NEOZAZ

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.

It's another snowed-in special, and this time Chris. Dave, and Luke list their top 5 favorite survival movies!

In this special blizzard edition of Indiana Jones in Character, Chris and Dave ponder the questions "What if Raiders of the Lost Ark where to remade and re-casted today?"

In this special "snowed-in" edition of "The Best of Fives", Dave, Chris, Tim and Luke share their top 5 weather related movies from their snow captured compounds in the north of Florida. Posted from Orlando where the current temperature is a balmy 81 degrees.

In this episode, Chris, Tim and Luke review Avatar Fire and Ash, Housemaid, 28 Years Later The Bone Temple and more.

We're looking at Praetorian Jack, the Man In Brown, or, as we call him, "Mud Max".

In this special episode of "Matt Likes Beer" Dave takes the mic to talk about the 16 beers from the Philadelphia area for Matt to feature on a special run of "Matt Likes Beer - Philadelphia Months" coming in April!

We're back to the Hammer thrillers, and this time an early one, to discuss a rather overlooked gem - The Snorkel.

Episode 19 of Matt Likes Beer features a seasonal-yet-technical deep dive into Fragile, an Italian-style Pilsner from Heist Brewery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Named after the iconic “Fra-gee-lay” moment from A Christmas Story, this 4.5% lager uses Saphir hops and dry hopping to create a crisp, modern take on a growing craft beer substyle. Matt explores his history with Heist Brewery through Tavour, noting that while he's enjoyed their beers before, this is his first experience with Fragile—and his first Italian Pilsner reviewed on the podcast. He also takes time to highlight Heist's wide-ranging tap list, touching on the brewery's diverse approach beyond the IPA-heavy norm. Because Italian Pilsner isn't a standalone BJCP category, Matt walks listeners through how to properly judge it using BJCP's suggested entry guidelines, evaluating the beer as a 34B Mixed-Style Beer with a German Pilsner base plus dry hopping. The review covers clarity, head retention, hop expression, bitterness levels, mouthfeel, and balance—along with a candid critique of BJCP's notoriously difficult website navigation. Fragile earns a 36 out of 50 (Very Good), matching the previous episode's score but illustrating an important distinction: judging to style versus drinking for enjoyment. While Matt finds the beer slightly restrained for a dry-hopped pilsner in competition terms, he makes it clear this is a beer he would happily order multiple times in a real-world setting—especially as a meal-friendly, refreshing lager with depth. With no beer reviews to roast, the episode closes with a festive twist: Matt reads brutal one-star reviews of A Christmas Story, turning the beer's name into an excuse for some unexpectedly dark and hilarious holiday commentary.

In this episode, the GR80s host ease on out of the 80's to 1978 to take a look at the big budget, start studded, adaptation of the "Wizard of Oz", "The Wiz!"

Welcome to the 2025 Zazzies, the special episode where Dave, Chris, and Luke celebrate the best films of 2025!

We're back on Earth, to complete our look at a Federation double act, Section Leader Forres.

We've returned to Fireball XL5 this time - and it's as barkingly mad as ever!

Tales from the Crypt returns to the classic formula this week as we visit a vengeful wife and her squeaky clean husband.

In this episode, Dave presents The George Clooney Horror Fest!

The second episode of Matt Likes Beer for 2026 dives into one of the most talked-about craft beers of the past few years: PB&J Mixtape, the peanut butter and jelly sour from XUL Beer Company in Knoxville, Tennessee. Frequently spotted on shelves nationwide and featured prominently at Halloween Horror Nights, this beer has developed a near-cult following—and Matt finally gives it the full BJCP-style evaluation it's been begging for. Matt shares his long history with PB&J Mixtape, from first discovering it through Tavour during its early limited releases to watching it go viral after expanded production in 2023–2025. Along the way, he explains how the beer transitioned from rare brewery-only release to nationwide phenomenon, why demand exploded, and how XUL scaled production without sacrificing quality. The review itself breaks format in an interesting way. Matt judges the beer as a BJCP 29B Fruit and Spice Beer with a Straight Sour base, evaluating how well the peanut butter, grape jelly, and sour components balance against each other. While the beer delivers exactly what it promises—liquid peanut butter and jelly—it earns a 36 out of 50 (Very Good) on technical judging, mainly due to balance and mouthfeel considerations. On pure enjoyment, however, Matt makes it clear: this beer is an absolute blast to drink. With no one-star reviews to read (a rarity), the episode evolves into a deeper conversation about gluten-free, seltzer-based sours, whether they should be judged alongside traditional beers, and what their rise says about the current—and future—state of craft beer. Matt closes with a candid reflection on declining craft beer sales, changing consumer tastes, and why beers like PB&J Mixtape may be exactly what keeps people engaged with fermented beverages in the years ahead. This episode is equal parts beer review, industry commentary, and passionate defense of fun, creative brewing.

In this special episode, Dave interviews Jiah Peck and Steve Bost two of the talents behind the new streaming series "Popcorn Pushers!" Check out the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCTTT3pcLcs

A momentous film this time - the first Hammer Dracula of the 1970's and the last to be set pre-20th Century. But, what do we make of it? Have a listen and find out!

Snow Vampires are abundant in this arctic tundra of an episode.

Matt Likes Beer returns for its first episode of 2026 with an unexpected and entertaining comeback beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon. Sparked by the striking Godzilla 70th Anniversary can art collaboration featuring work by artist Attack Peter, Matt revisits a beer he spent years actively avoiding—and discovers he may have been wrong all along. The episode opens with a candid reflection on why the show paused in 2025, how life and work finally found balance, and why several NEOZAZ podcasts are experiencing a creative resurgence. From there, the focus shifts squarely to the beer in hand. Matt conducts a full BJCP-guided evaluation of PBR as a 1B American Lager, breaking down appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression. Despite long-standing stigma surrounding macro lagers, PBR earns an impressive 40 out of 50, landing firmly in the Excellent range—much to Matt's own surprise. The most jaw-dropping moment comes when Matt compares PBR side-by-side with his own gold-medal-winning American Lager, discovering just how close the two beers really are in flavor and structure. The episode wraps up with a reading of hilariously savage one-star reviews, reflections on evolving beer quality over time, and a thoughtful reminder that judging a beer by its style—not its reputation—can lead to genuine surprises. Whether you're a craft beer devotee, a BJCP judge in training, or just here for Godzilla on a beer can, this episode proves that even the most unlikely beers deserve a fair tasting.

Today, we're looking at the pilot of Lander One, and Mrs Tennessee, the audience anchor in Covenant, Faris.

We're down on the Devils Planet, to look at the governor of a whole prison moon, Elizia.

In this episode, Chris, Luke and Tim review The Running Man, Wicked For Good, and Zootopia 2.

In the edition of The Best of Fives, Chris and Luke list their top 5 favorite James Cameron Film Characters!