ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast

Back in the summer, we grabbed this mixed four-pack from San Diego's Alesmith because of some eye-catching collaborators and unusual style pairings with coffee. This small but mighty lineup is as delicious as it is…caffeinated. But also, we question whether or not certain multitasking is necessary; Craig cements himself as a real bean squeezer; and Ryan would now like to be known as The Man of La Matcha.

Beers Reviewed

Collaboration with Pizza Port Brewing and Jaunt Coffee Roasters - Dark Lager w/ Matriarch espresso, single‑origin Mexican coffee and lemon

Collaboration with Mikerphone Brewing and Heady Cup Coffee Roasters - Saison Ale w/ washed Colombian coffee

Collaboration with Societe Brewing and Modern Monk Coffee - Amber Ale co-fermented w/ coffee

Collaboration with Everywhere Brewing and MoonGoat Coffee Roasters - Imperial Cream Ale with strawberries, vanilla, cinnamon, and tropical Maypop Caturra coffee

Join Ryan and Craig, your guides to the (sub)urban beer jungle, as they experience the eccentric, offbeat, and unexpected Wild beers of Chicagoland! They imbibe four different ales fermented with wild yeasts and bacteria while aged in oak and review them for your listening pleasure. They also look back on the heyday of local wilds and sours, make difficult sleeping arrangement decisions, pay respect to the breweries that made them want to podcast, try to catch a pass from Doug Flutie, and introduce the world to the 'Gurt Guys.

Beers Reviewed

Imperial Oak Brewing - Lime Gin Barrel-Aged Straw (Foeder-aged Saison aged in lime gin barrels w/ Brettanomyces)

Noon Whistle Brewing - Raspberry Funderen (Mixed fermentation foeder-aged Wild Ale w/ raspberries)

Une Année Brewery - Le Grande Monde 2026-1 (Barrel-aged American Wild Ale w/ black currants and vanilla beans)

Off Color Brewing - PH1 (Barrel-aged American Wild Ale)

The story of our ongoing Cellar West series goes back to a box sent to us by owner Zach Nichols in late 2020, and we've become quite literate in their mastery of many different styles in the years since. Originating from Lafayette, Colorado (just outside of Boulder) with a second location in Erie, Colorado, Cellar West has won their fair share of awards along the way - and this lineup could end up being the best we've had out of four episodes. Also, Craig is a bit in his head about shoe tying; we marvel at the strange lore and world-building offered by the sides of these cans; Ryan and Craig care about different physical points of moistness; and we get blindsided by the blanket meat.

Cellar West Beers Reviewed

Kneebone Pils (German-style Pilsner)

Surf Sauce (West Coast Saison)

Panther Dream (Hazy Pale Ale)

Web Foot (West Coast-style IPA)

Yellow House (Belgian Blonde/Single)

After being invited to taste through bourbon barrels by distillers for a few Mikerphone barrel picks, Mike Pallen said, "We should do that." And they have - now for the 36th time - invited industry friends, business owners, and even - yes - craft beer podcasters to sample through their barrel-aged beers with the goal of finding their own Pick of Destiny. We go through the whole blind tasting process alongside owner Mike Pallen, head brewer Mike Witkowski, and cellar man Matt Lakota to find the barrel-aged beer of our dreams. Then, we open the resulting bottle (subtitled "All Up In That Wood") to make sure we didn't royally screw up. (Spoiler alert: we didn't.) If you want a chance to try the beer, head to Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village on September 19th for the release - and toast with us to the everlasting allure of lactose.

Beer Picked (and Subsequently Drank Many Weeks Later):

Mikephone Brewing (w/ ABV Chicago) - Pick of Destiny #36: All Up In That Wood (Imperial milk stout aged in Pappy Van Winkle barrels)

It's not so common anymore to see beers with just a single hop, but when we do, we embrace the opportunity to teach ourselves a little something. We have five beers, each made with a different single hop, and we dive into the background of each - and the surprisingly long hop development process. But also, we discuss if Citra is in fact the GHOAT; Craig shares a eulogy for the best way to get 12 CDs for a penny; Ryan's teeing off at the Wafting Greens; and we are about as far divided as we can be about one particular hop.

Beers Reviewed

Spiteful Brewing - Strata Time (Pale Ale w/ Strata hops)

Hopewell Brewing Co. - Bound: Galaxy (IPA w/ Galaxy hops)

Hop Butcher for the World - Meet the Nectarons (Hazy IPA w/ Nectaron hops)

Bell's Brewery - SMaSH Hearted IPA (IPA w/ Dolcita hops)

Pipeworks Brewing Company - Citra On Repeat (Hazy IPA w/ Citra and Cryo Citra hops)

Perhaps the most prolific collaborators of any local brewery, Mikerphone has a rolodex the size of a mash tun and isn't hesitant to bring in friends of all kinds to brew up inspired beers. We drink through five Mikerphone collaboration beers and get some input from Mike Pallen himself throughout this episode as he shares some of the background, stories, and ingredient choices that make these beers special. Also, we consider whose kind faces could ease a violent end; Craig meets Smash Mouth and doesn't actually ask them about meeting Shrek; Ryan's still thinking about his Sam Goody purchases; and we remember the 1990s when the world discovered BASS.

Beers Reviewed

I'm A Believer (California-style lager, collaboration with Smash Mouth)

Mall Culture Was So Cool (Hazy Pale Ale, collaboration with Young Blood Beer Co.)

Now Playing: Finback (Modern West Coast IPA, collaboration with Finback Brewery)

Natural History (Double IPA, collaboration with Saint Errant Brewing)

Ghost In the Mikerphone (DDH Double IPA, collaboration with Parish Brewing Co.)

As an experienced attendee, Craig was back in Madison yet again for the 2026 edition of the Great Taste of the Midwest and brought back interviews, festival-exclusive beers, and a full report (including where not to look for sandwiches). You'll hear about all the pre-fest events he attended; a combined interview with Justin from Hop Butcher and Kyle from Young Blood on beer collaborations; a brief chat with Jeff from Wisconsin's own Ooga Brewing about the beer name that caught Craig's eye; a booth theme report; and a full rundown of the best beers Craig sampled at the fest. Ryan's just along for the ride on this one as his massive FOMO solidifies with every sip.

Justin Miller (Hop Butcher for the World) and Kyle Gregorash (Young Blood Beer Co.) interview [00:32:30 - 00:42:58]

Jeff Scanlan (Ooga Brewing Co.) interview [01:28:13 - 01:30:55]

Beers Reviewed

Karben4 Brewing - Supply Drop (Fruited Sour w/ pineapple, mango, tangerine, and passionfruit)

Working Draft Beer Company & Lakefront Brewery - WorkFront (Czech Special Lager)

Hop Butcher for the World & Young Blood Beer Company - Canary Yellow '79 Seville (Fruited Sour w/ mango & pineapple)

Hop Butcher for the World & Young Blood Beer Company - That Tingle In Your Spine (Hazy Double IPA)

New Glarus Brewing Company - R&D Kriek 2026 (Wild ale aged in oak foeders w/ Balaton cherries)

Craig's summer travels brought him north of the border this year, which is why we're fortunate to drink five Toronto-based beers for this little taste of Canada - and we have nothing to complain about (outside of beer shipping limits and metric system conversions). Also, we get a recap of Craig's experience at many of these breweries during World Cup games and wildfires; we find a few surprising Goldfinger connections; Craig avoids going on a much-anticipated date with Drake; Ryan wants to know Canadian brewers' favorite Kid in the Hall; and we accidentally discover the drug of the future.

Beers Reviewed

Godspeed Brewery - Sklepník (Czech-style Pilsner)

True History Brewing - Mild Lockout (Helles Lager)

Blood Brothers Brewing - Blood Light (Hazy Pale Ale)

Great Lakes Brewery - Octopus Wants to Fight (American-style IPA)

Rorschach Brewing Co. - Malevolent Benevolence: Maple Syrup Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged 2021 (Barrel-aged imperial stout)

The U.S. Open Beer Championship, started in 2009, is the third-largest competition that recognizes and rewards beers from all over the world - and this year, Illinois brewers collected a considerable amount of hardware. We drink through five medal-winning beers while talking about the competition itself and looking back on some past years' winners as well. Also, Craig is thrust into an awkward "you-make-the-call" situation; Ryan recaps his U.S.O.B.C. mini-taproom tour, and we want to know exactly what makes a beer "extreme."

Beers Reviewed

Mikerphone Brewing - Misty Mountain Hop (Gold in American Pale Ale)

Forbidden Root Brewing Company/Ology Brewing Co. - Sprinkles Required (Gold in Collaboration Beer)

Flipside Brewing - Monochrome Dream (Bronze in New England/Juicy/Hazy IPA)

Brothership Brewing - Exoplanet (Silver in West Coast Style IPA)

Werk Force Brewing Co. - Humongous Chungus (Silver in Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty)

Summer still has some heat to beat, so we're drinking wheat. We round up five interesting wheat beers from five different states to quench our thirst and remember why the style got so many people into craft beer in the first place (and how it can go terribly wrong at times, too). Also, we work on a concept for a Michelin-starred pizza restaurant; 9 year old Ryan will take another virgin mimosa, please; Craig is dancing in the fields of gold with Sting; the nation's dads are up all night watching Crime 101; and we're looking to get rocked at the Umbrella Cover Museum.

Beers Reviewed

Allagash Brewing Company - Slow Set (Light wheat beer w/ citrus peel)

Phase Three Brewing - P3 Wheat (American wheat beer)

Supermoon Beer Company - Garten (Wheat ale w/ spices)

Sea Dog Brewing Company - Blueberry Wheat Ale

Lost Coast Brewery - Tangerine Wheat