This week we are back in the Brit and Yankee pub, and we have part 1 of a bumper show, which recorded so long we decided to break it up into 2 shows…that and it’s the holidays and the pub staff are swamped with revelers and holiday parties!
Joining The Brit for these two shows is a distinguished panel comprising 2 brewers and 2 consumers. From Church Street Brewing we welcome FOBAB medal winning brewers TJ Bachorz and Chuck Fort, plus Ken McMullen from Hopvine. Then we have ex-tavern owner, John Karwoski, and last but certainly not least is friend of the show and supplier of tonight’s brews, Deb Piscola.
Our theme for this edition is brews from some of the perhaps lessor-known Illinois breweries that can be found in the Bloomington and Champaign areas of the state, but we also slip in one from southern Illinois just as we had it in the pub fridge!
We are tasting brews from Georgetown, Savoy, Champaign, Bloomington, and finally Murphysboro and the samples run the gamut of styles. Listen in and here the panel’s thoughts on them, plus we get some technical information on the brewing side from TJ and Chuck. We try to figure out how one brewery uses wood in their fermentation process, the different ways to add coffee to beers, and why Sorachi Ace hops make a good food pairing beer.
Next week we will round out the trip with the other great Illinois beers, plus some Christmas cheer!
Brews Reviewed:
- Triptych Brewing, Savoy IL, Citra as Helles, DDH Lager, 4.9% ABV
- Big Thorn Farm & Brewery, Georgetown IL, Wood Thyme Tart, Gruit, 5.0% ABV
- Mad Coffee Porter, Porter, 8.0% ABV
- Blind Pig Brewery, Champaign IL, Blue Pils, Pilsener, 5.0% ABV
- Hattori Hanzo, APA, 5.25% ABV
Play the show from the Podbean player, or our player below…
