1 00:00:06,879 --> 00:00:10,720 Speaker 1: This is Beer in Front, part of the Odd Pods 2 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:16,160 Media Network and the Beer Media Group. Sometimes the beer 3 00:00:16,199 --> 00:00:19,440 in front of you is the best one yet. I'll 4 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:22,800 talk to people around the beer world and get their 5 00:00:22,839 --> 00:00:28,320 stories all about beer. That's Beer in Front and it's 6 00:00:28,359 --> 00:00:35,320 coming up now. Welcome to episode two hundred and twenty 7 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:40,200 three of Beer in Front. I'm your host, Dave z Alatorus, 8 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:43,439 and Beer in Front is a proud odd Pods Media 9 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,359 Network member and charter member of the Beer Media Group. 10 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:51,520 This week, like my permanent guests, we're a stout from 11 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:55,320 the Illinois Crap Brewers Guild came on. We talked about 12 00:00:55,719 --> 00:00:57,920 j Beer. I mentioned it on the show a couple 13 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:01,600 of weeks ago. This is made by Alter Brewing and 14 00:01:01,679 --> 00:01:06,000 Sketchbook Brewing. They did a special beer with Illinois Governor JB. 15 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:10,760 Pritzker for the Democratic National Convention that was in town 16 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,640 last week. We talked about those breweries some other great 17 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:18,280 stuff happening in the state of Illinois, So stay tuned 18 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:23,079 for that. The convention wrapped up. It was here in 19 00:01:23,159 --> 00:01:27,280 Chicago over the week, and you know, I work at 20 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,799 the airport, so I talked to a lot of people 21 00:01:30,359 --> 00:01:33,879 on Friday. I saw a lot of delegates and people 22 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:36,359 that were here for the week, and you know, spoke 23 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,799 to them when we were talking about the city, and 24 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,840 to a person, everyone said what a great time they 25 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:48,079 had in Chicago. They loved coming here. They enjoyed the food, 26 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,040 the beverage, everything. And I said, to a person, you know, 27 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,599 we were talking, it was a little crazy at the 28 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,480 airport Friday. People were missing flights and stuff, so I 29 00:01:58,519 --> 00:02:01,599 didn't get a chance to talk at length, but I 30 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,400 had a couple minutes with each person, and they all 31 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,639 said what a great city this was, and they were 32 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,680 glad they had a chance to visit and experience this 33 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,560 for themselves and not just rely on what people say 34 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,240 in the news media about Chicago. But yeah, to a person, 35 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:24,039 everyone loved Chicago. So it's great when you have people 36 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,199 come here, get to experience the city and all it 37 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:32,120 offers and realize it's a great talent. Later on in 38 00:02:32,159 --> 00:02:34,479 the show, I'm going to have a beer from each 39 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,719 of the breweries that made this j beer. So I'm 40 00:02:37,719 --> 00:02:40,879 going to have one from Walter and one from Sketchbook. 41 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,319 I'm recording this after I recorded the segments. Both beers 42 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,840 were good, but still listen to the segment. Don't just 43 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,919 skip because you heard me tease this, just listen to 44 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,879 the whole show. It helps out. If you want to 45 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:56,520 help the show, you could head over to patreon dot 46 00:02:56,560 --> 00:03:00,280 com slash beer in Front. You could help the show out. 47 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:04,199 You could help put beer in my carts if you will, 48 00:03:04,759 --> 00:03:08,080 so check that out. But either way, I'm glad you're 49 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,960 listening and stay tuned for the rest of the episode 50 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:21,240 of Beer in Front. In Beer and Beverage News, I'm 51 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,520 looking through my emails Friday and I see an email 52 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,080 from Bennie's Beverage Depot, So I'm opening it up figured 53 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,280 I'm going to see, you know, the sales and everything else. 54 00:03:31,719 --> 00:03:37,039 They announced that they have released a collaboration with Alsmith 55 00:03:37,439 --> 00:03:43,120 out of California on their famous speedway stout. This is 56 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:49,719 barrel aged sixteen percent alcohol. They use Buffalo Trace bourbon 57 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:56,199 barrels and then hand selected coffee. So this came out Friday, 58 00:03:56,439 --> 00:04:00,800 the twenty third. I happened to go there and pick 59 00:04:00,879 --> 00:04:03,759 up a two pack for myself, so I will have 60 00:04:03,919 --> 00:04:07,080 a review up on this in the next week or so. 61 00:04:07,159 --> 00:04:09,759 I have to do this when I'm off the next 62 00:04:09,919 --> 00:04:14,039 day because sixteen percent is gonna make me sleep well 63 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,480 at night. But if you're in the Chicago area, definitely 64 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:21,560 hit up Bennie's and check out their collaboration with Ale Smith. 65 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:27,759 Speaking of Ale Smith, they have announced on their Speedway Style, 66 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:31,519 which is a great stout. They have a great ana stout, 67 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,680 so if you're looking for a non alcoholic their non 68 00:04:34,759 --> 00:04:39,639 alcoholic Speedway Stout is good. But Al Smith announced that 69 00:04:39,759 --> 00:04:44,399 they're gonna have a coffee cake edition coming out this year. 70 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:48,199 I'm not sure if this is gonna be a national 71 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:51,759 distribution or just in the San Diego area, but that 72 00:04:51,959 --> 00:04:56,000 sounds really good. That's gonna have coffee, vanilla and cinnamon 73 00:04:56,319 --> 00:04:59,560 to try to get that nice coffee cake flavor, So 74 00:05:00,319 --> 00:05:04,600 keep an eye out for that. Distill Brewing in the 75 00:05:04,759 --> 00:05:08,160 University of Illinois is coming out with a couple of 76 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:12,480 beers that one is called Oski Light and the other 77 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:18,600 is called illl Ipa. That's really cool, So if you're 78 00:05:18,639 --> 00:05:23,680 in the University of Illinois areas Central Illinois, keep a 79 00:05:23,759 --> 00:05:28,680 lookout for that from Distill. I'm gonna need to get 80 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:33,720 to Baltimore one to see my friend Roja over at 81 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,839 the Great ro j Beer Ventures. But if you're in Baltimore, 82 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:43,800 the Aloft Hotels are offering working dogs a free dog 83 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:49,920 beer on International Beer Day in Moira. Rose doesn't really 84 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,920 work outside of being cute, but I think I can 85 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,439 finagle a free beer for her. So if you're in 86 00:05:56,439 --> 00:06:02,360 the Baltimore area, check out Aloft Hotels. To Shoots Brewing 87 00:06:03,079 --> 00:06:08,920 and Costco, they're collaborating on a Hellis style lagger. This 88 00:06:08,959 --> 00:06:12,120 looks really good. I love the Shoots. I go to 89 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,399 Costco all the time. Now, according to the label that 90 00:06:15,519 --> 00:06:18,120 was put out, I guess this beer. I don't know 91 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,480 if it was a Kirkland style at the time, but 92 00:06:20,879 --> 00:06:24,439 this won a Great American Beer Festival Gold Award in 93 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:28,160 the Munich style Hellas. So if you're a Costco shopper, 94 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:34,040 check out the Hellas style lager. Here in Illinois, Revolution 95 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:38,480 is adding double dry hopped Jukebox Hero. This is a 96 00:06:38,519 --> 00:06:42,839 black double IPA. I love the Jukebox Hero, big fan 97 00:06:42,879 --> 00:06:45,240 of black IPA, so I'll definitely have to keep an 98 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:49,759 eye out for that. Sierra Nevada they're adding on their 99 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:54,560 Narwals series. They're going to have a barrel aged toasted 100 00:06:54,759 --> 00:06:57,519 some more version. Now, this is going to be a 101 00:06:57,519 --> 00:07:01,600 barrel aged beer. With cocoa and nat natural flavors. Keep 102 00:07:01,639 --> 00:07:03,800 a lookout for that. That's going to be eleven point 103 00:07:03,879 --> 00:07:08,519 nine percent beer in fifty five IBus. It's supposed to 104 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:13,800 have some marshmallow and Grand Cracker notes in the taste. So, 105 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,519 I mean everything from Sierra is good. So check out 106 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:22,399 the new toasted some more nar Wall. Pike Brewing out 107 00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:27,959 of Seattle, they're updating their logos and their cans, and 108 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:32,480 I really love this logo on their space needle West 109 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:37,240 Coast IPA really great looking can. I love the font, 110 00:07:37,319 --> 00:07:40,519 I love the new artwork. This is a really good 111 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:49,680 rebranding from Pike. Finally, Victory Brewing and Tasty Cake they're 112 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:55,839 coming out with the Peanut butter candy Cake Porter six percent. 113 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,319 I mean, what's not to like about bad I mean 114 00:07:59,439 --> 00:08:10,800 Tasty and beer put it in the cart. At the 115 00:08:10,839 --> 00:08:16,160 Democratic National Convention last week, Alter Brewing and Sketchbook Brewing 116 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:22,000 collaborated with Illinois Governor JB. Pritzker on j Beer. Alters 117 00:08:22,199 --> 00:08:25,360 is a Mexican style lagger and Sketchbooks will be a 118 00:08:25,439 --> 00:08:30,439 West Coast style IPA. Both were served at DNC hosted 119 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:34,480 events at the convention. Joining me again is my permanent 120 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,879 guest raised out the executive director of the Illinois Craft 121 00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:41,039 Brewers Guild, Ray, thanks for coming on this morning. 122 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 2: Hey, thanks, thanks for being here. I always love chilling. 123 00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: When I saw this, you know, reported a couple of 124 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,600 weeks ago, I'm like, man, this is such a cool 125 00:08:50,759 --> 00:08:55,360 project between the governor and Illinois breweries. How did this 126 00:08:55,399 --> 00:08:56,360 come about? 127 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:59,879 Speaker 2: So we've been working with the Governor's office for many 128 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:04,240 years on different the legislation and modernizing quiquer laws, and 129 00:09:04,799 --> 00:09:07,440 so we've built a pretty good relationship with this office. 130 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,960 But you know, in politics, you have the campaign team 131 00:09:11,039 --> 00:09:13,720 and then you have the you know, the sitting the 132 00:09:13,799 --> 00:09:17,519 sitting governor. And so the campaign team actually reached it 133 00:09:17,519 --> 00:09:20,279 out and said, hey, we're interested in doing a beer 134 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,840 and what does that look like. And you know, they 135 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,240 had no idea how hard the process is to get 136 00:09:27,279 --> 00:09:29,000 beer to market in the state of Illinois and how 137 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,360 many steps you need to jump through. They figured that 138 00:09:31,399 --> 00:09:33,480 we could just brew beer and pick it up from 139 00:09:33,519 --> 00:09:36,840 the brewery and offer free beer to everybody. And so 140 00:09:36,919 --> 00:09:39,039 we we had to walk them through that process a 141 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,000 little bit, and you know, it came to life and 142 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:41,480 it was great. 143 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: That'll probably help things down the road and easing some 144 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,120 of this now that the people know what it actually 145 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:48,960 it takes. 146 00:09:49,759 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 2: But that's exactly right. It was kind of like, what 147 00:09:51,759 --> 00:09:53,840 do you mean, we just can't throw the beer back 148 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:55,600 and bring it to the salt shit. 149 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,799 Speaker 1: I loved that despite the convention and held you know, 150 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:04,080 at the United Center in the city, Alter and sketch 151 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:07,679 Book are both from the suburbs. Was this a conscious 152 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:13,120 decision to feature breweries from outside Chicago, to showcase breweries 153 00:10:13,159 --> 00:10:14,440 from different parts of the state. 154 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I think that's a good a good flag. 155 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,159 And you're exactly right. You know, both of them are 156 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,320 outside of the city but have a significant footprint in 157 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:27,759 Chicago and you know, around around the state. And so 158 00:10:27,919 --> 00:10:30,159 you know, the idea behind this is to show that 159 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,279 this is an industry that you know, is expansive and 160 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,759 and and is continuing to grow and touch and touch 161 00:10:36,799 --> 00:10:39,039 customers both in the city and outside the city. 162 00:10:39,919 --> 00:10:43,840 Speaker 1: The styles that are brewed. Was that like something the 163 00:10:43,879 --> 00:10:47,519 breweries decided? Was it a like a collaboration with you know, 164 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,080 the Democratic team. How did the styles get chosen? 165 00:10:51,759 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 2: You know, that's a funny question. And so you know, 166 00:10:54,879 --> 00:10:58,679 again their team was like, we want something good and 167 00:10:58,759 --> 00:11:01,799 so the response is great, so what do you like? Right, 168 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:03,559 and that's the normal response you get to the bird, 169 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:05,840 He's like, what kind of beer do you gen? And 170 00:11:05,919 --> 00:11:07,960 so you know, well, you know we ended up on. 171 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:11,320 Both of these beers are incredibly easy drinking. The West 172 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:15,279 Coast from Sketchbook is very, very smooth, not overly hoppy, 173 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:17,639 a little more on the vaulty side. The next to 174 00:11:17,759 --> 00:11:21,600 lager from Altar is super clean and super crisp. And 175 00:11:21,639 --> 00:11:25,080 they're just both, you know, extremely crushable beers. And you know, 176 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:27,519 they turned out so well and I'm so happy with 177 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:27,960 them both. 178 00:11:29,159 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: Is Governor Prisker a beer guy. I see him on 179 00:11:32,279 --> 00:11:35,679 TV last week and like the Sunday morning shows doing 180 00:11:35,759 --> 00:11:39,039 shot some awards. 181 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,399 Speaker 2: You know, you got to play to your bass. I 182 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:46,399 suppose you know he he's not a huge drinker from 183 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:49,559 talking to him, but he you know, at that event, 184 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,279 I have this great picture of him, you know, basically 185 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:55,639 double fisting both of those beverages as he's sipping both. 186 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,600 He said, I love both of them. You know, being 187 00:11:58,639 --> 00:12:00,399 in a job like that, I can't image. And there's 188 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,960 a lot of time to kick back and relax with 189 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,120 a couple of beers. But you know, it was definitely 190 00:12:05,159 --> 00:12:08,799 fun to hang out with him and his wife and 191 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,559 his team, and you know, and and and take it 192 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:13,440 a little easy. It doesn't always have to be about 193 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,080 compatied politics. Sometimes it could be about sitting down and 194 00:12:16,159 --> 00:12:17,120 enjoying a beer together. 195 00:12:17,399 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean there's something about Illinois politicians and beer. 196 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:26,840 I remember President Obama homebrewed a couple badges, and I 197 00:12:26,919 --> 00:12:31,240 remember those recipes being available for anyone that wanted to 198 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:34,720 homebrew them. And now we have Governor Pritsker with j beer. 199 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:37,000 So that's good for our state. 200 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And you know, it was just so it's so 201 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:45,360 great of his campaign to realize that, you know, if 202 00:12:45,399 --> 00:12:48,360 you're coming to a special place like you know, Chicago 203 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,320 or Illinois, craft beer is part of the culture of 204 00:12:51,399 --> 00:12:54,720 the state, right And so for folks to come here 205 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,320 from across the country and sample two of our best 206 00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:01,039 breweries making, you know, two really awesome beers, you know, 207 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:04,480 it's enlightening because craft beer continues to grow around around 208 00:13:04,759 --> 00:13:07,919 around the country despite significant winds. And you know, it's 209 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,440 an industry that's nothing more local, right that it's made here, 210 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:14,320 that people the waterers from here, both some of the 211 00:13:14,399 --> 00:13:17,600 ingredients of comer. Everybody works here and you know it's 212 00:13:17,639 --> 00:13:20,600 just a beautiful collaboration and exploration and. 213 00:13:22,279 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 1: Show of what we do really really great here in 214 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,679 the state. Now the beer was served last week, it 215 00:13:27,799 --> 00:13:32,080 hosted events at the d n C. Now that it's over, well, 216 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,399 you'd be able to purchase this at either like Alter 217 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:39,480 Sketchbook or in their distribution areas. So they did pretty 218 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:43,159 limited runs. So the Printzer campaign bought every single last 219 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,559 drop of it, and so you know, uh, yeah, it's 220 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:50,080 been It was served at the United Center throughout the Concord. 221 00:13:49,799 --> 00:13:52,639 Speaker 2: Versus as well as the sweets. It was served at, 222 00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:56,159 you know, the release party in Chicago. It was served 223 00:13:56,159 --> 00:14:00,320 at the Salt Shedspirited John Legend come performed. It's a 224 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:04,519 pret and so you know, so the beer has gotten 225 00:14:04,519 --> 00:14:08,639 out there. There's a limited a mount rude, So I 226 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:11,120 expect all all those cans to be spoken for in 227 00:14:11,279 --> 00:14:11,960 very near future. 228 00:14:12,919 --> 00:14:15,639 Speaker 1: Who do I have to talk to to get a can? 229 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,679 Who's arm do I have to twist to get a 230 00:14:19,759 --> 00:14:23,120 can of this? Do I need to? Yeah? Do I 231 00:14:23,159 --> 00:14:27,039 need to call my state representative Williams or somebody? Like? 232 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,159 Speaker 3: Somebody grabbed me a can? Of this, I'll see what 233 00:14:30,159 --> 00:14:31,840 I could do for you to. I think a couple 234 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:33,720 of people have tapped me on the shoulder and said, hey, 235 00:14:34,519 --> 00:14:37,960 try these. I have a feeling that I'll come into 236 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,399 a couple of cases of it and I'll bless my friends. 237 00:14:41,679 --> 00:14:45,759 Speaker 1: Got it. I appreciate it. Illinois has over three hundred 238 00:14:45,799 --> 00:14:49,360 craft breweries throughout the state and we ranked the seventh 239 00:14:49,399 --> 00:14:53,200 in the country and economic impact. Do you see room 240 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:56,519 for continued growth with Illinois breweries? 241 00:14:57,919 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 3: You know? 242 00:14:58,159 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 2: I do you know? The number that I I think 243 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,639 it's even more important is the breweries per capitive individuals 244 00:15:03,679 --> 00:15:06,279 over one hundred hundred thousand. I think we're somewhere they 245 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,759 word of seventeen, which means that there is additional room 246 00:15:09,919 --> 00:15:13,240 to grow. We do still have breweries opening in the state, 247 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:16,000 you know. I'm sure your listeners know there was just 248 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:20,240 you know, breweries are closing, But what we're seeing is 249 00:15:20,279 --> 00:15:24,559 breweries going into those places and opening second locations. Are 250 00:15:24,879 --> 00:15:27,240 you know, new breweries still coming up? With the pipeline 251 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,399 three hundred seems to be out of the magic number 252 00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:32,960 for the state of the industry right now. It's where 253 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:36,919 we continue to hover over the past two years. But 254 00:15:37,039 --> 00:15:40,720 you know, just like anything. You know, brewers are continuing 255 00:15:40,759 --> 00:15:44,559 to innovate and create new beverages. We see a lot 256 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:48,399 of these these breweries working walking into the THHC space 257 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,720 with THC beverages and so it's created a you know, 258 00:15:51,879 --> 00:15:54,120 vible lifeline for this industry to continue to grow and 259 00:15:54,159 --> 00:15:55,000 continue to thrive. 260 00:15:55,799 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: Now you just mentioned beverages. I remember reading there was 261 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,960 some laws that were being discussed here. Can you elaborate 262 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:04,840 on that a little bit. 263 00:16:05,559 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, So last session at the Illinois Legislature, there was 264 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:14,240 a bill which would have essentially ban these products from 265 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:19,840 existing outside of the traditional you know, uh, marijuana dispensary space. 266 00:16:20,159 --> 00:16:23,759 So you know, us and as well as the distributors 267 00:16:23,799 --> 00:16:26,279 and many other trade groups talk back about that because 268 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,120 you know, what we're finding is that, you know, people 269 00:16:29,159 --> 00:16:33,679 are turning to alternative beverages besides traditional alcohol. And there's 270 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:37,519 nothing there's no industry I would rather trust to make 271 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:42,480 a controlled substance beverage than the Illinois prean community because 272 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,039 we've been doing it for years and so you know, 273 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,360 we were able to fight back and take and take 274 00:16:48,399 --> 00:16:51,519 those changes, potential changes off the table, and so not 275 00:16:51,639 --> 00:16:54,840 right now, we're working with various stakeholders create an industry 276 00:16:54,919 --> 00:16:58,679 framework to allow these beverages to continue to exist, you know, 277 00:16:58,799 --> 00:17:03,000 because there is there there is some question about you know, 278 00:17:03,039 --> 00:17:06,000 where you draw the lot like beverages or should be fine. 279 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,680 But you know, at virtually every gas station in the 280 00:17:09,759 --> 00:17:14,279 city of Chicago, you'll see you know, bapes derived from 281 00:17:14,319 --> 00:17:17,759 hemp that contain THCHC or edibles derived from help that 282 00:17:17,839 --> 00:17:22,160 contained THCHC. And that's a completely unregulated and unmonitored market. 283 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,519 And so we need to create a framework here in 284 00:17:24,559 --> 00:17:26,799 the state to make sure, you know, people are stayed 285 00:17:27,279 --> 00:17:30,279 and there's rules, and there's labeling requirements and all the 286 00:17:30,319 --> 00:17:33,039 things not not marketing kids like these are all the 287 00:17:33,079 --> 00:17:36,160 things that we need to establish in law. But we 288 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,160 don't want these things to get banned until we established 289 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,279 this law. You know, the genie is out of the 290 00:17:41,279 --> 00:17:44,279 bottle in this industry. You know, some of my brewers 291 00:17:44,319 --> 00:17:47,039 are oriented to me. It's making about twenty percent of 292 00:17:47,079 --> 00:17:49,759 their revenue at this point, and that's continuing to grow. 293 00:17:50,079 --> 00:17:52,480 I did a recent survey of our membership and somewhere 294 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:54,400 the neighbor of sixty percent of the brewers in the 295 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,720 state of Illinois or either making planning to make or 296 00:17:57,759 --> 00:18:01,759 will make these beverages once legislation, So that's a significant number. 297 00:18:02,039 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, and there's no better industry to do 298 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,920 this than the brewing community because or even you know, 299 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,240 places that sell it, like bottle shops or whatever, because 300 00:18:11,279 --> 00:18:13,839 you already have to be twenty one to get it, 301 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,559 so it's not like it's just going to be like 302 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,680 at a gas station like you said. The brewing community 303 00:18:19,759 --> 00:18:20,400 is perfect for. 304 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:24,599 Speaker 2: This, absolutely, and you know, and we understand labeling requirements, 305 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:26,759 and you know that's the other piece, is that you 306 00:18:26,799 --> 00:18:29,720 know what type of information it's going to even be 307 00:18:29,799 --> 00:18:31,720 required to be out of label. You know, we're standing 308 00:18:31,799 --> 00:18:34,519 up pretty much a brand new industry here in the 309 00:18:34,519 --> 00:18:38,079 state of Illinois. You know, Minnesota is a couple steps 310 00:18:38,079 --> 00:18:40,920 ahead of us, but we are right behind them, and 311 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:44,920 we are going to be the thxc beverage capital of 312 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:46,559 the United States pretty soon. 313 00:18:47,039 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: It's awesome. Well, the next big event for the Guild 314 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,440 is Full Bab, which is going to be on November 315 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:56,400 twenty second, in twenty third our tickets available yet for 316 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:56,960 Full Bab. 317 00:18:57,519 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 2: Tickets are coming next month and stay tuned. I think 318 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,119 the thirteenth is to go live date for Foebab. We 319 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,599 are poking out some really cool things this year, so 320 00:19:09,079 --> 00:19:13,000 more information will be coming out soon. But it's the 321 00:19:13,039 --> 00:19:16,640 best best of the line I've been to, so I 322 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:18,440 hope you do with your listeners. Definitely check it out. 323 00:19:18,599 --> 00:19:21,880 Speaker 1: Yeah no, I mean, it was phenomenal last year, and 324 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,119 you know, I'm sure we'll talk again prior to November 325 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,319 about you know, what's going to happen with that, But 326 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:31,160 definitely like and I'll post links when the tickets are available. 327 00:19:31,599 --> 00:19:34,400 All right, Well, Alter Brewing they have three locations in 328 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:38,599 the western suburbs Sketchbook ads two in the northern Suburbs. 329 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:42,039 Both are fantastic breweries that put out some great beer. 330 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:44,319 Later on in the episode, I'm going to have a 331 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:48,519 beer from both breweries and discuss them. But Ray, thank 332 00:19:48,559 --> 00:19:51,720 you so much for coming on again, Sir, I appreciated. 333 00:19:51,799 --> 00:19:57,400 Good luck with the first day of school, and congratulations 334 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:59,440 on j beer awes. 335 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 2: Thanks to It's always such a pleasure to talk to you, 336 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:05,599 and you know, hopefully hopefully our New York Jets started 337 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:07,039 turn it around a little bit this year. 338 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know, Well, we'll talk later about the Jets, 339 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:20,039 all right, take care, Ray up this program to bring 340 00:20:20,079 --> 00:20:21,359 you a news flash. 341 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:26,039 Speaker 2: Michael Jackson's ghost scene at a Yankees game, Cinnamon toast 342 00:20:26,079 --> 00:20:30,119 crunch now with a shrimp in every bite. Lil Uzi 343 00:20:30,279 --> 00:20:32,960 Vert's head Diamond has been sold on the dark Web. 344 00:20:34,279 --> 00:20:36,759 Stories like this and more can be found at the 345 00:20:36,799 --> 00:20:39,920 ever Trending Story, a podcast where we peruse the news 346 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:43,319 and write a fun fictional story for you. Find us 347 00:20:43,319 --> 00:20:46,839 wherever you download podcasts and follow us on the socials. 348 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: At ever Trending Pod. 349 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 2: And we are proud members of the Odd Pods media network. 350 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 1: You heard at the end of the interview with Ray 351 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:05,920 about our love of the New York Jets. Were probably 352 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:10,880 the only two clowns in the Chicago land area that 353 00:21:11,119 --> 00:21:15,599 are Jets fan. So Ray is not only my brother 354 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:20,400 and Beer were brothers in New York Jets misery. We 355 00:21:20,519 --> 00:21:25,839 could tell you about why we drafted Blair Thomas or 356 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:31,319 her people like Vernon Goldston, stuff like that. Kyle Brainy, 357 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:35,319 don't get me started. But I was a young kid 358 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:39,359 in the seventies and because you know, we only saw 359 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:43,519 what was on TV, so you bought the Bears games here. 360 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:48,079 And even though I was born right at the start 361 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:52,440 of like Joe Willie Namaths, you know, Super Bowl run 362 00:21:52,519 --> 00:21:55,079 or whatever. But I was a Joe Namath fan, and 363 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:59,279 I remember to this day, might have been seventy four, 364 00:21:59,559 --> 00:22:04,079 seventy five, So I'm not like skewing younger with each 365 00:22:05,079 --> 00:22:08,559 any listenership here. But I remember back in the day 366 00:22:09,039 --> 00:22:13,920 as a kid, you loved getting the Sears Christmas catalog 367 00:22:14,319 --> 00:22:18,039 and they always had and you couldn't get NFL stuff anywhere, 368 00:22:18,279 --> 00:22:21,880 but like the Sears catalog. So my mother bought me 369 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:26,319 a New York Jets jersey and I had number twelve 370 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:29,319 put on for Joe nama So I was the only kid. 371 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,079 I think we were living in displays at the time. 372 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:37,000 I had a New York Jets number twelve jersey. I 373 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,240 loved that jersey. Was the old fashioned, like it was 374 00:22:40,279 --> 00:22:43,160 made out of dream, that fabric that was like a 375 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:47,079 shiny it was heavier than shit. I mean, this jersey 376 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:52,160 waited a ton, but I loved that jersey. I'm been 377 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:56,119 a New York Jets fan ever since then, following like 378 00:22:56,359 --> 00:23:02,359 Richard Todd and Wesley Walker and Johnny Hector and then 379 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:06,960 you know the great New York Sack exchange. So and 380 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,480 I know Ray's probably the same thing. He's listening to this, 381 00:23:09,599 --> 00:23:12,640 Chuckling great younger than I am, so he's thinking about 382 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:16,039 the younger guys. But man, it's not easy being a 383 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:20,880 Jets fan. Trust me, it is not easy. But we're 384 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,519 a New York Jets fan through and through. I'm a 385 00:23:23,519 --> 00:23:25,400 Bears fan. You know, if the Bears were to ever 386 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:28,880 play the Jets of the Super Bowl, I'm going Bears. 387 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,680 But if the Jets were to win, I'd be happy 388 00:23:31,799 --> 00:23:34,960 as well. But if you're a Jets fan in the 389 00:23:35,039 --> 00:23:39,519 Chicago Land area, you know you have two fellow friends 390 00:23:39,559 --> 00:23:45,359 in Misery in raced out and I were. I love 391 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:48,759 the Jets. I just don't love the current quarterback. But 392 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:52,759 you know whatever, So I'm hoping both the Bears and 393 00:23:52,799 --> 00:24:03,119 the Jets have a good year this year, all right. 394 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:05,880 First up, in my beer that I'm having from the 395 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:10,200 breweries that participated in j Beer is from Altar. This 396 00:24:10,279 --> 00:24:14,240 is called Rally Point. It's a West Coast India pale 397 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:18,119 ale checks in at seven point five percent. They use 398 00:24:18,279 --> 00:24:22,359 two road malt, Victory and Munich Malt, along with Comet 399 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:28,480 Cascade and Cryo Simco hops. According to the website, this 400 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:32,839 is made to help support our first responders in military 401 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:36,720 as a beautiful red, white and blue can. Big fan 402 00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:40,000 of the artwork on this can. So let's crack open 403 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:53,160 rally point from Altar. That is a good looking beer, 404 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:57,359 really nice dark amber color. A lot of foam here, 405 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:02,799 getting a good three fingers of foam digging the aroma, 406 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:06,400 big aroma up front. I'm liking this a lot. It 407 00:25:06,519 --> 00:25:10,160 is a West Coast so it's definitely not hazy. Big 408 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:15,160 fan of that. That's good. A lot of malt that 409 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:17,960 hits me up front more than some of the other 410 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,559 West Coast styles. This big mault flavors upfront, good sweetness there, 411 00:25:22,559 --> 00:25:26,000 and then the hops beautiful hot flavors in the middle 412 00:25:26,039 --> 00:25:28,240 with a little bitterness at the end. Now, I think 413 00:25:28,279 --> 00:25:31,279 this is a good version of a West Coast style. 414 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:33,599 I'm liking this so far. I'm gonna get a little 415 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:37,920 bit more of this. No, that's good. That's definitely something 416 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:40,519 I would keep in my fridge year round. I think 417 00:25:40,559 --> 00:25:44,759 this is a really good West Coast IPA. I like it. 418 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:48,079 I hit something else from altern I don't remember what 419 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:51,200 it was, but I do remember enjoying that. I'll have 420 00:25:51,279 --> 00:25:54,000 to go back in the beer in front our guys 421 00:25:54,079 --> 00:25:56,960 to see what it was, but they have three locations, 422 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:00,759 one in Downers Grove, Oakbrook, and Saint Charles. So if 423 00:26:00,799 --> 00:26:04,319 you're in the western suburbs, definitely hit up Alter. I 424 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,640 think their beer is really good. Put the rally point 425 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:17,000 in the cart, all right, I'm gonna close things off 426 00:26:17,039 --> 00:26:21,640 with an orange door from Sketchbook. This is a West 427 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:25,960 Coast IPA double dry hop. I'm a big fan of this. 428 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:30,079 I love Sketch Book. It's one of the favorite breweries 429 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:34,440 that I've gone to with Ruby in the Chicago Land area. 430 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:38,440 We really love the vibe there. I'm a big fan 431 00:26:38,519 --> 00:26:42,559 of Sketch Book. This has been out for about ten years. 432 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:47,079 I think the brewery opened ten years ago, and I 433 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:49,720 like everything that I've had from there. So this is 434 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:53,359 a double dry hopped West Coast IPA seven point two 435 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:57,839 percent alcohol seventy six IBus. From the name orange door, 436 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:02,359 they had an orange door when they opened. But you're 437 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:05,880 gonna get some big citrus flavors out of this. A 438 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,799 little pine. Let's crack open the orange door from Sketchbook. 439 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:16,119 Really nice color here, nice more on the lighter side 440 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:18,400 compared to the one I just hand from Altar, but 441 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:22,279 it's a really good color. Good foam. Yeah, you get 442 00:27:22,319 --> 00:27:28,880 that big pine citrus aroma right up front. It smells phenomenal. Yeah, 443 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:34,960 that's good. Those hops hit you right up front. Seventy 444 00:27:35,039 --> 00:27:39,240 six IBus. You get that big blast of bitterness at 445 00:27:39,319 --> 00:27:43,880 the end, which you know, in today's hazy world you 446 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:46,799 almost don't expect that. You're like, whoa, whoa, whoa, what's this? 447 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:50,240 Where am I back in time? Is this twenty fifteen 448 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:54,319 or something? No, this is really good. Yeah, you do 449 00:27:54,480 --> 00:28:00,319 get kind of like a Marmalady type nope fee to 450 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:04,039 this with the taste. You get that big citrus sweetness 451 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,720 taste kind of in the middle. I love this. I 452 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:11,039 think this is a great beer. Everything that I've had 453 00:28:11,079 --> 00:28:15,079 from Sketchbook, between this Pinky Sweater the other ones that 454 00:28:15,119 --> 00:28:18,519 they have, they're all good. So if you're in the 455 00:28:18,599 --> 00:28:21,640 Northern Suburbs, I would definitely hit them up. I think 456 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:24,480 you're gonna enjoy like the tap rooms that they have. 457 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,440 It's a really cool place, good vibe that you get there. 458 00:28:29,039 --> 00:28:32,440 I'm a big fan. So if you see Orange Door 459 00:28:32,599 --> 00:28:35,920 from Sketchbook, you definitely have to put this one in 460 00:28:36,039 --> 00:28:48,640 the cart as well. All Right, that's going to wrap 461 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:51,599 things up for this edition of Beer in Front. I 462 00:28:51,759 --> 00:28:54,640 thank you very much for listening. Once again, I want 463 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:58,400 to thank raced Out from the Illinois craft Brewers Guild 464 00:28:58,759 --> 00:29:02,000 for coming on and talking about J Beer. If you're 465 00:29:02,039 --> 00:29:05,920 around and you see anything from Sketchbook or Alter, definitely 466 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:09,240 pick up some of their beers. They're both great. Have 467 00:29:09,319 --> 00:29:11,359 a great week everyone, I'll talk to you next week, 468 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,240 and remember sometimes the beer in front of you is 469 00:29:15,319 --> 00:29:16,319 the best one yet.