iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Two 9/11 stories from my travel writing days: A visit to the memorial in lower Manhattan www.chicagotribune.com/2014/07/15/h... And to Shanksville www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2...

starnewsonline.com

Stirring simplicity marks crash site of Flight 93

Exactly one American flag flaps in the rural Pennsylvania breeze at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

001

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Had my first marzen of the year last night, at Old Irving. Tasted great. I never wind up drinking that much of it, but fresh and on draft a few times in the late summer and early fall … hits a spot like few things do.

1101

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Just had a shot of 2012 Malört and yes, it used to be so much worse.

2171

Reposted by Josh Noel

Michael Li (李之樸) @mcpli.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.

122130494237

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

“Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit” was shortlisted by the @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social for its 2025 Chicago Review of Books (CHIRBy) Awards amid some excellent company 🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏾

081

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Remember when you had to look in the newspaper to see what time a movie was showing at the theater — which was the only place where movies were shown? Damn those were the days. Wish Gen Z could have experienced that.

040

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Do you ever think of a brewery that closed and get a little bummed you can’t sit in that taproom again? That just happened to me.

241

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Block Club doing what it does best

050

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

After 10 days in Northern California I’m firmly in the Blind Pig > Pliny camp.

2130

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

WOW. Pour one out for a legend. What a special place. And factored big in the Malört narrative! Had its run. Onward. chicago.eater.com/closings/160...

061

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Herbie Hancock’s fusion period will save us.

010

Reposted by Josh Noel

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 22/06/2025

Trump: “I want to just say, we love you God”

6861725282

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Wordle 1,460 2/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Never seen this one before

140

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

The pope being from Chicago only gets funnier as time goes on.

060

Reposted by Josh Noel

Drew Starr @thedrewstarr.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Quick, rush out a new cover

161

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Book sales about to explode, thank you Catholic Church.

2160

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

People who litter … what’s up with that

250

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

A legend — and even more interesting than most of us knew. He was always my first stop when picking up the Reader on Thursday back in the day. RIP. www.inclusivefuneralcare.com/m/obituaries...

0163

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Aja obviously and Gaucho yes but The Royal Scam … 👑

230

Reposted by Josh Noel

AIK @andrewinkenosha.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

@joshnoel.bsky.social This must be the Malört of Japan

041

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zeJ...

110

Reposted by Josh Noel

Sarah Posner @sarahposner.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

I simply do not understand how a NEWS ORGANIZATION is basically existing in a stage of siege but very rarely conveys in its political coverage that we are in a state of emergency

2959641360

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Wordle 1,402 1/6* 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Need a new starting word

040

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

I try hard not to wear a beer t-shirt and a beer baseball cap at the same time and today I sadly failed.

040

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Given a choice between standing on concrete and grass I’ll take grass every time.

010

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

I forgot how much I like experiencing a place I’m visiting through its breweries.

1110

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

“Unexpectedly poignant” is such a thrill to see in this review. Odd as it may sound for a book about Malört, once I saw that dynamic in the narrative, I knew I had a good story on my hands.

020

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

“In the end, his account of the bitter beverage has a hard-won sweetness. This quirky, enlightening, unexpectedly poignant book isn’t only for aficionados of the offbeat Chicago liquor, but fans of stubborn underdogs everywhere.” @wsj.com review for my Malört book 😎 www.wsj.com/arts-culture...

wsj.com

‘Malört’ Review: The Bitter Bottle That Beat the Odds

A wormwood-infused beverage with a famously odd flavor, Malört began as a medicinal drink but took on a new life among 21st century tastemakers.

081

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Dude I see on train wears shorts and tropical vibes short sleeve button down shirts all year long (including today, where it’ll be in the 30s in Chicago) and I finally asked him what up. He said he works in a data center where it’s 85 degrees so it’s comfortable. And his wife picks his shirts.

040

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Was telling someone recently the thing I miss most in modern IPAs/pale ales is that pine and especially resin character. Phase Three hasn’t forgotten. This is great.

3110

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Pilsner Urquell tasting — draft, bottle and can. Marked differences.

181

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Yeah this is the issue 👇🏽 That’s when I say to my wife, “Hey you want to split an Irish stout?” Eight ounces worked for us both tonight.

110

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Sometimes I want beer and after 4-6 ounces I’m good. Just wanted to scratch the itch.

550

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Don’t spend much time on social media these days but oh my god is it depressing every time I decide to check in.

040

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Last thing I usually have to do before turning in a first draft — and I swear this is true — is strip out the extraneous em dashes; also semicolons, because I love those, too.

010

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

This Sunday, Feb. 2. Malört reading/discussion, the Mandalörtian and a round of Malört trivia! 5 pm at the legendary Ten Cat Tavern. No cover. Signed books available.

041

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Come for me … stay for the Mandalörtian. Feb. 2 at one of Chicago’s coolest old school bars.

181

Josh Noel @joshnoel.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

The Royal Scam is the sleeper stone cold shit in the Steely Dan catalog.

140