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.Event Recap | Chicago Beer Festival
April 1, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Whether it was drinking with Sue the T-Rex or exploring the artifacts from ancient Egypt, The Field Museum was a once in a lifetime venue for the Chicago Beer … Read More
Inside the Tank: Half Acre Beer Company’s Matt Young
March 21, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Half Acre Beer Company is a mainstay for any Chicago craft beer enthusiast. A consistent array of year-round, seasonal and special-release beers make one of the oldest craft breweries in … Read More
Chicago Beer Festival Moves to The Field Museum
March 18, 2016 | Mike Zoller
For the first time in the event’s history, the Chicago Beer Festival will not be taking place in the Great Hall at Union Station. The festival, which will take place on March 26th will be held at Chicago’s iconic Field Museum.
$10,000 raised for family of well-known beer industry volunteer
March 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Rich Reynolds never earned a dime in the craft beer industry, but when he tragically and suddenly passed away, Chicago’s craft beer community came together to help his family.
Event Recap | Goose Island Stout Fest
March 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller
As the weather in Chicago turns towards Spring, Goose Island Clybourn’s Stout Fest is looked at as the unofficial end to stout season. Craft beer lovers descended upon the Clybourn brew pub for Stout Fest on March 13th and were treated to a seemingly never-ending array of stouts from some very well-known breweries.
Ultimate 6er | Social Media Networks
March 9, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Are there two things bigger right now than social media and craft beer? Just about everyone is on social media in some way or another and the craft beer industry is seeing a new brewery open up seemingly every week. For this week’s Ultimate 6er I paired six of the most popular social media networks with a beer that I think it best represents.
World of Beer Launches Summer Internship Program
March 1, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Three lucky beer lovers will have the opportunity to spend a summer traveling around the country, seeking the best craft beer and food, all courtesy of World of Beer. The craft beer bar is debuting its new program “Drink It Interns,” where interns will use their social media and writing skills to share the beer stories and knowledge that they gather during their travels.
2016 Goose Island Stout Fest Pour List
February 29, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Tickets for Goose Island Clybourn’s Stout Fest went on sale on February 15th at noon, and if you blinked you most likely missed out on tickets for the event. The event sold out in under three minutes on their website.
2016 Dark Lord Day Ticket Information Released
February 27, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Details for 3 Floyds’ 2016 Dark Lord Day have now been released on the event’s official website. There are some big changes to the event as it’s now going to be modeled similarly to Cigar City’s Hunahpu’s Day.
Inside the Tank | Pipeworks’ Gerrit Lewis
February 25, 2016 | Mike Zoller 2
If you’ve walked into any beer store in Chicago, and now Colorado or New York, you’ve probably seen a Pipeworks beer. Known for their unique artwork and clever names, their beers have become well-known in the city and are sought after by craft beer fans in other states. From big IPAs to a barrel-aged program that is gaining notoriety quickly, Pipeworks Brewing Company is one of the best-known breweries in Chicago. They just moved into a massive new facility recently, so I went out there to talk with Co-Founder and Brewer Gerrit Lewis.
Event Preview | Naperville Winter Ale Fest
February 24, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Typically the Naperville Winter Ale Fest is about drinking craft beer from around the country and braving the winter elements. With a forecasted high temperature of 52 degrees this Saturday, at least the craft beer will be constant in the third year of this festival.
Beef & Barley Beer Dinner Featuring Revolution Brewing
February 15, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Tickets for Beef & Barley’s next Dinner and Drinks series dinner featuring Revolution Brewing are now on sale. The Beef & Barley Beer Dinner Featuring Revolution Brewing, which will take place on Feb. 23rd, is the fourth beer dinner the Ashland and Wellington restaurant has hosted.
Off Color Brewing | Hell Broth
February 11, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Off Color Brewing, known for their unique beer styles and wild ales, is set to release a new beer brewed in collaboration with Amager Bryghus in Denmark called Hell Broth.
Event Preview | BeerShop Pairs Chocolate and Beer for Valentine’s Day
February 8, 2016 | Mike Zoller
While chocolate is easily the most associated food and drink item with Valentine’s Day, the BeerShop has found a way to bring craft beer into the celebration.
Inside the Tank | Off Color Brewing’s John Laffler
February 1, 2016 | Mike Zoller
You’ve probably seen Off Color Brewing beer in your local beer store. The bottles stand out with their unique artwork featuring a little grain mouse. Off Color doesn’t brew your typical beer. They don’t have an IPA, instead opting to brew Sahtis, smoked beers and anything else outside the norm that head brewer and co-founder John Laffler can dream up. I sat down with John for the latest installment of Inside the Tank to get into the head of the man behind Off Color Brewing in Chicago.
Beer Trends | Tavour Ships Craft Beer to Your Door
January 21, 2016 | Mike Zoller 2
Sethu Kalavakur and Philip Vaughn were sitting around drinking craft beer trying to figure out a business they could start. Little did they know, the beer they were drinking would be the inspiration behind Tavour.com.
Cigar City Brewing | White Oak Jai Alai
January 18, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Most in the craft beer world are familiar with Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai IPA. However, there is a White Oak-Aged version that might not be as well known. Unlike Jai Alai that is available year-round, White Oak Jai Alai periodically comes out throughout during the year.
Inside the Tank | DryHop Brewers’ Brant Dubovick
January 11, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Inside the Tank is a new series where we interview head brewers/brewmasters and discuss everything from their background in beer to topical issues in the craft beer community. … Read More
*UPDATE* Goose Island Issuing Refunds for Two 2015 BCBS Variants
January 9, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Click for the latest update
After weeks of speculation on craft beer message boards and across social media, Goose Island released a letter from Brewmaster Jared Jankoski explaining that the flavors that have developed in 2015 BCBS coffee and barleywine are not consistent with Goose Island expectations. Refunds are being issued for customers that say their beer tastes off-profile.
Editor’s Picks | My Favorite Chicago Beers from 2015
December 30, 2015 | Mike Zoller
As 2015 comes to an end I wanted to look back at all the great beers I drank that came out of Chicago this year. The Windy City has become a booming craft beer city up there with Denver and Portland. With so many craft breweries popping up, there is no shortage of fantastic beer to try here.
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