Pittsburgh’s Necromancer has just crossed over a year in operation, and we’re already onto our second show featuring only their beers. Why?  Kuit beer is the reason. We catch up with head brewer Lauren Hughes about five of her “Resurrection” releases - beers that were previously “dead” or so obscure that there’s almost no example for comparison’s sake. (Much like our beloved Kuit beer.) She also shares updates on Necromancer’s expansion plans and what in the hell is a Pennsylvania Swankey. Also, we test our innovative snack ideas, battle a little foam gremlin, vape the vase water, and watch as Xander Cage solves global warming. (And shoutout again to Craig’s mom, who picked up all the beers for this show.)

Beers Reviewed

Forbidden Fruit: Mango, Guava, Passionfruit (Smoked sour Lichtenhainer w/ fruit)

Rag And Bone (British Golden Ale)

Parkour (Bière de Printemps)

Münster Mash (Kuit Beer)

Bitter As Death In the Gallows (Merseburger)

No matter how much trends fluctuate, one of the steadiest beers to bank on is the pilsner. Everyone who loves beer loves a great pilsner, and in our opinion, no beer list is complete without one. So we pick five pilsners from five midwestern states to taste through and appreciate while trying very hard to banish the term “drinkable” from the show. Also, Bo Jackson is behind the wheel on the way to our pheasant-hunting trip; we talk about how going to New Glarus is like going to Six Flags; and we evaluate which bubbles make Craig feel happy. 

Beers Reviewed

Fair State Brewing Cooperative [MN] - Superclear (German-style Pilsner)

New Glarus Brewing Company [WI] - 22 Pils (German-style Pilsner)

Noon Whistle Brewing [IL] - Brüski (Czech-style Pilsner)

Moontown Brewing Co. [IN] - Anni IV (American Heirloom Czech Lager)

Seedz Brewery [MI] - Shark Pils (Czech-style Pilsner)

Beers Reviewed

Mikerphone Brewing - Sir Blends A-Lot [Blend #2] (Blend of barrel-aged imperial stouts)

More Brewing Company - Mehndi Special Reserve 2022 (Imperial stout aged in Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year bourbon barrels)

Half Acre Beer Company - Double Barrel Benthic (Imperial stout w/ coconut and cinnamon, aged in Willet/Heaven Hill bourbon barrels and apple brandy barrels)

Werk Force Brewing Company - Cowabungus Chungus (Double barrel-aged imperial pastry stout w/ coconut, vanilla, and cacao nibs)

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Giant Jones is a woman-run, certified organic brewery specializing in big beers and obscure styles - a few of which are completely new to us. So we have on co-owner and brewer Jessica Jones to talk about how Giant Jones gets creative within the limits of organic ingredients, why some of their signature beers were born somewhat accidentally, and how they’ve evolved from their origins as a barleywine brewery. We also review five beers that each surprise and impress us - which serves as a distraction to how drunk they actually make us in the end. We also celebrate the return of Summer Craig and suffer angular smelling-related injuries. 

Jessica Jones Interview (00:07:42 - 00:51:13)

Beers Reviewed

English Style International Pale Ale

Pale Weizenbock

Grand Porter

Burton Ale

Kaves

Established in 1998, Kuhnhenn remembers a simpler time for craft beer. But Kuhnhenn also remembers that there were big and flavorful beers done differently - to emphasize style while also honoring drinkability - in the early part of the 21st century. This lineup of five beers from the Detroit suburb-housed brewery gives us a lot of nostalgia while finding a way to keep up with some of the big flavors of today. Also, we explore the relationship between sandwich size and happiness, get our drippiest Gwar masks ready for TikTok, and get disturbed by innocuous words. Kuhnhenn remembers.

Beers Reviewed

Saucy Minx (Extra Special Bitter)

Kuhnieweizen (Hefeweizen)

Imperial Crème Brûlée Java Stout

DRIPA (Double Rice India Pale Ale)

Bourbon Barrel Fourth Dementia (Bourbon Barrel-aged Old Ale)