"It's no secret I love a well made lager. One of the great benefits of this current brewing age is the number of small producers that are creating high quality pilsners and lagers. Goldfinger Brewing, located in a western Chicago suburb is one of them. 

Thomas Beckmann, the co-founder and brewer is my guest this week. He has all the credentials one would want from a proper lager brewer. He has his Master Brewer’s diploma through the World Brewing Academy in Chicago and Munich, and built Goldfinger to the specs he wanted, including a decoction brewhouse, aeration, horizontal lager tanks and natural carbonation.

There is also some family history involved here as well. Markus Goldfinger, a brewer – and equipment manufacturer - who lived in the 19th century in Poland and sold across Europe is Tom's ancestor. 

Today’s Goldfinger has three core offerings and a host of rotating seasonals, we’ll talk about it all along with process, and service. 

I’ve been hearing about Goldfinger from several of you listeners for a while now, including Aaron Peterson who says “ His brewery has achieved 'please just take all of our money' status in our household, and his Maibock was one of the best beers I have had in a very long time.”

Then Ashleigh Carter of Bierstadt Lagerhaus suggested having Tom on, so clearly the time had come. 

This Episode is sponsored by:

Cigar City Brewing Co.
Jai Low IPA. Vibrant aromas of nectarine, orange zest, and lime leaf greet the nose, melding seamlessly with peach-like esters and a light, bready malt aroma. Citrus flavors of clementine and tangerine dance on the palate with a snappy bitterness, with bread crust-like malt, and sparkling carbonation providing balance to this moderate-bodied IPA. Lear more at CigarCityBrewing.com 

Stomp Stickers
Stomp is a proud member of the brewers association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code BEEREDGE15 for 15% off your first order. 

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and visit All About Beer.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Thomas Beckmann
• Sponsors: Cigar City Brewing, Stomp Stickers, The Craft Brewery Cookbook,  All About Beer and The Beer Edge
• Tags: Beer, Ownership, Family, Lager, Travel, Equipment, Illinois