beer in front by Dave Zalatoris

This week on the Beer In Front podcast, Dave celebrates both Illinois Craft Beer Week and American Craft Beer Week with a packed episode full of beer news, local brewery updates, playoff beer gimmicks, a killer lager from Goldfinger Brewing Company, and finally… a long-awaited review of the legendary Zima. Plus, a quick detour into punk rock with thoughts on the new album from Social Distortion.

If you didn't catch the livestream last week, here is the audio part of the Midwest Beer Show. I along with Rod J talked about how beer has changed since 2020. We spoke to people from The Brewers Association, Hop Butcher, and WildEdge Brewing Collective! 

🍺 Episode Summary

🎉 300 Episodes In

🍺 Episode Overview Episode 299 is a quick solo run with Dave—no guests this week, but plenty of beer news, industry insight, and a deep dive into one of the most interesting trends in craft beer right now: non-alcoholic versions of flagship beers. From brewery closures to new collaborations and a standout NA release from Revolution Brewing, this episode covers the current state of the beer world,  plus a few “put it in the cart” recommendations.

🎙️ Beer In Front Podcast – Episode Show Notes

Week of April 6, 2026 A packed episode this week with a heavy focus on what really matters: the beer in front of you. 🍺 Expect a streamlined format loaded with reviews, plus some news, events, and a few things you might want to… put in the cart. 🍻

🍺 Beer In Front – Episode 296 Guest: Ska Brewing co-founder Dave Thibodeau

Yeah… we’re talking about malt. This week I’m joined by Ron Silberstein from Admiral Maltings, and if you think malt is just the thing that shows up on an invoice… this one might change your mind. We get into:

🎙️ Beer In Front – Episode 294 Craft Beer Concierge + Chicago Merger News

🍺 New Episode – Beer in Front 🎙️ Quick solo show this week (yes, I sound a little congested 😅), but we’ve got a LOT to cover. 🚨 Chicagoland Closures We’re up to six brewery closures in two months.

🍺 Guest Interview: Jerry Siote – Lone Tree Brewing Company

This week we’re doing something a little different… but don’t worry, there’s still beer involved. 🎙 Guest: Morgan Smith – CEO of Kalm With Kava. Dave sits down with Morgan Smith from Kalm With Kava to talk about kava — the traditional South Pacific root drink known for its calming, social effects. Kava doesn’t give you a “buzz” like alcohol or THC. Instead, it delivers a mellow, relaxed feeling that helps take the edge off without fogging your head. What We Covered:

• What kava is and how it’s been used for 3,000+ years in places like Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Hawaii
• How kava differs from alcohol and cannabis
• Drug testing concerns (spoiler: generally safe, with a rare caveat)
• The liver safety myth and where it came from
• How kava is traditionally prepared (yes, there’s a massage involved)
• Modern options: instant kava, gummies, tinctures
• Kava bars popping up across the U.S.
• The cultural significance of kava in Polynesian communities
• Building a brand responsibly within a deeply rooted tradition

Dave also shares his own experience trying kava:

• Instant mix = earthy but manageable
• Noticeable calming effect
• Slept like a champion

If you’re cutting back on alcohol or just looking for something different, this is worth checking out. 👉 Learn more: KalmWithKava.com (with a K!)

Sometimes the beer in front of you really is the best one yet—and this week’s episode proves it. Dave heads back to Colorado to catch up with Justin Grant, co-owner of Goat Patch Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. Since opening in 2017, Goat Patch has built a reputation for balance: balanced beers, balanced business decisions, and deep roots in the community. From award-winning Scottish ales to hazy IPAs, lagers, and Italian pilsners, Goat Patch has something for just about every palate. Justin shares the origin story of Goat Patch, how the brewery got its name, and why “Home of Balanced Brews” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a philosophy. 🍺 In This Episode:

🍺 Beer In Front — Episode 289 Wet February Begins, Brewery Closures, Zima Dreams & Barrel-Aged Beers Episode 289 kicks off with Dry January officially in the rearview mirror and Wet February underway. Host Dave Zalatoris reflects on dropping 10 pounds during January, the success of his non-drinking month, and a massive surge in YouTube growth—even without beer-heavy content. But it’s not all good news. Dave talks about troubling brewery closures in the Chicago area, urges listeners to support local breweries while they can, and dives headfirst into beer and beverage news from across the country. And yes… the quest to Get Dave a Zima is officially on. 🍻 This Episode Covers:

• Dry January results, weight loss, and keeping things balanced in Wet February
• Record-breaking YouTube growth and why non-beer content helped
• Chicago brewery closures, including Alarmist and Short Fuse Brewing
• Why supporting local breweries matters more than ever
• The nostalgia, history, and comeback attempts of Zima—and why Dave needs one now
• Beer and beverage news from around the country

📰 Beer & Beverage News Highlights:

• Short Fuse Brewing (IL) closing after 10 years due to lease and cost pressures
• Great Lakes Brewing teasing an Apple Pie variant of Eliot Ness
• Bell’s Brewery announcing Citrus Hopslam (10% ABV)
• Craft Maltsters Guild hosting an advanced malt production course at Montana State
• THC beverages arriving at Chicago’s United Center
• BeatBox Beverages layoffs following Anheuser-Busch acquisition
• New Voodoo Ranger x Invincible Blood Orange IPA
• Alesmith, Societe Brewing & Modern Monk Coffee collaboration
• Great American Beer Festival moving outdoors in Denver
• Yes… a beer brewed with bear scat (and Dave has thoughts)

🍺 Beer Reviews:

• Revolution Brewing – Deth Urana (Deep Wood Series)

🍻 Beer In Front – Episode 288 Guest: Kevin Waltermire, Co-Founder of Comma

Episode 286 of Beer In Front covers a lot of ground, blending beer news, personal updates, product reviews, and a deeper look at the non-alcoholic beer category. Dave Zalatoris opens the show with a Dry January check-in, sharing progress so far—down 4.4 pounds thanks to more water, NA beers, and watching calories. While the scale is moving in the right direction, better sleep hasn’t followed yet, proving Dry January isn’t a cure-all, but it’s still paying off. The episode then dives into beer and beverage news from around the country. Highlights include Kishwaukee Brewing’s elderberry ale made with berries grown at McHenry County College, Goat Patch Brewing reopening the former Pikes Peak Brewing location, and several Denver-area events, including a Belgian beer documentary screening at Bruz Beers. Dave also shares excitement over Great Lakes Brewing expanding their Irish beer lineup, Troegs bringing back Nugget Nectar, Lakefront Brewery’s “My Turn” blueberry peach lager, and Firestone Walker celebrating 30 years with anniversary releases and a refreshed mix pack. A major segment of the episode focuses on the rise of non-alcoholic beer, with a history and perspective on Athletic Brewing Company. Founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and brewer John Walker, Athletic helped redefine the NA category by limiting alcohol creation during brewing instead of stripping it out later. Dave explains how Athletic became the dominant NA brand, why their early success mattered, and why drinkers shouldn’t overlook other breweries now producing excellent non-alcoholic options. Later, Peggy returns to review a THC beverage from Wynk, the Black Cherry Fizz. With zero calories, zero sugar, and a balanced 5mg THC / 5mg CBD dose, it earns a strong recommendation as an approachable alcohol alternative. Dave wraps things up with a non-alcoholic beer review of Sierra Nevada’s Trail Pass Hazy IPA—big, dank aroma up front, but solid citrus and fruit flavor in the glass.

Dry January Doesn’t Mean Ditching Your Local Brewery Happy New Year! I kick off 2026 with a Dry January check-in and a reminder that taking a break from alcohol doesn’t mean abandoning your favorite breweries — especially during one of the toughest months of the year. I'll share smart, simple ways to support breweries without drinking, including buying merch and gift cards, ordering NA beers or hop waters, showing up for events, grabbing food, leaving reviews, and being the designated driver for friends. The episode also touches on the most unexpected beer news of the week: the Pop-Tarts Bowl, complete with beer and pastry pairings. Plus, I went down a tech rabbit hole after testing ChatGPT’s ability to generate a Midwest-style hazy IPA recipe — raising the question of whether AI should ever play a role in brewing. 🍻 Beer Reviews

• Sierra Nevada Trail Pass Golden (NA) – Looks the part but falls flat on flavor.
• Central Waters Rift IPA – A well-balanced, flavorful IPA with great hop character and a clean finish.

As always, I'll wrap things up by encouraging listeners to keep showing up for local breweries — pint or no pint.  Sometimes the beer in front of you is the best one yet.

In the final episode of 2025, I'll go solo to recap a packed year for Beer In Front. From major beer news and industry trends to podcast milestones, festival highlights, and standout beers, this episode ties a big holiday bow on everything that made 2025 memorable. Plus, I'll crack open a couple of seasonal favorites and reflects on how beer content—and attention spans—continue to evolve.

Today’s guest is one of the true originals of American beer education — Marty Nachel. Marty is an award-winning author, longtime beer educator, and Certified Beer Judge who has spent more than 30 years helping people understand and appreciate beer. Marty has a new book out now titled The Beer Story Project available now for any beer lover on your holiday gift list. Marty brings a wealth of knowledge and a down-to-earth passion that makes beer accessible to everyone.

In Episode 282 of Beer in Front, I'll bring you a festive, gift-focused edition of the show—perfect for the beer lover on your holiday shopping list (even if that person is you). I'll also break down the latest beer and beverage industry news, highlight friends of the show doing great work, and taste through a pair of holiday beers to round out the episode.

This week on Beer In Front, I’m shining a spotlight on a style that refuses to die quietly: the Black IPA. Once a cult favorite, then a near-extinct curiosity, the Black IPA is suddenly popping up again in breweries across the country — and I couldn’t be happier to see its comeback. In this episode, we dig into where the style came from, why it faded away, and why it deserves a spot back in your regular rotation.

In Episode 280, I'll chat with David Nilsen—award-winning author, Certified Cicerone®, educator, and one of the sharpest voices in beer media. We'll dig deep into:

In Episode 279, Dave dives into the rise, fall, and lasting legacy of Anchor Brewing, one of the true pioneers of American craft beer. From its 19th-century roots to the steam beer that helped kickstart the modern craft movement, this episode looks at how Anchor shaped the industry — and why its story still hits so hard today.

If you are of a certain age, Pete’s Wicked Ale brings back fond memories of the early days of craft beer. On this episode, I’ll dive into the meteoric rise and fall of one of the first superstar craft brands of the 80’s and 90’s. I’ll also have a FOBAB review and have a craft beer from Peru!

THC beverages are everywhere right now, but not everyone’s thrilled about it. This week on Beer In Front, I break down why the attorneys general are pushing back — and what it means for drinkers. I'll also have some great beers this week from Bruz and Sierra Nevada! 

Fresh Wet-Hopped Episode Hosted by: Dave Zalatoris

The Festival Of Wood And Barrel Aged Beer is right around the corner. FOBAB will be held this year on November 7-8 at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Each session will have over 300 beverages all aged in wood or wood barrels. I'll chat with Katie Carrier from the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild to get the details on the festival for 2025! 

No one wants to feel hungover after a night of alcohol! Last Call is a new product with natural ingredients that improves well being the following morning. I spoke to the founders of Last Call about their product. I tried it myself and noticed a difference and felt better than I should have! 

The GABF is this weekend. I'll talk to the owners of Colorado's Bootstrap Brewing about their story, charitable work, and trying to add to their medal count as one of Colorado's most decorated breweries! 

Solo show this week, I'll have the news of the week plus some great beers from Alter, Sketchbook, and Revolution! 

This week, I stopped by Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago to hear their story. They’re hosting an Oktoberfest/Halfway to Sausagefest extravaganza this Saturday, the 27th. We’ll get the details on that, as well as talk about an amazing sandwich: The Riot!

Comma is a new NA beer with THC, CBD, and Lion's Mane for when you need a little pause, but you don't want the alcohol hangover. They come in 3 delicious varieties and if you order now, you'll save!

September is Craft Malt Month. On this episode, I’ll talk to Chris Schooley over at Troubadour Maltings to find out more about Craft Malt. I also talked to Shea Guillot from Koval Distillery about how they use local Midwest farmers for their great Whiskey!  

Millpond and Little Lager collaborated on Milklörd. Aged in Malört, this Helles is fantastic! I’ll have this, plus all the news of the week and a long-lost segment returns this week!  

Firestone Walker was kind enough to send over their new Mix Pack featuring 4 great IPA's, I'll have them all this week. That, plus all the news and details on the Oak Park Microbrew Review next Saturday the 16th! 

Illinois Brewing Magazine is a quarterly publication that features the finest in craft beer in our great state. Each issue is filled with everything you need to know about Illinois Breweries. The Summer 2025 issue is available now. I’ll also have offerings from Brothership Brewing and Old Irving Brewing this week.  

Fighting a summer cold so quick show this week featuring two iconic Illinois Breweries. Revolution and Phase Three! 

Two great beers this week, the iconic 90 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head and the fabulous Gay IPA from Marz Brewing in Chicago! All that and the unedited Lee Elia rant in honor of his passing on this edition of Beer In Front! 

Solo show this week. I’ll provide all the news of the week plus have some beers from CraftHaus, Athletic, Phase Three, and Half Day Brewing.

19 is the new 22. Or, 19.2 oz is the new bomber. The large format can known as the stovepipe is growing in popularity around craft beer and it’s not just the big players like New Belgium and Goose Island utilizing the format. Local Chicago breweries like Revolution, Half Acre and Maplewood have put their beers in the single serving can. I sat down with acclaimed writer Kate Bernot and we discussed the growing popularity of the Stovepipe. All that and more on this edition of Beer In Front.

Five Corners Beverage Company is a local Chicago based company that has one of the most unique tasting beverages I’ve had. They are a husband-and-wife team making small batch products right here in the Midwest. I sampled their Salted Lemonade over at Bottles and Cans a few weeks ago and had to buy it on the spot. I’m so happy to welcome Benno Nelson the co-founder of Five Corners today.

This week, I’ll recap the Belgian Import Festival held last weekend at Bruz Beers. Joining the show this week is my good friend D.T. who hosts the fantastic Space Channel Show over on YouTube! I sat down with Co-Owner Charlie Gottenkieny and had the terrific Diablo Colorado over at Bruz as well!

Fun episode this week! I chatted with Nick and Joe over at the Hop In We're Drinking Podcast! 

Kick Fizz is a recent entry into the THC beverage market that has been taking off lately. Joining me now to talk about Kick Fizz is Julie Rhodes, the Co-Owner of Kick Fizz.   

Saturday, June 7th is the Belgian Import Festival at Bruz Beers in Denver! You can sample beers from 18 world-class breweries while enjoying some great offerings from Bruz. I chatted with Ryan Evans, the CEO of Bruz Beers about this one-of-a-kind event!  

This week, I’m continuing the beer and food pairing series with Old Irving Brewing Company and their Franconian Burger. I talked to Trevor from OIB about their great brewery and menu.  I'll have a beer from OIB as well as one from Goldfinger in the episode as well! 

Kishwaukee Brewing Company has been a vital member of the Illinois beer community since 2020. They not only have some killer award-winning beer, but their taproom is equally impressive. Joining me this week is Dan & Cara Payson to share details on their awesome brewery!

Illinois Craft Beer Week is May 9th-16th this year. I’d like to welcome back the Executive Director of The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Ray Stout to talk all about the festivities! I also had a fantastic beer from Alarmist as the Beer In Front!  

This week, I’m starting off my beer and food pairing series strong with Half Acre Beer Company and Gumbo. I talked to Lettie and Will over at Half Acre and you don’t want to miss this if you like a good meal with your beer!  

4/20 is right around the corner. I sat down with Karl Rutherford from Twisted Hippo to talk about their line of THC beverages Shine On! Each can has 10 milligrams of Delta 9 THC and CBD to get you where you want to go. 

This week, I will discuss my upcoming beer and food pairing series that will begin next month. Additionally, I will provide an update on the news of the week, and a return of a favorite from Half Acre!

Cheese, Beer, and Brats?! Sounds like a winner to me! Saturday April 12, The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival will be held at the Brat Stop in Kenosha. I talked to Jason Justus from the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha to get more details! I also had a beer from one of the participating breweries, Eagle Park.

The Coozie, chances are your junk drawer has a few. I went down a rabbit hole to find out more about it’s origin.  

Welcome to a Beer Media Group discussion on tariffs and beer. Rod J from Rod J BeerVentures and Dave from Beer In Front are your hosts and moderators. Join them and a roster full of amazing guests to talk about the subject.

If you live in the Midwest, you might have heard of Gray Duck Art. They are a Minnesota based Woman owned company and have “Paint Your Pet” events at the finest breweries around. I attended one at Midwest Coast Brewing here in Chicago. I’m so excited to talk today to Maddy DePaul. Maddy is the owner of Gray Duck Art.

The 10th annual Colorado Pint Day is coming up on Wednesday, March 5th. Stop in at over 200 breweries throughout the state and $1 from each pint will benefit the Colorado Brewers Guild. This year’s glass looks really sharp with a Beer Is For Everyone design. Joining me now is Jason Bell, Jason is the founder of Living The Dream Brewing Company which has two locations in Colorado.

Beer In Front Turns 5!

Brewsaki, a Japanese-style rice lager brewed in the US is rapidly becoming a favorite for Japanese food lovers. On the show this week, I talked to Dr. Rob Streisfeld the President and Co-Founder of Brewsaki.  

On the show this week, I’ll be chatting with Leo Allen about the Cincinnati Beer Tunnels and the area for beer lovers!  

Quick solo show this week. I’ll be having the iconic Orval Trappist Ale along with Sí Fáng from Off Color. All that plus news, jagoffs, and a chance to win a travel mug!  

On this week's show, Dave interviews Christina Rose, a travel and beer nomad, about beers in Puerto Rico, with tips on what to do in San Juan and travel advice.  

The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild is holding its 3rd Annual My Illinois Beer Fridge competition.

On the show this week, I sat down with my friend Paul LaLonde and we talked beer from the Western Suburbs of Chicago. There are so many great spots there that I need to get my lazy ass out of the city and check this out for myself! Later on, I’ll have beers from More Brewing and a new one from Half Acre.

This week, I’m cleaning up the hard drive of beer reviews. I had plenty that didn’t make an episode so this episode will be mostly some good beers and some not so good.  

Joel Geier aka Brewery Travels is one of the foremost experts on breweries and taprooms in the United States. He’s up to 1367 as of this recording and has no plans on stopping there! He’s written a new book Flights Across America that will be released next week on December 17th, just in time for any last-minute holiday shopping for beer lovers.

The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame is an idea long overdue. Every craft beer we drink today has been influenced, in one form or another, by someone on the list of inaugural nominees. Joining me this week is the Founder and President, as well as an international beer judge and accomplished author, Marty Nachel.  

This week I chatted with Joel Alex, he's the founder of Blue Ox Malthouse in Maine. Blue Ox provides malt for the finest breweries in Maine. I'll have some beer that utilizes malt from Blue Ox, Allagash White and Lunch from Maine Beer Company. 

The Festival Of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer is this weekend! FOBAB will be held on November 22 and 23rd at the Credit Union 1 Arena here in Chicago. This week, I talked to Trevor and Matthew from Old Irving Brewing and John from Solemn Oath Brewery. 

This week, I’m joined by Emily Hutto, who is the founder of RadCraft. RadCraft provides communications support to professionals in the craft beer industry. She is my favorite person in the craft beer industry, and I’m honored that she joined the show this week. We’ll discuss RadCraft, her upcoming social media workshop on the 15th, enjoy a great beer from Ska, and talk about the industry and beer scene in Colorado!  

Quick solo show this week, I'll have Pacifico as the Beer In Front and two local ones from Hop Butcher and Old Irving. 

Dirty Water is a new hard seltzer out now that I’m loving! Dirty Water is unlike any beverage out there. Unlike others, the aroma here is clean and taste is terrific!  Dirty Water has only 90 calories and has 0 sugar & carbs, plus it’s Gluten Free. Joining me to talk about Dirty Water is Dominic Minogue, the founder and CEO.

Honker's Ale from Goose Island is back on retail shelves. I'll have that plus others this week on a quick solo show!

Thursday, October 10th is National Black Brewers Day. I’ll talk to Ray Stout from the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild on how Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation recognizing today plus I’ll have beers from two great breweries in Moor’s Brewing and Funkytown.  

The Krispy King Lager Competition will be held Wednesday, October 9th at Barrels & Bottles Brewery in Golden, Colorado. Joining me this week is Abby George the Co-Owner of Barrels & Bottles to talk Krispy King.  

This week, I'm talking to Chicago Beer Royalty, Chalonda White! We're talking beer, bourbon, and beer cocktails while she's having one from Revolution and I'm having one from 2nd Shift!

This week, I’m making room in the beer fridge by having some great beers from Las Vegas, St Louis, and some I found along the way. That, plus all the beer news of the week and much more!

This week, I sat down with Tyler from Reducaholic to discuss his great site and the state of the NA industry. I made a Mocktail and reviewed the new hop water from Hop Butcher.  

This week, we’re talking malt! Riverbend Malt House opened in Asheville, NC, in 2010. For the past three years, it has been included in Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing private companies and is the first certified Regenified malt house in the world.  

At the DNC last week, Alter Brewing and Sketchbook Brewing collaborated with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on JBeer. Alter’s is a Mexican-style lager, and Sketchbook’s will be a West Coast-style IPA. Both were served at DNC hosted events at the Convention. Joining me again is Ray Stout, the executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.  

On the show this week, I’ll have Haunted House from Allagash plus an Oktoberfest from Spiteful here in Illinois. Plus, all the news of the week and I have a code for you to save on some great NA beers from Go Brewing!

Quick show this week. Grandpa Beer and his wife Sharron were in town and dropped of some great beer from Las Vegas. I'll also have one from Tangled Roots in Illinois!

The Brewers Association recently hosted its Midyear State Of The Industry. This episode, I'll talk to Bart Watson, the Chief Economist and VP of strategy for the Brewers Association about the business of beer. 

Quick show this week. I'll have an interesting beer from China and from Illinois, a really good one from Soundgrowler. Plus the latest on my back! 

Explore the diverse Malt Row in the Ravenswood neighborhood, home to a variety of award-winning breweries, most within walking distance of each other. No matter your beer palate, you’ll find something to enjoy in this eclectic area. Ravenswood On Tap is happening this weekend, on July 20-21, at the intersection of Ravenswood and Berteau, Ravenswood On Tap is one of the best beer events of the Summer. I’m talking this week to Amy Czarkowski, the Events and Programs Manager of the Greater Ravenswood Chamber Of Commerce.    

If you are a fan of barrel-aged beers, this episode is for you! The Deep Wood Series over at Revolution Brewing is second to none with the complexity of flavors they are able to extract from the barrels. I sat down with Marty Scott, the Barrel Program Manager at Revolution, about their upcoming 2024 Deep Wood Series. You’ll learn about how different barrels provide different characteristics in the beer and the proper time to drink a barrel-aged beer after opening it. If you’re a brewery owner, Marty also gave a tip on how to up your barrel aging game!

You might want to grab lunch first! In this episode, I had a great discussion about Chicago's finest food with Aaron FitzPatrick, better known as Fitz Magic online. He's renowned for exploring the top eating spots in Chicago. We made a stop at the city location of Ravinia Brewing to savor their exceptional beer and tacos!

Midwest Coast Brewing Company, nestled at 2137 W Walnut in Chicago, is on the brink of unveiling its much-anticipated all-season rooftop! This is not just any rooftop, it's a game-changer for the city's taproom scene. With its breathtaking views, an extensive selection of beers, and a retractable roof that defies Chicago’s unpredictable weather, it's a spot you simply can't miss.  

This week I’m trying some beers that are slightly different than what most would consider when thinking beer.

On this bonus edition of Beer In Front, I'll be talking about the legendary band R.E.M. with my friends over at Pop Culture Yearbook. This is the second of two parts, to catch part one, head over to Pop Culture Yearbook! 

Chicago’s Half Acre has recently teamed up with two other iconic breweries: Sierra Nevada and Firestone Walker. I’ll have both collaboration beers on the show this week.  

On this episode, I’ll talk to Jon Eggleton from N/ATION Beer. He has a great website and podcast devoted to the NA beer scene, and we had a good conversation over some beers from Go Brewing.

I'm reminiscing about the last time the 17-year Cicadas appeared in Illinois back in 2007.

Get ready, folks! This week, we're diving into the world of American Pale Ales, a beer style that's close to my heart. It’s the perfect choice for those who crave that hoppy goodness without the high alcohol content of an IPA. And stay tuned, because later in the show, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on some national and local brews. All this and more, right here on Beer In Front!

Quick beer show before Illinois Craft Beer Week. I’ll have Two Iconic Illinois Beers in Daisy Cutter from Half Acre and Beezer from Old Irving! A ton of news and things to check out as well!  

This week, I'll talk to Arturo Vargas, the Senior Brand Manager of el Jimador Spiked Bebidas. They have four great new flavors out nationally and are also the new sponsor of the United Soccer League. 

On today’s show I’ll talk to Jerry from Lone Tree Brewing out of Colorado. They make some really good beer and launched a Hop/Hemp water that I’ll have in the show as well. I’ll also have a collaboration between Alarmist and Sketchbook as part of my Drink Illinois Series.  

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Illinois Craft Beer Week 2024 runs this year from May 3rd through the 10th. The week will begin with the always outstanding Beer Under Glass held this year at Union Station in Chicago. Other events during the week will be the Summer Passport, a really cool pint glass for 2024, and much more. Joining me this week is the Executive Director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Ray Stout.

Today I'm talking to friends about the outstanding Birmingham beer scene. Brandon & Ashley are your go to people when you want to know about beer there!