Beer In Front
by Dave Zalatoris
I'm Dave, a regular Chicago Beer Guy with a podcast about some old school beers and new classics. Sometimes the Beer In Front of you is the best one yet! https://www.patreon.com/beerinfront https://linktr.ee/BeerInFront Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.
Episodes
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More Than A Number - Talking IBU's with Walnut River Brewing
IBUs Explained: What Beer’s Bitterness Number Really Tells You You’re looking at a beer menu. One beer has 25 IBUs, another has 65, and you’re already deciding which one you’ll like. But how much does that number actually tell you? This week on Beer In Front, I’m joined by BJ Hunt and Rick…
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Peggy Is Pissed! Making Sense Of The THC Laws
THC drinks found a spot in the beer cooler. Now everyone’s wondering how long they’ll stay there.This week on Beer In Front, I dig into the changing rules surrounding hemp-derived THC beverages and what’s at stake for breweries, bottle shops, and the people buying them. From Illinois’ looming...
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Festival Of Wood And Barrel Aged Beer
It’s FoBAB season! Trevor Rose-Hamblin from Old Irving Brewing and the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild joins me to preview the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers and talk about what makes this Chicago tradition special.We get into the time, work, and risk behind barrel-aged beer, why balance...
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Is Beer Better On Tap?
Episode 323: Is Draft Beer Really Better? Does beer taste better on tap, or do we just love the experience of drinking at a brewery or neighborhood bar? This week on Beer In Front, I explore the draft-versus-can-versus-bottle debate and why freshness, storage, clean tap lines, and clean glassware...
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It's The Water!
Water makes up most of what’s in your beer, but it rarely gets the same attention as malt, hops, or yeast. This week on Beer In Front, we look at how water has shaped some of the world’s classic beer styles from the soft water of Pilsen to the sulfate-rich water of Burton-on-Trent, and how…
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From an Orange Door to Oktoberfest: The Sketchbook Brewing Story
From an Orange Door to Oktoberfest: The Sketchbook Brewing Story Sketchbook Brewing began with a group of Evanston homebrewers and an orange door tucked away in an alley. This week, Dave visits Sketchbook’s Skokie taproom to talk with co-founder Cesar Marron about how that small,...
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Celebrating 40 Years Of Alaskan Brewing
Alaskan Brewing at 40: A Conversation with Geoff and Marcy Larson Most breweries never reach ten years, Alaskan Brewing Company has made it to forty. In this episode, I sit down with founders Geoff and Marcy Larson to discuss how a homebrewing idea became one of America’s pioneering craft...
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Why Craft Malt Matters More Than You Think
It’s Craft Malt Month, and on this episode of Beer In Front, we’re getting back to one of beer’s most important ingredients: malt. I’m joined by Jeff Bloem of Murphy And Rude, Virginia’s first dedicated commercial specialty malt house. Jeff’s path into malt wasn’t exactly traditional. He came…
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How To Take Better Beer Photos With The Nerdy Photographer
Take Better Beer Photos With Your Phone Ever take a picture of a great-looking beer only to check your phone and think… that looked a lot better in person? This week on Beer In Front, I’m talking with professional photographer Casey Fatchett, host of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, about how to...
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Lone Star Beer: How It Became The National Beer Of Texas
Lone Star Beer: The Story of Two San Antonio Breweries This week on Beer In Front, we’re heading to Texas to talk about one of America’s great regional beer brands: Lone Star Beer.You know the red star. You know the slogan, “The National Beer of Texas.” But did you know the history of Lone Star...
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The Last Ashtray In America
The Ashtray, Kishwaukee Brewing & Phase Three Comes to Chicago This week on Beer In Front, we’re looking at something that used to be as much a part of the American bar as the beer taps themselves: the ashtray. For decades, brewery-branded ashtrays sat on bars across the country. Then smoking…
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New And Improved?
The new and improved Beer In Front is here! This week, Dave introduces a refreshed format featuring new recurring segments, neighborhood tavern spotlights, classic beer advertising history, and, of course, plenty of great beer reviews.On This Episode A look at the new direction for the podcast…
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Last Call for the Neighborhood Tavern (Part 2) with Dave Infante
Beer In Front Podcast – Episode Show Notes Last Call for the Neighborhood Tavern (Part 2) with Dave Infante Neighborhood taverns have long been more than places to grab a beer—they've served as gathering spots, community centers, and the heart of countless neighborhoods. But are they becoming an...
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The Last Call for America's Neighborhood Tavern
Episode 313: The Last Call for America's Neighborhood Tavern What happened to the neighborhood tavern? Once the heart of nearly every American neighborhood, the corner bar was more than just a place to grab a beer. It was a hiring hall, a union meeting place, a community center, a second living...
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The Strange True Story Of Tang
Beer In Front Podcast – Tang: The Drink That Rode the Space Race Everyone knows Tang was "the drink of the astronauts"...except that's not actually how the story began.This week, Beer In Front takes a detour from beer to explore one of the greatest marketing success stories of the 20th century....
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310 Nicole Bentler From Pocono Mountain Farms
Beer In Front – Episode 310 Show Notes This week on Beer In Front, we're mixing things up with a conversation that isn't about beer...at least not at first. Dave welcomes Nicole Bentler, founder of Pocono Mountain Farms, to talk about one of the beverage world's most intriguing newcomers: maple...
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310 Chicago Beer History With Andrew Mason
Chicago Brewing History of the 1990s with Andrew Mason Chicago's craft beer scene didn't happen overnight.This week, Dave sits down with longtime brewer Andrew Mason to discuss his new Kickstarter project, Chicago Brewing History: The '90s, an ambitious documentary series preserving the stories,...
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2026 Homebrew Con Recap
Beer In Front – Episode 309 Homebrew Con Returns, Riverbend Malt & The Brew Depot Homebrew Con is back, and this week I'm talking with two people who are helping shape the future of homebrewing.After a quick update on my recent elbow surgery (and an apology to anyone I may have unintentionally...
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308 Summer Happenings At Revolution Brewing
This week, Dave chats with Kim Vavrick from Revolution Brewing about everything happening this summer at Chicago's largest independent brewery. First up is Fundraiser Friday on June 26th, benefiting the Brave Space Alliance. Kim explains how the program works, why supporting local organizations…
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How Weight Loss Drugs Are Reshaping What We Eat And Drink
What happens when millions of people simply stop wanting that second beer? In this episode of Beer In Front, I take a deep dive into the rapidly growing world of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound—and explore how these drugs are reshaping the food and beverage...
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306 Merican Light Beer With Israel Dominguez
This week on Beer In Front, I sit down with Israel Dominguez, President of Merican Light Beer, to talk about building a modern lager brand with old-school appeal. After nearly a decade at Anheuser-Busch, Israel took what he learned from one of the biggest beer companies in the world and launched…
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305 Run The Bulls With Devon
Dave is back with a Memorial Day weekend episode featuring beer news, craft beer chatter, and a wild conversation with Devon Douglas, the man attempting to convince Jason Kelce to run with the bulls in Pamplona by drinking a Garage Beer every single day until the event. Dave also checks in with...
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304 Emrys Beer & Mead Works
In episode 304 of Beer In Front, Dave heads to Washington State for a conversation with Emrys Beer & Mead Works founder Thomas Croskrey. The discussion dives deep into the world of mead, historical brewing traditions, local sourcing, and how Emrys is blending beer, mead, and elevated pub food…
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303 Craft Beer Week
This week on the Beer In Front podcast, Dave celebrates both Illinois Craft Beer Week and American Craft Beer Week with a packed episode full of beer news, local brewery updates, playoff beer gimmicks, a killer lager from Goldfinger Brewing Company, and finally… a long-awaited review of the...
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How 2020 Changed Beer
If you didn't catch the livestream last week, here is the audio part of the Midwest Beer Show. I along with Rod J talked about how beer has changed since 2020. We spoke to people from The Brewers Association, Hop Butcher, and WildEdge Brewing Collective! Become a supporter of this podcast:...
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301 Tate Huffard From Best Day Brewing
🍺 Episode Summary Dave is back for Episode 301 with a conversation that might just change how you think about non-alcoholic beer. This week’s guest is Tate Huffard, founder of Best Day Brewing—a company proving that NA beer doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. From the evolution of drinking...
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300 Episodes
🎉 300 Episodes In Dave looks back on six years behind the mic and the evolution of the show Early beer memories: Vienna lagers, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Dovetail Brewing From COVID-era rants to today’s more balanced format Listener feedback welcome as the show continues to evolve 🍔…
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299 Revolution Changes The Game
🍺 Episode Overview Episode 299 is a quick solo run with Dave—no guests this week, but plenty of beer news, industry insight, and a deep dive into one of the most interesting trends in craft beer right now: non-alcoholic versions of flagship beers. From brewery closures to new collaborations and…
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298 A Barrel Aged April
🎙️ Beer In Front Podcast – Episode Show Notes Barrel-Aged Season… in April? Spring in Chicago… and somehow we’re talking barrel-aged monsters like it’s late November. This episode dives into a surprise wave of fresh barrel-aged releases from three legendary Chicago breweries, plus a deep,...
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297 The Reviews Are In
Week of April 6, 2026 A packed episode this week with a heavy focus on what really matters: the beer in front of you. 🍺 Expect a streamlined format loaded with reviews, plus some news, events, and a few things you might want to… put in the cart. 🍻 What’s On Deck A stacked lineup of beer reviews...
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296 Ska Brewing
🍺 Beer In Front – Episode 296 Guest: Ska Brewing co-founder Dave Thibodeau 🎙️ Episode Summary Dave Zalatoris is joined by craft beer OG Dave Thibodeau of Ska Brewing for a conversation that hits the sweet spot between beer, music, and staying true to your roots. From the early “punk rock” days…
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295 Admiral Maltings & Firestone Walker Sunglider
Yeah… we’re talking about malt. This week I’m joined by Ron Silberstein from Admiral Maltings, and if you think malt is just the thing that shows up on an invoice… this one might change your mind. We get into: 🌾 Why malt is the backbone of beer 🍺 Craft malting & California-grown barley 🔥 Floor...
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294 The Craft Beer Concierge
🎙️ Beer In Front – Episode 294 Craft Beer Concierge + Chicago Merger News Dave is back with a packed episode featuring a deep dive into the evolving beer scene, a great conversation with the “Craft Beer Concierge,” and a couple of beers worth putting straight in the cart. What’s On Tap This...
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293 The Wildest Story In Beer
🍺 New Episode – Beer in Front 🎙️ Quick solo show this week (yes, I sound a little congested 😅), but we’ve got a LOT to cover. 🚨 Chicagoland Closures We’re up to six brewery closures in two months. It’s a tough stretch for Illinois craft beer. If you’ve got a favorite spot — now’s the time to...
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292 Lone Tree Brewing Company
🍺 Guest Interview: Jerry Siote – Lone Tree Brewing Company This week, Dave heads back to Colorado to talk with Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Jerry Siote. Founded: 2011 Locations: Lone Tree & Parker, Colorado Recently Won: Gold Medal – Colorado Brewers Cup (Mexican Lager) 🔥 Highlights from the...
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291 Kalm With Kava
This week we’re doing something a little different… but don’t worry, there’s still beer involved. 🎙 Guest: Morgan Smith – CEO of Kalm With Kava. Dave sits down with Morgan Smith from Kalm With Kava to talk about kava — the traditional South Pacific root drink known for its calming, social…
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290 Goat Patch Brewing
Sometimes the beer in front of you really is the best one yet—and this week’s episode proves it. Dave heads back to Colorado to catch up with Justin Grant, co-owner of Goat Patch Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. Since opening in 2017, Goat Patch has built a reputation for balance: balanced...
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289 Get Dave A Zima!
🍺 Beer In Front — Episode 289 Wet February Begins, Brewery Closures, Zima Dreams & Barrel-Aged Beers Episode 289 kicks off with Dry January officially in the rearview mirror and Wet February underway. Host Dave Zalatoris reflects on dropping 10 pounds during January, the success of his...
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288 Enjoy Your Pause With Comma
🍻 Beer In Front – Episode 288 Guest: Kevin Waltermire, Co-Founder of Comma Thanks to a listener assist, Episode 288 is stacked—from THC-infused non-alcoholic beer to industry news, Dry January reflections, and a pair of solid beer reviews to close things out. 🍺 🎙️ This Week’s Interview Dave is...
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287 The Business Of Beer
Data, Dollars, and the Business of Beer (feat. Matt Gacioch, Brewers Association) Host: Dave Zalatoris Network: Beer Media Group Craft beer isn’t just passion projects and taproom vibes — it’s big business. On Episode 287 of Beer In Front, Dave digs into the numbers, trends, and realities shaping...
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286 Peggy Returns!
Episode 286 of Beer In Front covers a lot of ground, blending beer news, personal updates, product reviews, and a deeper look at the non-alcoholic beer category. Dave Zalatoris opens the show with a Dry January check-in, sharing progress so far—down 4.4 pounds thanks to more water, NA beers, and...
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285 Happy New Year
Dry January Doesn’t Mean Ditching Your Local Brewery Happy New Year! I kick off 2026 with a Dry January check-in and a reminder that taking a break from alcohol doesn’t mean abandoning your favorite breweries — especially during one of the toughest months of the year. I'll share smart, simple…
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284 Beer In Review
In the final episode of 2025, I'll go solo to recap a packed year for Beer In Front. From major beer news and industry trends to podcast milestones, festival highlights, and standout beers, this episode ties a big holiday bow on everything that made 2025 memorable. Plus, I'll crack open a couple…
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283 The Beer Story Project
Today’s guest is one of the true originals of American beer education — Marty Nachel. Marty is an award-winning author, longtime beer educator, and Certified Beer Judge who has spent more than 30 years helping people understand and appreciate beer. Marty has a new book out now titled The Beer…
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282 Holiday Gift Ideas
In Episode 282 of Beer in Front, I'll bring you a festive, gift-focused edition of the show—perfect for the beer lover on your holiday shopping list (even if that person is you). I'll also break down the latest beer and beverage industry news, highlight friends of the show doing great work, and...
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281 Black IPA's & Wookey Jack
This week on Beer In Front, I’m shining a spotlight on a style that refuses to die quietly: the Black IPA. Once a cult favorite, then a near-extinct curiosity, the Black IPA is suddenly popping up again in breweries across the country — and I couldn’t be happier to see its comeback. In this...
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280 Beer And Chocolate With David Nilsen
In Episode 280, I'll chat with David Nilsen—award-winning author, Certified Cicerone®, educator, and one of the sharpest voices in beer media. We'll dig deep into: The inspiration behind Final Gravity, David’s human-centered beer zine Why beer and chocolate make such powerful (and surprising)...
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279 Anchor Brewing Story
In Episode 279, Dave dives into the rise, fall, and lasting legacy of Anchor Brewing, one of the true pioneers of American craft beer. From its 19th-century roots to the steam beer that helped kickstart the modern craft movement, this episode looks at how Anchor shaped the industry — and why its...
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278 Ways To Be Wicked
If you are of a certain age, Pete’s Wicked Ale brings back fond memories of the early days of craft beer. On this episode, I’ll dive into the meteoric rise and fall of one of the first superstar craft brands of the 80’s and 90’s. I’ll also have a FOBAB review and have a craft beer from Peru! Beer...
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277 THC Beverages In The News
THC beverages are everywhere right now, but not everyone’s thrilled about it. This week on Beer In Front, I break down why the attorneys general are pushing back — and what it means for drinkers. I'll also have some great beers this week from Bruz and Sierra Nevada! Beer Media Group Become a...
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About this show
I'm Dave, a regular Chicago Beer Guy with a podcast about some old school beers and new classics. Sometimes the Beer In Front of you is the best one yet!
https://www.patreon.com/beerinfront https://linktr.ee/BeerInFront
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.
Hosted by
Dave Zalatoris