In this episode, Eric, Evan and Dan get political and debate whether 70s-inspired modern rock operas about white racist men changing their ways deserve a higher rating than a 2.0-2.5. The modern rock opera in question is titled American Love Story by Beats, Beards & Brews alum Butch Walker . One things for sure, 'ol Butch's guitar tones are absolutely on point on this album. Next, Dan gets even more fired up when he learns Eric has been slathering emu oil on his face for the past week. Why y...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 83
Blueberry beard oil! Blueberry beer! Blueberry facials for your dog! We've got it all in this action-packed episode of Beats, Beards & Brews. But first... Eric, Evan and Dan get "caught in a mosh" as they review Havok's thrashtastic fifth studio album V . All right, all right. Now on to the blueberries! For the beard portion of the episode, Eric tries out Dr. Wolf Blueberry Tobacco Beard Oil from Fable Beard Co. Blueberries in your beard? Yep. Dan then proves how out of touch he is with real...
May 16, 2020•53 min•Season 3Ep. 82
In a very special episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, Eric and Dan review the long-awaited (for some) Danzig Sings Elvis cover album. Is this art? Dan isn't convinced. Listen to the episode for our Danzig deep thoughts and the usual "insightful" commentary. Danzig cover songs previewed in this episode include: First In Line Always On My Mind Fever During this episode Eric drinks and reviews Citra Neon Hazy IPA by Barn Town Brewing out of West Des Moines (IA). Dan drinks and reviews Rock Them B...
May 09, 2020•42 min•Season 3Ep. 81
Evan, Dan and Eric — three Midwest music-loving, beer-drinking everymen — step outside of their musical wheelhouses and review Fiona Apple's Fetch the Bolt Cutters . The album is controversial, in a way, because Pitchfork gave it a 10 out of 10 . Their reviews vary, but the boys all agree that this is art and everyone should listen to it. Pitchfork is still full of sh*t, though. Fiona Apple songs previewed in this episode include: Fetch the Bolt Cutters Heavy Balloon Shameika Here's a link to th...
Apr 24, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 80
In the fourth quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the gang reviews The Strokes' sixth studio album The New Abnormal . The album channels the classic Strokes sound while also getting experimental. Eric's thoughts on the album might surprise you! The Strokes songs previewed in this episode include: Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus Bad Decisions Ode to the Mets Dan discusses his decision to shave the beard during quarantine and describes his latest facial hair style (full-on mustache!). Eric,...
Apr 20, 2020•50 min•Season 3Ep. 79
In quarantine episode número tres, the boys review Pearl Jam's eleventh studio album Gigaton . As a longtime Pearl Jam listener, Dan drops some knowledge of the band's history and its sound. Do Eric and Evan get converted over to team Pearl Jam/Papa Vedder? The answer may surprise you. Tune in to find out! Pearl Jam songs previewed during this episode include: Dance of the Clairvoyants Superblood Wolfmoon Quick Escape For the beard portion of the episode, Eric shares some of his favorite calming...
Apr 11, 2020•45 min•Season 3Ep. 78
Another week of quarantine, another episode of Beats, Beards & Brews. This episode is dedicated to past podcast recordings lost. The gang reviews Folkesange by Myrkur aka Danish musician Amalie Bruun who sometimes performs black metal . Not death metal. However, this release is not metal at all. It's very folksy. Myrkur songs previewed during this episode include: Fager som en Ros Leaves of Yggdrasil House Carpenter The boys drop some peach cobbler analogies nobody asked for. Turns out the c...
Apr 04, 2020•47 min•Season 3Ep. 77
Eric, Evan and Dan return to their mics to provide comfort in the strange new world we live in during the coronavirus outbreak . The boys share their COVID-19 stories, quarantine music picks and beard hygiene tips. They also review some local beers. Quarantine music picks (Eric and Dan): Aeromantic by The Night Flight Orchestra (Eric) A Sailor's Guide to Earth by Sturgill Simpson (Dan) Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers (Dan) Underneath by Code Orange (Eric) Folkesange by Myrkur (Eric) Luci...
Mar 25, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 76
Here's a special "quick hitter" episode of Beats, Beards & Brews where Eric and Evan review a trio of craft beers they purchased to enjoy during Super Bowl LIV. Beers consumed include: Bell's Light Hearted Ale (Lo-Cal IPA) Dogfish Head's SeaQuench Ale Big Grove Brewery's Citra Triad The first two beers will keep you fresh during any major sports viewing party, while the latter option is coming in hot! Eric also drops a quick review of the new Midnight record, Rebirth by Blasphemy , and gives...
Feb 06, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 74
The Beats, Beards & Brews crew is back in 2020 with an episode recorded live at The Wobbly Tap in 2019. Better late than never!* *Episode release delayed by Eric this time. Sorry boys! Dan, Evan and Eric kick things off by picking their "favorite" albums of 2019. The albums featured on this episode include: The Dirty Nil - Master Volume (Deluxe Edition) [Dan's Pick] The National - I Am Easy to Find [Evan's Pick] Enforcer - Zenith [Eric/Everyone's Pick] [This Album Rocks!] A Spotify playlist ...
Jan 10, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 73
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 no...
Dec 19, 2019•51 min•Season 3Ep. 72
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 o...
Nov 20, 2019•52 min•Season 3Ep. 71
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 ...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 70
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 Ev...
Sep 13, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 69
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 ...
Jun 20, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 68
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 i...
Mar 22, 2019•58 min•Season 3Ep. 67
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 Mess...
Jan 01, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 65
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 (o...
Dec 11, 2018•52 min•Season 3Ep. 65
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 ...
Oct 26, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 64
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...
Oct 05, 2018•56 min•Season 3Ep. 63
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 a...
Sep 25, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 62
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 bearde...
Aug 03, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 61
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'...
Jul 21, 2018•57 min•Season 3Ep. 60
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 Mou...
Jun 15, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 59
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 s...
May 24, 2018•59 min•Season 3Ep. 58
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...
May 09, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 57
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 theate...
Apr 25, 2018•56 min•Season 3Ep. 56
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 ...
Apr 11, 2018•59 min•Season 3Ep. 55
"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 d...
Mar 25, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 54
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 ...
Mar 07, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 53
