The Brit and Yankee Craft Beer Podcast

It is our early Father's Day edition in which we feature a beer that will be released on that day. We return to Big Thorn Farm and Brewery to once again experience the fantastic ambience, and enjoy tasting their magnificent brews. The Brit called on co-hosts Ken McMullen and Chuck Fort to join him outdoors on the Pub deck, and select a couple of bottles that were brought back from this unique brewery. Located in Georgetown, IL., they use natural ingredients and grass-roots brewing methods to produce extraordinary brews with many different flavors. It's about 3 hours to head down there, but once you see the Tree Bar, you will know the trip was worth it...plus they now have fantastic food offerings, so make a day of it! BTW...the bourbon-stout that is being released on June 20, is like no other you have tasted...delicate and balanced and leaves you wanting more. Cheers!

We begin a new series of podcasts where we try to delve a little deeper into the business of craft beer. We want to go Behind the Pint. To kick us off, we're asking if Craft Beer is really just beer, or if it's a marketing ploy that has exploded into an industry. We have three local Chicago industry experts, 2 brewers and one craft beer guru, on hand to pass opinions and talk about the topic in general. First up is my co-host for this episode. brewmaster at Hopvine Brewing in Aurora IL, Ken McMullen. Supporting the brewing side is owner/brewer Chris Valleau from Forest Park's Exit Strategy Brewing. And finally, beer consultant, educator and writer, and international beer judge, Marty Nachel who helps provide the bridge between the brewers and the consumer. Phil Clark asks the questions, and of course we all have something good to drink while we chat...Cheers!

We're back with and audio podcast this week, and recording down in the Brit and Yankee Pub studio. The Brit's co-host is Ken McMullen from Hopvine Brewing, and together they welcome Chuck Grote of Wood Fired Pizza fame. Chuck is probably one of the most well-known food truck vendors in Chicagoland's western suburbs, but not many people know that he also has recipes for brewing excellent beers, and has a fascinating back-story. We're peeling back the onion, and finding out a little more about the man with the distinctive look and great pizzas. Cheers!

We have a series of 5 interviews for this pubcast, and as usual there is an accompanying video on our YouTube Channel. It's a Zoom trip to Idaho to sample some brews that our chum, Mark Naski sent us. He arranged for us to talk to all the brewers, and we had a great time chatting over Zoom. First up is Bryan Garcia-Brown from Edge Brewing, and we have a Baltic Porter to try! Cheers!

We jump in the car and head south to Route 66 in Wilmington, IL., where located on an island between the Kankakee River and the Mill Race channel is Old School Brewing. Paul 'Pauly' Bidne is the head brewer there, and we chat with him about his brewery which can literally be described as an 'old school' tap room/brewery producing great beers and full of friendly people and lively chat! Pauly is one of the characters we love in the craft beer industry and we encourage you to take that trip down Rt 66 to visit OSB and try his beers, especially the California Common! Cheers!