Send us a text

Twelve pours, one taproom, and more surprises than we expected. We posted up at Fat Hill Brewing in Mason City and worked through a full lineup that stretches from honey kolsch and American wheat to a Belgian golden strong and multiple barrel-aged experiments. Along the way, we found out which styles shine with nuance, which beers could use more punch, and how a peach brandy barrel can turn a familiar base into something quietly special.

We kick off with approachable crowd-pleasers—clean, easy, and perfect for macro converts—before the robust porter resets the bar with roast, cocoa, and a satisfying dark-chocolate edge. Hop heads get a double feature: a West Coast IPA that avoids the swampy “dank” trap and a hazy NEIPA that lands juicy and low in bitterness, great for listeners who love fruit-forward hops without palate fatigue. If you’re chasing complexity, the Belgian golden strong steals the spotlight with expressive yeast character and a deceptively smooth 11.9% ABV.

Then the barrels arrive. A Chardonnay barrel hibiscus saison brings a delicate mix of French oak, soft vanilla, and a subtle vinous finish—surprisingly sessionable at 6%. The Russian imperial stout and its bourbon-barrel variant lean smooth over aggressive, favoring cocoa and espresso notes rather than heat. The wildcard champion: a peach brandy double honey kolsch with toasted oak, restrained fruit, and just enough sweetness to feel plush without going candied.

By the end, we name our must-try picks, map an ideal flight order for first-time visitors, and share a few local backstory nuggets that connect Fat Hill to the broader Mason City and Clear Lake beer scene. Like guided tastings, balanced beers, and honest scores? Pull up a stool with us. If you enjoyed this tasting tour, follow the show, share it with a beer-loving friend, and drop your top three Fat Hill pours in a review—we’ll shout out our favorites next time.

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.

Send us a text

Five rare blends. Twenty-two finalists. One crown. We crack open a vertical of Firestone Walker Anniversary ales and use them as the perfect lens to examine what makes a barrel-aged beer truly special: thoughtful blending, patient aging, and clarity of intent. With winemakers shaping the components and ratios, each Firestone bottle tells a story—bourbon, brandy, and tequila barrels playing supporting roles while stouts, barleywines, and wheat wines harmonize into a single, seamless voice.

We start by revisiting past champions and the standards they set, then dig into the 2025 field. Central Waters stands out for radical transparency—naming barrels and months—and shows how extra time in Heaven Hill can turn heat into harmony. Prairie brings pastry done right, where banana foster, marshmallow, and Mexican chocolate ride roast and oak instead of sugar. Boulevard surprises with an ice-distilled imperial brown that climbs to 18.2% ABV without going hot. Cross’s Feathered Drumline proves rye barrels can be bold and balanced. Through it all, we keep a close eye on how barrel provenance, blend composition, and aging windows shape mouthfeel, finish, and drinkability.

Our Firestone tasting offers a masterclass. The 24th is plush cocoa and marshmallow; the 25th threads in a tasteful tequila shimmer; the 26th adds a wine-kissed dryness that lifts the profile; the 27th pivots with a Munich wine twist; and the 28th shows promise that time will likely unlock. When the dust settles, we name our top three for 2025 and tip an honorable mention to the pumpkin barrel-aged standout that refuses to be a novelty.

If you love barrel-aged beer—or want to learn how to choose bottles with confidence—this one’s for you. Listen, compare your notes to ours, then tell us your winner. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves big beers, and drop a review so more beer nerds can find the show. Cheers to warm campfires and cold beers.

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.

Send us a text

Ever cracked a can and thought, wait… is that Thanksgiving stuffing? We did—and it actually worked. We set out to spotlight one small brewery and ended up with nine distinct beers from Thesis Beer Project in Rochester that never once felt phoned in. From a pastry-leaning sour bursting with blood orange and marshmallow, to a clean, easygoing American light lager, we found flavor dialed in rather than cranked up to chaos.

We dig into BOOM!, a grape-lemon fruited sour that pours purple and avoids the candy trap; a smooth Meantime Kölsch for session seekers; and Stuffed, the stovetop stuffing-inspired kölsch with thyme and sage that tastes exactly like the side dish without going gimmicky. Tuba Nanas Hefeweizen keeps the clove classic and the finish crisp, while Thesis Pieces—an impressive peanut butter blonde—lands real peanut character without the chalky powder. If you love peanut butter beers, this one deserves a spot on your list.

For malt fans, Plot Armor brings an imperial red ale with a restrained smoky note and a whisper of rye that drinks clean at 8%. Hop heads get Uptown Overlord, a hazy double IPA with Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic that’s soft, juicy, and surprisingly approachable for IPA skeptics. Along the way, we compare styles, talk flavor choices, and call out who should try what: lager lovers, sour doubters, and IPA newcomers included.

If you’re planning a brewery run in Minnesota, put Thesis Beer Project on your map. Their throughline is simple and rare: intentional flavor across styles, from light and crisp to bold and hazy. Listen for the scores, the standouts, and the one beer that became a table-wide conversation starter. Enjoy the tasting, share it with a beer friend, and subscribe for our upcoming beer-of-the-year picks and more flavor-forward finds.

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.