Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer

Learn about the surprising origins of Pollyanna’s award‑winning Lexical Gap IPA, freeze‑distilled Eisbocks, and Snickers‑inspired pastry stout.

Brian Pawola, co‑founder, head brewer, and distiller at Pollyanna Brewing Company, shares the story behind Pollyanna’s most unique beers. In particular, he discusses the freeze distilling involved in crafting their Jötunheimr Eisbock Lager, the reluctance behind creating the award-winning Le...

Trailblazing women in craft beer discuss the impact of the Vibes Beer Project and how they became innovators in the brewing industry.

In a hilarious and candid conversation, Solemn Oath Brewery Director of Hospitality & Operations Charolette Converse and ERIS Brewery & Cider House Co-Owner Michelle Foik discuss the Vibes Beer Project and how the craft beer landscape has changed for women over the years—and what’s next. They ...

Learn about Guinness’ Chicago location, their beer styles—including Czech lagers and Kentucky Commons—and how Chicago’s water influences their brewing.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery (OGB) Chicago Senior Brewer Megan Schwarz and Guinness National Ambassador Ryan Wagner discuss Guinness’ expansion into Chicago, how Megan’s chemical engineering background led to brewing, and the challenges of changing people’s perception of Guinness. They...

Learn how Off Color Brewing's yeast-first focus makes its beers distinct from the more common hops-focused breweries in the craft beer industry.

Off Color Brewing co-founder and head brewer John Laffler shares the science behind his yeast-first brewery and how it stands apart from other more hop-focused breweries. He discusses the revival of forgotten beer styles, focusing on esoteric brews crafted before the Bavarian Purity Law and...

Chicago's most award-winning brewpub reveals the secrets of its medal-winning Lagers and a bold malt liquor revival.

Keil Weimer, head brewer at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria, discusses brewing award-winning lagers and reviving forgotten styles. He tells the story of winning a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in October for his Door Code Pilsner, sharing insights on what it takes to brew crisp German Pilsners, why patie...

Learn how Soundgrowler’s beers draw inspiration from a variety of art forms, resulting in a blend of rare styles, death metal, and yoga.

Head Brewer Jacob Hutcheson and Brewing Operations Manager John Halek showcase Soundgrowler’s vibrant and eclectic brewery, where beer, doom, and tacos come alive in Tinley Park, Illinois. Jacob begins by sharing his passion for the Grodzinski, a rare Polish-style beer that won Soundgrowler a meda...

What makes a cider a cider? Explore the fruits and chaos-inspired ingredients behind ERIS’ biggest hits in this cider science deep dive.

Michelle Foik, co-owner of ERIS Brewery and Cider House, shares her journey to opening her historic establishment before delving into the art and science of cidering. She starts by discussing how her career took her from Goose Island Brewery and Revolution Brewing to opening the first female-owned...

Master Brewer Hagen Dost delves into Dovetail Brewery’s traditional brewing techniques, from open fermentation to coolships.

Hagen starts by sharing his journey of getting into brewing, with an emphasis on his German heritage growing up and the sensory class that helped him develop skills that he feels would benefit any brewer. He then explains how he became a Certified Master Brewer and discusses traditional European brewing metho...

Hop up your spirits with a barrel of laughs as we close out 2024. Plus: a major announcement that you don’t want to miss!

Brian, Katherine, and Cody get together via the internet to have some fun to close out the year, sharing reviews of local beers, making some major announcements, and looking ahead at what’s to come in 2025. Brian starts things off by sharing the huge news that the next episode of Crafty Brewers will feature Dove...

Learn how BubbleHouse Brewing ensures they have “something for everyone” and the story behind the best pub game you’ve never heard of.

John and April Miller, owners of BubbleHouse Brewing Company, discuss crafting a diverse beer portfolio, providing unique taproom experiences, and their journey from corporate life to brewing. They discuss the challenges and rewards of brewing clean, simple beers without relying on heavy adjuncts an...

Learn how Horse Thief Hollow became the most award-winning brewery on the south side of Chicago, having won 10 major awards (and counting).

Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co’s Jake Nelson (Head Brewer) and Adrian Morrison (Brewer and Sales Manager) discuss the fascinating legacy of Horse Thief Hollow Brewing in Chicago's historic Beverly neighborhood, exploring the origins of the brewery's name, its cultural significance, and why the I...

Learn how Burning Bush Brewery crafts its unique brews, including their spruce tip IPA named after a true story of “tree wrestling.” 

Burning Bush Brewery’s Brent Raska, owner and brewer, and Scott McElhenney, head brewer, discuss their unique transition from meeting at church to brewing together, the surprising similarities between running a church parish and running a brewery, and the art of crafting kettle sours. They also delve...

Learn how Twisted Hippo recovered from a devastating fire and found a way to thrive while brewing their unique beers.

Karl and Marilee Rutherford, co-founders and owners of Twisted Hippo, share the story of their humble beginnings from a homebrewing beer kit from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, to opening a brewery. They explain how they recovered from a devastating fire in 2022, after which the Chicago craft brewery community rallied aroun...

Learn how Revolution Brewing grew from a small brewery to Illinois’ largest independently-owned brewery — and what makes their beer so special.

03:51 Beer Myth: Do all yeasts ferment the same way? Katherine challenges the idea that top fermenting and bottom fermenting yeasts function in the same way. Learn what yeasts actually do and the role they play in the fermentation process.

09:03 Revolution Brewing Interview: David Blackford...

Learn how Old Irving became so successful, it needed to open a new production facility — and what went into the expansion.

02:18 Beer Myth: When brewing sour beers, is kettle souring lazy? Katherine has some HOT TAKES about this, and Trevor from Old Irving Brewing Co. explains the science behind what actually creates sour beers. Discover the facts behind this common misconception and learn how kettle souring is a legitimate and ski...

Explore bitter beers with Midwest Coast, including ESBs, English Pale Ales, and IPAs that cater to evolving palates.

01:48 Beer Myth: What’s a “girly drink” when it comes to beers? Katherine and Brian and their guests shatter the myth that some beers are “manly” and others are not. 

07:32 Midwest Coast Brewing: Cameron Compton, founder of Midwest Coast, and Timothy Ficken, brewery manager, talk about what brought them together to M...

Discover Azadi Brewing's unique fusion of Indian spices and American craft beer, plus debunk myths about coffee beers.

03:23 Beer Myth: Will coffee-infused beer keep you awake all night? Discover how ingredients like coffee and tea are integrated into beers and learn the truth behind the caffeine content in coffee beers.

08:14 Azadi Brewing Company Interview: Bhavik Modi and Gator Schrand from Azadi Brewing talk about the uniqu...

Mikerphone Brewing’s Mike Pallen talks beer collabs and what goes into brewing a coffee stout like Smells Like Bean Spirit.

01:24 Beer Myth:  Does beer make you full, or does it just make you feel full? Learn the truth behind what it is about beer that may be giving you a sensation of fullness, and discover how understanding this can help you enjoy your brews without feeling overly stuffed. Plus: a hilarious and super random tangen...