E32 Off Kilter Brewing - Palate Fatigue

Home Brew Rock Stars Podcast

PODCAST: The Curious Phenom of Palate Fatigue with Off Kilter Brewing Founder Jim Goecks

This episode features a focus on palate fatigue with no better way to approach the subject than a fun interview with Off Kilter Brewing founder/brewer Jim Goecks. This up-and-coming brewery was born out of a passion for home brewing at Jim's home in South Beloit, IL. Jim shares his knowledge and purposed techniques for brewing malt forward craft beer without the harsh bitterness that has dominated the craft beer revolution. This goal to fill the gap between those traditional American pilsners and hoppier beers that crowd store coolers is no accident, hence the name Off Kilter...it's refreshing!

We also dive into a conversation regarding beer palate fatigue as we imbibe some of Jim's awesome craft beer and relate to the thoughtful character given to his brewing style. "Fatigue is a dangerous thing for a beer lover. It plays with your mind, causing you to question what you know to be true and second guess your old favorites. The symptoms of this weariness are familiar and difficult to avoid, even for the most optimistic craft beer enthusiast" (Beer Advocate-Issue 58).

BEER TASTING! Of course, it's not a brewing podcast without beer. Thanks to four outstanding beer samples from the Off Kilter line-up, all featured at the Off-Kilter Brewing Taproom at Artisan Pub in South Beloit, and two other stellar beers from 3 Sheeps and Toppling Goliath, we can all assure any palate fatigue is a non-issue.

• Osmosis - An English/American/Off-Kilter fusion made with authentic English malts and a blend of English and American hops aged in charred oak, that's hoppy yet sports a deep golden color.
• O Doo Ya - A spring/summer seasonal, but not your traditional Belgian-Style Wit, brewed with imagination for those long summer evenings on the back deck.
• One-Eyed Jack - This porch pounder is a straw colored ale with a rich white head and a complex malt forward flavor that starts with nice barley richness and a hint of white wheat.
• Bella Brown - Named after Jim's faithful Great Dane, this winter seasonal a complex Brown Ale with a tightly beaded foam head and hints of citrus, clove and coffee. PLUS!!!
• Black Kilt Stout - 3 Sheeps - An extremely rare Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout. This collaboration beer was brewed exclusively for BrewFest Partners at 11% ABV.
• King Sue - Toppling Goliath - At 7.8% ABV and 100+ IBU this hazy double IPA blasts hints of mango, orange, and pineapple from a lot of Citra hops.

EXTRAS: We play a quick round of Beer Tag called "You be the judge", and in ode to Jim's home brew beer contest experience, put the test Jim and Mike's judging knowledge. Can you beat them? Our music features groovy samples of San Diego inspired pop rock from ELGIN PARK (aka Micheal Andrews), guitar player for acid jazz legends, Greyboy Allstars (Karl Denson/Robert Walter) but is best known for a cover version of the Tears for Fears song "Mad World", which he recorded with Gary Jules for the Donnie Darko soundtrack.

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