Beats, Beards & Brews

Eric and Dan are back in action (minus Evan) after a second summer hiatus to bring you the Beats, Beards & Brews episode you deserve.

Where's Evan? He recently opened a pizza joint in Des Moines called Papa Keno's Drake, which is understandably taking up his time.

On the first non-trio episode of the podcast, Dan and Eric review Alice in Chains' latest album, Rainier Fog, the band's third album to feature dual lead vocals from William DuVall and Jerry Cantrell. The bearded duo then gives an in-depth review of GoodBeards, a veteran-owned beard company based out of Des Moines, Iowa.

Eric and Dan give reviews of three of its beard oils:

• Amber Waves (Amber, Sandalwood, Tea Tree)
• Return to Valhalla (Sea Breeze, Cedarwood, Bergamot)
• Citrus Knockout (Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Blood Orange)

Eric also shares his thoughts on GoodBeards' hand-crafted Pine Tar and Cedar Castile beard and body soap. Spoiler alert: It's good.

Finally, Dan and Eric drink down two different Stone DIPAs. Eric reviews the 9.1% abv Stone 22nd Anniversary "No Haze" Anni-Matter Double IPA, while Dan gives his fresh take on Fear.Movie.Lions, a hazy, 8.50% New England-style DIPA.

In another special episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the dudes dive into Midwest rapper Tech N9ne's 2006 album Everready (The Religion).

From longtime "technician" (Eric) to Tecca Nina newcomer (Dan), the gang tries to determine if the classic album holds up to this day.

Dan and Eric revisit Beardbrand's Utility Balm, which they reviewed on a previous episode, and Evan continues Sudsin It Up, this time trying out Grandpa's Buttermilk Bar Soap. No soap was eaten.

Finally, the mostly bearded trio drinks down Bou Lou: A Boulevard x Tech N9ne Collaboration, which Evan picked up while in Lawrence, Kansas, or maybe it was KCMO, either way he got it for us!

Does Bou Lou live up to its cocktail cousin Caribou Lou, the ultimate party favor? Will it get you karate punchin? Tune in to find out!

Evan, Eric and Dan return from their summer hiatus with a special episode where they pick three overlooked albums so far in 2018.

Albums in Order of Mention:

• Car Seat Headrest - Twisted Fantasy
• Gatekeeper - East of Sun
• Mo Lowda & The Humble - Creatures

Mo Lowda is the victor in terms of mass appeal, but Gatekeeper has potential. Car Seat Headrest ... you'll have to listen in for more.

This episode marks the unofficial debut of "Sudsin' Up With Evan," a special soap segment featuring Grandpa's Charcoal Bar Soap.

Dan tells the story of how Hank (his big, dumb, lovable black lab) ate a full bar of soap--including the brutal aftermath--and Evan begins to question his past use of chemical-laden soap.

Finally, everyone drops their reviews of Odell's Sunny Rain Golden Tart craft beer and the Sunny Rain Golden Tart Bomb is born. Don't go "European style" with this one, it's definitely a cooler beer!

Special Bonus List: While deciding an album to talk about on this episode and during the podcast recording hiatus, Eric also put together a list of his favorite metal albums in 2018 so far.

You can check that out on The Heavy Metal Review.

Prepare your auditory taste buds for a sweet and tangy listening experience! Eric, Evan and Dan get fancy drinking a collection of "dessert beers" as they review Prequelle by smash box office metal outfit Ghost, coming soon to a spooky arena/theater near you.

Evan is not buying into Cardinal Copia's/Papa Emeritus'/Tobias Forge's poppy vocals or Satanic imagery, while Dan is fully on board. Eric has always enjoyed Ghost and the trend mostly continues.

Dan and Eric slather their beards up with Mountaineer Brand WV Timber Beard Oil, which comes in 2 oz bottles for $10 a pop. It's a nice addition into the beard oil on a budget category.

The beer portion of the episode includes a grab bag of brews. Eric drinks German Chocolate Cake Oatmeal Cream Stout from Tallgrass Brewing Co. brewed with coconut and cocoa nibs. He is thrown off by the beer's initial tangy aftertaste in his pre-pod taste test.

Meanwhile, Evan finds a lot to like in Tallgrass' Velvet Rooster Belgian-Style Tripel Ale, which features a sweet candy finish. Dan once again proves to be the wild card of the group with his review of Space Cake Double IPA from Clown Shoes Beer (with zero tang).

Evan finally accepts his title as Cake Master.

Beats, Beards & Brews continues its love of everything that starts with the letter "b" and dives into the wild world of bluegrass with a review of Trampled by Turtle's latest album Life is Good on the Open Road.

Eric and Evan question whether the diddley bow is a real instrument or if Dan is spouting BS once again. Turns out he was telling the truth.

The Midwest boys also discuss if a man, woman or child can be killed by a turtle and the most logical way that might happen. This marks the second entry in the exclusive BBBPod series of beast episodes.

Dan and Eric drop reviews on two different scents of beard oil from Brass Bones Beard Co. based out of Connecticut. Eric tried out the Backwoods Bourbon scent (bourbon and sandalwood) while Dan received the Permanent Vacation scent (tobacco, vanilla lime).

The Beats, Beards & Brews crew closes things down with a review of Ninja vs. Unicorn DIPA from Pipeworks Brewing Co. out of Chicago. Dan drank all of his beer ahead of the podcast, so he also shares a quick take on a War Pigs (Three Floyds and Mikkeller collabo) brew.

Beats, Beards & Brews heads to the beach for a "fantastic episode" that is also very educational—get ready for some learnin'!

Eric, Evan and Dan share their reviews of A Perfect Circle's first studio album in 14 years, Eat the Elephant (poor Billy Howerdel!). The mellow, piano-driven melodies that dominate this album may not be the most suitable music for the beach, but it's still worth a listen.

The three amigos then get into some summer beard care tips that will certainly help you out when hitting the beach, lake or pool. Remember to always rinse your beard and watch out for flesh-eating bacteria.

Dan and Eric close out the episode by rattling off some of their new-found, extensive knowledge of elephant seals. On this episode you will learn about the different types of elephant seals, what an elephant seal sounds like and the percentage of milkfat in elephant seal milk.

Oh, and the gang also reviews the 9.0% abv Beachmaster Imperial IPA from North Coast Brewing. "If you want to get drunk efficiently..."

In what may very well be the final episode of Beats, Beards & Brews—the FBI is probably on its way to Dan's house right now—the gang reviews the latest release from indie rock band, Hop Along.

Bark Your Head Off, Dog's dissonant sound may not be for everyone, especially if your name is Eric, but it's definitely something different.

Ahead of Cinco de Mayo, Evan, Eric and Dan all give their take on Grave Before Shave's Tequila Limon Blend Beard Oil, which Evan thinks smells like movie theater gummy candy and Dan thinks smells like a 12-year-old girl's lip gloss with a hint of tequila mixed in.

This is where things really start to go downhill for Dan. On a completely unrelated note, Dan also shares an interesting strategy for seasoning tacos. So that's something.

Finally, the review you've all been waiting for ... the dudes all drink Bud Light Orange aka Bud L'Orange aka BLO. Eric thought it would be funny! Turns out there is nothing funny about drinking this beer.

Good news! Eric, Evan and Dan all survived the Irish Tour Bus episode and they are back for a more "normal" episode of the podcast.

The gang goes a little bit country and kicks things off with a review of Kacey Musgrave's third studio album Golden Hour, not to be confused with "Golden Shower," which will hopefully be her fourth studio album.

Kacey seems to bring a little more pop and a little less outlaw to the table this go-round and everyone finds it to be inoffensive listening.

Eric leads a discussion on getting in shape for a healthier beard and shares his "Get Your Ass Into Gear" fitness plan.

Step No. 1? Hit "rock bottom." The conversation naturally touches on the important topics of poop weight, boxing tips and yoga boners.

Finally, the trio shares their reviews of two different Dogfish Head beers: Lupu-Luau IPA (Eric and Dan) and Flesh & Blood IPA (Evan).

Post-Show Notes: Here's some more info on Biotin, the hair growth supplement that we discuss, courtesy of Wikipedia.

"Nobody should do the f****ing Tour Bus. It's godawful."

Welcome to a special "live" edition of Beats, Beards & Brews in which long-time friend of the pod and Irish Tour Bus inventor, David, joins us on the mic for a raucous episode recorded on St. Patrick's Day.

What is the Irish Tour Bus? Three shots of Irish whiskey: Jameson, Bushmill's and Tullamore Dew. Followed by a pint of Guinness.

There are only a couple rules involved with the Bus. You should drink the Guinness last. And you must drink it all quickly, in one go.

Evan, Dan, Eric and David all drink down the Irish Tour Bus to kick off the episode and things naturally head downhill from there.

Dan and Eric review Black Rebel Beard Co.'s new five-scent line-up of oils, which consists of The Iron Duke, The Dauntless, The Hurricane, The Thunderbolt and The Go Devil at recording time.

After a brief side conversation on being homeless in Hawaii and how to properly live the #HoboDreamLife, the whole crew goes into a deep dive of Judas Priest's history ... and then the Tour Bus hits.

Dan and Eric get into a heated shouting match over Judas Priest's 18th studio album, Firepower, while Evan and David manage to keep their composure post-Irish Tour Bus, for the most part.

After narrowly avoiding a drunken brawl, the ferocious foursome go on to review the Irish Tour Bus experience in all its glory.

In a very special St. Patrick's Day edition of Beats, Beards & Brews, the gang enjoys some Irish-themed craft beers.

Dan drinks the Dead Irish Poet Extra Stout from Finnegans in Minneapolis, while Eric and Evan taste the Irish Blessing Oak-Aged Coffee Stout from Boulder Beer Company (aged on Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Soaked Oak Chips).

Beyond the beer drinking, the three compadres drop a long review of a very short EP from Company of Thieves titled Better Together. What we really want to know is how old is Genevieve?! It's still a mystery!

Stay tuned for the Beats, Beards & Brews/Company of Thieves repetitive fart noise music collaboration.

Eric and Dan then share their thoughts on Beardbrand's Lumber Yard Utility Balm, which is now sold exclusively at Target alongside an oil, beard wash and beard softener in the same scent. These products from Beardbrand's White Line are also available in Blank Slate (unscented) versions.

Beardbrand's other premium lines of products are available on its official website. Just in case you're itching for a $90 beard box!

During the closing beer review segment of the episode, Eric discovers the true meaning of St. Patrick's Day and ponders starting up his own "401c" charity organization. It involves potatoes.

Referenced YouTube Video:

• Link to AWOLNATION cat video mentioned during Company of Thieves segment (7:05): https://youtu.be/Awf45u6zrP0