Sipping Social Podcast

#059 - Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Select

We tasted a delicious couple of brews from Solemn Oath Brewing from their Small Wave series. The Private Barrel Select from Russell's Reserve was not surprisingly wonderful. It was a fun, romantic, candle-lit spring night at the Underground Studio. Let's go!

#058 - Red Ales & Bull Run Single Barrel Aged 15 Years

In this episode we’re back in the Underground Studio after some amazing live events. We discuss the new restaurants in Wheaton that are about to open and New Belgium changing the recipe of Fat Tire. We reviewed Tighthead’s Scarlet Fire and Great Lakes Conway Red Ale on the beer side, both were good but one stood out. The  whiskey was a Bull Run 13 yr bourbon aged in Pinot Noir casks for 2 years that is super tasty, especially for the proof! Listen up and drink up!

#057 - Denver Trip, Laws Whiskey House & Old Elk

In this episode we recap our amazing trip to Denver, Colorado. We visited the Old Elk packaging facility in Fort Collins with their rep Erik. He was also able to get us a private barrel tasting in their rickhouse which was an amazing experience. We also toured Laws Whiskey House distillery and rickhouse to pick a barrel for the Chicago based restaurant group Bourbon Belly Hospitality.

#056 - Early Times Bourbon & Hop Butcher Telehopic Double IPA

It this episode we wrap up 2022 with some delicious bourbon and beer and chat about all the great things we accomplished this year. The Hop Butcher Telehopic Double IPA was amazing and the Early Times Bottled-in-bond did not disappoint. Looking forward to 2023!

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#055 - Dovetail Brewing

In this episode we recorded remote at the Dovetail Brewery in Chicago, IL. Dovetail Brewery merges continental European styles and techniques with American creativity to produce amazingly unique beers that are typically found in small, family-run breweries in Europe. We had a great discussion with owners Hagen & Bill and their sales director Dan. Lets go!

#054 - Hopleaf Bar Chicago

Hopleaf has been a both a mecca for craft beer fans and a relaxed neighborhood pub in Andersonville. For over 15 years, Hopleaf has also offered thoughtfully sourced, in-house prepped, chef-inspired dining. We had the pleasure in talking to Michael Roper, the man who started it all.

#053 - Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel & Crystal Lake Beers

In this episode, we sipped on Hoptopus Imperial Hazy IPA and Dunkel Lagar from Crystal Lake Brewery in, you guessed it, Crystal Lake. Garrett also brought a winner that stayed at the Underground Studio from Russell's Reserve, their Straight Rye Single Barrel. We apologize for the slight fuzzy audio quality in this one, we will dial it in next episode.

#052 - Noon Whistle Brewing

In this episode we chat with the owners of Noon Whistle Brewing out of Lombard, IL. They brought everything they have in stock for us to try, and we tried it all. Listen up for some great insights and new techniques in the brewing industry. These boys were fun to hang out with and had a lot of interesting knowledge to share. Let's go!

#051 - Phase Three Stay Free & Nulu Single Barrel

Phase Three seems to never disappoint, but did they in this episode? You'll just have to listen up and find out, ha! We also try a Nulu single barrel barrel from Justin's House of Bourbon. Everyone was in great spirits coming off our previous live show recording, it was a fun one.

#050 - Live Show - Pinhook Bourbon & Sean Josephs

Sean Josephs is a founder of Pinhook and the Master Blender. We chat with him about a couple of unique bourbons, one of them being an barrel pick by Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group. It was a fun night in front of a packed viewing audience at Burger Social in downtown Wheaton, IL.

#049 - Underground Studio West

In this podcast we venture out to our very own Garrett's underground bar, "the office" in Geneva, IL. Mike and Johnny had to opportunity to hand select a couple of very nice bottles of whiskey to down while enjoying the look of disgust on G's face. All jokes aside, he shares.

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#048 - 93 Octane Brewery

In this episode we sat down with Mario, the owner of 93 Octane Brewery and his head brewer Alex. 93 Octane Brewery opened in 2019 and is out of St. Charles, IL. They are doing some pretty great things over there. Be sure to listen till the end of this episode, where Alex does some pretty interesting things to their stout beer.

#047 - Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend

In this episode we try a funky farmhouse ale from Illuminated Brew Works called Watermelon Gun. Garrett outdid himself on the whiskey side and brought in Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend, a phenomenal whiskey outfit out of Washington DC. Listen up to hear when the next live show is and drink up so we sound good!!

#046 - Half Acre Brewing

We had the opportunity to record in mikes favorite brewery of all time and he's on cloud nine. Garrett "kind of likes" Half Acre as well and unfortunately for Johnny we’re not at the Captain Morgan Distillery. Sipping Social welcomes Matt Gallagher on the show, he’s the owner, co-founder, and engineer of Half Acre. We talked about a lot of shit. Listen up!

#045 - Traverse City Whiskey Co. & Boat Beers

On this episode we reviewed a Traverse City Whiskey Co. single barrel store pick from Pride Liquor. This barrel proof whiskey was selected by producer johnny and came in at around 113 proof (Garrett was happy). We also blind tasted three random beers that sounded like they'd be good to crush while boating. We hated one, loved one and passed on one. Listen up, we had a blast!

#044 - Colorado Spirits and Craft Beers

Our very own Mike Carl took an epic trip to Colorado and hit up some great breweries and distilleries you should check out! If your in a ski town in Colorado, these are some joints you should definitely check out. Mikes story about river rafting while it's snowing is something to hear, it was quiet the once in a lifetime experience.

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#043 - The Live Show

On this episode, we recorded in front of a live audience! It was a private event hosted by Burger Social in Wheaton, IL in their amazing bar space on the second floor. The event was a huge success and we are so thankful that we have such a wonderful listening audience. The night was energetic and so fun, we can't wait to do it again. Thank you to our sponsors Hidden Hand Brew, Michters Whiskey and Burger Social for helping us out big time!

#042 - Blaum Brothers Whiskey

On this episode we jam out with Matt Brown from Blaum Bros, he’s fun. We also drank and reviewed a delicious Hazy IPA from Solemn Oath, thanks friends who made this!! Join us next time for more beer and whiskey shenanigans… Listen up and drink up!! Cheers!

#041 - Old Pepper Distillery Single Barrel Rye & Noon Whistle Dub Dub

In this episode we get to taste a single barrel rye from Old Pepper Distillery, to go along with Noon Whistle's Dub Dub freshie fresh from a crowler. The customer of the week was something, #togoqueen. Pour a good one, the episode starts out a little slow but for sure ramps up! Thanks for listening!

#040 - Elijah Craig Single Barrel & Exile Brewing Company

This episode we review some great stuff by Elijah Craig & Exile Brewing Company out of Des Moines, Iowa. We had a great time talking about interesting news in the restaurant industry, listed a few great places to check out downtown Chicago (if you have a vax card.... still) and told a great story about some recent customers at Burger Social in Wheaton, IL.