Good Swill Hunting - A Budget Beer Review Podcast

Rick Speed is our beer Santa Claus and he's bringing his bag of goodies for a second year in a row. Matt joins us again, as we step away from swill for this special episode and try some of the absolute best seasonal beer you can get. Multiple flavors of Highland Brewing's Cold Mountain, Burial Skillet Cakes, and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout. Rick shares why he likes to age beer and explains the more important reason for why he hangs on to special release beers. 

Matt is back! It's all the holiday cheer we need here! We're celebrating with a Texas swill, which is fitting because it's where Matt has been for months. We'll talk about some beer holiday traditions, including a giant keg tree in Rochester, and learn about more highly sought after beer gifts this holiday. It's that time of year!

Many consider this a seasonal flavored beer and it's one that won't break the bank. We're trying this colorful choice from Chippewa Falls as we get into December. We have gift ideas for beer lovers! And, you won't believe the new use we found for beer that doesn't involve drinking it. 

This swill is straight from the creators of the hit series "Yellowstone." It came out in 2022, but started making its rounds across the U.S. this past year. Of course, we had to try it. We'll talk about where this beer is from, our thoughts on the flavor, and we'll chat about the drama of Yellowstone the series and the talk around what's going on with season 5 part 2.

A reason to be thankful! Celebration is, in our opinion, the IPA flavor of the holidays and truly a reason to celebrate because it's actually pretty cheap! We're going heavy on the pine tree perfume and loving it with this beer, which is hard to call swill. It's too high of quality. Sierra Nevada started brewing a variation of this back in 1981 and it has grown to legendary status. We talk about what's so special about this IPA, the recipes using this beer including a sausage wreath, and our favorites around Thanksgiving! Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a match made in...Pennsylvania. Two iconic American brands that delight our taste buds for different reasons are joined together in holy maltrimony. Yuengling and Hershey's. They've been together for six years brewing up this very affordable Porter and we're trying it! Rick weighs in on the impending holiday mail tsunami, we talk Porters, some history on these legendary brands, and what's the difference between a Porter and a Stout? Oh, and where's Matt!?

We're trying a beer brewed by a retired philosophy teacher out of Farmville, NC. Duck Rabbit is widely sold and distributed, and it's somewhat of a beer staple in our home state. We're thrilled to be back in Stout Season, but Rick says he drinks them year-round. In this episode, why is it called "milk" stout? Why does this count as swill? And, what is the best way to drink it?

Beer, pumpkin, cinnamon, and spice? New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger line is spicing things up this fall with this festive flavor. In this Episode, we are floored by this one, we broach the topic of whether pumpkin belongs in the 400 different kinds of pumpkin beers out there, and we talk about how long brewmasters have been serving up this concoction. Also, there's much more to do with pumpkin than just beer and a latte. 

We're tapping into Spoetzl Brewery once again for their special Oktoberfest. We couldn't resist this swill because it was cheap and we've loved everything else they've put out. We also miss Matt, who is STILL in Texas. In this episode, find out why beer could be the secret to living to 100. We also talk a little about why marzens are the traditional go-to each fall. And, Rick tells us why you need to show your postmen and postwomen some love!  

The official Oktoberfest may be over, but we're not. This is a packed episode, as we try this swill brewed by none other than Genesee! Did they nail it? Rick brings on some beer flavored pretzels to go with. Also, why more people attended Oktoberfest this year; but drank less? Plus, our big question for the beer drinking monkey in Indianapolis. 

Fall is in the air, but there's still time for one last lake beer. This beer is available only in certain states (the midweset) and has a number of premium ingredients, but it's the rice that might give it the pleasant flavor it has. In this episode, Rick shares his love for bugs and Matt is back in Texas; but he joins us by phone. 

We're back in Minnesota this episode and checking another off our list from the Grain Belt and Schell label. Nordeast is served up at Target Field and is a Minneapolis staple. But it comes from New Ulm, which is a ways South of the twin cities. Our conversation about this beer has us talking about everything from Gnomes to our favorite Halloween candy. Also, we're going camping! Send us your recommendations for camping beer and food--and we'll review it. 

It sounds like 'Glick.' Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about a Minnesota standard. This 'Pilsner Pale Ale' was brought to us by another friend of GSH. How do we feel about this pilsner with a punch? Rick talks about cans and dates. Matt has a story from Minnesota that involves grits and a Waffle House. Blaine has plenty of experiences from the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" to make up for the both of them. 

This beer is brewed with water from an artesian well. That's all you need to say, but there's so much more to hear about Matt's trip to Shiner, Texas where he collected and brought back this limited distribution beer. How does this beer stand up to the well-known Bock? Why can't we get it everywhere? We've got some explanations of sorts. 

Coming to you from the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte, NC! This special episode is packed full of good times to celebrate our 100 episodes of Good Swill. We review two staples of Charlotte's staple bar that has overcome corporate development literally coming in from all sides. The tops are popped on Miller High Life and Coors Banquet in a place where there are other kinds of tops hanging from the ceiling. We talk about history, music, and get a visit from a birthday girl, as we soak up this celebration!

Rick returns from his home state of New Jersey with a classic beer. Ballantine Ale is brewed by Pabst, but the Ballantine & Sons origins date back to the 1800's. In this episode, hear why a field trip from Rick's childhood relates to this brewery. Also, it's episode 99! Join us as we get ready for our centenary!

Hang on for this whirlwind of a trip to Boston. Well, at least a trip in our minds to get a taste of Harpoon Brewery's finest. Our former host and friend John Lohr brought us this swill from the North. Fair warning this episode, as Matt sends this American Flyer in a tail spin with tongue punches and puns. 

When you have more friends, you get more beer! We've got another one from a friend of Good Swill Hunting who is the first ever to join us as a guest by phone. Buckeye Beer is a special hometown beer for many like Andrew Lewandowski who bought us this beer. It's brewed by Maumee Bay Brewing, has a low price, loads of flavor; but most importantly, this is a unique regional beer giving us a sip of the culture and history brewed in Toledo, Ohio.

We're excited to try this Farmhouse Ale from Wisconsin. It's, award winning, highly rated, and highly sought after; so we think we'll be over the moon for it. Thank you to Carrington for bringing it by our studio! No matter how good this Swill is, Bryan will always find something to say--but it's not about the flavor of the beer this time. Join us for another good time and great insight on this beer!

This regional beer is a special delivery from Detroit, thanks to a good friend of GSH. It's also one of the very few beers none of the guys have ever tried! Like many regional swills, it's owned by Pabst; but has strong family roots that originated where? You guessed it. Germany. The GSH team talks about this throwback looking beer, questions about the year printed on the can, its history, and Rick has some advice when it comes to who's allowed to open and close your mailbox. 

We raced to get one of the last cases of this iconic beer, known as America's oldest craft beer. Our host describes the adventure getting it and we have a moment in memory of this soon-to-be-shuttered brewery. Or will it be closed for good? Bryan takes us to school on Steam Beer and Rick talks about what this beer means for many craft beer lovers. It's not Matt's first voyage with this Anchor--but he didn't remember his first, so he's in for a treat! LINKS https://www.goodswillhunting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/goodswillpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/goodswillpodcast/ goodswillpodcast@gmail.com  

This Golden Pilsner from one of Brian's favorite breweries is a welcome sight this week, as we recover from our drink bag experience last episode. We'll talk about this family owned beer and why it's ideal for certain occasions, especially for the price! Matt is ready for reddit with this beer where Yuengling has a dedicated group of fans. Oh, we're 10 episodes away from a golden moment. 100 episodes! Man, that's A LOT of beer...and other stuff.

It comes in a juice pouch. We should've stopped there. But, sometimes we allow some weird stuff, not just cheap beer. Matt went to Nashville and brought these back with him. He says this Vodka spiked cooler has a place, as an ultimate hack. Rick finds the whole "no whole fruit" package confusing, as he tries out his DJ skills. Bryan relives his childhood, but not in the way you think. Let's tear this bag and this episode wide open!

It's our third Shandy on GSH and this one is a legend. This "Limited Release" beer is well loved, especially in the U.S. Mid-West. But Bryan takes us to The Villages of Florida yet again and tells us how this beer has stayed true to its family roots. Rick reminisces about this swill and Matt is a yes, yes, and yes for this one. Join us and let's Shandy!

Movin' to the country, gonna drink Busch Light with peaches. We're tasting this new release that's wildly popular among beer drinkers, with the exception of Matt. Blaine and Rick talk reality shows while Bryan takes a surprising positive turn on this swill. Good Swill Advertising is back in this episode, as we learn why this beer is flying off the shelves where you can get it.

We're celebrating America with a legendary American beer. Pabst Blue Ribbon is finally on deck! It's a quintessential swill we've all tried, but we're going to give it an official review this episode. We'll reminisce about this beer, Bryan offends "dirty hipsters," Matt feels right at home, and Rick takes us into the basement of his home. Happy 4th of July!

The bear went over the mountain to drink what he could drink! In this case, these four bears didn't have to go that far to try a pricier beer from our home state. In this episode, Matt and Rick discuss bears and beer. Matt protests and Bryan brings up seltzer in his review of Mountain Water. Plus, we get hyped for our Fourth of July beer. An American iconic classic. 

This Western Pilsner made its way east to tie up the horses at our studio and deliver a unique beer flavor ahead of Father's Day weekend. Blaine, Bryan, Rick, and Matt trade Dad's day favorites and memories. Ribs, steak, lounging around, and beer are just a few. Will Howdy Beer make it onto our list of favorites? We'll see!

Day To Day Light is a new craft beer on the scene fitting our swill threshold. That means it's cheap! In this episode, Bryan and Rick trade stories about their time at the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville and Matt shows off his new fanny pack, as we get into pool season.  

Yoga pants and wine samples. Bryan rants about his late Friday morning Trader Joe's run to bring us this beer. How does it stand up to Corona? We also talk about the popular grocery chain standing it's ground on the name of this cerveza. Plus, Good Swill Advertising returns for this "Easy Drinker."

This is a go-to cheap beer and it has a following that's as big as the state it's from. This favored beer comes from one of the largest craft breweries in the U.S, but once only garnered 1% of the Texas beer market. Now, you can find it on the shelf just about everywhere.

It's wild. It's extreme. It's hardcore. It's Hard Monster. The Beast is unleashed this episode, which falls into our "Swill" category. No, not a cheap beer. An Untappd user said, "It's pretty dope." We don't judge, but we'll be the judge of that. Four cans, four flavors, four podcasters, and the one ingredient this drink is missing.

That's a quote from Actor Billy Van, who once promoted Colt 45. Introducing this swill is like introducing an old school, heavy-weight boxer. It kicks like a horse. It runs like Jerry Hill. It's powerful. It's a "Pile Driver." It's Colt 45 Malt Liquor from the Pabst Brewing Company. We won't call it beer, but it is swill because it's cheap. 

Boogity, boogity, let's drink some beer boys! Michael Waltrip is full of personality and this week we'll see if this beer is full of taste. He's a legend in NASCAR and he has a brand name, so we're excited to see what he does with it. Fair warning, this episode is unhinged; so prepare yourself as our beer outsider Matt goes off the rails. But it's all in good fun and in the name of Good Swill. Episode Highlights: Host Blaine rode with Michael Waltrip in a pace car!? Where does "Two Time" come from? Why Waltrip getting into beer. Matt outtakes get real this week. Podcast Website: https://www.goodswillhunting.com/  

We love a tall glass of sweet tea in the springtime sunshine. After all, we are a podcast based in the South. But how about a tall can of Hard Sweet Tea? Not a beer, but a swill? Yes! We're going to crack open this Bojangles and Appalachian Mountain Brewery recipe just like Grandma used to crack us over the head if we talked back. We'll have plenty to say about this creation, where you can find it, and if we think it's good.   Episode Highlights: We list our favorite fast food joints and Matt's story of working at Taco Bell. Some Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea, Good Swill Advertising. Why Bryan is mad about who made this Swill and Rick's take on why it makes sense. Our ever-important beer rating.  Podcast Website: https://www.goodswillhunting.com/    

It's the season for drinking beer on a sunny beach. How about a beer from our friends in Puerto Rico? Medalla Premium Light might have all the makings of a refreshing Swill that will have us doing the Salsa, Merengue, or jamming to some Reggaetón. Beer Insider Bryan found this one on a list of "must try" cheap beers, but it was tough to actually find in the store. We searched and tried to see if you should do the same.    Episode Highlights: Brief history of the brewery and the brothers who founded this beer. Good Swill Advertising EN ESPANÕL. Matt, our beer outsider, tries to speak Spanish. We apologize. Our ever-important beer rating.  Podcast Website: https://www.goodswillhunting.com/    

This episode is jam packed like a quality Stout is jam packed with flavor! We're trying Barrel Aged Stout. This bargain Stout is from Aldi, brewed by State of Brewing. But we'll see if it tastes cheap and learn a pint or two about barrel aging with International Beer Judge, Doug Piper. 

The can of this holy German swill tells the story of lederhosen, love, and maybe the Baby Jesus. Will the taste sanctify this monk born swill? Find out in our latest cheap beer review.

The GSH boys review an iconic budget beer – Rolling Rock Extra Pale. Was it as good as the sips we stole from our dads' green bottles? And what does the number 33 really stand for?

Hey Mickey! Are you so fine your malt liquor will blow my mind!? Hey Mickey! We've fallen off the end of the rainbow with a malt liquor review. Why are we letting Matt pick our beers again? Is it as bad as we thought?

GSH kicks off Season 4 with a budget friendly Saint Paddy's day beer review worthy of even the luckiest of leprechauns – Murphy's Irish Stout. Plus, we welcome our newest cast member, Beer Connoisseur Rick Speed!

We're wrapping up Season 3 of Good Swill Hunting with three easy drinking swills that may go well with football. Wernesgrüner Pilsner from The Wernesgrüner Brewery, Holland Lager from Swinkels Family Brewers, and Texas Lager from Community Beer Company. Find out which one is the best!

Rick Speed is back as our own Good Swill Santa, but he's not bringing swill. We're splurging with a special collection of beer he's bringing to the studio from Burial/Other Half, Newgrass Brewing, Highland Brewing, and Westbrooke.

We're back at The Hop Shop with special guests Pat and Tamra to talk more about their bottle shop and try Radeberger Pilsner Zwickelbier. 

We're out of the studio and sitting down for a round with Pat Villafane of "The Hop Shop" in Charlotte, NC. He celebrates 6 years in business, which isn't leaving him sour--it's the beer we're trying this episode. 

A beer that's the pride of The Dominican Republic. Founded in 1929, we follow this beer's heritage and present day ownership. Plus, a special gift presentation for our Beer Outsider!

It's a big can with a big story. Join us this episode for a beer fabled to be "Australia's Famous Beer Brand."

We're having another beer with Rick Speed! This brew says right on the can, "Cheap Fun." So, we had to haul it home from out West and try it!

We're bringing back a Pacific Northwest classic and we're bringing on a guest to review this beer. @RickSpeed is a beer enthusiast with quite a following and he's here for Rainier!

Yeah, you read that right! Not beer, cider, or seltzer. DEW. Maybe a new low, but it's a new swill that surprised us. Join us as we crack open this massive can and Good Swill Advertising is back! Plus, a preview of an upcoming special guest.

This Youngstown, Ohio brew hails to be a "solid beer for solid people." The story behind this swill's hometown doesn't fall short of the beer's slogan.