BeerDorks.com: Reviews, Commentary and Opinions on Midwest Craft Beer and Microbreweries

 

Articles

Water, Water Everywhere, So Let’s All Have A Drink

Most of the breweries in the Midwest are safe after more historic flooding. [»]
by Jill Jaracz
Published June 26, 2008

Summer Beer Conundrums

Asking a beer dork what brews to get for a summer cookout could turn into a loaded question. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published June 19, 2008

Reusing Yeast

Take control of your home brew—and be a cheap skate—by resurrecting your yeast batch after batch. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published June 9, 2008

The Bitter Billboard

Nigel and Eddie spout their bloated opinions on the best IPAs to be found in the Midwest. [»]
by Nigel Tanner and Eddie Glick
Published June 2, 2008

Mythologized

Don’t let the manufactured hype of the masses influence your beer tastes. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published May 27, 2008

Party’s Over

As the interest in craft beer skyrockets, it’s time for fest organizers to adjust to the crowds. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published May 13, 2008

Evolution Of A Beer Dork

Much like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, Nigel rose from the evil influences of shit beer and became a certified Beer Dork. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published May 5, 2008

Midwest World Beer Cup Winners

A quick rundown of the Midwest’s medal winners in the 2008 World Beer Cup. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 20, 2008

Make It Better With Beer

Sure, it’s trendy, but the fact is pairing good Midwestern craft brews with food makes eating almost as enjoyable as drinking beer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 15, 2008

Why Is That One-Eyed Cat Walking Backwards?

The Brewers Association annual top 50 list got us to thinking: when is a craft brewer not really a craft brewer? [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 9, 2008

In Celebration Of Slowly Peeling Off A Skanky Band-Aid

Celebrate—and appreciate—the first step in the repeal of Prohibition by drinking a low-ABV Midwest craft brew … if you can find one. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 7, 2008

An Open Letter Of Advice To New Holland Brewing Company

Re: Suing the asses off of those shit beer producers in St. Louis, Missouri  [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published March 25, 2008

Death And Rebirth In A World Of Darkness

Easter, pagans, Top Gun, yeast, and other strangeness on the vernal equinox. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published March 20, 2008

Scotchtoberfest

St. Patrick’s Day has been lost to the bead-wearing idiots, so celebrate a different kilt-lifting holiday with better beer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published March 14, 2008

We’ve Got Some Floaters Here

Checking out some live beer at the Night of the Living Ales in Chicago. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published March 10, 2008

Have A Beer And Vote, But Don’t Vote For Beer

As much as we love the nectar of the gods, the idea of voting for the candidate you “most want to have a beer with” is just plain stupid. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published March 6, 2008

Two Gruits Fat And Thin

Jug shares the results of his great herbal beer experiment. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published February 26, 2008

Voting Results For The Midwest Brewery Power Rankings

Bell’s takes home the viewers’ vote, while the Beer Dorks are split. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published February 19, 2008

It’s Hops, It’s Barley, It’s A Meal

The legacy of Earl Butz and the industrialization of what we eat and drink. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published February 14, 2008

Vote In The Midwest Brewery Power Rankings

Forget “Super Tuesday.” We’re talking beer here. Vote on the Midwest’s most important beer producers.  [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published February 10, 2008

Loving Cocktails In A Beer Dork’s World

Living with a beer dork can, in fact, have a downside, other than no room in the fridge for anything but beer … [»]
by Lexi Sterling
Published February 4, 2008

Just Gruit

If the hop shortage is giving you the home brew blues, spice things up with an herbal beer. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published January 27, 2008

Get Outta My Back Yard

Why import Fat Tire all the way from Colorado when we have plenty of great amber brews here in the Midwest?  [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published January 21, 2008

A Tale Of Two Cs

Getting to know the Centennial hop through two great Midwest IPAs. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published January 9, 2008

2008: A Beer Odyssey

Ring in 2008 with a good beer, and keep it coming throughout the year. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published December 31, 2007

’Tis The Season To Get Jolly

Can’t seem to find that perfect gift? Facing a weekend with the in-laws? Sounds like you need beer, my friend! [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published December 19, 2007

The Darkest Night

Screw Christmas and celebrate the winter solstice like our ancestors did: with beer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published December 16, 2007

The Two Faces Of Faux Craft Beer

They might not be flat-out lying to you, but big beer sure is being disingenuous when it comes to promoting their “craft” beers. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published December 9, 2007

Everlasting Fire

Taste testing three years of Capital Brewing’s Autumnal Fire side by side by side. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published November 26, 2007

Fruit Beer Manifesto

When it comes to craft fruit beers, using juice additives instead of actual fruit is a total sellout. [»]
by Jill Jaracz
Published November 19, 2007

Liquid Gold

You think gas prices are bad? Get ready for higher prices on your favorite brews. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published November 8, 2007

Extreme Misnomer

Today’s new big, exotic beers are really just a return to brewing’s roots. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published October 24, 2007

Coiller Does Not Rock

What you as a beer dork can do about the Coors-Miller merger. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published October 18, 2007

Homebrew For Humanity

Celebrate the anniversary of the law that helped spark the craft beer revolution. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published October 14, 2007

Midwest Medal Winners At The 2007 GABF

A rundown of Midwest brewery medal winners at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published October 13, 2007

Beer Fest, Mad-City Style

The Beer Dorks conquer the 14th Annual Quivey’s Grove Beer Fest [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published October 11, 2007

Iowa City Madness

Jill and Baby-boy tear it up at the 12th annual Iowa City Brew Fest [»]
by Jill Jaracz and Baby-Boy Jackson
Published October 4, 2007

Smoked

A quality beer experience must supercede all. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published September 17, 2007

A Eulogy In Beer

A tribute to the passing of a true beer pioneer and champion: Michael Jackson. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published September 4, 2007

Title Town, U.S.A.

Resident homebrew specialist Jug Dunningan goes brewpub hopping in Green Bay. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published August 28, 2007

Ten Years Of Beer

Two Brothers celebrates a milestone anniversary. [»]
by Jill Jaracz
Published August 17, 2007

Bitter Love … Kind Of Like Hops!

Five things we love and hate about the Great Taste of the Midwest. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published August 12, 2007

Here’s A Rating For You: Wine Sucks

How to use the Beer Dorks’ craft beer reviews. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published August 7, 2007

Beware Of Belgians Bearing Hoppy Gifts, Naturally

Eddie Glick goes to the Pacific Northwest to check out the 20th annual Oregon Brewers Festival. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published July 30, 2007

Happy Frickin’ Anniversary

Midwest craft brewers are releasing specialty brews to celebrate some significant anniversaries. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published July 18, 2007

Tailgate To Heaven

Enjoy a Midwestern summer tradition in true Beer Dorks style. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published July 11, 2007

American Wheat What What

Eddie Glick runs down a panoply of Midwest wheat beers and which ones will best suit your personality. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published July 4, 2007

Dancing With The Devil In GR

In which Eddie Glick concludes his American Craft Beer Week road trip with a stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Third of three parts. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published June 23, 2007

I’ve Got A Beer In Kalamazoo

In which Eddie Glick continues his American Craft Beer Week road trip by visiting Bell’s Eccentric Cafe. Second of three parts. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published June 16, 2007

Lagged Fermentations Are More Than A Delay

Follow Jug’s simple yeast-pitching techniques to prevent your next batch of home brew from becoming a playground for bacterial beasties. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published June 9, 2007

Munster, Baby, Munster

In which Eddie Glick embarks on a Midwest brewery odyssey to celebrate American Craft Beer Week. The first of three parts. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published June 2, 2007

Drinkin’, Dark Continent Style

On safari with Sprecher’s funky African-style ales. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published May 10, 2007

My Beer Fridge Is Cooler Than Your Beer Fridge

Limited release, rare craft brews are one highlight of America’s new golden age of beer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 26, 2007

Homebrew Epiphany: The Scratch Batch

Letting your spontaneity and creativity run wild is a fun way to potentially stumble across a masterpiece. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published April 12, 2007

April Is Anti-A-B Month

Tell the King of Shit Beers where they can shove their swill all April long … and possibly longer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published April 5, 2007

SnowBeerDorks Allowed

If you choose to winter in Florida, you’ll still have good beer. [»]
by Jill Jaracz
Published March 22, 2007

It’s My Bock, Brew Your Own!

Early spring is the time of the mai bock, a noble brew with a rich tradition that suits Midwestern weather perfectly. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published March 15, 2007

Get Your Irish On With Midwest Craft Beer, But Hold The Beads

A side-by-side comparison of two Irish ales to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published March 8, 2007

Do Yourself A Favor And Have A Beer, Dammit

More and more scientific studies are saying that drinking quality craft brews has a plethora of health benefits. [»]
by Baby-Boy Jackson
Published March 1, 2007

Need Good Head?

Some simple tricks and techniques to get the best head on your home brew. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published February 22, 2007

Surviving the Axis of Evil

Nigel’s life in a small Midwestern town where shit beer rules. [»]
by Nigel Tanner
Published February 15, 2007

Beertown Of The Midwest

Madison, Wisconsin is quickly becoming the premier destination for Midwest craft beer. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published February 8, 2007

Low Carb Beer?

Say goodbye to crappy macro light beers by brewing your own low-carb frankenstein. [»]
by Jug Dunningan
Published February 3, 2007

Anheuser-Busch To Import More Shit Beer Into The U.S.

The makers of Bud Light and other shit beers will be importing China’s Harbin Lager. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published January 22, 2007

‘I Used To Run But I Kept Spilling My Imperial Stout’ Isn’t An Excuse To Hang On To That Beer Gut

Shaving off or staving off Dunlap’s Disease—better known as the beer gut—is easier than you might expect, with a little exercise and using that magic word: moderation. [»]
by Baby-Boy Jackson
Published December 31, 2006

Midwest Brewery Power Rankings

The Beer Dorks’ very first power rankings find Three Floyds on top by a hair. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published December 18, 2006

The Beer Guy Always Rings Twice

John’s Grocery is willing to ship great craft brews to just about anywhere in America, as long as you call them up and talk beer with them first. [»]
by Baby-Boy Jackson
Published December 7, 2006

Know Thy Beer

Thinking of ordering up a pint of that new craft brew your local pub just got in? Know before you buy—you may just be getting a repackaged macro. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published December 2, 2006

The Importance Of Style

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need beer styles. In a perfect world, someone would have invented the poopless dog, too. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published November 16, 2006

One Belluva Problem

Two (well, three, actually) sides to the mess that led to Bell's Brewing pulling out of the Illinois market. [»]
by Baby-Boy Jackson
Published November 6, 2006

Enemies Of Homogeneity

The Beer Dorks’ whack-job manifesto. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published October 18, 2006

Chutzpah or Beer?

Checking out a Kosher microbrew. [»]
by Jill Jaracz
Published October 11, 2006

Drink Historical

A brief but enlightening beer tour of history-rich Philadelphia. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published October 6, 2006

Eternal Oktober

A rundown of some of the Midwest's best-known Oktoberfest beers. [»]
by Eddie Glick
Published September 18, 2006

Chips and Beer, Together At Last

Taking some whack-job's beer-and-potato fusion for a drunken test drive. [»]
by Baby-Boy Jackson
Published May 6, 2006