If it wasn’t obvious from the totally easy to understand episode title, this show is a return for us to a whole lineup of barrel-aged beers from different breweries we love. We add a little blind twist to this one as all four are adjunct-free affairs: just delicious big stouts in world-class barrels. Also, Craig’s totally serious about the tater tots offer, Ryan has found The Cheesecake of Beers™, and we both have a lot of thoughts about ramen. 

Beers Reviewed

Mikerphone Brewing (w/ Beer on the Wall) - Pick of Destiny #10: Raw Power (Imperial Stout Ale Aged in a Single Weller Wheated Bourbon Barrel)

Central Waters Brewing Company - Twenty Five (Blended Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout)

WeldWerks Brewing Co. - Medianoche 2022 (Imperial Stout aged in Blanton's 15-year bourbon, Thomas H. Handy 6-year rye, E.H. Taylor 6-year bourbon, and Eagle Rare 10-year bourbon barrels)

Triptych Brewing - AJ’s Stout Vol. 1 2022 (Imperial Stout aged in Heaven Hill Parker Heritage Collection bourbon barrels)

Though still somewhat unknown around these parts, Cellar West Artisan Ales out of Lafayette, Colorado became known to us as an award-winning saison brewery. This episode further proves their proficiency with a variety of styles. Thanks to a porch box from founder and brewer Zach Nichols, we sample five cans of wildly drinkable and enjoyable beers as we calculate how many chapters it’ll take us to get some beers on local shelves. Also, Craig relives his Cellar West taproom visit from last fall, we consider the advantages of wine-flavored bubblegum, and Ryan wishes he was warned about the Woodman’s robot.  

Beers Reviewed

Silver Stream (Helles Lager)

Unfed Mind, Vol. 1 (Pale Ale w/ Simcoe and HBC 630)

Single Hop Saison - Emerald Spire

Bourbon Barrel Spinechiller (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels)

Bourbon Barrel Ginger Clove Spinechiller (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ ginger & clove)

The second installment in our ongoing (and expanding) arbitrary competition to determine what we deem to be the best Chicagoland Flagship Hazy IPA continues with this murderer’s row of five eclectic and skilled breweries. There are many joyous smells and even a false lactose spotting, but at least there are no glasses of SkittleMilk on this show. See who’s moving on to the championship round, and who may find a second chance on the bubble.

Beers Reviewed Blindly

Open Outcry Brewing Company - Delirio

Alarmist Brewing - Le Jus

Phase Three Brewing - Pixel Density

Sketchbook Brewing Co. - Insufficient Clearance

Midwest Coast Brewing Co. - Elevator to Nowhere

Seemingly popping up on more local taplists than ever, smoked beers are moving past being a niche brewery-only oddity. We find five beers that enlist smoked malts in their production to give off a surprising variety of flavors - and a refreshing level of nuance. Also, we role play our own Chopped appearances, spend some time living in the aftertaste, and accept that this might be one of the best top-to-bottom lineups of beer we’ve done all year. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

Beers Reviewed

Alarmist Brewing - Bamberger (Rauchbier)

Maplewood Brewing Company - Over Fire Island (Smoked Porter)

Soundgrowler Brewing Co. - Burning Hill (Rauch Marzen)

Dovetail Brewery - Rauchdoppelbock

Art History Brewing - Good Night Bamberg (Rauchbier)