Q&A with Brian Noonan and Cody Gough from the popular Crafty Brewers podcast
CraftyBrewersPod.com
Follow them on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and TikTok

Q. For someone who hasn’t listened to your podcast before, tell us a bit about how it got started and the focus of Crafty Brewers

Brian and Cody: Years ago, we hosted a segment called “At the Breweries” on WGN Radio, where local brewers told their stories on air. Every time, we’d say, “This should really be a podcast”… and then procrastinate for years. Finally, after Beer Under Glass in 2023, Brian had enough samples and called his long-time producer Cody to finally put a podcast on tap. After a few different iterations of the show, Crafty Brewers has grown into an award-winning video podcast recorded on location at breweries across (and sometimes beyond) Chicagoland. Crafty Brewers is all about the people behind the beer: the brewers, the stories and the passion that make craft beer more than just what’s in your glass.

Q. What beer trends are you enjoying right now?

Brian: I’m really excited for the resurgence of lagers and pilsners. I know the styles never went away, but they’re having a moment as beer drinkers are entering (apologies to Taylor Swift) their “crushable era.” The recipes are simple, but the artistry it requires to create a fantastic lager or pilsner is what sets some breweries apart. Nope, I’m not naming names. I’ll let everyone create their own lists.

Cody: I’m excited about the growing trend of year-round stouts. I may still be in the minority when I crack open a bourbon barrel-aged stout after work on a warm July evening, but I will do my best to keep brewers, especially those who release dark beers outside of cold weather months, in business.

Putting aside the fact that Phil Zelewsky uses wild and sometimes “smuggled” ingredients in Forbidden Root’s botanical beers, Phil is also just a great hang. He’s funny and unfiltered, and spending time with him was incredibly entertaining.

Q. Who are some of the more interesting characters you’ve met and interesting stories you’ve heard through the podcast?

Brian: This is a tough one, because all the brewers we’ve had the pleasure of speaking with have unique backstories. Since that’s admittedly a weak answer, I’ll give you two guys who best exemplify being a “character” among an industry of characters. First is Phil Zelewsky, the head brewer at Forbidden Root. Putting aside the fact that Phil uses wild and sometimes “smuggled” ingredients in Forbidden Root’s botanical beers, Phil is also just a great hang. He’s funny and unfiltered, and spending time with him was incredibly entertaining. I want to add this second one, even though it’s not an Illinois brewery, because I really like him as a brewer and a guy. Kyle Vetter is the founder and brewer of the late 1840 Brewing in Milwaukee. The episode we did with him could be one of the wildest ones we’ve ever done. We were imbibing, even to the point of drinking out of a barrel as beer sprayed at us. Kyle was unique, funny and definitely knew how to brew interesting and delicious beer. 1841 closed this year so Kyle could care for his wife/partner at 1840 as she battles a severe illness. He hopes to reopen down the road. I hope he does. The guy is a treasure.

Cody: Every brewer is a character, which is why we love doing the show! In terms of interesting stories, I’m personally a huge fan of how much we’ve learned about Chicago area history from our guests. Sketchbook Brewing‘s Cesar Marron taught us how the temperance movement led to Evanston being a dry community until 1972. In another episode, we learned how the Conrad Seipp Brewing Company was a dominant player in the Chicago and national beer markets way back in the mid-1800s thanks to our conversation with Seipp’s great-great-great granddaughter, Laurin Mack, who resurrected the brand in 2020. In that same episode, we talked to Katrina Arthur, great-granddaughter of the original owner of Archie’s Iowa Rockwell Tavern, about why her bar has been a staple of Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood since 1943. The list goes on. But it’s amazing how much you can learn about the past through the lens of brewing beer.

Q. What’s a hidden gem brewery or two here in Illinois that you think should be getting more attention?

Brian: I’m a huge fan of Big Muddy Brewing in Murphysboro. I’m a Southern Illinois University alum and first learned of Big Muddy when I saw a six pack of Saluki Dunkle Dog at my local Binny’s about five years ago. I enjoyed it immensely. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the taproom a few times, tried their other offerings and can’t wait for my next visit. They also do an exclusive beer for 17th Street Barbecue, called 17th Street Amber Ale, which has a hint of smokiness and apple that pairs so well with the smoked meat. I may have to drive down there now since I’m thinking about it. I’d love to get them on an upcoming episode (hint, hint!).

I’ve been genuinely surprised at the quality of beer at smaller breweries we’ve visited. … I’ll say that I’d never heard of Horse Thief Hollow — despite it being the south side’s most awarded brewery — and their beers absolutely make them worth the trip to Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood.

Cody: I’ve been genuinely surprised at the quality of beer at smaller breweries we’ve visited, including ones I’d never heard of before we interviewed them. Without playing too many favorites, I’ll say that I’d never heard of Horse Thief Hollow — despite it being the south side’s most awarded brewery — and their beers absolutely make them worth the trip to Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. A couple other standouts include Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood and Ike & Oak Brewing in Woodridge.

Q. Sitting around, sharing stories and sipping craft beer with some of the best brewers in the state sounds like a difficult gig. Is it as fun as it sounds, and what’s next for Crafty Brewers?

Brian: Absolutely! When we started the show, I knew talking to brewers would be interesting based on all the interviews I’d done surrounding beer. What has happened with Crafty Brewers has exceeded my expectations. I love talking to brewers because they are passionate, driven, creative and funny. I think Cody and I make our guests feel comfortable, which helps them drop their inhibitions, leading to some memorable off-the-rails conversations. They know we’re prepared, which has been one of the biggest compliments we could receive. And, yeah, getting to sample all the various beers isn’t so bad.

I love talking to brewers because they are passionate, driven, creative and funny. I think we make our guests feel comfortable, which helps them drop their inhibitions, leading to some memorable off-the-rails conversations.

What’s next? We’re planning on expanding our reach, first in Illinois and then to other cities like we did with our three episodes from Milwaukee. I definitely want to head to southern Illinois, but Pittsburgh, New Orleans and more Wisconsin stops are on the agenda. I’ve visited breweries in all those places and can’t wait to share stories from those breweries on Crafty Brewers.

Cody: Brian is right that it’s fun, but like any good production, it’s a ton of work behind the scenes. Brian treats every interview like a professional radio interview, putting in hours of research to make sure he’s asking smart questions. I spend 10-15 hours in post-production on every episode because I have high-quality standards, and I’m only comfortable releasing content that makes Brian and our guests all look and sound great. I’m also posting clips on TikTok and YouTube Shorts because, in 2025, you have to be everywhere. Now that we’ve grown an engaged audience of beer fans, our next big move is searching for our first sponsor. (Interested? Email us at craftybrewerspod@gmail.com)