Mike Stephen looks back at local beer in 2018 with author and Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel, discusses the data gathered from the midterms and previews the mayor’s race with Scott Kennedy of IL Election Data, and learns how we can help out Tim Ryan, front man of The Black Oil Brothers, after his near fatal accident.  The delightful local music this week is brought to you by City Mouth. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

On a special edition of the program, Mike Stephen explores the history of tied houses/bars in Chicago.  Joining him at Toons Bar and Grill and at the Happy Village bar is local historian Liz Garibay. The two chat about the history of tied houses over a pint. Then Mike heads to Lakeview to talk to Mike Schuba, operator of Schuba’s Tavern, about the special history of that building.  And to round out the show, Mike and Producer Collin try to figure out how to tie OTL to a Chicago bar with some help from Hampshire High School industrial technology teacher Mike Jakubowski. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen chatty chats with: Tracy Siska, Executive Director, Chicago Justice Project; OTL Winter Tavern Tour #6: Tuman’s Tap w/ @ChicagoBars, and; Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Chicago blues bassist Benny Turner for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music Local music this week is powered by The Curls.  To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks brew and politics with: OTL Winter Tavern Tour #5: Jacqueline’s, and Mick Dumpke of ProPublica Illinois & Scott Kennedy of IL Election Data as part of OTL’s Primary Prep Spectacular! This week’s local music is provided by Pixel Grip.  To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.