Beats, Beards & Brews

In a strange twist of fate (i.e. Dan was feeling ill on a Wednesday) we switched our recording day for Episode #31 of Beats, Beards & Brews to Thirsty Thursday. Long story short, Evan could not withstand the temptation of the Nitro Blonde Fatale (8.5% abv) from Peace Tree Brewing Co. out of Knoxville, Iowa, and proceeded to quench his thirst with more beer after that, so needless to say, he is riding a nice buzz on this pod.

Once Eric and Dan are done calling Evan out, the three amigos put on their crossover thrash pants and review Iron Reagan's Crossover Ministry. The gang naturally focuses its attention on an outlier track ("Fuck the Neighbors") and discusses how Iron Reagan would actually be terrible neighbors. Drunk Evan then ponders a battle between a jelly bean fueled (?) Iron Ronald Reagan and Iron Man. It's still up for debate who would win that battle. Eric plays moderator and gets Dan away from Evan's shenanigans and the bearded duo gives its take on two beard oil scents (Rip Van Winkle and Castaway) from Florida-based Beard Booze. Finally, the Beats, Beards & Brews crew reviews Stone Ripper Pale Ale, a year-round West Coast Style Pale Ale from Stone Brewing Co.

We tend to pick albums at least one of us wants to review on Beats, Beards & Brews, but on Episode #30 we decided to go rogue with Foxygen's new album Hang. And man, it was a terrible mistake. Evan might disagree. Don't be like Evan.

For the beard portion of the podcast, Dan and Eric give their take on The Grandpa Soap Co.'s Pine Tar Wonder Soap and even come up with some brilliant marketing slogans for the company to use. Seriously guys, get in touch. They also talk about beard washing strategies, responsible palm oil sourcing and orangutans (in space!).

And finally on Episode No. 30, the gang steps up its game and gives a decent beer review for a change while drinking Sixpoint Brewery's Global Warmer.

Post-Show Notes: Turns out orangutans were not used in the U.S. space program (or in the space programs of other countries). However, there were apparently more than just chimps sent into space, according to this Wikipedia entry. Dr. Zaius was the orangutan scientist in Planet of the Apes referenced in the podcast.

In the first Beats, Beards & Brews recording of 2017, the boys are back on their respective mics with a new format that involves actually following the name of the podcast—album review, beard product, then beer review. Evan, Eric and Dan kick off the episode (after the usual intro banter) with a review of hip-hop superstar duo Run the Jewel's latest album Run the Jewels 3. Dan and Eric then award their highest ranking for a beard oil yet to Percy Nobleman's Premium Beard Oil, proving that the Brits do beard oil best—for now!

Finally Eric and Evan give their take on two entries in New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger series (Voodoo Ranger IPA and 8 Hop Pale Ale), while Dan accidentally grabs New Belgium Glutiny, a gluten-reduced/removed beverage.

2016 may have sucked, but this year-end episode of Beats, Beards & Brews is all right. Dan and Eric kick things off with a review of the Howling Rain and Black Knight beard oils from Black Rebel Beard Co. out of El Paso.

Evan, Eric and Dan then list off their top three albums (plus some extras) that they listened to in 2016 and that may or may not have been reviewed on the podcast. They also put together a super random Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/123699728/playlist/5LaPnTQLdYZYKslpMlVw69

Finally, the three brothers from three very different mothers (and fathers), give a toast to their new Russian overlords who may or may not take over the U.S. in 2017 (За твоё здоровье!) and partake in the drinking of Old Rasputin Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co. out of Fort Bragg, California.

Evan somehow proves to have the most knowledge about Rasputin due to having watched the 1997 animated film Anastasia. But you should probably look to Wikipedia over the skewed cartoon dramatization of this historical figure.

Eric, Evan and Dan also give their New Year's resolutions to close out the final podcast of 2016 (which we almost thought Dan sabotaged again, but that's another story we won't get into).

Post-Show Fun Fact: Many Russian cities have a strip club called Rasputin. We cannot verify this factoid from Wikipedia, but let us know via Twitter or Instagram if you are able.

In the funkiest episode of Beats, Beards & Brews to date, Eric and Dan review The Simple Kit from Detroit Grooming Co., which includes four of their signature oils and some "moustache" wax. These oils definitely bring the funk. The gang gets off track and talks about Mamba Fruit Chews (the No. 1 fruit candy at @BBBPod HQ).

Evan, Dan and Eric then give an in-depth analysis of the latest Childish Gambino album Awaken, My Love!, a groovin' departure from pop culture icon Donald Glover's previous rap full-lengths. Dan shares fun facts about Danny Glover.

Everyone then kind of reviews Exile Brewing Company's Sir Moch-A-Lot Mocha Stout between more talk of all things Danny Glover. Sex Predator (the all-Predator funk band) is born.

Unleash the Doberhounds! Eric, Evan and Dan get in the holiday spirit with the second ever "live recording" of Beats, Beards & Brews that includes two very special guests. Dan and Eric review Artisan Coffee and Spiced Citrus beard oils from Arthur J Hawke (based out of Winchester, not London, oops!). They then proceed to get into a heated discussion about whether Metallica's new album Hardwired ... to Self Destruct is a return to form for the biggest band in hard rock/metal or just way too long for its own good. Dan hates on Kirk Hammett.

The whole crew gives their take on Breckenridge Brewery's Nitro Orange Chocolate Stout (a seasonal entry in its Nitro Series), which proves to be quite divisive--much like the notorious Christmas treat.

However, the main event is Orange Scorpion (ale with trinidad scorpion chilies added) from C.I.B. Brewery out of Carson, Iowa. Evan, Dan and Eric give their most technical beer review yet, breaking down the all important "butt feel" of the semi-spicy brew and determining whether the beer truly "knocks you off."

While the KO factor of Orange Scorpion is still up for debate, we 100% guarantee that this podcast will satisfy all of your KO needs, or we'll offer you a full refund of the $0 that you paid to listen. #knockoff

It's November, aka No Shave November or Movember among the bearded and non-bearded alike, in which many men embark on a beard growing journey. The month is synonymous with growing facial hair to raise awareness of men's health issues and also encourages donations to charities that fight against them.

Beats, Beards & Brews shares its thoughts on Movember and Dan and Eric discuss how much money it would take to shave their epic beards, for charity or profit. Would Eric shave his 2+ years of growth for $5,000? Listen to find out! We do mention a specific Movember team, which may still be open for donations. Follow this link to donate to the team Dan mentions: http://mobro.co/sdawes0414 or consider donating to a charity that is important to you. Otherwise, grow a beard to show your support of men's health!

Eric, Evan and Dan also review Jimmy Eat World's latest album Integrity Blues and all agree that you're probably going to like it if you have any nostalgia for JEW. The gang also makes a huge mess drinking Hop Manna IPA from Shmaltz Brewing Co. Not cool! We thought this beer was kosher!

We swear these must be defective! Please do us a favor and pick up a four-pack of Hop Manna IPA and tweet us @BBBPod if they foam everywhere. #mazeltov #foamybeer #rogerroger

Eric and Dan test out Marlowe No. 143 Men's Beard Oil (carried at a Target store near you), arguably the most affordable beard oil they've run into so far. The Beats, Beards & Brews crew then switches gears to review Meshuggah's latest offering The Violent Sleep of Reason, which brings the heavy. There's no doubt Evan's controversial review will come back to haunt him for many pods to come. The boys then bid farewell to Surly Brewing Co.'s Todd Haug with their take on Todd the Axe Man, a collaboration IPA with Amager Brewery in Denmark.

Post-Show Notes: Todd Haug moves on to Three Floyds Brewing in Munster, Indiana. Surly Brewing Co. may actually be selling out ... to MillerCoors? Oh wait, no it's not.

Dan enters the dangerous underbelly of the DIY beard balm black market, aka he bought some beeswax, shea butter and essential oils on the Internet and is throwing down some mad buttery balm for Eric and himself to test out. The full crew then goes on to review Opeth's latest album Sorceress, which sees the band continuing to stray from its death metal roots into full-on prog-rock and jazz territory—with mixed results.

After diving a little too deep into progressive waters, the gang dials it back for a coffee craft beer throwdown with Eric giving his take on the limited edition Founders Pale Joe (pale ale brewed with coffee), brewed for ArtPrize 2016. Meanwhile Dan sips on the iconic Founders Breakfast Stout (think chocolate and coffee) and gives the Founders Breakfast Stout baby his own backstory. Finally, Evan rates Wake Up Iowa Stout from Backpocket Brewing.

The three pals continue to get creative with their rating system (women's T-shirts?) and engage in some wholesome "locker room talk" throughout the pod. Perhaps the most important takeaway is to keep that shit consensual, yo.

Beats, Beards & Brews returns after an "end of summer" hiatus.

Dan and Eric review two new products from Mad Viking Beard Co. in the form of The Hollow and The Orchard beard oils, which are the latest blends from the company, smelling of fresh cut wood and green apples, respectively.

Evan, Dan and Eric then proceed to dissect Butch Walker's latest album, Stay Gold, a slice of ultra-clean, slickly produced Americana. And finally, the gang gives their take on Hop Nosh IPA from Uinta Brewing.

Chicken Nugget Wednesdays is born. #nuggetwednesday #nuggetsnstrips