Yeah we know what episode this is, and truthfully, the pressure of somehow delivering The Funny Weed Number Show was too much, leading us to sip on five delicious dark lagers instead. We explore some of the range a “Dark Lager” can have while finding ourselves in a real rankings-based bind. Also, we have run-ins with NBC sitcom doppelgangers in very unexpected places, we ascend (and descend) the flavor mountain, and we discuss if a Cold Black IPA is a thing. And we back our way into a 420-appropriate set of topics like White Castle 1921 burgers, Boston Dunkies, the Hotel Transylvania film series, and just the nastiest NSFW chips you can find. 

Beers Reviewed

Riverlands Brewing Company - Midnight Silence (Schwarzbier)

1840 Brewing Company - Schwarzen Katze (Schwarzbier)

Cellar West Artisan Ales - Metaluna (India Black Lager)

Old Irving Brewing Co. - Lifesblood (Dark Bock Lager)

Pipeworks Brewing Company - Dunkel

Beers Reviewed

Gravedigger Billy (Scotch Ale aged in bourbon barrels)

Straight Jacket (Barleywine Ale aged in bourbon barrels)

Maple Jacket (Barleywine Ale aged in bourbon barrels with maple)

Blackberry Finn (Barleywine Ale double barrel aged in bourbon barrels with blackberries)

Ryeway to Heaven (Rye Ale aged in rye barrels)

V.S.O.R. (Rye Ale aged in rye and bourbon barrels)

Once brewed as a “superbier” to push the limits of ABV in a Belgian Blonde ale, the Tripel has almost a century of history with many American breweries embracing its fruity and spicy barrage. We try five Tripels, including the style standard, to better familiarize ourselves with this Belgian staple - and to help us complete half of our Belgian Beer Cycle. Also, Ryan gives the play-by-play in the 5 year olds basketball class, we sample the newest flavors of Jeez-Its, Craig wants all the brandy barrels, and we brace ourselves for the oncoming onslaught of Fiber-Forward IPAs. 

Beers Reviewed

Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle - Westmalle Trappist Tripel

Une Année Brewery - Tripel

New Glarus Brewing Company - Triple 5

The Church Brew Works - Millenium Tripel

Imperial Oak Brewing - Beermuda Triangle: Peach Brandy BA Tripel w/ peaches

Ushering in our 8th year of the podcast, this anniversary episode is a surprisingly sessionable trip down memory lane. Each host blindly leads the other through three beers of their choosing with the caveat being that all breweries must be Chicagoland local and would have already been open in 2013. Then, there are other connecting themes behind our choices that the other must guess - all while we find ourselves reeling pickled off of a bunch of 5% beers. Also, we decide which restaurants we would actually stay the night at, take drastic measures to put each other at aromatic disadvantages, and nod along to the Tart Suggestion. Pop two quarters in the blast chiller and get your plants out of my butt zone - we’re already looking ahead to the next eight years.

Beers Reviewed Half-Blind (in order of appearance)

Light the Lamp Brewery - Still Single (Belgian Blonde)

Une Année Brewery - Less Is More (Saison w/ oranges)

Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. - Little Wing (Pilsner)

Temperance Beer Co. - Smittytown (ESB)

Emmett’s Brewing Co. - Munich Light (Helles Lager)

Off Color Brewing - Scurry (Dark Honey Ale/Kottbusser)