Beer and Bullsh*t

Ben rants about the Canadian Brewing Awards, April fools, and the closure of Shacklands Brewing in Toronto. Plus Katy Perry, boner metrics, and curly fries. 

Ben chats with filmmaker, actor, and comedian Rob Baker about his CBC documentary series, Locals Welcome, his short film, The Light Before The Sun, and why he fights someone every day. Plus they share hilarious riffs on suffering through terrible comedy, disease, and dead dads.

Ben offers up a quick round-up of local beer news, including a look at how terrible things are and a not-unrelated look at the Premier of Ontario's latest efforts to get 'er done. 

Ben and co-host Chris Schryer welcome Obie Simmonds and Ania Donich of the Canadian Brewing Awards to talk about the beer awards landscape, being a "a non-beer guy" in the beer industry, trying to make craaft beer relevant to Joe Schmo, and leveraging influencers; plus Obie kind of sort gives us a sneak peek at "The Best Beer Project" and his plans ofr taking on Untappd. 

Ben and Chris celebrate 101 episodes with a live streamed video episode featuring a special message from Buck Martinez, a surprise call-in from Indie Alehouse's Jason Fisher, and wa back log of burning listener questions; plus we discuss convenience store beer, the new wave of Ontario beer influencers, Hazy IPA monoculture, and the all mighty lager.

Ben chats with Brad Campeau of Brew Donkey and goes deep on all things Ottawa. Yes, Ottawa! They talk about why Ottawa beer folks might have a bit of a chip on their shoulder, TICO, zip zip zip hooray, cannabis, and why Brad's all in on "a really expensive way to get drunk."

Ben welcomes guest co-host Christ Schryer to chat with Richard Preiss, cofounder of Escarpment Labs, to talk about harvesting yeast from a wasp's guts, ice machine drains, and their merger with Le Labo Solutions Brassicole to become Canada's Big Yeast. Plus fun facts about Wayne Gretzky, how to make your taproom more profitable, and why lambic romanticism has faded and nobody is using their stupid coolships any more. 

Ben chats with Alex and Emily of Lovebird Brewing about their transition from contract brewing for their eponymous snack club to building a bricks and mortar spot in Meaford, plus putting the GGBA on the map, east coast-style barbecue, reluctant AGCO compliance, and converting the après ski crowd to saisons.

Ben chats with Emma Maganja, Worker Owner at London Brewing, about running a brewery as a co-operative, the pros and cons of being organic, Euchre nights, converting her dad from Rickard's Red, and her company's ongoing blood feud with Gavin Anderson. 

Ben sits down with Chris Schryer of the Toronto Beer Podcast to talk about the decline of beer writing, mediocre BBC/CBC Christmas dramas from the 1970s, the inside scoop on the Canada Post strike, and why Chris is missing out by skipping Die Hard and all the MCU movies.

Ben unveils his new gig as "beer selector" for London's Bicycle Cafe, talks about Getting Struck, the Burdock Brewery / Kirkland Signature partnership we need, and the top selling beers in the LCBO this year. 

Ben welcomes Matt Park of Toronto's Burdock Brewery to discuss secret concerts, hosting literal gong shows, the burden of being Katie Perry's Sister's favourite pickle seltzer, and brewing the McRib of the beer world. 

Ben and Chris report from the Ontario Craft Brewers Conference in Hamilton and are joined for a round table discussion by Gavin Anderson of Anderson Craft Ales, Kevin Freer of Block Three Brewing, and Jason Fisher of Indie Alehouse to talk about the OCB, supporting small brewers, and chasing trends. Gavin dons an ill-fitting crown and bonds with Chris over the Wheel of Time series, Kevin gets wistful about craft beer bringing misfits together, and Jason suggests there's probably alcohol in your non-alcoholic beer, plus the word "sparklechunk" is said way too much. 

Ben chats with Curt Thomas, brewer and co-founder of Three Sheets Brewing in Port Elgin about brewing beer in cottage country, learning the ropes from the Godfather of Craft Brewing, cyanide beer, and his disdain for Belgian beer.

Ben and Chris drop a rare Friday check-in just to offer the fans some proof of life, celebrate the complete roster for the Lil' Bullshitters baseball team, discuss Ron Perlman vs Rhea Perlman, and toast the opportunity to buy booze from a convenience store at 7am. 

Ben and Chris talk beer glassware, renting a van to get out and try more beer, cheers etiquette, drinking from the bottle, and advice on starting a craft brewery--plus Ben suspects his Fiitbit knows too much, the team tries to recruit players to the Lil' Bullshitters to win the Brewer's Ball, and more. 

Ben and Chris talk about the end of the LCBO strike, the best toppings for a hot a dog. unionizing brewery employees, homegrown weed, magazines, and so much more!

On the four year anniversary of the show's launch, Ben and Chris chat about the LCBO strike and Charlie Sheen's fastball plus we take a look back (and listen!) to our very first episode on July 11, 2021 featuring Greg Taylor of Steam Whistle Brewing. 

Ben and Chris welcome Nick Baird and Adil Ahmad to the studio (no, really, there's a studio now!) to discuss the end of Beerlab! and the brith of Supply and Demand — the duo's pizza and live entertainment-based rebrand. Plus they talk traditional decoction methods, David Wilcox, hand-selecting hops, constructive criticism for homebrewers, and, for some reason, basic economic principles. 

Ben and Chris chat with Brad Clifford of Clifford Brewing about his early days as a nano-brewer in Toronto and his move to Hamilton, the soon-to-be-cool NOBA district, why he enters — and wins! — so many damn awards, and why he doesn't actually drink that much porter. Plus: Cliffolini! Charles Grodin cult classics! A barking dog!

Ben welcomes back Ontario craft beer veteran Sam Corbeil and chats about Sawdust City celebrating 10 years of their brewery, the importance of beer awards, why non-alcoholic beer sucks, and complicated, silly beer names — plus they chat John Irving, death row pizza, and Ben pitches his lawn mowing TV show. 

Ben and Chris chat with Beer Guy, Jordan St. John, author of many beer books, some of which he'll tell you the name of, editor of The Growler beer guide, beer instructor at George Brown College, and rent-controlled midtown Toronto resident. The guys chat beer criticism, free beer, erotic fiction, and awards -- plus a Pell's Corner for the ages. 

Ben and Chris are back for a poolside episode to discuss the return of Canadian Beer News, help a listener with a chalkboard dilemma, and Chris samples a new THC-infused beverage. We investigate the inflated claims that NA beer is our lord and saviour, and Ben makes his pitch for a live version of the podcast at the Canadian Brewing Awards. Plus Chris previews his one man show about his mom, people get carved, and the guys are ATTACKED BY WILD RACCOONS!

Ben and Chris chat with Matt Giffen, owner and founder of Bench Brewing in Lincoln, Ontario, about the importance of sustainability, irrigating their eight acre farm/brewery, using Niagara fruits in the brewing process, and embracing old world brewing techniques -- plus the three former South Lions get into high school trivia and try to make this already-niche podcast even more niche. Iron 'em out!

When Ben and Chris are ghosted by this week's guest, they opt to discuss the breweries they'd like to own, the province's most underrated breweries, dad hats, and their most hated beer styles -- plus they start a blood feud with Great Lakes Brewery.

Ben and Chris chat with Todd Lewin of Muskoka Brewery about Mad Tom IPA as a game changer (that's making a comeback), staying on top of trends vs trying to court macro drinkers, and the reality check that the pandemic brought on — plus nitro canned cocktails, convenience store beer, the NA market and a philosophical instalment of Pell's Corner.  

Trying to outdrink your younger self, fantasizing about divorce with your spouse in front of your kids, pissing your pants after yelling at men with average-sized penises, Molson's selfless sponsorship tactics that they need you to know about, and an inevitable-but-fun regression into just talking about Back to The Future. 

Ben chats with returning guest, Mary Beth Keefe, of the Granite Brewpub about being a second-generation brewer, what it means to be part of a family business, cutting back on beer consumption, the OG IPAs and pale ales that have inspired her, and ceasing to give a fuck when one hits 40. 

Ben and Chris answer listeners' burning questions, including the proper time to drink a caesar, navigating an awkward office romance situation, threesome etiquette, telling your boyfriend about your stalker, and how young is too young for makeup. Plus, the sexist beer marketing conversation rears its ugly head, Chris talks about things he saw on social media this week, plus CERVEZA CRISTAL!

Ben pontificates on the virtues of heading to the bar solo. 

Ben chats with Graeme Kobayashi of Counterpoint Beer about the beer scene in K-W, his fresh tattoo, crossing the $7 beer threshold, and the company's upcoming five year anniversary, plus thirsty freedom fighters and SNICKLEFRITZ!

Ben and Chris are joined by Toronto Beer Podcaster, Chris Schryer, to talk about the closure of the city's beloved People's Party of Canada rally location and COVID incubator, rant about the price of beer getting too damn high, and pontificate on why people don't actually give a shit about tasting notes, plus a saucy Valentine's Day Pell's Corner and more!

On a very special episode of the podcast, Ben and Chris eschew hosting a guest in order to dive deep on important topics like rec league basketball blunders, American dive bars, the majesty of Michael Biehn, microdosing, Crash Bandicoot, and George R.R. Martin's famous axe. 

Ben and Chris chat with Susan Michalek and Jeff Manol of Muddy York Brewing and break some news about their relocation to Stouffville, talk about building a community outside of major cities, landlords, lagers, and commercial condos, plus a very special Pell's Corner brought to you by new sponsors, Teen Vogue. 

Ben and Chris welcome back beleaguered distiller, Buck Tucker, and discuss his new venture, Buck Naked Brewing Company; plus dick pics as beer labels, pushing the Ontario border further north, and why the Brewminati are after him. Featuring Josh Murray. 

Ben and Chris share some new year's resolutions and answer listeners' questions including falling off the wagon at Christmas, bringing your mistress to family dinner, and awkward party crashers; plus beer blogging, getting more adventurous with beer (again), and questionable book recommendations. 

Ben chats with Mathew Renda, owner of Boshkung Brewing in Minden, about the journey from beer blogger and attire sales to general manager and now owner of a brewery. Plus TFC, smoked meat for boaters, and weird questions from Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. 

The guys chat with Matt Bod, former beertender extrodinaire and current Great Lakes Brewery brewer and distiller about the parallels between craft beer and punk rock, his new woodfire and charcoal-cooking side hustle, and why no one is drinking saisons these days; plus hand sanitizer, beer mythology and becoming famous after your band's music becomes a podcast's theme song. 

Finding themselves guest-less at the last minute, Ben and Chris meet up in Ben's basement to read totally real questions from their inbox and embark on a meandering journey that takes them from shoplifting olives in Guelph to witnessing historic events, and finding ones calling; plus they unveil new sure-to-return climate-fixing plumber characters.

Ben and Chris talk to Mark Solomon, home brewer and beer writer, about the nuance of representation in charitable beer collabs, the value of beer awards, and drinking culture in Northern Ontario; plus a long, twisted edition of “would you rather” for Pell's Corner.

Ben chats with Kelly Meyer, author of the book "How Not to Start a Damn Brewery" and host of the podcast of the same name. They talk beer in Texas, the mistakes most brewery owners make, and why he swears he's not bitter about selling his brewery; plus Ben rants about the allegedly impeding demise of The Beer Store and loud cars and a Texan gets quizzed on Canadiana.  

Ben and Chris talk to Mandie and Mark Murphy, owners of Left Field Brewery, with roughly a week before they open their second location in Toronto's Liberty Village. They talk about the Jays (obviously), the details, menu, and some new collabs coming out for the new space, and whether or not mayonnaise belongs on hotdogs, plus double-tapered brown ale, college prospect Fingerthumb Foothand, and questionable baseball trivia.