Episode 653 - U.S. Open Beer Championship Illinois Winners 2026

The U.S. Open Beer Championship, started in 2009, is the third-largest competition that recognizes and rewards beers from all over the world - and this year, Illinois brewers collected a considerable amount of hardware. We drink through five medal-winning beers while talking about the competition itself and looking back on some past years' winners as well. Also, Craig is thrust into an awkward "you-make-the-call" situation; Ryan recaps his U.S.O.B.C. mini-taproom tour, and we want to know exactly what makes a beer "extreme." Beers Reviewed Mikerphone Brewing - Misty Mountain Hop (Gold in American Pale Ale) Forbidden Root Brewing Company/Ology Brewing Co. - Sprinkles Required (Gold in Collaboration Beer) Flipside Brewing - Monochrome Dream (Bronze in New England/Juicy/Hazy IPA) Brothership Brewing - Exoplanet (Silver in West Coast Style IPA) Werk Force Brewing Co. - Humongous Chungus (Silver in Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty)