Midwest
The Return of Great Lakes Blackout Stout
September 9, 2022 | David Nilsen
On the evening of August 14, 2003, an electrical blackout caused by a simple software bug plunged over 50 million people in the eastern United States and Ontario into darkness. While some places had power back within a couple hours, many were left without electricity for two days. Much of the media attention focused on covering the disaster in New York City, but other regional cities were similarly affected, including Cleveland in the northeast corner of Ohio. Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company immortalized the event by releasing a dark-as-night Imperial Stout they called Blackout Stout later that year. After a three year hiatus, Blackout Stout is now back for 2022.
Little Fish Dayton Station Opens Its Doors
September 5, 2022 | David Nilsen
It’s been nearly two years since Little Fish Brewing of Athens, Ohio, announced they would open a new taproom in Dayton, but the wait is finally over for beer fans in the Gem City. Little Fish Dayton Station in the Webster Station neighborhood just east of downtown is now open, and will host a Grand Opening party on Saturday, September 17.
Bean to Barstool Podcast | Branch & Bone Against a Violet Sky
September 2, 2022 | David Nilsen
In this episode of the Bean to Barstool podcast, host David Nilsen talk with Hans Westerink of Violet Sky Chocolate in South Bend, Indiana, who creates fantastic single origin and inclusion chocolate bars and frequently collaborates with craft brewers. We also talk with Brett Smith of Branch & Bone Artisan Ales in Dayton, Ohio, who produces a wide variety of excellent and unique beers, including many using cacao from Violet Sky. Both discuss their own inspirations and the unlikely scenario that brought them together.
Alma Mader Brewing | Rainchaser Barrel-Aged Barleywine
September 1, 2022 | Givon Blakney
In just three short years, Alma Mader Brewing has gone from making a splash in the Kansas City Craft Beer scene, to generating gigantic waves in the national Beer scene. Each week high quality Lagers, IPAs and Stouts flow through their tap lines. Now with the release of Rainchaser, Alma Mader Brewing can add Barrel-Aged Barleywine to their list of exceptional styles. Read More
3 Floyds Brewing | Crushing Mass BA Coffee Stout
August 29, 2022 | Jeff Knese
Not every brewery has the bravado to put out a beer with the sheer coffee firepower contained in a bottle of Crushing Mass. 3 Floyds Brewing in Munster, IN is certainly not like every brewery. Crushing Mass is the latest example of 3 Floyds Brewing living up to their moniker of “It’s Not Normal” while still putting out a dazzling Barrel-Aged Coffee Stout.
Brewery Showcase | Ope! Brewing Co.
August 10, 2022 | Emma Wargolet
As someone with the Instagram bio of “ope,” a visit to Ope! Brewing Co. in West Allis, Wisconsin, was a must. For those unaware of the Midwestern statement, the word “Ope” is used as an exclamation to express surprise, dismay or really anything at all (according to one of the breweries’ stickers). Continuing with the theme of Ope! and general midwestern (specifically, Wisconsin) vibes, the three founders, Adam Anders, Kyle Ciske and John Onopa, were able to scatter nods to their home state throughout the brewery, which opened Memorial Day weekend of 2022.
Bean to Barstool Podcast | Rabid Brewing Crown of Horns Chocolate Cream Ale
August 3, 2022 | David Nilsen
On July 23, the weird and wonderful humans at Rabid Brewing in Homewood, Illinois, welcomed the fae folk of the surrounding wild country to Feast of the Goat Queen, a day of celebration for all things magical, natural, and mystical. The Feast also featured the release of Crown of Horns, a chocolate cream ale Bean to Barstool brewed in collaboration with Rabid Brewing.
Center Ice Brewery | Flamingo Sour
July 29, 2022 | Brian Margiotta
What do you get when a St. Louis brewery with a passion for hockey teams up with the hockey-themed apparel brand Victor Hockey USA? You get a downright amazing beer that puts the taste of summer in a can!
Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Super Rainbow Sure Bet
July 28, 2022 | Jeff Knese
Super Rainbow Sure Bet from Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago isn’t subtle with its can design or willingness to use lots of ingredients. The beer itself, however, will surprise you. It’s a delicate but nuanced tropical Imperial IPA that is more like being kissed by a unicorn than kicked by one.
Book Review & Interview | Indianapolis Beer Stories by Amy Beers
July 26, 2022 | David Nilsen
Indianapolis, Indiana, is often overlooked among the great beer cities of the Midwest, but a brand new book by an Indianapolis author with an auspicious last name aims to change that. Amy Beers is a Certified Cicerone® and leads walking beer tours around Indianapolis with her company Drinking With Beers. She’s the author of the new book Indianapolis Beer Stories: History to Modern Craft in Circle City Brewing, a guide to the Indy beer scene both past and present. The book takes us behind the scenes of the personalities and breweries that have shaped this underrated beer city.
Rabid Brewing & Bean to Barstool | Crown of Horns
July 22, 2022 | Mathew Powers
Homewood, Illinois’ Rabid Brewing has combined quality beer production with a love of mythology since 2017, and a celebration of that time will arrive Saturday, July 22 with its Feast of the Goat Queen festival. Among the beers that will be released is a chocolate beer as part of a collaborative effort between Rabid and Bean to Barstool, run by the award-winning writer and podcaster, David Nilsen. The beer, a Chocolate Vanilla Cream Ale named Crown of Horns, uses ethically-sourced cacao from Ethereal Confections. Meanwhile, the festival, a “Fest for Fae Folk,” is perfect for those that to like to dawn some horns, honor their Roman gods, pet some goats, listen to live music, check out some artists, and otherwise have some fun.
Bean to Barstool Podcast | Indianapolis Beer with Amy Beers
July 22, 2022 | David Nilsen
In this episode of Bean to Barstool, David Nilsen talks with Amy Beers, the author of the new book Indianapolis Beer Stories: History to Modern Craft in Circle City Brewing. Amy is a Certified Cicerone® and she leads walking beer tours around Indy through her company Drinking with Beers. In this conversation we discuss her book, the invisible history of Indianapolis beer prior to Prohibition, and the vibrant modern beer scene in central Indiana.
Bean to Barstool Podcast | Trust Your Dopeness: Hannah Ferguson of D.O.P.E. Cider House & Winery
July 14, 2022 | David Nilsen
In this episode of Bean to Barstool, David Nilsen talks with Hannah Ferguson, a brewer of beer, a maker of cider and wine and the founder of D.O.P.E. Cider House & Winery, which will open soon in Youngstown, Ohio. Hannah Ferguson was the first Black female professional brewer in the state of Ohio and only the second Black female cidery owner in the entire country. Her enthusiasm and positivity have helped her push through the challenges involved in following her dreams. I know you’ll find her story inspiring and encouraging.
Ultimate 6er | WBC Winners from Wisconsin
July 13, 2022 | Whitney Froelich
Cheese, brats, football, beer… with a claim-to-fame list like this, it’s no wonder that breweries in Wisconsin took home six medals at the 2022 World Beer Cup. The WBC coincides with the Craft Brewers Conference, which took place in Minneapolis May 3-5.
Pathlight Brewing | Kha Point Rice Lager
July 8, 2022 | Givon Blakney
The past two decades have seen lagers in American culture take a backseat to IPAs, stouts and sours. For some brewers, it is a pristine accomplishment to make a clean, crisp lager with no flaws. For others, they specialize in seeking out the newest hop, or see themselves as the Gordon Ramsey of pastry stouts and sours, crafting concoctions that explode with flavors of your favorite food and desserts. Then there are brewers like Tanner Vaughn of Pathlight Brewing that embody the ideals of both styles of brewing. Kha Point Rice Lager is his newest food-inspired beer.
Urban Brew Labs | Currantly Unavailable (Gose)
June 28, 2022 | Jeff Knese
Some beers are easy to categorize. Then there are beers like Currantly Unavailable. Currantly Unavailable from Urban Brew Labs is not a beer that fits neatly into any one box and that’s a great thing. This black currant and lime Gose has a unique taste that is worth experiencing.
Barrel + Beam | Precocious Barrel-Aged Sour
June 23, 2022 | Eeva Sharp
Barrel + Beam is a brewery located just outside of Marquette in the rustic landscape of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Co-founders Nick VanCourt and Marina Dupler carved out a niche for farmhouse ales and ciders. Barrel + Beam Precocious Barrel-Aged Sour with Apricot showcases the place and the taste of their northern home. Read More
The PorchCast Ep 93 | CBC Edition: More Brewing + Forager Brewing
June 13, 2022 | Tristan Chan
In a very special CBC edition of The PorchCast we broadcasted live from First Draft Taproom & Kitchen in Minneapolis, MN. During these episodes we had the opportunity to chat with four incredible breweries while sampling beers at the PorchDrinking takeover events. In the first of our CBC edition episodes, we sat down with Aaron Keefner, Director of Business Operations, and David Ziebel, Head Brewer for More Brewing in Illinois, to talk about their meteoric rise.
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Main & Mill Brewing Co. | NLCS Pilsner
May 20, 2022 | Givon Blakney
In recent years, many breweries have caught cease and desist letters from corporations like fly balls in center field. Cartoon characters Bart Simpson, Cap N Crunch, as well as the restaurant In-N-Out have somehow made it onto trendy IPA cans across America. Instead of taking the easy road and stealing intellectual property, Main & Mill Brewing Co. has decided to combine their love of art, baseball, and beer with charity. A can with a cause. They will be donating 20% of every can sold of their Negro Leagues Celebration Series American Style Pilsner to the featured players’ families, and the Negro League Baseball Museum. Read More
Cinder Block Brewery | Cinderveza Mexican Style Lager
May 19, 2022 | Katie Camlin
Few things are more satisfying than a well-crafted lager on a warm day. Crisp, clean and cold… it’s better than water. Add a lime, and it’s borderline euphoria.
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