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.Moody Tongue Tasting Room Taking Shape
July 27, 2016 | Mike Zoller
After months of speculation, Moody Tongue Brewing Company has announced that their tasting room is getting ready to open its doors to the public. While no official date has been announced yet, the brewery issued a press release today with more details on the new space and what beer fans can expect.
Revolution Brewing | Citra Hero
July 20, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For a while Revolution Brewing’s Hero Series was only available in bombers or on draft. Luckily for craft beer lovers everywhere 2016 is the first time that the series has made its way into 12-ounce cans. For the summer there is no better beer to crush on a hot day than Citra Hero.
Goose Island Offers More Refunds for Off Flavors in BCBS & Prop
July 15, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Off flavor issues that led Goose Island to offer refunds for Coffee and Barleywine Bourbon County Brand Stout have now now been discovered in 2015 Original BCBS and Proprietor’s as well.
Goodwood Brewing Company expands to Chicagoland area
July 6, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Louisville-based Goodwood Brewing Company will begin distribution in the Chicagoland area as early as next week. It’s the first time the brewery’s beer will be available in the area.
Schlafly to Release 12-Pack Focused Around Individual Hops
June 28, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Schlafly Beer is getting ready to release a new variety pack that features relatively new hops in a SMaSH (single malt & single hop) format to showcase the unique characteristics of the hops. The Hop Trial SMaSH Pack will be available everywhere Schlafly Beer is available starting July 4th.
Goose Island releases latest Fulton & Wood Series beer: Bee Squad
June 27, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Brewed with honey and the proceeds going to help beekeeping education and training, Goose Island released Bee Squad last Wednesday night at a sold out event at The J. Parker Rooftop.
Goose Island Collaborates with Local Chicago Band
June 21, 2016 | Mike Zoller
For the fourth year, Goose Island has teamed up with a band performing at the Pitchfork Music Festival to create a unique beer that represents the bands taste in beers. This year the brewery collaborated with Chicago’s own Twin Peaks to create Natural Villain, a garage/pilsner-style lager.
Right Brain Brewery | Concrete Dinosaur
June 16, 2016 | Mike Zoller
ABV 7.2%
Often when I have friends who travel outside of Chicago they’ll text me when they wander into a local brewery and ask if I want them to pick me up any beer. Every time the answer is ‘yes’ and that allows me to try beers from all over the country without having to leave the Second City.
Event Recap | Chicago Craft Beer Week’s Beer Under Glass
May 26, 2016 | Mike Zoller
If it’s the clothes that make the man, then it can also be said that it’s the weather that makes the beer festival. For the first time in at least a few years, Beer Under Glass (BUG), the event that opens up Chicago Craft Beer Week, had perfect weather.
Product Review: The Fizzics
May 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Every beer drinker looks for that fresh draft beer taste when they drink their favorite brew. If you go to a brewery that problem is solved pretty easily. But what about at home? How can you get that draft taste from your bottle, can, bomber or even growler? The Fizzics home draft system is one of the newest products on the market that looks to solve this problem.
Fizzics Brings Draft Beer to the Home
May 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller 1
When friends get together at a bar and begin drinking beer there’s no telling where the conversation might go. From rehashing old stories, to a lively debate, to pondering even the toughest of life’s questions — anything goes when you’re drinking with friends.
Chicago Gears Up For 7th Annual Craft Beer Week
May 12, 2016 | Mike Zoller
For eleven glorious days, the city of Chicago is one giant playground for craft beer drinkers. The seventh annual Chicago Craft Beer Week takes place from May 19th-29th and will feature about 400 different events in 100 different venues.
Brewery Showcase | Hop Lot Brewing Co. (Suttons Bay, MI)
May 10, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Featured photo by Garrin Ball, courtesy of themittenadventure.com
When Steve and Drew Lutke bought a Groupon for a beer brewing kit they never imagined it would lead to them opening a brewery. After years of talking about the idea, gathering investments, planning the space and actually building a brewhouse, Hop Lot Brewing Co. is celebrating their one year anniversary this month.
Event Recap | 2016 Chicago Beer Classic
May 9, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Those in attendance at Saturday’s 2016 Chicago Beer Classic should have a greater appreciation for Chicago Bears’ kicker Robbie Gould. The swirling winds created some unique challenges for the festival held at Soldier Field. The breweries struggling to keep their signs from falling down and SWAG from blowing all over the field, could only imagine what it’s like to kick a 50-yard field goal in those same conditions.
Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Sunburst Peacock
May 5, 2016 | Mike Zoller
One of my favorite series of beers right now is Pipeworks Brewing’s Fish Series of Imperial IPAs. The brewery rolls these beers out continuously over the year, while throwing a new fish into the pond every so often. Typically these beers feature Citra hops, honey, a tropical ingredient or two, and of course, a high ABV. The newest fish to swim (puns will stop) amongst the others is Sunburst Peacock. Like the others, Sunburst Peacock highlights Citra hops and honey — the adjunct ingredient in this particular release is guava purée.
Inside the Tank | Spiteful Brewing’s Jason Klein
May 4, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Spiteful Brewing, started by Brad Shaffer & Jason Klein, has put out a lot of different beers since they began brewing back in 2012. The beers are well-known in Chicago for their unique labels and creative names. When we walked into their brewing space for the first time I was shocked at how small of an area they work with. In fact their current space is only 1,600 sq. feet, but luckily will be moving into a new space with nearly 7,500 sq. ft – a tremendous upgrade.
2016 Chicago Beer Classic’s Pour List
May 3, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Chicago’s largest beer festival always brings out a great variety of breweries and their beers. Once called the American Beer Classic, the Chicago Beer Classic, put on by Red Frog Events, features nearly 100 breweries. While many are from the Chicagoland area, breweries in attendance will range from both the West and East coasts and everything inbetween. Read More
Inside the Tank | Forbidden Root’s BJ Pichman
April 21, 2016 | Mike Zoller
With so many breweries operating in Chicago, the ability to stand out is critical. Forbidden Root has been brewing beer for a couple of years now, and in February of this year they opened up a beautiful new tap room in West Town. The brewery uses botanics in its beers such as ginger, cherry stems, black walnuts and licorice to create unique flavor profiles.
Chicago’s Largest Beer Festival Returns As Chicago Beer Classic
April 11, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Once billed as the American Beer Classic, Chicago’s largest beer festival returns in May, but with a brand new name. Now re-branded as the Chicago Beer Classic, the Red Frog Events run festival returns to Soldier Field on May 7.
Schlafly Beer | Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
April 4, 2016 | Mike Zoller
St. Louis is quietly becoming a hub for some of the country’s best craft beer. Currently Schlafly Beer is available in 13 states and Washington DC. They feature a great variety of year-round beers, seasonals and special release brews. The process of aging beers in bourbon barrels is no longer a novelty, but a norm in the craft beer industry now. Schlafly has two beers in their wood aged series and one of them is their Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.
recent comments