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A house band, wax-dipped bombers, and six barrel-aged beers later, we walked away surprised by what truly stood out—and what didn’t. We lined up a spectrum: a 5.1% blueberry pastry sour from 608 Brewing, a Russian imperial stout from Bad Weather, two heavy hitters from Barrel Theory (including a Blanton’s-aged collab), and a pair from Forager culminating in a five-thread English-style barleywine. Along the way we challenged labels against the glass, debated whether exotic adjuncts matter if you can’t taste them, and unpacked why some barrels sing while others barely whisper.

The pastry sour proved sweeter than expected, with blueberry and vanilla riding over a very light barrel note. Calamity looked the part but felt restrained on flavor, sparking a discussion about IBUs, roast, and what age can take away. Barrel Theory’s Cursed Visions returned the depth we were craving—thick, chocolate-forward, and polished—while Eternal Frost showcased how 19-year Old Fitzgerald barrels can deliver silk without the burn. From there, Forager’s Nuts promised coconut, roasted nuts, and five origins of vanilla bean “caviar,” yet the adjuncts stayed in the background. Then Romp changed the narrative: a blend of five barleywines aged across Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, George Dickel, and Rock Filter barrels, layered with dried fruit, caramel, leathery oak, and holiday spice. It was cohesive, warming, and our top scorer by a clear margin.

We also pulled back the curtain on process and context—how collabs could better explain who brings what, why Minnesota’s distribution laws separate Forager and Humble Forager, and how English-style barleywine can be a smoother entry point than its American counterpart. If you love barrel-aged beer, you’ll get tasting notes you can trust, respectful critique for rising programs, and a short list of bottles worth hunting down—starting with Romp.

Enjoy the pour? Follow the show, share this episode with a fellow beer nerd, and drop a rating or review to help more listeners find us. Tell us your favorite barrel-aged release this season and what you want us to try next.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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Ever balanced a flight so big it looks like a train car? We headed to Al Ringling Brewing in Baraboo, Wisconsin, home of circus lore and a taproom built with reclaimed bowling-lane wood, to sample all sixteen taps and rank them from easy sippers to bold experiments. Between the historic pipe organ and the clink of glassware, we dug into what makes each pour work: clean lagers, nuanced ales, and a few curveballs that sparked friendly debate.

We start with approachable classics like Ringling Original, the malty-smooth Hannaford Red, and a pine-forward West Coast IPA that proves IBUs don’t always match perceived bitterness. Cocoa Caliente, an American porter with chocolate and a hint of cinnamon warmth, emerges as an early favorite. From there, we explore a crisp Czech pilsner, a banana-and-wheat hefeweizen, and an English porter that leans roasty and dry. The blonde ale adds a touch of tang, showing how small deviations can make a familiar style feel new.

Curiosity ramps up with a juicy New England IPA, a chai tea–infused blonde that delivers real spice aroma without heaviness, and a tropical hazy loaded with passionfruit, orange, and guava. Then comes the wildcard stretch: a trio of hard seltzers where fruit punch steals the show, a salty-tart pineapple lime gose that divides the table, and Gherkin, a cucumber pilsner that’s surprisingly refreshing when cold. Along the way we talk scoring, palate fatigue, and why sequence matters when tasting across sixteen different profiles.

If you’re planning a visit to Baraboo, consider this your guide to what to order first and what to save for last. Hit play for our honest ratings, favorite picks, and the stories behind a brewery that blends circus history with modern craft. If you enjoy the ride, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find us.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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Think stout has to be dark, heavy, and bitter? We crack open a lineup that challenges the stereotype—white stouts that drink silky and bright, classic nitro smoothness, and a surprise brandy barrel lager that channels a Wisconsin old fashioned.

We start with a final Oktoberfest check-in before diving into lower-ABV stouts, explaining what makes a white stout different and why the flavor cues—vanilla, coffee, white chocolate—can show up without the inky pour. Leinenkugel’s White Mocha Stout and Whole Hog’s Casper White Stout lead the way with balanced vanilla and mocha notes on a pale canvas, proving you can have stout character without the burnt finish. Along the way, we compare nitro vs CO2 mouthfeel using Left Hand’s Milk Stout Nitro and talk about how nitrogen transforms texture into that pillowy, pub-like cascade.

Local love continues with Stone Arch’s Vanilla Oatmeal Stout and Moon Ridge’s Below the Dam, where we weigh expectations vs reality on vanilla, roast, and carbonation. Then comes The Brewing Projekt’s Cow Cow Caramel Macchiato, a salted caramel-forward treat beer that dazzles in aroma and demands slow sipping. For a finale, we pop Lakefront’s Barrel-Aged Holiday Spice Lager—brandy barrel-aged with cinnamon, clove, orange zest, and honey—for a ruby-amber, season-ready sipper that’s smooth, warming, and impeccably balanced.

If you’re stout-curious or just want a fresh angle on winter beers, you’ll leave with a shopping list: start with Casper for your first white stout, keep Leinie’s White Mocha in the fridge, save Cow Cow for dessert, and share that Lakefront holiday lager on a cold night. Got a beer we should try next or a barrel-aged gem we can’t miss? Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and email us at Northwoodsbeerguy at gmail.com with your picks and hot takes.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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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 measure their Oktoberfest against the field. The Munich dunkel (Flannel Fest) brings richer malt and roasted notes, while the new Harvest Helles keeps things bright with biscuit and floral hop aroma. From there, we hit the moment we’ve been waiting for: 3 Sheeps Roll Out the Barrel, a 12.5% barrel-aged Märzen that adds vanilla, oak, and caramel without losing balance. Smooth, layered, and shockingly drinkable, it’s proof that barrel-aging can turn a decent fall lager into a standout seasonal.

We round things out with Spearfish Brewing’s Adventure Pants double IPA (10.2% with tropical aromatics and a surprisingly gentle finish) and Big Bird Bones, a 16.5% imperial stout aged in malted whiskey barrels. That stout is all depth and restraint—roasty, bold, minimal carbonation, and no sugary burn—tailor-made for fans of serious barrel-aged beers.

If you’ve been disappointed by this year’s Oktoberfests, this tasting maps a better route through fall: pumpkin done right, dunkels with backbone, lagers that stay crisp, and barrel-aged beers that actually elevate the style. Give it a listen, grab the standouts, and tell us what you want us to open next. Subscribe, share with a beer-loving friend, and drop a review so we can keep the good stuff flowing.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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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 through; Central Waters stays crisp and clean; Bell’s introduces a light bitterness that divides; Capital leans malty without momentum; and Shiner—yes, Shiner—delivers a rare initial pop that made us do a double-take.

Between sips, we share a farm story that involves a tractor, a snapping cherry tree, and a hard-earned reminder that even familiar routines can surprise you. That theme runs through the tasting: great Oktoberfest lagers aren’t about flash; they’re about generosity—bread-crust aroma, light caramel, a firm but clean finish—and the confidence to let malt lead. When those notes are muted, the result is pleasant but forgettable. When they’re present, you get the stein-worthy character that made us fall for German Märzen in the first place.

If you’re sampling along, this guide helps you pick based on your goals: NA pacing (Athletic), approachable malt (Point, Leinenkugel’s), crisp drinkability (Central Waters), a firmer edge (Bell’s), malt-leaning finish (Capital), a surprising kick from a familiar name (Shiner), or the closest fit in the pack (Surly). We’re still chasing a U.S. Märzen that nails the classic profile—so help us out. Subscribe, share this with a beer-loving friend, and tell us which American Oktoberfest has real depth. Got a local favorite we should hunt down next? Prost!

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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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 molasses that drinks impossibly smooth for its strength.

We start by probing where spice belongs in a lager that keeps things subtle, then flip the script with New Belgium’s Atomic Pumpkin where cinnamon meets habanero heat in a clean, lingering finish. From there, we chase the perfect “pumpkin pie” profile and diagnose what a well-made ale might be missing when the allspice and clove don’t quite pop. Texture takes center stage with Left Hand’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Nitro—the cascading pour, pillowy head, and smartly restrained coffee note create a café-meets-taproom moment that feels tailor-made for sweater weather.

Barrels change the conversation. Lexington Brewing’s Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale layers caramel, vanilla, and bourbon warmth without the burn, showing how oak can elevate rather than overwhelm. And then the showstopper: Three Sheeps’ Pumpkin Spice Veneration, a rye barrel–aged quad where molasses, fig, and pumpkin-spice glow meet Belgian depth and a gentle peppery edge from the rye. It’s complex, warming, and a clear beer-of-the-year contender.

Along the way, we touch on the surprising roots of pumpkin beer in early America and why modern brewers are revisiting the style with more finesse. Looking for the best pumpkin beers to try right now? We’ve got picks for newcomers, heat-seekers, nitro lovers, and barrel fans. If you enjoy thoughtful tastings, honest scores, and a little beer history with your pour, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share this with a fall beer friend, and leave a quick review to tell us your go-to seasonal pick.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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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 approaches—most falling short of capturing the essence that makes the German originals so special. The appearance might be there, with appropriate amber-to-copper hues, but the flavor profiles tell a different story.

Our journey begins with disappointment as the first three American offerings (Lakefront, Schell's, and Raised Grain) present appealing aromas but deliver minimal flavor, scoring in the low 2.0 range. The middle entries introduce more character but veer off in unexpected directions, with Sierra Nevada's collaboration with German brewery Störtebeker leaving a peculiar dryness that departs from tradition.

Only when we reach the final two entries—Lake Louie and New Glarus Staghorn—do we find American interpretations that begin to approach the authentic Oktoberfest experience. The Staghorn, with its smooth finish and balanced malt profile, earns our highest score at 2.7/5, yet even this falls significantly short of the German originals that scored up to 3.6/5.

What becomes clear through our tasting is that brewing an authentic Oktoberfest isn't simply about matching color and alcohol content—it requires a deep understanding of the malt balance and brewing techniques that German brewers have perfected over centuries. While none of the American versions are bad beers per se, they often miss the mark on what makes an Oktoberfest truly special.

Whether you're a seasoned Oktoberfest enthusiast or new to the style, this episode offers valuable guidance on navigating American interpretations. If you can't find German imports, New Glarus Staghorn and Lake Louie represent your best options for experiencing something close to the real thing. Listen in as we analyze each beer's strengths and shortcomings, and gain a deeper appreciation for this classic autumn style.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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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 Pumpkin Ale highlighted how differently breweries approach this seasonal style, with varying degrees of success.

The real revelation came from Southern Tier's impressive pumpkin portfolio. Their classic Pumpking (8.6% ABV) delivered a smooth imperial ale experience, while their Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout showcased how beautifully roasted malt character can complement pumpkin flavors. Few breweries attempt pumpkin stouts, making this a standout offering.

Southern Tier's flavor variations truly elevated our tasting. Their Caramel Pumpkin Imperial Ale featured pronounced but never cloying caramel notes that balanced perfectly with the pumpkin base. The undisputed champion, however, was their Maple Warlock Imperial Stout - a masterful 8.6% creation that layered maple sweetness over pumpkin, resulting in a dangerously smooth drinking experience despite its strength.

What began as a seasonal exploration revealed impressive craftsmanship and innovation within the pumpkin beer category. Southern Tier particularly demonstrated how this often-dismissed style can showcase complexity, balance, and creative flavor combinations. Whether you're a pumpkin beer skeptic or enthusiast, this fall's offerings deserve your attention. Try starting with Shipyard for an accessible introduction, then venture toward Southern Tier's more adventurous offerings for a new perspective on what pumpkin beers can achieve.

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram and Tik Tok.

If you are on Untappd, look up NorthwoodsBeerGuy and send a friend request.

Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can click on our RSS feed as well.