About- Mike Zoller
Mike Zoller
After trying to retire after a lucrative two-year career in sports journalism, Mike got back into sports but in the administration side. He currently works for the Northwestern University Athletic Department as an account executive working directly with football and men's basketball. At Miami University Mike was the sports editor for the The Miami Student and also did radio play-by-play for RedHawk ice hockey, football and baseball. Mike is still waiting to see Northwestern basketball play in the NCAA Tournament and the Cubs win the World Series.Marz Community Brewing Officially Opens a Taproom in Chicago
February 26, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Just minutes before Marz Community Brewing Company was set to open for the first time this past Saturday, a line stretched from the door and around the corner with craft beer fans ready to welcome the long-awaited taproom to the Chicago beer scene.
Surly Brewing Releases New Hop Shifter Gluten-Reduced IPA
February 23, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Crack open two Surly Brewing Hop Shifter IPAs and they might taste different from one another. No, nothing is wrong with either can, the taste difference is by design.
Stem Ciders Celebrates One Year in Chicago, Looks Ahead to 2018
February 19, 2018 | Mike Zoller
At the 2017 Cider Summit in Chicago, Denver’s Stem Ciders was officially introduced into the Chicago market. One year later, they’ve carved out a nice foothold in the growing cider offerings throughout the city and have been able to stand out in a very crowded space.
Event Preview | Scratch Brewing Company’s Fifth Anniversary Party
February 13, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Over the past five years Scratch Brewing Company has done some remarkable things with not only beer, but food and botanicals as well. On March 3 and 4 the brewery will celebrate their fifth anniversary with a big celebration that will include a lot of Scratch beer, of course, but also food and local art as well.
Wooden Bear Brewing | Barrel-Aged Midnight Mauler
February 13, 2018 | Mike Zoller
One night shortly after my mother-in-law moved to the small town of Greenfield, Indiana, I found myself itching to explore the area. I wasn’t expecting a whole lot in the way of craft beer, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Cigar City Set to Begin Chicago Distribution
January 31, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Chicago beer drinkers, whose only hope of grabbing a Cigar City Jai Alai IPA involved a flight to Florida, can now save themselves a trip when the brewery begins Chicago distribution February 19.
Inside the Tank | Open Outcry Brewing
January 23, 2018 | Mike Zoller
One day on Twitter I asked our followers which brewery we should visit for the next Inside the Tank. Almost immediately my notifications went off with people telling me to visit Open Outcry Brewing. I’ll admit I had never even heard of the brewery, but the support they got on Twitter got me curious.
Ultimate 6er | Government Shutdown
January 20, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Now that the government has shutdown for the first time since October 2013, we’ll have to wait and see if this one lasts longer than 17 days. Until then, there’s really not a lot we can do but crack open some beer. Here are six beers you can drink during the latest government shutdown.
Off Color Brewing | Coffee Dino S’mores with Dark Matter Coffee
January 14, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Over the past three to four months Chicago has seen a plethora of great coffee stouts released from local breweries. Off Color Brewing’s Coffee Dino S’mores made with Dark Matter coffee continues the boom we’ve seen of java-forward beer.
Crystal Lake Brewing | 2016 & 2017 Boathouse Reserve
January 3, 2018 | Mike Zoller
As the days get shorter and the temperatures continue to drop, I continue to look to barrel-aged beers to make the winters bearable. When 2016 and 2017 Boathouse Reserve from Crystal Lake Brewing Company showed up on my front door I was excited to open them up.
Why I’m Done Cellaring Beer—An Update
January 2, 2018 | Mike Zoller
About a year ago I wrote how in 2017 I was going to stop cellaring beers and enjoy them fresh. The article got way more exposure than I would have ever thought and it brought out some pretty strong emotions in people—both for and against cellaring.
Our Favorite Chicago Beers From 2017
December 26, 2017 | Mike Zoller
2017 will undoubtedly go down as the year of the tap room for Chicago craft beer. Big names that have become synonymous with beer in the city finally opened their doors to the public. Off Color Brewing, Metropolitan Brewing, Maplewood and Half Acre’s new production facility are just to name a handful of places you can now go drink where you couldn’t before. Read More
Inside the Tank | Alarmist Brewing
December 18, 2017 | Mike Zoller 1
Whenever I thought of Alarmist Brewing, its Entrenched IPA can stuck out. It’s probably the brewery’s most highly available beer and is distributed in the city. Located in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago – an area I typically don’t visit often, I had never been to the brewery before.
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Founders Brewing Announces 2018 Beer Release Calendar
December 8, 2017 | Mike Zoller
You can add Founders Brewing to the list of breweries that have put out their 2018 beer release calendar. And Founders is looking to build on a massive 2017 with another big year of releases and additions to their lineup.
Chicago Quick Sips | December 4
December 4, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Quick Sips is our way of highlighting beer events, tap takeovers and other notable beer news around the city of Chicago. If you’d like to submit something to be included in the next Quick Sips, please email us at [email protected].
Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Passion Fruit Guppy
November 30, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Once known for bombers of big IPAs and the Abduction series, Pipeworks Brewing Co. has changed quite a bit over the past few years. The variety of beers coming out of the brewery in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood have increased not just in volume, but styles. Its session IPAs have become quite popular and Passion Fruit Guppy is the latest to be available in cans.
Destihl Releases Dosvidanya at Their New Production Facility
November 20, 2017 | Mike Zoller
As the month of November continues, the barrel-aged stout releases continue as well. On Saturday, Destihl hosted Dosvidanya Day at their new production facility and celebrated their 10th anniversary as well.
Fischman Liquors Reopens in New Location Today
November 17, 2017 | Mike Zoller
When Fischman Liquors announced they would be closing in July 2016, it didn’t take them long to announce a new location. In fact just 24 hours before the old location would close forever, they had already announced a new location would open sometime in 2017.
Begyle Brewing to Release their Barrel-Aged Beers Starting Friday
November 16, 2017 | Mike Zoller
In Chicago, in November, it’s almost impossible to not run into a great barrel-aged beer. Begyle Brewing will release two of its own starting on Friday (Nov 17) and both are worthy of standing in line to get. Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas will be released on Nov 17th, with Batch 500 being released the following Friday.
Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series Gets Major Overhaul
November 14, 2017 | Mike Zoller
If you’re in Chicago in November you’ll find a never-ending lineup of great barrel-aged beers being released seemingly every week. In addition to constant releases, you also have FoBAB in the beginning part of the month. This year, one release to not overlook is Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series which gets released Nov 17.
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