Claim OwnershipThe Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast
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© 2025 The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast
Description
We love craft beer! Each week we will taste a number of beers from around the country and give you our thoughts, not only will we talk about the flavor, but also the artwork and anything else that comes to mind.
We will also go on location and visit breweries and try a number of their offerings and give you our thoughts as well.
Come sit around the campfire and join in on the fun!
134 Episodes
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Send us a text The fall beer slump finally met its match. After weeks of thin American Oktoberfests, we lined up a smarter tasting: Sam Adams’ Fall Legends variety pack, a side-by-side of 3 Sheeps’ classic vs. bourbon barrel-aged Oktoberfest, and two high-ABV curveballs from Spearfish Brewing in South Dakota. The result? Real flavor, clean contrasts, and two undeniable winners. We kick off with Sam Adams Jack-O—a pumpkin beer with cinnamon and nutmeg that lands crisp instead of cloying—then ...
Send us a text What happens when you line up eight American Oktoberfests—NA to 6.1% ABV—and go searching for that rich, toasty, German-style soul? We found drinkable lagers, a few surprises, and a lot of restrained flavor that made us ask why so many U.S. takes feel cautious. From Athletic’s better-than-expected NA Fest Brew to Surly’s subtly sweeter finish, we walk through each pour with clear notes, simple language, and honest scores. Point and Leinenkugel’s hint at malt but don’t carry it ...
Send us a text Forget sugar-bomb pumpkin beers—this tasting tour is all about balance, craft, and a few bold surprises. We line up six fall pours that couldn’t be more different: a rare pumpkin lager, a chili-spiced ale that warms on the finish, a silky nitro pumpkin spice latte with coffee, and two barrel-aged heavyweights that turn seasonal flavor into slow-sipping art. The arc builds from approachable to audacious, and it’s capped by a rye barrel–aged Belgian-style quad with figs and molas...
Send us a text The line between tradition and interpretation blurs when American breweries tackle the iconic Oktoberfest beer style. After recently sampling authentic German Märzens and Festbiers, we now turn our attention to seven American interpretations to see how they measure up to the originals. What we discover is both surprising and revealing. While German Oktoberfest beers demonstrate remarkable consistency in their rich, malty profiles, American versions showcase wildly varying appr...
Send us a text Fall brings not just changing leaves but an exciting shift in the beer landscape. While Oktoberfest brews dominate shelves, we decided to explore the oft-maligned but increasingly sophisticated world of pumpkin beers. Our journey began with Shipyard's approachable Pumpkin Head (4.5% ABV), which surprised us with its balanced pumpkin pie spices and crisp finish. This proved an excellent gateway pumpkin beer that even skeptics might enjoy. The contrast with Four Hands Brewing's ...
Send us a text Ever wondered what sets authentic German Oktoberfest beers apart from their American counterparts? We embarked on a flavor journey through seven genuine German brews to find out! This special "Septoberfest" episode features something we've never done before – comparing exclusively German Oktoberfest beers side-by-side. We explore the subtle differences between Marzen, Festbier, and Oktoberfest styles from Germany's finest breweries: Erdinger, Benediktiner, Paulaner, Weihenstep...
Send us a text Wisconsin's craft beer scene takes center stage as we embark on a 12-beer tasting adventure at Pal's Brew Pub in Wisconsin Dells. Joined by my brother Brian (the mad scientist), my dad Dave, and Uncle Larry, we dive into flights spanning traditional styles and boundary-pushing flavors. The standout surprise? A garlic-infused pickle beer that completely redefines what pickle beer can be. While most pickle beers on the market offer a one-dimensional experience, the subtle garlic...
Send us a text Pull up a barstool for an exclusive tasting session with Brian "the mad scientist," head brewer at Five Alarm Brewing in Lake Mills, Iowa. This special episode takes you behind the scenes of a firefighter-owned brewery making waves with inventive craft creations. Brian unpacks the art and science of brewing as we sample seven distinctive beers, each with its own remarkable story. From a traditional German Maybach lager that celebrates spring to a spicy dill pickle beer that's ...
Send us a text When Mike and Jim decided to "up the ante" from their previous session of easy-drinking beers, they weren't kidding. This episode dives headfirst into the world of high-octane brewing artistry, featuring eight beers ranging from 10% to a mind-boggling 15.4% ABV, each showcasing how master brewers balance potent alcohol with sophisticated flavor profiles. The journey begins with an unexpected stumble – Southern Tier's Creme Brulee Imperial Stout presents an off-putting burnt ch...
Send us a text What if we told you that craft beer diversity doesn't require high alcohol content? In this enlightening tasting session, Mike and Jim explore six completely different beer styles all under 6% ABV, proving that lower-alcohol options can still deliver exceptional flavor and craftsmanship. The journey begins with Leinenkugel's Northwoods Amber (4.9%), a beer with an interesting comeback story, before moving to the true star of the show: Urban Growler's Vanilla Latte Blonde Ale. ...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when farm heritage meets craft beer tasting? This episode delivers both in a refreshing blend of Wisconsin history and stout comparison. Jim's family farm just received Wisconsin's prestigious sesquicentennial award, recognizing 150 years of continuous family ownership—an honor bestowed on only 1,065 farms in state history. As we sample three distinct stouts, Jim shares the remarkable journey of his ancestors who immigrated from Norway in the 1860s t...
Send us a text What happens when two craft beer enthusiasts venture beyond their comfort zone and dive into the world of summer shandies? Pure, unexpected delight. The Northwoods Beer Guy and Jim embark on a refreshing tasting adventure, sampling eight different fruit-forward beers from Leinenkugel's and Saugatuck Brewing Company. Breaking from their usual preferences, they discover remarkable differences between these easy-drinking summer options. Shandies – traditionally beer mixed with a...
Send us a text When the mercury rises, beer lovers face a dilemma: how to enjoy craft beer without the heaviness that comes with many beloved brews. In this refreshing summer episode, Mike and Jim dive into the world of lighter, more sessionable options perfect for hot weather drinking. The journey begins with fruit-forward offerings from Hop and Barrel Brewing—Cherry Breaker and Lime Breaker—both crafted with real fruit and designed for easy drinking at just 3.7% ABV. While the cherry varia...
Send us a text Ever wondered what a 5,000-year-old alcoholic beverage tastes like in the 21st century? Join Mike and BK as they finally tackle their long-promised mead podcast, exploring the oldest known fermented drink on earth through five wildly different modern interpretations. The adventure begins with a surprisingly refreshing Watermelon Honey Badgerita that defies expectations, followed by an introduction to the aromatic spice cardamom in the aptly-named "The Dispear" pear mead. But n...
Send us a text Grab a beer and settle in for an unexpected journey across the Midwest's brewing landscape as we recount our recent brewery-hopping adventure that took some surprising turns. What began as a simple trip to claim my winning lottery draw for Toppling Goliath's coveted Assassin Imperial Stout transformed into a multi-brewery expedition revealing hidden gems tucked away in picturesque small towns. When faced with overwhelming crowds at Toppling Goliath, we pivoted to explore Fat P...
Send us a text Unwrapping a care package of Virginia beers ignites an unexpected journey through the Commonwealth's craft brewing scene. When BK's son Wes—stationed with the Navy in Virginia—ships home a thoughtfully curated collection of regional brews, we seize the opportunity to explore these East Coast offerings from our Northwoods setting. This tasting adventure leads us through strikingly diverse styles: a rainbow sherbet sour that challenges our expectations, a pineapple wheat beer th...
Send us a text Fear of IPAs is common among casual beer drinkers – that distinct hop aroma can trigger immediate skepticism before the first sip ever touches your lips. But what if everything you thought you knew about IPAs was based on misconceptions? In this eye-opening episode, we take a methodical journey through the IPA spectrum, starting with a gentle pale ale and gradually working our way up to a massive 12% ABV quadruple IPA. Joining regular hosts Mike and Jim is Julie, a self-procla...
Send us a text Dive into the dark, boozy world of barrel-aged beers as Mike welcomes his brother Brian, a professional brewer, to sample six high-octane offerings from 608 Brewing in La Crosse, Wisconsin. With ABVs ranging from 14.1% to a staggering 17.6%, this isn't your average beer tasting! The brothers carefully work through each imperial stout and barleywine, sharing their expert insights on flavor profiles, brewing techniques, and the subtle art of barrel aging. From the coconut-infuse...
Send us a text What happens when craft beer enthusiasts dive into mystery brews from across America? This episode takes you on a flavorful journey as Mike and his brother Brian, an experienced homebrewer, sample eight diverse beers from a Beer of the Month Club subscription. The brothers work their way through a carefully arranged tasting flight, starting with lighter options like the Hardywood Pils—a traditional German-style lager brewed according to the historic Reinheitsgebot purity law o...
Send us a text What happens when brothers reunite to taste forgotten beers? That's exactly what unfolds as Mike welcomes his brother Brian—known affectionately as "the mad scientist"—to the Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast for a unique tasting experience. Together, they crack open a time capsule in the form of unopened Beer of the Month Club boxes that have been sitting in Brian's basement, containing craft offerings from breweries across America that most drinkers will never encounter. From a hi...
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