Matt Likes Beer returns for its first episode of 2026 with an unexpected and entertaining comeback beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon. Sparked by the striking Godzilla 70th Anniversary can art collaboration featuring work by artist Attack Peter, Matt revisits a beer he spent years actively avoiding—and discovers he may have been wrong all along.

The episode opens with a candid reflection on why the show paused in 2025, how life and work finally found balance, and why several NEOZAZ podcasts are experiencing a creative resurgence. From there, the focus shifts squarely to the beer in hand.

The most jaw-dropping moment comes when Matt compares PBR side-by-side with his own gold-medal-winning American Lager, discovering just how close the two beers really are in flavor and structure. The episode wraps up with a reading of hilariously savage one-star reviews, reflections on evolving beer quality over time, and a thoughtful reminder that judging a beer by its style—not its reputation—can lead to genuine surprises.

Whether you’re a craft beer devotee, a BJCP judge in training, or just here for Godzilla on a beer can, this episode proves that even the most unlikely beers deserve a fair tasting.