Some might say that using lactose is antithetical to good beer, but there's some distinct purpose in using milk sugar in certain beers despite it causing all us 40-and-ups some real tummy troubles. For this episode, we try four lactose-enhanced beers to see how it impacts mouthfeel and sweetness, and we are a little surprised by the all-bangers lineup that results. But also, Craig's got a new dog-walking mystery, we're trying to find the right pairing for meat crepes, Ryan's SNL audition was a little one-note, and we're popping those bungs through the ceiling with some Lemon Milk™.

Beers Reviewed

Hop Butcher for the World - Blazed Orange Milkshake (IPA w/ oranges, vanilla, and lactose)

Pipeworks Brewing Company - Cow vs. Unicorn (Double IPA w/ lactose)

The Explorium Brewpub - Carver's Peanut Butter Stout (Imperial stout w/ peanuts, chocolate, and lactose)

More Brewing Co. - Rye Tide (Rye milk stout w/ lactose aged in rye whiskey barrels)

Back from a brief IPA supply-based hiatus, we resume our quest to review and rank as many long-tenured and well-regarded flagship IPAs as possible - and this ragtag bunch is adding some unexpected twists to the results. Acquired while in Wisconsin, these five IPAs span the map and keep us guessing long past the end of the episode. Also, we continue our secondary purpose of being a CostCo podcast by talking about large backyard games; Craig's story about running into a bike is slightly exaggerated; and you get the pleasure of experiencing a blind show where the more convinced we get, the wronger we become.

Beers Reviewed

3 Sheeps Brewing - Waterslides

Odell Brewing Co. - IPA

4 Hands Brewing Company - Incarnation IPA

Terrapin Beer Company - Hopsecutioner

Lakefront Brewery - IPA

After a few months of recovery from Barrel-Aged December, we're back in the wood groove with four big beers from a Mt. Rushmore of Chicago's best breweries. Two stouts and two barleywines make the lineup here, and we're going to get a little extra sticky for the end-of-show cuvée. Also, Craig is ready to help someone discover the wonders of magnets; Ryan is angling for a little promotion bonus from a big streamer; we finally talk about that big local craft beer merger; and we are surprised by the shots being poured at Dave & Busters.

Beers Reviewed

Half Acre Beer Co. (w/ The Bruery) - Blue Morning (Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout w/ blueberries, maple syrup, and vanilla)

Maplewood Brewing Company - Barrel-Aged Cuppa Neat: WT15 (Imperial stout aged in Wild Turkey 15 barrels)

Revolution Brewing - Peach Brandy Barrel D.B.V.S.O.J. (Barleywine aged in bourbon, rum, and peach brandy barrels)

Old Irving Brewing Co. - 28 Months Later (Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels)

We can't overstate the importance of the Amber beer on early craft beer culture, as just about any brewpub worth its malt back then would have a shaker pint of a rusty red-ish ale or lager ready to pour at all times. But is it possible that ambers are back? Either way, they're back in our glasses in a major way with this downright impressive lineup that teaches us how to love again. Also, we are wondering why so many comedy sequels are forgettable; Craig has been holding out on his impressive flavor descriptors until now; and Ryan would've been insufferable if he'd discovered barleywines in high school. Call the Amber-lance - there's no dim, red floppers to be found here.

Beers Reviewed

Phase Three Brewing Company - P3 Amber (Amber Ale)

Pollyanna Brewing Company - Amber Pines (Amber Ale)

New Glarus Brewing Company - Tailwagger Amber (Amber Ale)

Hopewell Brewing Co. - Shaker (Amber Ale)

Supermoon Beer Company - Commonbier (Amber "Steam"-style Lager)

Knoxville's Xul Beer Company first opened their taproom in 2020, and in under six years they've made a big name for themselves mostly on the back of their PB&J sour beer series. Craig had a chance to visit the taproom on PB&J Mixtape Day, and managed to catch co-founders Brad West and Seth Thacker for a quick interview. Then we sample a lineup of their most-loved beers, including a lineup of PB&J variants that lead to Ryan's atomic dream cuvée. Also, Craig faces down a food-based disappointment, Ryan shouldn't be huffing toys, and we both are brought back to a time when beer was fun.

Brad West & Seth Thacker Interview (0:08:50 - 0:18:41)

Beers Reviewed

Toro y Oso (Mexican-style Lager)

Paper Crowns (Hazy IPA)

PB&J Mixtape (Gluten-free Sour w/ peanut butter & Concord grape)

PB&J Mixtape: Strawberry (Gluten-free Sour w/ peanut butter & strawberry)

Fit For A King (Gluten-free Sour w/ peanut butter & banana)

When a batch of out-of-state breweries start showing up on local shelves, it doesn't get us as "hot" as it used to - but there's no shortage of warm and happy feelings with this lineup of five that'll make your next trip to the bottle shop hit different. We drink a variety of styles from some mostly familiar non-local names, and at least one of us is struggling not to put every single beer at the top of their rankings. Also, Craig needs to know more about the struggle of refried beans (or really anything that'll increase his food I.Q.); Ryan's throwing down those youth pastor vibes; and we are both ready for the Extreme Mild.

Beers Reviewed

Forest + Main Brewing Company & Human Robot - Fellow (Mild)

Outer Range Brewing Co. - Cool Cool (American Lager)

Bottle Logic Brewing - Recursion (West Coast IPA)

Supermoon Beer Company - Yesteryiers (Red Rye IPA)

New Image Brewing - Penjamin Danklin (Double Red IPA)

A proper British Bitter actually exists on a spectrum of Ordinary, Best, and Strong - or as we mostly know them in the U.S., Extra Special. We try to make sense of this moving target of a style by trying five pretty varied examples - and yes, some are very special. Also, we appeal to the Girl Scout Cookie subreddit by testing out a Thin Mint theory; we're only a little worried about boat rot; and we wait a full 20 minutes before bringing up Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Beers Reviewed

Greene King - Morland Old Speckled Hen

Goose Island Beer Co. - Honkers Ale

Noon Whistle Brewing - NWB ESB

Off Color Brewing - Beer For Bowling

3 Floyds Brewing - Lord Rear Admiral

When you spend any amount of time in Wisconsin, you'd better leave room in your trunk for a whole lot of delicious beer - and that's exactly what Craig did on a recent stop in Madison. We throw caution and care to the WI-nd, as we open five beers from New Glarus and Madison's Working Draft with a range of styles that all do what we'd hope for - and better. Also, Craig accidentally stumbles into some stolen valor thanks to some brewery apparel; Ryan's ready to whip up that Matzo Ball Soup Sorachi Ace beer; some beers get poked that should never have been poked; and one host discovers that his jowls are not where he thought they were.

Beers Reviewed

New Glarus Brewing Company - Coffee Stout

New Glarus Brewing Company - Back 40 (Bock)

Working Draft Beer Company - Serpent's Blood (Irish Dry Stout)

Working Draft Beer Company - Hello, My Name Is: Simcoe (IPA)

Working Draft Beer Company - Defrostinator (Maibock)

Though beer has long lived in wine's shadow as a prestige drink, it can do an impressive job of borrowing flavors or even mimicking them from the grape-based beverage. We open four very different takes on wine-inspired beers, some that have aged gracefully, and some that go places with styles in a way we haven't experienced. Also, Craig discovers a new innovation in frozen pizza technology; we re-examine the arch of sour programs in the U.S. over the last decade; Ryan's trying his hand at being a Zoom-based magician; and we try to avoid the crash of flabby sweetness.

Beers Reviewed

Maplewood Brewing Company - Softcore Mutation: Foeder Pinot Noir 2022 (Mixed culture sour aged in oak foeders w/ Pinot Noir grapes)

Mikerphone Brewing Company - Red Grape Supernova (Italian Red Wine Sangria-inspired fruited sour w/ Italian Sangiovese grape juice, Sicilian lemon puree, and tangerine puree)

New Glarus Brewing Company - Champ Du Blanc 2023 (Bière de Champagne spontaneously aged in oak on white grapes)

Half Acre Beer Company - Bazalt Wilderness of History (Double Barrel Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels & finished in Tokaji wine barrels)

In a time before hazy, there once was the Double IPA: malty, boozy, bold, and bitter. While some trends suggest the days of haze are a bit behind us, will we see a resurgence of the old school DIPAs of yesteryear? Or will it just be more of the same pale and fruity modern "West Coast" versions? We drink five classic examples that we hope separate themselves from the current trends, and find that some hit that nostalgic target just right. Also, Craig faces a hospital TV dilemma; we remember when breweries kept hop recipes a secret; and Ryan needs a big train beer just for himself.

Double IPAs Reviewed

Dogfish Head Brewery - 90 Minute IPA

Bell's Brewery - HopSlam

Pipeworks Brewing - Ninja vs. Unicorn

3 Floyds Brewing - Arctic Panzer Wolf

Great Lakes Brewing Company - Chillwave