In this show, we are welcoming back to the pub our pinch-hitter co-host, Chuck Fort, who is head brewer for Church Street Brewing in Itasca, IL. Illinois has opened up for restricted capacity so we take advantage of this and get Chuck into the pub to help taste and chat with an old friend of the pubcast.

Back in October 2019 we first talked with Kevin Abbott, VP of Operations for Boca Raton’s Belgium-styles brewery Barrel of Monks. Now he’s back and we get a BoM update, and find out about four brews that he sent us in a Covid-care-package. It’s a chance to catch up and talk about what is on tap there and what the future holds for them. Also we hear about sister brewery, Odd Breed Ales, and their fantastic oak-aged beers, one of which we taste, and it turns out to be a gem! Packaging, yeast science, and how brett can naturally change the flavors of a beer are other topics of the conversation.

If you head to Florida, then these are two breweries that are high on the ‘must-visit’ list. Thanks to Kevin for sending us the beers…we loved them and crave for more!

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Our final episode in this series takes us 10 miles west of Boise to Nampa ID, and a brewery that has helped revitalize the downtown area, and restored one of the oldest buildings to be a great community meeting place. 2C Family Brewing holds a special place in the heart of our roving correspondent, Mark Naski, as they have collaborated with our own Church Street Brewing to produce Idaho versions of Karma Kolsch and Heavenly Helles. Dan Shamy is the brewer who Mark has teamed up with, and together with founder Alvin Mullins, we chat to them about the styles they are producing on their 10-barrel decoction system. Dan and Alvin tell us about the drinking palates out there in Idaho, and how they see the direction and growth of their market.

The Brit is joined for this final edition in the Boise Zoom series by co-host Ken McMullen, and this one is actually recorded from the Ken’s brewhouse at Hopvine Brewing. Many thanks to Dan and Alvin, and all the brewers for their time and brews, and thanks again to Mark for setting it all up! Cheers!

Here’s a link to the video on our YouTube channel –  

Play the audio podcast on our player below…or your favorite smartphone podcast app…we have a direct link to iTunes for iPhone users, and Google Play for Android users:

Ram Brewery has been around for many years, and has come and gone in the Chicago-land area. Yet in Boise ID they are thriving with 2 locations, and award-winning brewers. Jake Talbot is head brewer at the east side site, and brews a Kolsch that has claimed a couple of those awards. We got sent a crowler of this classic style, zoomed in with Mark Naski and Jake, and sampled as we chatted. The Brit wanted to save some for his co-host Ken, but alas it was just TOO good to save and got finished over the course of the podcast. Jake puts his faith in Weyermann for his malts, and the authenticity and quality of the brew is front and center. Tune in and find out more about Kolsch, as we enjoy a great chat … Ram on, dude!

Here’s a link to the video on our YouTube channel –

Play the audio podcast on our player below…or your favorite smartphone podcast app…we have a direct link to iTunes for iPhone users, and Google Play for Android users: