Over The Barrel

Chicago Tribune beer reporter Josh Noel is one of the best-connected people in the craft beer scene. Over the Barrel sat down with him to ask how he got on the beer beat, the slowing of the bomber bottle trend and Goose Island's latest batch of Bourbon County stouts. Over the Barrel is a podcast hosted by Ben Meyerson, Charles Berman and Rich Bird, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.

Superdawg, the old-fashioned Northwest Side drive-in known for its boxes stuffed with fat franks and fries, has expanded into a new domain: beer. The restaurant has teamed with Irving Park’s Lake Effect Brewing Company to make Super Bier, a German-style brew designed to pair with hot dogs. Over the Barrel cohosts Ben Meyerson, Charles Berman and Rich Bird sat down with Superdawg's social media manager Ben Ustick and Lake Effect's head brewer Clint Bautz to talk about the project, taste the beer and eat some hot dogs. Over the Barrel is a beer podcast from Sun-Times Media Local, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.

Three Floyds Brewing has a cult-like following for its lineup of beers — but none of its brews commands a more rabid fan base than its Dark Lord Russian imperial stout. Released one day a year at the Munster, Indiana brewery, it's become a holiday for craft beer fans around the nation. Over the Barrel cohosts Ben Meyerson, Charles Berman and Rich Bird went out to the annual event, and talked a bit about the beer, and the madness of the event. Over the Barrel is a beer podcast from Sun-Times Media Local, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.

Lagunitas has had its bottles on the ground in Chicago for years, but its popular Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ ale and West Coast-style India Pale Ale is now being made with Lake Michigan water in a massive new brew house at 17th and Rockwell. Founder Tony Magee, Head Brewer Mary Bauer and regional Marketing Manager Karen Hamilton talked to co-hosts Charles Berman and Rich Bird about the new brewhouse. Over the Barrel is a beer podcast from Sun-Times Media Local, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.

Sketchbook Brewing Company is a soon-to-open nano brewery that plans to offer kegs to local restaurants and growler fills out of their space off an Evanston alley. Co-owners Shawn Decker and Cesar Marron talked to co-hosts Ben Meyerson and Rich Bird about their plans to try the community-supported brewery model, and how important locals will be to the brewery's success. Over the Barrel is a beer podcast from Sun-Times Media Local, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.

Marc Wilson from Nevin’s, Steve Woertendyke from Two Brothers and Tim Marshall from Solemn Oath join Over the Barrel co-hosts Charles Berman and Tracy Maple to talk about the Chicago suburbs' thriving craft beer culture. Over the Barrel is a beer podcast from Sun-Times Media Local, focusing on beer, craft breweries and other interesting alcohol-related news in the Chicago area.