Wasted Wagons

Grab a seat at the bar! In this segment of Small Craft Advisory, the crew dives into a local staple with a fruity twist: NOLA Brewing’s Blackberry Squeeze. This 5.5% ABV wheat ale promises a refreshing burst of berry, but did it hit the mark for everyone on the panel?

The scores were solid across the board, but as always, the devil is in the details (and the fruit profile). Here’s how the breakdown went:

• The High Note: Todd led the pack with the session's most notable score, finding plenty to love in this purple-hued pour.

• The Middle Ground: Travis and Sean both landed in the mid-to-high 3s, appreciating it as a well-crafted, easy-drinking wheat ale.

• The Legend Factor: Patrick couldn’t help but draw parallels to the iconic Purple Haze. While the style and taste are in the same ballpark, he admits it’s a tough mountain to climb when you're competing against a local legend.

• The Critique: Mike was the most vocal of the group. While he didn't hate it, he argued that with a name like "Blackberry Squeeze," he wanted a punch of fruit that just wasn't there. For Mike, the "squeeze" was a bit too subtle, leading to his lower rating.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Catch more reviews in the Small Craft Advisory segment wherever you get your podcasts. See our reactions in real time on our YouTube channel.

We kick things off with a look at the NFL playoffs and all the chaos that comes with them, including the latest moves (and rumors) from the ever-spinning coaching carousel. From there, we shift gears to Major League Baseball and dive into the current state of the league, focusing on the Dodgers’ massive spending spree and what it means for the rest of the big-market teams—and the sport as a whole. Todd shares a Tubi movie review. We wrap things up with Sean and Mike each sharing a couple of stories to close things out. As always, it’s a little sports, a little nonsense, and plenty to talk about—don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Small Craft Advisory is back with another bold pour, and this time we’re cracking open Nuke The Whales from Eureka Heights Brewery — an orange vanilla bourbon barrel-aged imperial milk stout that definitely makes a statement before the first sip. The artwork alone is phenomenal and sets the bar high from the outset.

Once we got into the beer, the crew agreed it was very good overall, with a solid stout base and smooth barrel character. That said, we all felt the orange and/or vanilla could have been a bit more pronounced to really push this beer into must-have territory. Nothing about it was off-putting — in fact, it’s absolutely worth trying — but we debated whether it’s a beer you’d reach for a second or third time.

As always, we break it all down, share our tasting notes, and decide where it lands among our favorite stouts.

🍺 Give it a listen and let us know what you think!
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After about a month away from the mic, the crew is back and catching up on everything they’ve missed. We kick things off with sports, breaking down our biggest takeaways from the Saints' season and what it ultimately told us about the team. From there, we dive into the final four teams left standing in the College Football Playoff and what makes each contender intriguing. We also give a well-deserved shoutout to Russell, Mike, and Bret for taking home the Ultimate League fantasy football championship.

After wrapping up sports, we shift gears and get into some life updates. Todd, Travis, and Sean recap a festive night out in New Orleans that included hotel hopping and soaking in all the Christmas lights and decorations. Travis shares highlights from his family’s trip to Epic Universe, while Mike talks about his annual New Year’s Eve party — one he hilariously didn’t get to experience much himself.

We close things out with Todd and Travis giving their thoughts on the new Anaconda movie they just saw in theaters.

As always, thanks for listening — be sure to like, comment, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In this Small Craft Advisory episode, we crack open Real Ale Brewing Company’s Coffee Porter and put it to the test. Overall, we found it to be a solid, well-made porter that’s easy to drink and surprisingly light on the palate—in a good way.

That said, we all came away wanting more coffee character. While the base porter is smooth and balanced, the coffee flavor never quite pops, leaving the beer feeling like it’s missing that extra something to help it stand out in a crowded field of porters.

This is still absolutely a beer worth trying, especially if you prefer a porter that isn’t heavy or overwhelming. It just didn’t give us enough to push it into favorite-porter territory. Tune in as we break down the flavors, expectations, and where this one lands on our Small Craft Advisory scale. 🍺

In the 3rd installment of our Small Craft Advisory series, the crew cracks into Sam Adams Winter White Ale—and it did not disappoint. From the first sip, we were impressed, handing out high marks across the board. The beer delivers exactly what it promises: every tasting note is spot on, the flavors are clean and intentional, and everything comes together in a well-balanced, easy-drinking, “crushable” winter ale. We break down what stood out, why this seasonal works so well, and why it’s an easy grab for cold-weather hangs. If you’re looking for a winter beer that drinks smooth without sacrificing flavor, this one deserves a spot in your rotation. 🍺❄️

This week’s episode is absolutely loaded, and it all starts on a high note ⚜️. We recap the Saints’ big win over the Bucs and break down just how impressive Tyler Shough looked under center. From there, we dig into what this performance means moving forward and take a deeper look at the Saints’ biggest needs in the upcoming draft.

We shift to college football with a full rundown of the conference championship games, the upcoming playoff matchups, and which storylines have us the most intrigued. Then it’s time for some major SEC news as we react to LSU hiring Lane Kiffin and discuss the ripple effects for both LSU and Ole Miss.

Off the field, we recap our Thanksgiving Day festivities and compare notes on our Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases. We also squeeze in some quick thoughts on Stranger Things and recap a recent bourbon event a few of the guys attended.

And finally… the main event 🎄—the guys surprise Patrick with Christmas ornaments to help decorate his brand-new tree, leading to laughs, chaos, and questionable design choices.

As always, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, and listen to us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

We kick off this episode with a moment of silence for a true legend — Todd’s famous lawnmower, which finally bit the dust after years of faithful service. From there, we jump straight into another frustrating loss to our most hated rival, the Atlanta Falcons. While the result was disappointing, there were some bright spots, including Tyler Shough, who showed real poise and flashed some impressive playmaking ability despite the loss.

Todd and Travis then recap a pretty unforgettable experience: meeting NHL legend Jeremy Roenick at Port Orleans Brewing. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we talk holiday plans, and Patrick puts everyone on the spot by asking them to build their perfect Thanksgiving plate — sides, mains, and all.

The guys also catch up on some recent sporting events their kids have been competing in, sharing proud parent moments and sideline stories. Then comes a very important seasonal debate: when is the right time to start putting up Christmas decorations? Patrick shocks the group by revealing he hasn’t put up a Christmas tree in over a decade, which sparks an idea from Travis on how to finally get Patrick into the holiday spirit.

We wrap things up with concert talk, as a few of the guys recently caught Atreyu live and give their thoughts on the show, the setlist, and the overall energy of the night.

The Small Craft Advisory series sails on! In our second installment, we crack open Sierra Nevada’s beloved Oktoberfest and dive into everything this seasonal classic brings to the table. From its malt-forward aroma to that crisp, clean finish, we pour out our thoughts on what makes this brew a fall favorite—and whether it can compete with other Oktoberfest favorites.

We talk flavor notes, festival vibes, steins, pretzels, and whether this beer earns a spot in your autumn rotation. Grab a glass and join the fun as we celebrate one of the most iconic seasonal releases in craft beer.

Don’t forget to comment, like, and subscribe, and be sure to listen to us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay tuned for more episodes in the Small Craft Advisory series! 🍻

This week, we launch a brand-new series: Small Craft Advisory — our deep dive into the world of craft beers from breweries far and wide. And what better place to kick things off than right here at home? We crack open the wildly popular Rocket Pop Gose from a local favorite, Urban South Brewery, and break down its flavor, nostalgia vibes, and whether it truly lives up to the buzz.

Join us as we explore tasting notes, brewery culture, and what’s ahead for this new beer-review mini-series.

Don’t forget to comment, like, and subscribe, and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and YouTube so you never miss an episode! Cheers! 🍻