For the past two years, Off Color’s line of Beer For… beers have been a steady source of creative pairings executed immaculately, so we talk with co-founder Dave Bleitner about the project he heads up. Dave shares some of his process for conceptualizing these beers, why it was the right time to do his first ever pale ale (and make it a year-round release), how the label art and merchandising comes about, and why you shouldn’t sleep on a hop pillow for too long. We also drink through five of the Beer For beers while attempting to lure a new sponsor, removing the squeaking from televised basketball, and putting our whole mouths under the butter dispenser. 

Dave Bleitner Interview (00:09:39 - 00:41:46)

Beers Reviewed

Beer For Hoops (Cream Ale w/ peach puree and vanilla beans)

Beer For Movies (Popcorn Kolsch-Style Beer)
Beer For Lounging (American Pale Ale)

Beer For Bathtubs (Belgian-Style Wit w/ citrus, flowers, spices, and epsom salt)

Beer For Bowling (English-Style Session Ale brewed w/ wood)

A sequel to one of our favorite shows of 2021 might seem rushed, but Keeping Together’s time in Chicago is limited. For this one, we drink five more of Averie Swanson’s artful creations in an exercise that honestly feels shamelessly self-indulgent due to how good the beers are. Also, we speculate on a provolone problem, conjure up some Joey Pants, do a sitcom t-shirt reveal, and feel inspired to don windbreakers. Expect a very early contender for beer of the year that we never saw coming. Who says the sequel can’t be better than the original??

Beers Reviewed

Dreaming of a Common Language (Dry-hopped saison w/ Hallertau Tradition, Tettnanger, and Saaz hops)

Everything Glistened and Sparkled (Saison w/ roasted rhubarb, angelica root, and honey)

The Earth Is What We All Have In Common (Bière de Garde w/ roasted chestnuts, dried oranges, and rosemary)

Make Art Not Content (Saison w/ coffee, sage, peach leaves, and honey)

Undulant & Impermanent (Barrel-aged saison w/ maple-roasted carrots and spent Fernet botanicals)

Though our very existence denies it, we love the idea of Dry January - a time when people can re-evaluate their habits around beer and explore more sober and healthy options. But we never really intended on doing this show - not until Ryan got Covid. So to keep this weekly show going amidst that diagnosis, we explore how non-alcoholic beers have come to mimic craft styles much more than they did half a decade ago. Also, Craig needs help with a t-shirt resolution, Ryan’s just grateful he can still smell and taste things, and we find the perfect names for a few yet-to-be-founded NA breweries. Plus we still manage to talk about lactose a bunch.

Beers Reviewed

Big Drop Brewing Co. - Pine Trail Pale Ale

WellBeing Brewing - Hellraiser Dark Amber

Athletic Brewing Company - Free Wave Hazy IPA

Bravus Brewing Company - Oatmeal Dark

Untitled Art - S’mores Dark Brew

The Cold IPA itself is an oxymoron. So is it a hopped-up lager, or a lagered-down IPA? Or is it neither? We speak with Doug Veliky, CFO of Revolution Brewing and industry trend-spotter, about why the Cold IPA could be a legitimate trend, and what could keep it stuck in fermentation. Then we examine the style further by drinking through five local examples, hoping to create our own frame of reference. Additionally, Craig has a new workout plan for 2022, Ryan’s creating the Slow Pour Cold IPA at-home device, and we class it up by talking about all the best smells in craft beer. Let’s have a cold one together, shall we?

Doug Veliky interview (00:06:03 - 00:35:45)

Beers Reviewed

Revolution Brewing - Subz-Hero (Cold IPA)

Phase Three Brewing - Cold Pixel (IPL)

Riverlands Brewing Company - Cold Synergy (Cold IPA)

Maplewood Brewing Company - Cold Chisel (Cold IPA)

Alarmist Brewing - Woodland Chill (Cold IPA)