Beats, Beards & Brews

Get ready to embark on Beats, Beards & Brews' most excellent podcasting adventure yet, as Eric, Evan and Dan go on an epic quest to ace their history tests and save the babes ... OK, maybe that's not what happens in this episode, but the gang does review Visigoth's second album Conqueror's Oath. Eric loves it. Dan and Evan do not.

Dan surprises everyone in this episode when he reveals that he actually took some notes and he also drops a review of Zeus' "Beard Shampoo Wash" in the Sandalwood scent. It contains Dragon's Blood, which sort of fits the whole medieval theme and sounds cool.

The gang then hops into their phone booth time machine to visit an era when ska music ruled the airwaves and some underage hooligans realized they could drink beer a lot easier if they brewed it themselves.

And thus, the Durango, Colorado-based Ska Brewing was born.

Evan and Dan sip on some Pink Vapor Stew, while Eric drinks down the Sour Apple Gose from the brewery. Did you like Warheads? If so, you'll probably dig these sour beers, which are truly sour.

Catch you later! And remember, be excellent to each other!

When no one can agree on what new album to review, Dan throws a wildcard into the ring with Calexico The Thread That Keeps Us. Evan and Eric think the Tex-Mex inspired seven-piece's music is a little underwhelming—unless you're a Dad (or Dan). Then you're going to 100% love this record. Eric shares his thoughts on Jotunn's Brew beard oil and balm, a Nag Champa and sandalwood inspired incense scent by Mad Viking Beard Co. It may just be Eric's new signature scent. The price is right too!

Finally, the gang embarks on a "Smooth Chocolate Experience" while drinking Blackout Stout from Great Lakes Brewing Co.

And so it begins. The Beats, Beards & Brews crew kicks off the first episode of 2018 with a review of (probably immortal) guitar legend Joe Satriani's latest album What Happens Next. What has the Satch aka 'ol laser eyes been up to after all these years? Tune in to find out!

Next up, Dan and Eric drop some bearded knowledge on listeners suffering through the dead of winter with their tips on "How to Winterize Your Beard." It's actually pretty informative, if you can get past the intense "man vibing" that occurs during this segment.

Evan, Eric and Dan round out the episode with a review of New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA, one of the first mass market hazy beers to hit the streets (and store shelves) across the USA.

As 2017 winds down, the Beats, Beards & Brews crew gets together once more to celebrate another glorious year of podcasting, growing beards, listening to lots of music and drinking plenty of craft beer (and the occasional mainstream ale).

Eric, Evan and Dan share their "New Beard's Resolutions" for 2018. Dan describes his brief time being shaven and why he is already growing back the beard. Eric vows to dedicate 2018 to loving his beard and himself. All in healthy moderation, of course!

The gang also selects some of their favorite albums of 2017, not necessarily the best albums, but the ones that held their attention and that are certainly worth a listen. Most of which we did not review previously on the podcast. See the full list below.

Evan regrets one of his album picks after Dan dives into some Wikipedia controversy. Key takeaway: stop being creeps, guys!

In the spirit of the holidays, Dan samples the 2017 edition of Santa's Private Reserve by Rogue Ales. Meanwhile, Evan and Eric check out Rogue's Yellow Snow Pilsner. More controversy arises!

Beats, Beards & Brews 2017 Album Picks

Eric's Picks

• Enslaved - E
• Warbringer - Woe to the Vanquished
• The Night Flight Orchestra - Amber Galactic

Dan's Picks

• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - The Nashville Sound
• Foo Fighters - Concrete and Gold
• Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface

Evan's Picks

• Brand New - Science Fiction
• Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface
• The War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding

2017 BBBPod Spotify Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/user/danbraak/playlist/3qnSTvi0OmIttDNyHms2n3

The Beats, Beards & Brews crew is late to the game with their tribute to legendary AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young—who died on Nov. 18, 2017—due to more technical difficulties on Dan's part.

A lesser trio of podcasters might have given up and moved on ... but Malcolm deserves more than that, so Eric, Evan and Dan decided to day drink on a Saturday afternoon and re-record the episode.

Everyone lists their top three favorite AC/DC albums and Dan reminisces about listening to the song "Big Balls" for the first time.

For the beard portion of the podcast we review a variety of beard products from Kingsmen Beard Club, including its Holy Grail Beard Oil. Use code BBBPod for 20% off your purchase on the website.

Finally, the gang reviews the somewhat classic Foster's Lager (the blue oil can) and Eric and Evan determine a punishment for Dan.

On Episode No. 47 of Beats, Beards & Brews the gang mixes things up and checks out Metallica's Master of Puppets Remastered (Deluxe Box Set), well at least the Spotify version of this deluxe release.

Listen to the boys wax nostalgic about the legendary Tallica album and 11+ hours worth of riff tapes, demos, auditions and live sets. They also discuss whether box sets are worthwhile or a money grab.

Next up, Dan gives an update on his goofy Movember mustache and Evan discusses his inability to quickly grow a mustache. Don't forget to check out the gang's Movember team "Hairy Potter and the Prisoners of Stache-kaban" raising awareness about "butt stuff, ball stuff and suicide stuff" and raising money for men's health.

Finally, Eric, Evan and Dan enjoy the eye flavors (and mouth flavors) of Toppling Goliath's Fire, Skulls & Money West Coast IPA. They also discuss whether 22 oz. bombers are worthwhile or a money grab.

It's Movember aka No Shave November aka [insert other tagline here]! A time when the non-bearded decide to stop shaving their face and/or upper lip region for an entire month! Seriously though, it is for a good cause, raising awareness for men's health issues, more specifically as related to prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Naturally, the Beats, Beards & Brew crew decides to review the newest Cannibal Corpse album Red Before Black, and they also decipher the hidden meaning behind classic Corpse tracks such as "I Cum Blood" off Tomb of the Mutilated. A song about prostrate health? Maybe.

Make sure to check out Eric's legit Cannibal Corpse Spotify playlist.

Dan talks about his our Movember group Hairy Potter and the Prisoners of Stache-kaban, where you can donate money to your favorite Beats, Beards & Brews podcaster or some of Dan's random coworkers. As in you can support a good cause, we do not get a penny of your money. Unless you want to run an ad on our pod. ;)

DAN SHAVES HIS BEARD! That's truly the big news on this podcast. He does keep the epic/ridiculous stache, at least for November, and Evan prepares to also go baby-faced. Eric, who did not shave his beard, asks Dan some important questions.

Finally, the gang reviews a trio of pumpkin brews that include West O's Punk'd Pie Belgian Dubbel, New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin Ale and Breckenridge's Nitro Pumpkin Spice Latte.

We're still waiting for Avery to send us some Rumpkin!

Get ready to enter a time machine and travel back to ... 2003. On Episode No. 45 of Beats, Beards & Brews (RIP Episode No. 44), Eric, Evan and Dan review The Darkness' latest album Pinewood Smile.

The boys are a little divided on this one, but there are a few key points they can agree on. 1) The album art for Pinewood Smile is atrocious. 2) Permission to Land is still awesome. 3) Never go full Queen.

When Dan accidentally makes an off-color joke things get weird and the episode rapidly goes downhill from there. The three amigos bust out their best (not quite last minute) Halloween costume ideas for bearded dudes. One costume idea may or may not involve full-size candy bars and "borrowing" children. The Al Borland Rule is born.

As if this episode wasn't unhinged enough, everyone gives their take on Size 7 India Pale Ale from Steel Toe Brewing out of St. Louis Park—a Minneapolis burb—along with plenty of foot-related jokes.

Evan, Eric and Dan return once more for Episode No. 43 of Beats, Beards & Brews (Eric cleaned up his act for this one). The gang kicks things off with a review of Queens of the Stone Age's latest album Villains. They also reminisce about 2002's Songs for the Deaf.

For the beard portion of the podcast, Dan and Eric review the Beard Care Starter Kit from Artius Man in Citrus Fire Scent. Evan provides his review of the Mountain Air scented beard oil from the company.

Lastly, Evan gives 515 Brewing Co. out of Des Moines a lot of business when he leaves his growler of Baby Groot (a beer in the "gruit" style, translation: no hops!) in Cedar Rapids and has to buy another. At least everyone actually obtained the same beer in this episode!

Eric should have went to bed after a raucous, after-hours work event, but instead he joins Dan and Evan on the mic for what is probably the most quotable episode of Beats, Beards & Brews yet!

Evan held the previous record for drinking the most pre-pod, but Eric shatters that record and hits the mic with a vengeance. To Eric's credit he still hasn't completely sabotaged an episode.

In Episode 42, incorrectly identified as Episode 41, Eric trashes on Arcade Fire's latest record Everything Now, and Evan and Dan can't really defend it either, but Evan kind of tries as per usual.

Next, on the soon-to-be, first-ever, Grammy nominated episode of a podcast, Dan and Eric review an assortment of products from 1740 Beard Balm (Death Wish Coffee Beard Oil and Balm, Bay Rum Featherweight Balm and Bay Rum Soap) out of Kansas City.

To close out the episode, Evan drops some legit background knowledge on Left Hand's Oktoberfest Marzen Lager, meanwhile Dan fails to research Sierra Nevada's Oktoberfest Festbier 2017.

Eric struggles to review his beer (also Sierra Nevada).

Post-Show Notes: Special thanks to Evan for all the brilliant editing work on this one. There is about 8 minutes of bonus audio that should never see the light of day, but never say never! Woof.