Beats, Beards & Brews

Evan and Eric (minus Dan) present this special "holiday-themed" episode of Beats, Beards & Brews recorded live in Des Moines.

The duo took some time after the Thanksgiving holiday to fully digest Cattle Decapitation's Death Atlas, an extreme metal concept album about climate change and the extinction of the human race due to its own inaction and poor choices.

A conversation on "goblin vocals," blast beats and mass human extinction ensues (along with a review of the album).

You know, just normal holiday business!

Eric and Evan also play a fun game called "Would You Put That on Your Face?" where they determine whether they would put special holiday beard oils on their faces based on the scent profiles.

The holiday beard oils mentioned in this episode include:

• The Claus by Fable Beard Co.
• The Ginger Beard Man by Fable Beard Co.
• Jack Frost by Fable Beard Co.
• Winter Spice by Skully's
• Scrooge by Skully's
• Ho, Ho, Ho! by The Bearded Bastard
• Holiday Spice by Texas Beard Co.

In keeping with the holiday spirit of fun and games, Eric and Evan undertake what they refer to as the "Sufferfest Beer Gauntlet."

Sufferfest brews "beer for athletes." The two non-athletes drink and review three beers apiece from the company's core line-up.

It's November and that means a lot of dudes are growing out their mustaches and/or beards for a good cause. A select few are even attempting to give up drinking booze ahead of the holidays.

In this action-packed episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the gang reviews Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders' latest album Get the Money featuring an all-star cast of iconic rock 'n' rollers.

Dan then shares his tale of failing at No Drink November and the boys discuss trying to be more conscientious of their beer consumption ... while sipping on some delicious brews!

Speaking of delicious brews, the gang finally tracks down Rumpkin, a monstrous 16-17% abv pumpkin ale barrel-aged in rum barrels. This beer has been on Eric's radar for a long time!

Plus there's a bonus review of Three Floyds' Gumballhead.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for those post-Thanksgiving beard product deals on social media and try out something new!

Beats, Beards & Brews favorite Sturgill Simpson is back ... and this time he unleashes the Sound & Fury on unsuspecting listeners.

Do the boys rate this one as highly as 2016's A Sailor's Guide to Earth? Can Sturgill make Dan experience "pure delight" once more?

Tune in to this thrilling podcast episode to find out!

Beyond the music, it's time for another round of Sudsin' It Up With Eric and Dan (Evan is too busy being a Dad to shower right now!).

The duo test out Duke Cannon's Big Ass Brick of Soap product line in several different scents. Please do not drop this soap!

For the beer portion of the episode, the gang drinks Voodoo Ranger's latest IPA release, the Hop Avenger IPA. That's right, the whole crew managed to grab the same beer release this time around. Woo!

Oh yeah, and the Beats, Beards & Brews Bump™ is still a thing.

It took Tool 13 years to release Fear Inoculum, so by comparison, Eric, Evan and Dan taking 3 months between episodes isn't so bad.

Welcome to Episode No. 69 of Beats, Beards & Brews (nice).

The gang first tackles Tool's new album where the non-interlude songs are all 10+ minutes in length. Epic prog or bloated nerd rock?

You'll have to listen to the episode to find out.

Next up, Eric talks about his switch to natural deodorant (he uses Schmidt's brand deodorant right now), while Dan and Evan throw out some skepticism. Something for you non-bearded folks to enjoy!

New Dad Evan (congrats!) leaves the episode to tend to his child, so Dan and Eric wrap things up with some reviews of a couple cocktail-inspired beers, more specifically, two Russian cocktail-inspired beers.

Here's a bulleted list for easy reference/enjoyment:

• Left Hand Brewing Company White Russian Nitro (a White Stout with Coffee and Vanilla added)
• Insight Brewing The Misadventures of My Rowdy Uncle (Moscow Mule Beer with Ginger and Lime)

They also give shout-outs to two solid Iowa craft beers, Big Grove's Arms Race and Firetrucker Brewery's Copper Cat.

Stay tuned (hopefully) for more new episodes!

Eric, Evan and Dan return to their respective mics for some almost summertime fun with a review of Silversun Pickups' Widow's Weeds.

Let's just say it's not quite "album of the summer."

Dan and Eric test out Grave Before Shave's latest beard-softening product, its Beard Butter, which is not heatproof. It's also better for big, burly beards than it is for tender, trimmed beards.

The Beats, Beards & Brews trio then goes on to review a trio of Radler aka Shandy beers, which are underwhelming in the abv department.

• Tag Tangerine Wheat from Lion Bridge Brewing
• Roadie Grapefruit Radler from Great Divide
• Bitburger Radler from Bitburger International

Which beverage did Eric boldly declare to be his "beer of the summer"? You gotta listen to the episode to find out!

Eric, Evan and Dan are back!

The Beats, Beards & Brew crew catches up and reviews Hexed, the latest album from Finnish metal band Children of Bodom.

They all wonder about the fate of the third Bill and Ted film and shortly after the recording, some most excellent news was revealed.

Bodom's mascot is the Grim Reaper, so Melvins are discussed.

The boys then attempt to answer the age-old question, "how much beard oil is too much beard oil?" They ramble about beards for a while and also check in on the current state of everyone's face fuzz.

Lastly, everyone shares a review of a different "spring" beer:

• New Belgium Liquid Paradise IPA (Evan)
• Toppling Goliath HOPSMACK! DIPA (Dan)
• Larry's Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight (Eric)

Make sure to vote in the Voodoo Ranger poll to choose its next IPA flavor. There's only one right answer: Hop Avenger IPA.

As 2018 and the Kwanzaa holiday wind down, we have one last gift for you. A very special year-end "live" edition of Beats, Beards & Brews.

Eric and Dan kick things off with a review of Can You Handlebar's Joy Beard Oil that contains Peppermint and Clary Sage essential oils. Did the boys finally find a peppermint oil they enjoyed rubbing on their faces? The duo also drops a review of the company's face lotion.

Dan, Evan and Eric recommend several albums released in 2018 to enjoy:

• Jeremy Messersmith – Purple Hearts
  • The Decemberists – I'll Be Your Girl
  • Death Cab for Cutie – Thank You for Today
• Covet – effloresce
  • Julien Baker – boygenius
  • Tiny Moving Parts – Swell
• Striker – Play to Win
  • Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light
  • Gama Bomb – Speed Between the Lines

The trio also get into the New Year's spirit and share beers that include:

• Confluence Brewing Company Special Saison
• Dangerous Man Brewing Co. Imperial Peanut Butter Porter
• Lake Time Brewery Oreo Speedwagon

Here's to an excellent 2019 and stay tuned for more episodes!

It's a Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa miracle! Eric, Evan and Dan reunite for a very special holiday edition of Beats, Beards & Brews.

First the trio recommends a few albums to listen to:

• The Dirty Nil - Master Volume
• Anderson Paak - Oxnard
• Daron Malakian - Dictator

The gang then dives into its 2018 holiday gift guide, featuring:

• Beardbrand (oil + balm)
• The Beard Baron (oil, scissors, mug)
• Kingsmen Beard Club (oil + balm)
• Percy Nobleman (Premium Oil)
• Mad Viking (oil + balm)
• Grave Before Shave (oil + balm)
• 1740 Beard Balm (oil + balm)
• Artius Man (oil + balm, wooden comb)
• Burton's Beard Oil (oil + balm)
• Bisson Combs (metal beard combs)
• Sally's Hair Trimming Scissors (???)
• MoGuard (mustache protector)
• Deneen Pottery (awesome mugs)
• Eagle Cap-Off (fancy bottle opener)
• Dr. Squatch (soap, shampoo, conditioner)

Eric and Dan share their takes on Bell's Expedition Russian Imperial Stout and Evan drinks Left Hand's Death Before Disco Porter.

The gang invokes the spirit of Tim Allen's Santa Claus to officially ring in Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

Remember: If you forget to get a Christmas gift, there's always Kwanzaa (legit!).

Beats, Beards & Brews comes full circle as the gang reviews Coheed & Cambria's latest concept album, Vaxis - Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures. Evan also makes his triumphant return to the pod!

Next up, Sudsin' It Up With Evan is back for round three with a review of Grandpa's Epsom Salt Bar Soap (don't drop it!). And Eric revisits Bluebeards' Wonder Beard Intensive Repair Deep Conditioner.

For the beer portion of the podcast Eric, Dan and Evan all manage to grab the same beer to review -- Hazelnut Brown Nectar from Rogue.

The boys get technical and talk about the nuttiness of the beer and the way the can it is stored in feels in your hand. Don't drop it, either!

Eric and Dan return for a special edition of Beats, Beards & Brews while Evan is keeping the pizza dream alive at Papa Keno's Drake.

Beyond coming up with new segments for the show (Bread Thoughts, Pepperoni Thoughts, Is Dan Crazy About Them Hazies?), the duo also make their picks for 2018 Fall music releases they think won't suck.

Coheed & Cambria, Skull Fist and Tenacious D are just a sampling of the many music picks that are revealed within the episode.

Dan and Eric then revisit some previously reviewed beard products including Artius Man, Burton's, Bossman and Bluebeard's.

For the beer portion of the episode, the bearded ones drink down some Fresh Haze IPA from Deschutes Brewery. The 6.5% abv brew is a refreshing beverage, no doubt. Its true haziness is up for debate.