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Off Color Brewing was founded with a goal of brewing forgotten beer styles and swears they’ll never brew an IPA

Off Color Brewing co-founder John Laffler has remained true to his word. Despite the hotness of trendy IPAs, he’s yet to offer one at his brewery. Instead you’ll find sahti, chicha, and kotbusser or slightly more familiar styles like gose, saison, and wild farmhouse ales. In addition to beer Laffler enjoys bourbon, honey and bees, and he loves the interplay of yeast and bacteria. Before starting his brewery he spent time at Goose Island and had a hand in crafting many of their most famous beers, like Bourbon County Stout and King Henry. He does offer up one beer that might be considered a trendy brew, Dino S’Mores is an adjunct stout with graham flour, marshmallows, vanilla, and cocoa. Trendy or not, it’s delicious. As we talked with Laffler he sipped a bottle of Miller High Life. It’s no secret that he’s a fan of the beer and even brewed a collaboration with Miller. a Wild Ale built on a base of High Life. As mentioned, he has a passion for bees and honey and uses honey in his beers, although Illinois law prevents him from brewing mead due to his licensing.

THE BEER LIST

Off Color Dino S’Mores | S’Mores Stout

Off Color Jerk Bird | Belgian Strong Golden Ale

Off Color Space Tiger | Farmhouse Ale

Off Color Sparkles Finds (some) Trouble | Hibiscus Gose

Off Color Yuzu Fierce | Berliner Weisse with yuzu

Halfway Crooks Memory | Peach Saison

ICYMI: More from the Midwest