NEOZAZ

In this episode of Matt Likes Beer, the Philadelphia beer tour continues as Matt cracks open Peace Valley Pale Ale from Free Will Brewing. Sent along by Dave from NeoZaz as part of the ongoing “Philadelphia Month” series, this American Pale Ale sparks both a deep BJCP-style evaluation and a few personal memories along the way. Matt revisits his one and only trip to the brewery—part of a Philadelphia hockey weekend with friends—before diving into a full judging breakdown of the beer. Expect detailed notes on aroma, flavor, appearance, and mouthfeel, including bright fresh orange character, floral hop notes, bready malt, and a firm bitterness that pushes the pale ale toward IPA territory. Along the way, Matt also reflects on the role of pale ales as a brewer's benchmark style, shares stories about fundraiser beers and collaborative brewing projects, and explains why a great pale ale can tell you everything you need to know about a brewery. The verdict? A standout beer scoring 46/50—Outstanding on the BJCP scale and tying for the highest score Matt has given this year. Grab a pint and join the tasting.

In this episode, Chris, Tim, and Luke discuss The Bride, Ready or Not 2, and Project Hail Mary.

What a pity, we started off so well last week too.

In this brand new series from NEOZAZ and the mind of Dave - Ya Gotta See Them Live! A podcast about the power of live music told on band at a time. In this episode, Dave features "The Kinks."

This time we're looking at Fanatic or, as it was known in the States - Die, Die My Darling.

In this tax season special, Dave and Chris crunch the numbers and list their top 5 favorite celebrity tax evaders!

April kicks off “Philadelphia Months” on Matt Likes Beer, and we're starting with a collaboration that hits close to home: Jonesy Hockey Lager from Conshohocken Brewing Company — created with Flyers legend Keith Jones and benefiting Flyers Charities. But this episode isn't just about beer. Matt takes a deep dive into one of the most unforgettable moments in Flyers history: the epic five-overtime playoff battle against the Penguins on May 4–5, 2000. A game so long you could fall asleep, wake up… and they'd still be playing. A game where exhaustion had a face — and it was Keith Jones. Along the way: A heartfelt detour into the pronunciation of “Conshohocken” A Hawaiian-food vs. Pennsylvania-town-name debate A breakdown of hockey overtime rules (regular season vs. playoffs) A BJCP-style evaluation of Jonesy Hockey Lager — judged as an American Lager… though it may have other ideas A discussion on style expectations vs. enjoyment A quick tour of other hockey-branded beers Matt has encountered across the NHL The verdict? A well-made beer with a bit of an identity crisis — and a whole lot of Flyers heart behind it. If you love hockey nostalgia, charity beers, deep style analysis, or just a good sports story about the longest game you've (maybe) never watched in full — this one's for you. Grab a beer, lace up your skates, and let's get into it.

With the release of "The Super Mario Galaxy", Chris and Luke list their top 5 favorite Mario video games!

In this episode Dave, and special guest Quint, discuss Ghosts of Mars, Army of Darkness, Pitch Black, The Menu, and The Girl With All the Gifts.

HFTV returns to kick off their final season with the first episode of TFTC's final season!

Its time for us to vote on the, what we thought, main villain of Thunderbirds - the Hood. This verdict may change over subsequent visits to the show.

In this round of "Box Office Bozo", Chris must guess the top grossing films from the of "Parks and Rec."

In this episode of Matt Likes Beer, Matt cracks open a German import with a lot more baggage than expected: Bismarkbrau Das Pilsner. What starts as a straightforward first-time tasting of a German Pils quickly turns into a full BJCP-style judging breakdown—appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression—complete with scores and some surprising critiques. Matt dives deep into what makes a German Pils tick, from grainy, bready malt character to assertive bitterness, and explains why this particular beer lands at a lower score than expected. Along the way, he explores how transit, storage, and age can dramatically affect imported beers long before they hit an American shelf. Then things take a turn. Sparked by a bold “brewed according to the 1516 Purity Law” claim on the label, Matt launches into a candid (and occasionally fiery) discussion about the Reinheitsgebot—why it exists, what it actually says, and why modern brewers and beer drinkers may be clinging to it for reasons that have very little to do with making better beer. If you've ever been in an uncomfortable argument about “authentic” German brewing methods, this segment will feel painfully familiar. The episode wraps with an announcement of an upcoming multi-episode special featuring beers sent from Philadelphia, plus a peek behind the curtain at Matt's recording schedule and what listeners can expect over the next couple of months. Honest judging, brewing philosophy, imported beer realities, and a little brewing-community therapy—this one has it all.

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Dave, Chris, and Luke list their top 5 favorite 2nd Tier Action Movie Stars.

In this episode, Dave discusses Undertone, The Vagrant, Scare Me, and Wound Fawn.

We're back on board the Romulus again, but going right to the end this time as we follow android Andy.

We're somewhere or other to look at the sequel to She, a film that's a pale shadow of the original. At least, that's what we conclude.

In this episode of Matt Likes Beer, Matt cracks open Ember, a Red IPA from Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh, North Carolina—and takes listeners on a winding, honest, and surprisingly visual journey. What starts as a simple beer review quickly expands into a deep dive on Brewery Bhavana itself, a uniquely ambitious space that blends brewery, taproom, Chinese restaurant, dim sum house, bookstore, and flower shop all under one roof. Matt explores his initial skepticism, his evolving impressions after digging through photos and the brewery's website, and whether a place like this would actually be his kind of brewery. From there, it's time to judge the beer. Matt evaluates Ember as a BJCP 21B Specialty IPA (Red IPA), breaking down: Appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression Hop-forward balance with supporting caramel and malt character Where Ember shines—and where Matt wishes it pushed just a bit further The result? A strong 41-point score, making Ember one of the higher-rated beers of the year so far. The episode wraps up with a broader discussion of Specialty IPAs, including Red, Black, Brown, Rye, White, Belgian, and Brut IPAs, why the category can be both fun and frustrating to judge, and how easily these styles can go wrong—or absolutely nail the balance. No bad one-star reviews this time, but plenty of thoughtful beer talk, judging insight, and classic Matt-style tangents along the way. Grab a beer, settle in, and enjoy Episode 27 of Matt Likes Beer.

In this episode, Khrysti, Matt, Chris and Dave discuss 1990's "Joe Versus the Volcano."

Episode 26 of Matt Likes Beer features Electric Mainline, a West Coast IPA from Grimm Artisan Ales, a Brooklyn-based brewery Matt knows primarily through retail purchases rather than firsthand taproom experience. With limited personal history to draw from, the episode leans heavily into technical judging, exploration, and education, making it one of the most analytically driven installments of the season. Matt opens by exploring Grimm's extensive and stylistically diverse beer catalog, noting the brewery's wide-ranging output across IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and mixed fermentation beers. While researching Grimm live during the recording, Matt discusses the brewery's dual-level taproom layout, contrasting its polished upstairs space with a more industrial downstairs brewery setting—an aesthetic that strongly appeals to his personal tastes. Before judging begins, Matt reads the brewery's own description of Electric Mainline, which declares the beer a West Coast IPA featuring Luminosa hops, supported by Mosaic, Citra, Columbus, and Simcoe. With the style clearly defined, Matt evaluates the beer strictly as BJCP Category 21A: American IPA. Appearance is a standout, with the beer pouring a brilliant, unmistakable yellow, a large, persistent white head, and excellent lacing. While visually striking, Matt notes an interesting guideline quirk: BJCP color descriptors list medium gold to light amber, making pure yellow technically outside the expected range—an example of how modern IPAs sometimes outpace written standards. Aroma earns a full 12/12 score, delivering expressive notes of orange zest, mandarin citrus, lemon brightness, subtle pine, and a faint grainy malt backbone. Matt explicitly follows advice from a fellow judge—“don't fear the 50”—choosing not to deduct points where the beer fully delivers stylistically. Flavor presents a more mixed picture. While citrus character remains vibrant and layered, bitterness is strongest on the tongue rather than in the finish or aftertaste, falling short of the firm, lingering bitterness expected in a classic West Coast IPA. Malt presence is detectable but subdued, leading Matt to score flavor at 14/20. Mouthfeel is spot-on, with a medium body, high carbonation, and smooth texture earning a perfect score. Overall impression balances enjoyment with technical critique, resulting in a final score of 39 out of 50, placing Electric Mainline solidly in the “Excellent” range—even with noted flavor shortcomings. With no one-star reviews available, the episode transitions into a long-form educational soapbox prompted by a conversation with a non-judge friend: Why do Double and Triple IPAs often taste sweeter than regular IPAs? Matt breaks down the concept using brewing fundamentals, explaining fermentable versus non-fermentable sugars, increased body, alcohol's impact on sweetness perception, and why higher-ABV IPAs inevitably drift away from the crisp bitterness drinkers expect. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming IPA-focused discussions and reinforces one of the show's core missions: helping everyday beer drinkers understand why beer tastes the way it does, not just whether it's “good” or “bad.”

After a long break away, we're back. It could've been a more memorable tale to mark it - no hero other than our regulars, and no real villains, just a couple of daft blokes.

In this episode Chris, Luke, and Tim review Wuthering Heights, Scream 7, Send Help, and more!

In this special episode Dave shares his list for 9 star, nearly perfect, horror movies.

Episode 25 of Matt Likes Beer tackles one of the most polarizing modern beer styles of the past decade: the Cold IPA. The featured beer comes from Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon, the brewery that not only created the recipe concept but also coined the term “Cold IPA” in 2018. For Matt—who actively seeks out the style—this makes Wayfinder the definitive benchmark. Matt opens by reflecting on the intense backlash Cold IPA received when it first appeared, noting that the hostility rivaled—and even surpassed—the early resistance to Hazy IPA. He contrasts that early reaction with the sudden, almost overnight acceptance the style enjoys today, raising questions about how and why beer communities choose what to embrace or reject. Drawing directly from Wayfinder's own published definition of the style, Matt explains what sets Cold IPA apart: heavy use of rice adjuncts, lager yeast, a very dry finish, and an emphasis on clean fermentation that allows American hops to shine with clarity and precision. He also points out that Wayfinder has effectively written their own style guideline—complete with vital statistics—despite the BJCP not yet adopting Cold IPA as a standalone category. Because no official BJCP style exists, the beer is evaluated as a 34B Mixed-Style Beer, declared as American IPA + American Lager, which Matt agrees is the best available option—even if it doesn't fully capture what Cold IPA truly is. Using this framework, he conducts a full judging breakdown, noting a medium-yellow appearance with persistent foam, expressive citrus-forward aroma, light herbal and dank hop character, subtle grain notes, and a distinct but restrained lager yeast presence. Flavor-wise, the beer delivers orange zest, grapefruit rind, floral and herbal hop notes, light toasted grain, and a crisp, slightly dry finish. However, Matt finds the bitterness lower than expected for the style—particularly from the brewery that defined it. Mouthfeel is light-bodied and highly carbonated with surprising softness beneath the fizz, contributing to excellent drinkability. The final score lands at 35 out of 50, placing it squarely in the “Very Good” range. With no online reviews to read—of any rating—the episode pivots into an extended and impassioned soapbox segment. Matt unpacks the early hatred directed at Cold IPA, arguing that much of the criticism was aimed at the name and concept, not the beer itself. He connects that reaction to a broader problem within craft beer and homebrewing: resistance to innovation, gatekeeping, and a reflexive hostility toward anything new or unfamiliar.

In this episode of Indiana Jones in Character, Dave and Chris explore the many libraries featured in the Indian Jones Saga.

You read that right, Box Office Bozo is back with another challenge for Chris! Can Chris name to top grossing movies of Kevin Bacon? If he can, he's a Box Office Boss! If he fails, he's a Box Office Bozo. Listen along and see where he lands.

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Chris and Dave pay honor the works of the recently passed actor, Robert Duvall.

Episode 24 of Matt Likes Beer shines a spotlight on a rice-forward American-style lager from Table Brewing, continuing the show's run of style-driven, BJCP-informed beer evaluations. Picked up through Tavour, the beer prompts Matt to dig into one of the most frequently misunderstood brewing ingredients in modern beer: rice. Matt opens by addressing his own preconceived notions about dark beers and adjunct lagers, acknowledging that rice is often unfairly associated with mass-market American lagers. From there, the episode pivots into an educational breakdown of how rice is actually used in brewing, including the distinction between standard brewer's rice and more aromatic varieties like jasmine rice, which can contribute subtle floral and grain character rather than just fermentable sugar. Judged using BJCP guidelines, the beer presents with excellent clarity, a pale golden color, and a clean, well-formed head. Aromatically, it remains restrained—appropriate for the style—while offering delicate grain notes and a soft, rounded malt profile. Flavor-wise, the beer is crisp and highly drinkable, with rice contributing dryness and smoothness rather than overt sweetness or hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium-light, clean, and refreshing, aligning well with the intended style. While the beer performs well technically, Matt notes that the subtlety of the style inherently limits how high it can score in competition settings. The final BJCP score lands in the Very Good range, reinforcing a recurring theme of the podcast: some beers are meant to be enjoyed, not chased for points. The episode expands into a broader discussion about style bias, particularly how adjunct lagers are often dismissed before being properly evaluated. Matt argues that when brewed with intention and quality ingredients, rice lagers can be elegant, nuanced, and extremely difficult to execute well—making them worthy of respect both on the judging table and in everyday drinking.

HFTV gives their final thoughts and ranking on the penultimate season of TFTC.

In this episode of Streams and Nightmares, Dave discusses Coyotes, The Jester 2, Don't Go In the Woods, Hostel Part 3. In the Mouth of Madness, and Shivers.

In this episode, re-visit the 1992 film "The Bodyguard" starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Huston.

Episode 23 of Matt Likes Beer features Dolly Hole, a hazy IPA collaboration between Tactical Brewing and Sideward Brewing, two of Matt's most frequently visited and personally meaningful Orlando-area breweries. Gifted to Matt by a fellow homebrew club member, the beer marks the first local brewery review of 2026, setting the stage for more hometown highlights throughout the year. Matt opens the episode by explaining his approach to note-taking, clarifying that while the show is unscripted, he keeps minimal reference notes to ensure accuracy—especially when discussing unfamiliar breweries or beer descriptions. That leads into a discussion of Tactical Brewing's intentionally minimal website descriptions, which prompted Matt to dig slightly deeper than usual, confirming that Dolly Hole was a recent rebrew rather than an older release. The beer itself is evaluated strictly under BJCP Category 21C: Hazy IPA, eliminating the ambiguity that often surrounds modern IPA substyles. Appearance-wise, Dolly Hole pours an opaque, butter-yellow color with a dense, mousse-like head, though Matt notes that the haze borders on murky, a technical fault under BJCP guidelines. Aromatically, the beer bursts with orange rind, citrus juice, and tropical fruit, supported by subtle esters and a faint herbal note. While expressive and inviting, the aroma lacks sufficient malt presence, costing it points in the judging process. Flavor-wise, the beer leans heavily into sweet, candy-like citrus, fruit punch, and lemon-lime soda character, with only a fleeting bitterness appearing late in the finish. The mouthfeel is one of the beer's strongest attributes—soft, silky, and medium-bodied, perfectly aligned with the hazy IPA style. However, excessive sweetness and minimal bitterness ultimately hold the beer back from higher marks. Matt scores Dolly Hole 32 out of 50, placing it in the “Very Good” range while emphasizing that the score reflects stylistic evaluation—not overall enjoyment. With no one-star reviews to read, the episode transitions into a detailed breakdown of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). Matt explains what the BJCP is, how judging works, and demystifies the certification process—from the notoriously difficult online entrance exam to the tasting exam and the various ranking levels. He also shares how becoming a BJCP judge has made him a better brewer and more thoughtful beer drinker. The episode closes with an invitation for listeners interested in judging or learning more to explore structured study resources, reinforcing one of the podcast's central themes: beer appreciation improves with education, curiosity, and community involvement.

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Dave, Chris, and Luke discuss their top five favorite "Screams".

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Dave, Chris, and Luke discuss their top five favorite Survivor Contestants.

Episode 22 of Matt Likes Beer focuses on one of Matt's all-time favorite beer styles: the Strong Bitter. The featured beer is Trooper, the iconic Iron Maiden collaboration brewed by Robinsons Brewery in Cheshire, England, a beer Matt has been drinking—and defending—for years. Matt opens by clarifying a common misconception: while many drinkers refer to beers like this as “ESBs,” that name is technically reserved for Fuller's ESB. Under BJCP guidelines, Trooper is properly evaluated as 11C Strong Bitter, the strongest subcategory within the British Bitter family—though still very much a low-ABV, balance-driven beer. The episode explores Matt's long history with Trooper, including how its rarity and style alone made it an instant purchase when he first encountered it years ago. That history leads into a fascinating discovery: the vast global Iron Maiden beer lineup, brewed with multiple partners worldwide and spanning everything from lagers and IPAs to stouts, sake pilsners, and imperial beers—far beyond the single Trooper label most fans recognize. Using BJCP 11C Strong Bitter guidelines, Matt conducts a full judging breakdown, highlighting the beer's brilliant clarity, deep copper color, caramel-forward malt profile, restrained earthy hop character, and deceptively dry finish. While the beer hits many stylistic markers, excess sweetness and slightly muted bitterness hold it back in competition terms, resulting in a final score of 34 out of 50 (Very Good). As with many episodes, Matt emphasizes the distinction between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment. Despite the lower-than-expected score, he makes it clear that Trooper remains a beer he will gladly continue to drink whenever it's available. The episode then delivers a collection of savage one-star reviews, ranging from stale malt complaints to over-the-top Iron Maiden insults, providing some much-needed levity.

In this episode, Dave discusses Dead Kids, The Shed, Veronica, The Toxic Avenger, and In Their Skin.

In this special episode of The Best of Fives, we pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara.

Episode 21 of Matt Likes Beer centers on one of Matt's most personal beer styles: the Vienna Lager. The featured beer comes from Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a brewery Matt knows well through Tavour, though he has yet to visit in person. As the fifth episode of 2026, this installment marks a return to a classic, clearly defined BJCP style after several episodes focused on mixed or emerging categories. Matt opens by explaining why Vienna Lager holds such a special place in his beer journey, tracing it back to his early craft beer days and the role Sam Adams Boston Lager played as his gateway into better beer. That personal connection sets the tone for a thoughtful, technically rigorous review grounded in both experience and nostalgia. Using BJCP Category 7A guidelines, Matt evaluates the beer's copper color, clarity, persistent head, malt-forward aroma, and balanced bitterness. While the beer excels in appearance and overall balance, the judging reveals a few technical shortcomings, including a slightly acrid finish, excess sweetness for the style, and a slick mouthfeel that detracts from elegance. These factors lead to a final score of 35 out of 50, placing the beer firmly in the “Very Good” range. Despite the score, Matt is clear: this is a beer he would happily drink again. The episode reinforces a recurring theme of the podcast—the difference between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment—and why a technically imperfect beer can still be highly satisfying in real-world settings.

In this episode of The GR80s and Beyond, Dave, Chris, Matt, and Khrysti discuss the hideously deformed creature of super human size and strength, the first superhero from New Jersey, 1984's "The Toxic Avenger!"

Something a bit different this time, as i've taken an old interview i did with Martin Bower and trimmed it down to some additional insights he had on his time on Alien, and a little bit on Flash Gordon.

Humphrey Bogart is digitally resurrected in this very curious episode of TFTC.

Episode 20 of Matt Likes Beer finds Matt deep into Dry January 2026, reflecting on health goals, pre-recorded episodes, and the realities of balancing beer enthusiasm with personal wellness. The beer in the spotlight is Dollar Slice, a hazy IPA from Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York—chosen initially for its pizza-inspired label and unexpected name. Matt shares his prior experience with Other Half, noting that while he's enjoyed their IPAs before, this particular beer was a classic case of label buying—a marketing reality many craft beer fans know well. A deeper look into the brewery's catalog reveals a diverse lineup beyond IPAs, including lagers, sours, and spontaneous fermentation beers, even though hop-forward styles clearly dominate their production. During the tasting, Matt addresses an important judging dilemma: while the can simply says “India Pale Ale,” further research—and the beer's unmistakable appearance—confirm it should be evaluated as a 21C Hazy IPA. Using BJCP guidelines, he breaks down the beer's opaque yellow appearance, exceptional head retention, intense citrus and tropical fruit aroma, and luxuriously soft, creamy mouthfeel. Flavor-wise, Dollar Slice delivers vibrant orange zest, pineapple, and juice-forward hop character from Citra and Galaxy hops, earning high marks across the board. A slight lingering off-flavor prevents a near-perfect score, but the beer still lands at an impressive 41 out of 50, firmly in the Excellent range. Matt emphasizes that without this minor issue—possibly isolated to the can or palate—this could easily have been a mid-40s standout. With no one-star reviews to read, the episode closes on a thoughtful soapbox moment about Untappd, consumer-driven beer trends, and the disconnect that can occur when breweries resist making the styles people actually want to drink. Matt balances critique with humility, acknowledging the complexity of running a brewery while reaffirming his belief that variety, responsiveness, and drinker feedback matter.