To commemorate our 9th year of this podcast, we celebrate local breweries that opened since we first started broadcasting our shabby little beer reviews. Craig and Ryan each bring three blind beers to the table for the other to guess with a focus on years and a few additional mystery themes. It’s also one of those shows where you get to hear Craig fall head-over-heels in love with a beer, which is always a treat. Also, we’re angling to take that Girl Scout cookie taster position; Ryan’s just completely flummoxed by a bomber; and Craig is Raging Against A Thin Stout.™ We want to thank everyone who has ever listened or supported the show in any way for making nine years a possibility - it feels truly surreal.

Beers Reviewed Half-Blindly

One Allegiance Brewing [opened 2020] - Double Vanilla Rambler (Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels w/ vanilla beans and cocoa nibs)

Werk Force Brewing Company [opened 2014] - Genuine Authentic (Black Pilsner)

Miskatonic Brewing Company [opened 2015] - Rye Bell Witch (Imperial Stout aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels)

Skeleton Key Brewery [opened 2016] - Indomitable (Double Rye IPA)

On Tour Brewing Company [opened 2017] - Apres (Black Lager)

Double Clutch Brewing Company [opened 2021] - Helles Rauchbier Lager

After two years of selling bottles from what is essentially his front porch, Rob Brennan opened the doors to his Milwaukee taproom in 2022 - and his rustic farmhouse beers are absolutely worth a trip. For this episode, we drink through four funky and beautiful Supermoon bottles that show artistry beyond what you might expect from such a young brewery. Also, Craig has a bounce in his step (and not just because of the house cultures); Ryan shares some moon facts and comes up with the perfect collaboration; and we’re both aching for that Yanni/Bootsy/McD collab to drop. 

Beers Reviewed

Saison Bay View (Farmhouse style saison brewed w/ pilsner, malted spelt and oats)

Oaxen (Abbey Style Pale Ale brewed w/ aged hops & fermented w/ Brettanomyces Bruxellensis in neutral French Oak)

Epitope (Bière de Coupage - Young saison blended w/ French oak fermented saison aged for 3 years)

Marbelle (A blend of mixed culture saisons fermented in French Oak aged 12 months, refermented on Petite Pearl wine grapes & Tart Montmorency cherries)

We were just as surprised as anyone to find five beers that are made to mimic a briney jar of pickles, and it’s certainly something you have to be really into - or just brace yourself and gulp. Both are true for us on this episode, as one host might have some major life regrets after going through all five of these puntastic pickle beers. Also, we play a short original dice-rolling RPG called “Pickle Me This, PickleMan”; Craig is trying to define that “classy energy”; and Ryan is just holding on for dear life.

Beers Reviewed

Mikerphone Brewing - Slick Pickle Rick (Golden Ale w/ dill pickle juice)

Noon Whistle Brewing - Pickle Someone Your Own Size (Berliner Weisse w/ pickles)

Three Blondes Brewing - Dill With It! (Cucumber Dill Berliner Weisse)

DESTIHL Brewery (& Suckerpunch Pickles) - Dill Pickle Sour Beer

Prairie Artisan Ales - Spicy Pickle Monster (Sour Ale w/ dill pickles, orange, lemon, and lime)

It’s always a good idea to welcome a new year with good vibes, and we’d be hard pressed to find a brewery better than New Glarus to fit that bill. For this show, we have five seasonal or speciality release beers from Wisconsin’s premier craft brewery, and the excellence unsurprisingly holds for the duration. Also, nothing beats a car full of jerky smells; Craig embraces the Live Más mentality; and Ryan’s bloodlust is finally explained. Side effects of this episode may include sour throat, time traveling, and rabble-rousing.

Beers Reviewed

R&D Vintage 2021 (Gueuze-style Ale)

Black Currant ‘22 (Fruit Beer)

R&D Champ Rosé (Belgian Strong Ale w/ grapes)

Weizen Doppelbock

R&D Bourbon Barrel Stout (Bourbon barrel-aged sweet stout w/ cocoa nibs, vanilla, and coffee beans)