Ryan’s a University of Iowa graduate, and in the 15 years since his last visit, a few breweries have popped up and thrived in the area. After a weekend with the family in Iowa City, Ryan brought back five beers from the area to talk about what’s been happening with beer in the decade-and-a-half since. Also, Craig’s aghast to share Tom Emanski with an uninterested party, we’re both a bit confused over TMNT villains, and Ryan’s not mad about the algorithm figuring out he likes Mortal Kombat videos. We hope you like nostalgia with your beer reviews, this week. 

Beers Reviewed

Big Grove Brewery - Tailwind (Golden Ale)

ReUnion Brewery & John’s Grocery - Thrilla in Amarilla (Hoppy Wheat)

Backpocket Brewing - Slingshot (Dunkel)

Lion Bridge Brewing Company - Compensation (English-Style Mild)

Iowa Brewing Co. - Cookie Oja (Baltic Porter w/ chocolate sandwich cookies)

Another somewhat recent trend in the world of local lagers is the Italian Pilsner, a style with only about a 30-year history that adds a bit more noble dry-hop character to something close to the Czech-style pilsner. It’s all winners on this show, except for the hosts who have to do rankings without the assistance of a large sandwich. Also, we welcome in Hot Grimace Summer, Craig’s empty hand is ever-reaching for an IPL, and Ryan’s got that soon-to-be-viral oyster cracker hack. 

Beers Reviewed

Mikerphone Brewing - Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano!

Riverlands Brewing Company - Picchi Pils

Pipeworks Brewing Company (& J.P. Graziano) - Alla Salute

Art History Brewing - Bella Strada

Half Acre Beer Co. - italian Pilsner

In our penultimate round before the championship, we have one spot up for grabs with these fan favorite hazy IPAs from Chicagoland breweries. Bringing our grand total of hazy IPAs blind-tasted up to 25, this episode still manages to bring some surprising sights and smells - and the show’s winner isn’t exactly what we expected. Also, we workshop a brewer’s new brand concept, Ryan is dreaming of dunking on some suckers, and Craig just wants a banana shaped like a dolphin in his drink. 

Beers Reviewed Blindly

Roaring Table Brewing - Tuba Solo

Art History Brewing - Major

More Brewing Company - Morever

Short Fuse Brewing Company - Loosey Juicy

Alter Brewing Company - Ambigram

As we open our arms to embrace the start of summer, our empty glasses are going to need something flavorful yet refreshing. Luckily, Chicagoland breweries have been cranking out the hoppy lagers and pilsners lately, so we assemble five for this episode that are so good that they almost completely break the show. Also, Ryan speculates on banana pudding restaurants, The Queen’s death is really holding up new hop names, and Craig’s dry ramen-chomping has officially entered the canon.

Beers Reviewed

More Brewing Company & Beer on the Wall - Take One Down (German-style Pilsner)

Dovetail Brewery/Revolution Brewing - Thank You, Friends (Hopfenlager)

Roaring Table Brewing - Melts Into Air (California-style Pilsner)

Old Irving Brewing Co. - Doji* (Hoppy Lager)

Mikerphone Brewing - Lager & Lace (West Coast-Style Lager)

*At the time of this recording the beer was known as Oni, but is now renamed Doji