About- Mike Zoller
Mike Zoller
After trying to retire after a lucrative two-year career in sports journalism, Mike got back into sports but in the administration side. He currently works for the Northwestern University Athletic Department as an account executive working directly with football and men's basketball. At Miami University Mike was the sports editor for the The Miami Student and also did radio play-by-play for RedHawk ice hockey, football and baseball. Mike is still waiting to see Northwestern basketball play in the NCAA Tournament and the Cubs win the World Series.Event Recap: 5th Annual Cider Summit Chicago
February 14, 2017 | Mike Zoller
If there’s one thing to take away from the 5th annual Cider Summit held in Chicago this past Saturday it’s that the future of craft cider is very bright. While there is definitely a long way to go, the sold out event showcased cider as an emerging beverage in the industry.
Recapping Virtue Cider’s 3rd Annual Stone Fence Competition
February 7, 2017 | Mike Zoller
On a basketball court located in the Chicago Athletic Association, mixologists from some of Chicago’s best known bars and restaurants concocted unique Stone Fence cocktails for Virtue Cider’s 3rd Annual Stone Fence Competition.
Event Preview | 5th Annual Cider Summit Chicago
January 31, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Just a few years ago if you wanted a hard cider your options were limited. Today artisanal cider is a rapidly growing industry with a wide variety of ciders to sample. Now in it’s 5th year, the Cider Summit Chicago opens up the world of artisanal cider to the general public with over 150 different ciders to try.
Five Chicago Beers You Must Try
January 19, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Chicagoans are extremely lucky to have a wide variety of craft beer at their fingertips. In fact many of us take our incredibly large selection for granted. But for the craft beer fan that is visiting Chicago for maybe only a weekend I selected five beers that are an absolute must try.
Inside the Tank | Aquanaut Brewing Company
January 6, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Situated on the north side of Chicago, Aquanaut Brewing Company features a small line of year-round beers, but has plans to launch more seasonal and one-off beers as well as opening up a taproom in the future.
Why I’m Done Cellaring Beer
January 3, 2017 | Mike Zoller 15
It’s uncommon to get Jester King Brewery beer here in Chicago. When a bottle shop got a rare shipment in last year, I jumped on the opportunity and bought three bottles. I got the bottles home and instead of getting them chilled to drink, I put them away in my “cellar.” Well, I’m done with that.
Country’s Rising Breweries Reflect on 2016 and Look Ahead to 2017
December 30, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Photo courtesy of Corridor Brewery.
As 2016 comes to an end, we connected with a handful of brewmasters from around the country to reflect on this past year and what 2017 will bring for not only their breweries but the craft beer industry in general. We were able to catch up with some of the most admiral people in the business – from Moody Tongue Brewing Company, Dry Hop, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Corridor Brewery, Bluejacket, Jester King Brewing, Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery, Angel City Brewery, Coastal Empire Beer Co., MadTree Brewing, Burial Beer, Fremont Brewing, and SweetWater Brewing Co.
Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Blueberry Cichlid
December 28, 2016 | Mike Zoller
ABV: 9.5%
There are few beers that I actively go out and look for the day that distribution begins. One of those rare exceptions is anytime Pipeworks Brewing Co. releases a new beer from their Fish Series. If you’re not familiar with this series, it consists of big imperial IPAs with the addition of fruit and, typically, honey. They’re sweet, they’re fruity and the most recent release does not deviate.
Brewery Showcase | 3 Sheeps Brewing
December 22, 2016 | Mike Zoller
When you hear Wisconsin and craft beer, one typically thinks of New Glarus Brewing. Very quickly though the state is seeing other breweries experience success and is becoming a hotbed for craft beer. One of those breweries that is starting to experience more growth is 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. in Sheboygan.
Ale Syndicate to Take ‘Hiatus’ from Brewing; Returning Sometime in 2017
December 20, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Ale Syndicate will be brewing beer in Chicago in 2017. It just won’t be in their current space. The brewery announced on Monday that they would be leaving their Logan Square location to brew with another brewery in the city. At this time they have not announced who they will be brewing with when they begin producing beer again.
Around the Bend to Begin Contract Brewing at Burnt City
December 20, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Once Around the Bend Beer Company discovered they would have to be out of their current brewing space by Dec. 15th, owner Dan Schedler looked at several different options in order to keep the brewery operational. It was announced on Monday that Around the Bend would begin contract brewing at Burnt City starting in 2017.
BREAKING Arcade Brewery Shutting Down Operations
December 19, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Arcade Brewery co-founder Chris Tourre has confirmed that the brewery will shut down operations immediately.
Editor’s Picks | My Favorite Chicago Beers from 2016
December 8, 2016 | Mike Zoller
It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of another year. 2016 was full of highs and lows for Chicago breweries. We saw a bunch of new breweries open up, some close, new beers sending waves throughout the industry and some well-known breweries recall a lot of beer. After all the dust cleared there were some great Chicago beers that came out this year.
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing | In the Flesh: Blueberry
December 7, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing has released the newest beer in the In the Flesh series. Started earlier this year, the series is a line of American sours and each beer highlights a different fruit used in the brewing process. The latest beer is re-fermented with real blueberries and is available in stores now.
Cademon Brewing Co. Announces Their Permanent Closing
December 1, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Two years to the day that they opened their doors to the public, Cademon Brewing Co. has announced that they are permanently closed.
Off Color Brewing Announces Plans for Second Brewery
November 30, 2016 | Mike Zoller
John Laffler of Off Color Brewing has officially announced that the brewery will be opening up a second location with a taproom in Lincoln Park.
Former Goose Island Brewmaster Behind Virtue Cider
November 28, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Back in the 1990s Greg Hall was seen as a pioneer in craft beer. At a time when the industry was beginning to grow, Hall helped Goose Island become a national leader in craft beer. In 2011 Hall left the brewery to enter a space that was on the verge of experiencing large growth just like the craft beer industry years ago – cider.
Meet the Brewer Behind 2016 Bourbon County Proprietor’s
November 22, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Two years ago Emily Kosmal was working on recipes for chocolate milk. Today she is the creator of one of the most coveted barrel-aged stouts in the country.
Surly to Remain Independent, Not Selling to Leinenkugel’s
November 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Craft beer fans are breathing a bit easier after a picture showing Leinenkugel president Dick Leinenkugel and Surly President Omar Ansari lit the rumor mill on fire of a potential sale of Surly to Leinenkugel’s. The breweries made people sweat a bit before admitting it was all a joke just a few days later.
Event Recap | 2016 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB)
November 16, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Now that my liver has had a few days to rest I’m able to look back on the 2016 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers. Once again the beer selection at FoBAB was incredible. In fact 2016 seemed to highlight more “whales” than last year. There were definitely some beers worth highlighting that didn’t take home medals this year. Read More
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