  They are so true to who they are.
Lagunitas Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Episode 34 - Church Street Brewing

CHET BRETT.  That is all you need to know.  I got to sit down with the Mayor of Beer and head brewer TJ over at Church Street last week, along with owner Lisa Gregor.  As entertaining of a chat as I have had on the podcast.  Chet was just engaging as all hell, and TJ was breaking down some deep state brewing knowledge, which was fascinating.  And in depth look at "Contract brewing".  The whole crew there works so well together from Austin, to Andrew, to Saraa.  It is definitely worth a stop in when you find yourself in the northwest burbs.  Cool spot making some classic brews.  
Church Street Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Episode 33 - Soundgrowler Brewing

I took a trip to Tinley Park to visit Soundgrowler Brewing's Cofounders and Head brewer.  It is a really nice taproom, and Larry, Head Brewer, is cranking out some pretty bad ass brews while listening to Doom Metal.  They schooled me on the music genre and gave me some insight on how this young brewery for started and where it's going.  Did I mention TACOS?  They have some dope ass tacos.  Even if you do not like beer, you should go for that food.  They were all great guys and we had a good time talking about Soundgrowler and the beer industry in general.  Check them out.  And go get your face rocked off by some DOOM METAL.
Soundgrowler Social Media:
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Instagram
Twitter

Episode 32 - Lo Rez Brewing

On a mildly warm "Spring Day", that just so happen to be 420, I sat down with two super chill and super awesome dudes in the city of Chicago.  Co-Founders Kevin Lilly and David Dahl treated me to some great conversation and great beer.  They stick to what they know and what they love, and make no mistake about it, they make and love some good shit.  In a world of IPAs and Stouts, they manage to do their own thing with Rye Saisons, Sours, Triples, and a bunch of Belgium inspired beers, while still keeping a solid IPA on draft, and offering a nice Big Barrel aged stout.  They were super cool and I loved hearing about their Tech background, and you will too.  Enjoy!
 
Lo Rez Social Media: 
Website
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Instagram
Twitter

Episode 31 - Solemn Oath Brewery

Had Sparkling good time talking to David Kerns and John Barley at Solemn Oath Brewery.  Take a listen so you can be educated on Brony and Vanning cultures, along with whats happening over at Solemn Oath.  They been doing it for a real long time in the Brew game.  I could not help but ask about their epic can art, and David had some great stories about his time spent over the pond getting schooled.
Solemn Oath Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Episode 30 - Illuminated Brew Works IBW

Took a trip to meet Brian Buckman and his assistant brewer Tony to talk ancient conspiracies and secret societies.  Well, we mostly talked about Illumintaed Brew Works Beer, Sex Chairs, Kill Floors, Burning man, Bonfires, Yeast "Proping" and a host of other non-sense.  These guys could not have been nicer.  I loved hearing their story and drinking their world class beers.  We enjoyed some Purple Surp, Orange Sunshine, and a little Astronaut Ice Cream and just talked.  These two were just great guys, and I hopefully I fall into the category of "People they Trust".  Check them out, they have big plans coming down the line for a Bottle shop and Tasting room.
IBW Social Media:
Website (Be sure to sign up for their email list to get invited to the Bonfire Parties)
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
 

Episode 29 - More Brewing Company

On a fateful, beautiful sunny thursday in April, I got the long awaited email from Shaun Berns that he would indeed be up for the podcast that same day.  We walked through the brewery then sat down with his assistant Brewer John and GM of More Brewing Evan and had a short 3 hour conversation on everything from beer to food, to mustaches, and winning some pretty impressive Hardware from Stout Fest.  They could not have been cooler, and lucky me, they had tapped a Henna varient that day.  And they were selling cans of Azzaca DH Dusty.  Big win for me!  We had a blast, but we also got some honest insight and a little breaking news on expansion and canning for More Brewing!  And also we hit 10,000 download today.... AWESOME!  And thank you all for listening!
More Social Media:
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Twitter
 

Episode 28 - Windmill Brewing

We're going Dutch!  Dyer, IN has quite the gem on its hands in Windmill Brewing.  Besides Luther, their brewery cat, they also have tremendous beers made by dudes that just love beer and brewing it.  I sat down with the owners, Justin and Scott and their other brewer Mike and we just hashed out the Windmill Brewing story.  They are becoming well known for the "Milkshake" IPAs like Memes and Dreams and Two if by Citra, but they make a wide variety of styles and some pretty cool inventive stuff.  I left with a mad love for their Pink Lemonade Gose.  The color and taste will blow you away for sure.  Had bunches of fun with these fellas (And Luther the Brew Kitty).  Get out to Dyer and get to know them.
Windmill Brewing Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter