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)

Hard seltzers are starting to see a bit of a dip in sales, but it’s probably because they’re not all loaded up with chunky fruit and 250-plus calories per can. Last year’s “phenomenon” of the smoothie hard seltzer was kicked off by an offshoot of Ann Arbor’s HOMES Brewery that goes by the name of Smooj. Craig stopped by the Lab (which should really be called the Smoojery) to pick up five slim cans of thick and sludgy hard seltzer for us to review. And because we needed another layer of smoothness, Ryan subjects Craig to a complicated game of identifying Michael McDonald lyrics that has real stakes for the loser. Also, Craig should be the mayor of Hell, Lactose is Easy Mode™, and we drink the Smoovée and a can of what we’re calling SmoojYO. 

Smooj Reviewed

Strawberry Banana

Piña Colada

Tropical Trip

Orange Delight

Cara Cara Cran

Currently operating out of Pilot Project, Azadi Brewing may be small at the moment, but their flavors are big and inspired by ingredients from regions all over India. We talk with co-founders Bhavik Modi and Gator Schrand about their unusual collaborative process that results in a rich lineup of beers that seek to tell a story and educate the consumer about India, Indian food, and Indian communities in Chicago. (They also taste pretty great as well, we might add.) In addition, we learn about how they became featured in prominent Chicago Indian restaurants, how their logo is inspired by the Dabbawala, and when we might expect to see a taproom open. Also, we want in on the Taste Buds trading cards, dream of some perfect food pairings, and get a lesson in the chaotic Craig-style of reviewing things. 

Bhavik and Gator Interview: (00:10:37 - 00:36:33)

Beers Reviewed

Devon (Gose w/ Telicherry black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, and Indian coriander)

Cochin (Lemongrass Saison)

Shimla (Pale Ale w/ Columbus, Centennial, and Cascade hops)

Chopta (Hazy IPA w/ Cascade, Sorachi Ace, and Hallertau Blanc hops)

Hira (Belgian Quad w/ dates)

Malt-forward and flowery, the bock-style lager most made for the Spring season is typically a maibock, though not all breweries embrace the confines of that title. We collect five local bocks made with Spring in mind to help Craig make up his mind about this style that once literally saved a city. We also meet two diabolical breakfast buffet villains, get our minds freaked by food commercial secrets, and start feeling real TOASTY! Shorts and a sweater? A dress and a jean jacket? We’ve got the lager beer pairing for you, lover of Spring weather.

Beers Reviewed

More Brewing Company - Bartlett Maibock

Dovetail Brewery - Maibock

Dutchback Brew Co. - Friar Bok (Lentebok)

Half Acre Beer Company - Spring Bock

Church Street Brewing Company - Magisterium (Maibock)

One of America’s few original styles also happens to be a commonly misunderstood one. The Cream Ale has no dairy or lactose (much to Craig’s chagrin) but is instead much more similar to the flavorful and easy-drinking Kölsch. We drink through five examples of the style to better grasp its nuances and are once again surprised by the refreshing amount of subtle variation. Also, we discuss the ultimate mind game, foosball, and accidentally give the ice cream machine sentience. (And if you’re interested in attending Gathering Place’s Lager & Friends festival in Glendale, Wisconsin on June 4th, go to our Instagram for details on how to win some tickets.)

Cream Ales Reviewed

Midwest Coast Brewing Co. - Three From the Tee

Scout & Scholar Brewing - Kolbier

Mikerphone Brewing - C.R.E.A.M.

Gathering Place Brewing Co. - Midwest Chill

Illuminated Brew Works - Mr. Monk’s Cream Ale

We’ve been summoned to do our civic duty in Haze Court, giving five hazy beers their due process through our arbitrary…arbitration. We’re ready to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that we should drop the charges against haze, and sentence our taste buds to about an hour of hop service. Also, we imagine adding a twist to new MLB rules, experience the Mandela Effect with Sir Mix-A-Lot, and try to keep Craig’s Hop Anger Meter below critical. 

Beers Reviewed

Old Nation Brewing Co. - DDH M-43 (Double Dry-Hopped New England-style IPA)

Eagle Park Brewing Co. - Goon Juice (New England-style IPA)

Brothership Brewing - The Arrival (New England-style IPA)

Hop Butcher for the World - Oblong (Double IPA)

Old Irving Brewing Co. & Alarmist Brewing - Beez Jus (DDH Triple IPA)

Beers Reviewed

Czech Pils

O’Beer (Sour w/ passion fruit, blue raspberry, lemon, and vanilla)

Dumpster Cut (Simcoe NEIPA)

Chocolate Covered Cherry Boy (Pastry Sour w/ cherry, cacao nibs, and vanilla)

Barrel Aged Hegemon (Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout)

Beers Reviewed

Fast Fashion/Keeping Together - Reality is an Atmosphere: Centennial (Belgian Pale Ale)

Civil Society Brewing - Fresh (New England-Style IPA)

J. Wakefield Brewing - K.R.E.A.M. (Berlinner Weisse w/ strawberry, vanilla, and lactose)

Mason Ale Works - Cash (Imperial Coffee Stout)

Cascade Brewing - Primordial Noir (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial red ale w/ cherries and spices)

Well ahead of Derby Day, Craig trotted down to Louisville, Kentucky to check out their beer scene and bring back a five-pack, along with an interview. The range is wide on this one with easy-drinkers to adjunct-crammed sippers all fighting for the top spot in our arbitrary rankings. Also, Craig chats with Andy Cobb from Butchertown to learn about his growing operation, how to determine the right amount of coconut to cram into a stout, and the potential for kung fu showdowns over craft beer. Also, Craig shares some other unique highlights from his Louisville trip, Ryan’s considering restoring a vintage Segway, and we end our boys trip with a friendship-strengthening fist fight.

Andy Cobb from Butchertown interview (00:32:55 - 00:48:41)

Beers Reviewed

Gravely Brewing Co. - La Bamba (Mexican-style Lager)

Mile Wide Beer Company - Army Had A Half Day (West Coast IPA)

Butchertown Brewing - Arise: Coconut (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ coconut)

Holsopple Brewing - Apricot Pufflefluff (Fruited Sour w/ apricot and marshmallow)

Gallant Fox Brewing Co. - Blue Suede Brews (Peanut Butter Banana Old Ale)