The Brit and Yankee Craft Beer Podcast

19/11/2024

2018 BCBS…whats all the fuss. Its ok,

18/11/2024

A run to Binnys got me 2 faves and a great local brew!
Alaskan Brewing’s 2024 Smoked Porter, now in sensible 12floz bottles.
Avery Brewing’s Old Jubilation, a wonderful English old ale at 8.3%.
Art History’s fresh, wet hopped Fresh Hop Vista which I had on draft in the taproom, so hopefully the can lives up to the fresh draft version. Highly recommend all three!!!

15/11/2024

Congratulations to 2 Illinois breweries who made the Craft Beer and Brewing ‘Best 20 Beers in 2024’ list.
Black Lung’s Left Fork, Kentucky Common and Goldfinger Brewing’s Heller Bock show that classic styles rule!
Well done Tom Beckmann and Josh Grubbs…richly deserved!

A year of focused tasting panels plus two full days of blind judging and lively discussion among our editorial panel—including Kate Bernot and Stan Hieronymus—culminates in this: the roll of honor. Here are the 20 beers that awed, delighted, and inspired us the most, representing the pinnacle of...

11/11/2024

Chocolate brews from Penrose Brewing.
Both are as advertised…chocolate flavor. I think I prefer the porter for the additional oomph of roastiness. The choc note lingers in both!

08/11/2024

Graham's Chocolates produces my fave ice cream - Double Dark Bitter Chip. And now this is a collab with Penrose Brewing, in 2 styles.
Anyone tried these yet?

06/11/2024

At least I can rely on this tried and trusted candidate for election to the pub fridge!!

05/11/2024

In case you haven’t tasted it yet, the Olde Gospatric, dark strong English ale, is rather delicious. Strong only by English standards, coming in at 6.2%, this has a lovely rich, toffee caramel note to it.
Incidentally, Gospatric was the Earl of Northumbria back in the 9th century. I think he would approve.

04/11/2024

O'so Brewing Company produces great beers and this is one of them! Night Rain is a classic porter, just right for these fall nights!

29/10/2024

Haven’t had an Ommegang beer for quite some time.
Super Bolleke (being a Brit, I pronounce this bollocky!) is a delightful belgian-style amber ale, and maintains a balance between both of those aspects.

27/10/2024

Oktoberfest may be over, but it’s still OK to drink one of these brews. Riggs Beer Company makes this and it is probably the most true to style Oktoberfest beer in Illinois, if not the USA. If you find it, buy it and drink it! You won’t be disappointed! Prost! 

27/10/2024

Was here yesterday and enjoyed a De Garre tripel and a sinkhole formed in the head!!

26/10/2024

Pollyanna Brewing Company St Charles…5yr Anniversary
With our chum Ed Malnar, sampling delish Hazelnut BA Hideaway and Coconut-infused Rum cocktail. Both of these are pretty darn good!! Check ‘em out tonight…and also on tomorrow!

25/10/2024

As a bit of a birdwatcher, I was intrigued by the label and name of this Foeder aged pale lager from Hidden Hand Brewing. Meadowlark presents a slightly cloudy brew with a hoppy bite and a dry finish, presumably from the oak foeder. I did not get anything in terms of an oak flavor note so a bit disappointed as expecting more if you call it ‘foeder aged’. That said it was decent beer, but not outstanding.

23/10/2024

The 4th and final beer in the Island of Misfits 4-pk from Obscurity Brewing & Craft Mead, is Hermey. It’s a cherry golden ale, slightly hazy, with the emphasis on the golden ale, not the cherry. Which is good because I’m not a cherry fan, but this is a delightful light balance!
Head out and select a four pack and meet your own judgments, then send me some comments with your reviews! Cheers!

23/10/2024

Innis & Gunn have been a favorite of mine since they first appeared in 2003. They have been difficult to find in USA recently but now they are back. That said, I was disappointed with this brew. Mild flavor notes don’t give this the ooomph I was hoping for. Gotta get some other varieties and hope they are back on track!!
PS a personal opinion and I would advise you to try them yourself!

22/10/2024

Was a Wells Brewery product but now put out by Eagle Brewery (Carlsberg owned), this is the new look can for Bombardier ale. Compared to Honker’s Ale, this is a little lighter in body and carbonation, and has a deeper, richer, fruitier flavor. 
That said it is a nice pint and highly recommended!!

21/10/2024

As the can says, ‘The Beer That Started It All’…and it’s still pretty good! I remember jumping for joy when this beer first came out back in the late 80s, reminding me of some of the beers back home in the UK! It’s a nice malty but light brew!