Beer Freaks
88 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsStu, Derek, and their guests will laugh about and explore all of the weird, scary, creepy things that keep us up at night, and the one thing that helps us forget all about them. From nuclear proliferation to ghosts to asteroids to artificial intelligence and everything in between, each episode will bring a new personal fear and a new craft beer (or, being realistic, a few of each) that we will analyze while we usually veer off and explore several tangents. My guests will include friends, colleagues, experts, and super interesting folks who will all get drunk on great craft beer while we share the things that scare the crap out of us. And hey, sometimes it might just be us. Cheers to Beer Freaks!
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Episodes
John & LeAnne Notabartolo Are Afraid of Rats & We Drink Nota Brau and Lagunitas
December 20, 2020 04:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBJohn and LeAnne Notabartolo are Las Vegas badasses, and quite possibly the inspiration for the Dos Equis most interesting man in the world. They've done just about everything. They know just about everyone. So we talk with them about their fear of rats and life's purpose, and drink some damn good beer, including one Jon brewed himself. See? Didn't we tell you they do just about everything? Support the show
Horror Happy Hour #7: Le Père Fouettard
December 14, 2020 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.85 MBPère Fouettard (pronounced [pɛʁ fwɛtaʁ]; French for '"Father Whipper" or "Old Man Whipper"') is a character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or beatings to naughty children while St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.[1] He is known mainly in the far north and eastern regions of France, in the south of Belgium, and in French-speaking Switzerland, although similar characters exist all over Europe (see Compa...
Horror Happy Hour #7: Le Père Fouettard & We Drink Founders Big Luscious Stout
December 14, 2020 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.85 MBPère Fouettard (pronounced [pɛʁ fwɛtaʁ]; French for '"Father Whipper" or "Old Man Whipper"') is a character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or beatings to naughty children while St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.[1] He is known mainly in the far north and eastern regions of France, in the south of Belgium, and in French-speaking Switzerland, although similar characters exist all over Europe (see Compa...
Horror Happy Hour #6: The Winchester House, Big Dogs Brewing Violent Violet
November 28, 2020 23:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBThe Winchester House in northern California has captivated the interest of ghost hunters and aficionados for decades. From the dozens of rooms, ever expanding construction, hallways and doors leading to nowhere, and spiritual seances, this unlikely story of the heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune is as captivating as it is bizarre. So enjoy, and crack a Big Dogs Brewing Violent Violet with us as we tell the tale. Support the show
Horror Happy Hour #5: Dyatlov Pass, Cascade Brewing Cranberry Sour
November 23, 2020 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe Dyatlov Pass incident has kept people guessing for decades since the 1950s, so much so that the case has even been reopened. Experienced hikers getting freaked out, leaving their tents in the dead of night during sub-zero temperatures, and getting maimed and murdered by god knows what. But the call was coming from inside the tent, as it seems they all clawed and cut their way out randomly as they were set to sleep for the day. Crazy, crazy stuff. So we sip a great beer in Cascade Brewing...
Horror Happy Hour #4: Roanoke Island, 10 Barrel Brewing, Ratio Beerworks
November 14, 2020 19:00 - 14 minutes - 9.69 MBThis episode is particular fun for us because not only are we talking about the creepy and mysterious disappearance of the settlers on Roanoke Island (just off the coast of North Carolina), but we are also finishing the #ColoradoWeirdBeerChallenge. That's right, we drink a beer infused with carrots, as well as a beer with a hybrid of weisse and bock styles. This is one you don't want to miss! Support the show
Pat is Afraid of the Worst Case Scenario & We Drink Mason Aleworks & Mother Earth Brewing
November 06, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBPat is a beer and liquor writer, as well as a professor at UNLV. This guy legitimately gets paid to travel the country and drink. Where do we sign up? Except, Pat's problem is that in every situation, Pat goes to the worst-case-scenario. We are all victim to that sometimes, but Pat won't even drive on the freeway. So we discuss this fear over a few great beer choices, brought to you by Derek's wife. Cheers! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfreaks)
Pat Evans is Afraid of the Worst Case Scenario & We Drink Mason Aleworks & Mother Earth Brewing
November 06, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBPat is a beer and liquor writer, as well as a professor at UNLV. This guy legitimately gets paid to travel the country and drink. Where do we sign up? Except, Pat's problem is that in every situation, Pat goes to the worst-case-scenario. We are all victim to that sometimes, but Pat won't even drive on the freeway. So we discuss this fear over a few great beer choices, brought to you by Derek's wife. Cheers! Support the show
Dr. Swarts is Afraid of the Future for Our Kids & We Drink Modern Times and Founders
October 23, 2020 19:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBDr. Spencer Swarts is a childhood friend of Stu who also just so happens to be working on developing the latest advancements in rapid COVID testing in San Diego. He's been on the front lines of Flu testing as well. With a PhD from San Diego State University, he gives us the scoop on the latest in all things COVID, talks about his concerns about the future world we are handing to our children, and drinks some great beers with us over Zoom. Cheers! Support the show
Brian Chapin is Afraid of Being Stagnant & We Drink Mikkeller and Stone Brewing
October 16, 2020 08:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBBrian basically created the beer scene in Las Vegas. Does he brew beer? No. Does he own a brewery? No. But the dude started Motley Brews after spending time in Phoenix and San Diego, realizing that Vegas was ripe for the local, cultural phenomenon that is beer. And he was right. He's brought thousands of people out to incredible brew scenes like Downtown Brew Festival, Hopped Taco, the Great Vegas Festival of Beer, and plenty more. The guy knows his beer. Let's be honest. And we are incredib...
Matt Brady is Afraid of TBD & We Drink His Astronomy Aleworks Brews
October 09, 2020 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBThe founder and brewer of Astronomy Aleworks shares some of his beer, takes us to school on style, and plays fear trivia. Matt is a guy that doesn't hold back, either in his rhetoric or in his brewing style. Opening his brewery, Astronomy Aleworks in Las Vegas just a couple of years ago, Matt and his team have already made a splash on the Vegas brewery scene. Yes, he likes Star Wars. And yes, he has had several prominent astronomers come and speak at his brewery. But this is also a guy who d...
Laura is Afraid of Not Mattering & We Drink 7Five Brewing & Mason Aleworks
October 02, 2020 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.5 MBLaura is awesome. Let me just lead with that. We decided that her story was worth telling, especially when she decided that her worst fear was not mattering. We knew how to help: Great beer, of course. And then we talked about the damned cosmos. Right? I mean, we're all stardust that found its way to consciousness. So, that should be some damned meaning. But what helps us get there is Ryan Reaves brewery, 7Five. Specifically, the Shiver Giver. Then, Mason Aleworks helps us go cosmic with the...
Rich is Afraid of Home Invasion & We Drink Ommegang and Dogfish Head
September 25, 2020 00:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBToday we've got two GREAT beers and a pretty damned good fear. While we enjoy some Ommegang Double Barrel Dubel and Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, we talk about Rich's fear of not having a gun in preparation for a possible home invasion. Controversial? Maybe. But the dude wants to look out for his family. And who can fault him for that? Let's rock and roll! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfreaks)
Rich Barra is Afraid of Home Invasion & We Drink Ommegang and Dogfish Head
September 25, 2020 00:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBToday we've got two GREAT beers and a pretty damned good fear. While we enjoy some Ommegang Double Barrel Dubel and Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, we talk about Rich's fear of not having a gun in preparation for a possible home invasion. Controversial? Maybe. But the dude wants to look out for his family. And who can fault him for that? Let's rock and roll! Support the show
Derek Has Night Terrors & We Drink Deschutes Neon Daydream & Rogue Dreamland
September 09, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBNot only is this our first podcast back after a roughly five-month hiatus. Not only did we impressively tie the beer names to match up with the fear that we would discuss. Not only does the podcast sound crystal clear with some incredible new sounds. But we have a brand new co-host! Damn, this is a good podcast. *Sips beer*. Where was I? Oh ya, I am incredibly excited to announce that Derek (who has been on an earlier episode) is officially joining me as co-host of Beer Freaks. And as an in...
Kyle & Phil Are Afraid of the Post COVID World & We Drink Sierra Nevada, Belching Beaver, and More
May 01, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 54.8 MBPhil, Kyle, and I have been friends since college. I've been delaying having them on the podcast because they're both bastards. But, it was inevitable. Phil is a massive player in the consulting world and Kyle has been crushing it on the tech scene in the Bay Area for a while. So we all decided to have a few beers and talk about what weird things are freaking us out right now. Support the show
Oren and James Are Afraid Rock & Roll Dying, Coronavirus; We Drink Lock Down Supplies
April 07, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBThis is my first time doing a virtual podcast with remote guests. Thanks COVID-19. So sorry about the uneven audio. But we have a good time discussing Oren's fear that rock and roll is dying, James' fear of what the world is going to look like after the Coronavirus pandemic, all while drinking whatever we have on hand during our respective quarantines. This ranges from Sierra Nevada, Guinness, a few Canadian beers, and of course, a Stone and Alesmith collaboration. Enjoy! Support the show
Horror Happy Hour #3: The Jonestown Massacre, 41 Years Later
November 25, 2019 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.68 MBAlmost 41 years ago to the day, over 900 Americans lost their lives in a cult suicide in South America. Let's talk about it while we drink a beer. Support the show
Ben is Afraid of Not Finding His Life's Purpose & We Drink Firestone Union Jack
November 18, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBBen is a good friend and former co-worker of mine. In fact, he was one of the first people I met when I moved to Las Vegas in 2011. He is a writer, musician, entrepreneur, family man, and all-around badass. And for one night, we discuss his very real fear of not finding the thing that he really wants to do in life, especially now that he's almost in his 40s. And to help discuss (and maybe even forget about) that fear, we sit back and enjoy a few Firestone Union Jacks, as well as another beer...
Wyndee Forrest is Afraid of Clowns & We Drink CraftHaus Beer at the Brewery!
November 05, 2019 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBSuper excited for this one! I am lucky enough to host Wyndee Forrest, co-owner of CraftHaus Brewery, on this episode of Beer Freaks while she hosts me at her brewery. We sip some of their best beers (Dry Heat New England IPA is incredible, by the way), talk about how hazy IPAs use dry hopping to reduce bitterness, and discuss her intense fear of clowns which began with the movie Poltergeist. So much fun! No clownin'. Support the show
Wyndee (CraftHaus Co-Owner) is Afraid of Clowns & We Drink CraftHaus Beer at the Brewery!
November 05, 2019 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBSuper excited for this one! I am lucky enough to host Wyndee Forrest, co-owner of CraftHaus Brewery, on this episode of Beer Freaks while she hosts me at her brewery. We sip some of their best beers (Dry Heat New England IPA is incredible, by the way), talk about how hazy IPAs use dry hopping to reduce bitterness, and discuss her intense fear of clowns which began with the movie Poltergeist. So much fun! No clownin'. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfreaks)
Horror Happy Hour #2: History of Halloween & Ninkasi Dawn of the Dead Red (Again)
October 31, 2019 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.16 MBHalloween is one of my favorite holidays every year. Tons of great horror films to watch. Crazy scary stories shared. And of course, great seasonal beer. But where does it all come from? In this Horror Happy Hour, we will dig into the history of Halloween, which starts over 4,000 years ago with the Celts, then to the Romans, and eventually, right here to America. Cheers! Support the show
Horror Happy Hour #1: Aliens Abducting Cows & Ninkasi Dawn of the Dead Red
October 30, 2019 06:00 - 6 minutes - 4.19 MBWelcome to the first episode of my Horror Happy Hour format. In this roughly five-minute episode, I talk about cows being de-genitaled (is that a word?) in Oregon with no trace of blood while I drink Ninkasi's Dawn of the Dead Red, a fantastic red IPA from the same state where aliens might just be abducting said cows. Cheer! Support the show
Ann Johnson is Afraid of Birds & We Drink Station Twenty Six Brewing and Surly Brewing
October 18, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBAnn Johnson is a human badass who travels the world, grew up on a farm, drinks some damn good beer that she happily shared with me, and is for some strange reason afraid of birds (what?). We talk about that fear, along with several others while we hammer back a couple of really great IPAs from Station Twenty Six Brewing including Juicy Banger IPA (the classic) and Juicy Banger Fresh Hop IPA (the young gun), as well as an Xtra Citra Pale Ale from Surly Brewing. After those brews, we were both...
Ann is Afraid of Birds & We Drink Station Twenty Six Brewing and Surly Brewing
October 18, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBAnn Johnson is a human badass who travels the world, grew up on a farm, drinks some damn good beer that she happily shared with me, and is for some strange reason afraid of birds (what?). We talk about that fear, along with several others while we hammer back a couple of really great IPAs from Station Twenty Six Brewing including Juicy Banger IPA (the classic) and Juicy Banger Fresh Hop IPA (the young gun), as well as an Xtra Citra Pale Ale from Surly Brewing. After those brews, we were both...
PK is Afraid of Overpopulation & We Drink Tenaya Creek and Joseph James
October 13, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBPK is a world traveler, engineer, good friend, and great dude. And today we are talking about his fear of overpopulation and how that is going to impact several aspects of humanity moving forward, including famine, global warming, technology, and more. So it's a damn good thing we have several beers, including Joseph James Hop Box and Tenaya Creek to keep those fears at bay. Cheers! Support the show
Horror Happy Hour #0: I am Afraid of Black Holes & I Drink Kung Pao Beer!
October 11, 2019 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.9 MBNo guest this time. Just me, my fear of this gigantic black hole that was just discovered and Kung Pao Imperial Stout by Stillwater Artisanal Ales. Believe it or not, this shit was good. I'm talking about the beer. You can decide for yourself on the podcast. Support the show
I am Afraid of Black Holes & I Drink Kung Pao Beer!
October 11, 2019 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.9 MBNo guest this time. Just me, my fear of this gigantic black hole that was just discovered and Kung Pao Imperial Stout by Stillwater Artisanal Ales. Believe it or not, this shit was good. I'm talking about the beer. You can decide for yourself on the podcast. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfreaks)
Derek is Afraid of the Dark & We Drink Golden Road and Saint Archer
October 01, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBDerek is a good friend of mine, basically a Las Vegas native, a podcaster, a TV show host, a man of many talents, and just a fascinating dude. He's also afraid of the dark. And with the stories he tells, he has good reason to be. Damn! So to help get through it, we drink a Golden Road Spicy Mango Cart. Then we try a fantastic brew from Saint Archer (I love you, San Diego). Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfreaks)
Derek Krueger is Afraid of the Dark & We Drink Golden Road and Saint Archer
October 01, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 78.6 MBDerek is a good friend of mine, basically a Las Vegas native, a podcaster, a TV show host, a man of many talents, and just a fascinating dude. He's also afraid of the dark. And with the stories he tells, he has good reason to be. Damn! So to help get through it, we drink a Golden Road Spicy Mango Cart. Then we try a fantastic brew from Saint Archer (I love you, San Diego). Support the show
Jeremy Delfin is Afraid of Aliens & We Drink Einstok Olgerd Pale Ale
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBJeremy is a good friend, construction planner, Spartan runner, new father, good boyfriend, Sun Devil's fan (unfortunately), festival-goer, and just a really cool guy. Even though he now lives in Phoenix, he came back to visit me in Las Vegas (well, me and the Life is Beautiful music festival) the same weekend that the "Storm Area 51" thing was supposedly going on. So Jeremy wanted to talk about his fear of aliens. And to help us do that without running away in fear, we decided to drink a few...
Jeremy is Afraid of Aliens & We Drink Einstok Olgerd Pale Ale
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBJeremy is a good friend, construction planner, Spartan runner, new father, good boyfriend, Sun Devil's fan (unfortunately), festival-goer, and just a really cool guy. Even though he now lives in Phoenix, he came back to visit me in Las Vegas (well, me and the Life is Beautiful music festival) the same weekend that the "Storm Area 51" thing was supposedly going on. So Jeremy wanted to talk about his fear of aliens. And to help us do that without running away in fear, we decided to drink a few...
Marie is Afraid of Going to Hell & We Drink Stiegl Radler and Bell's Brewery
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBMarie is a world traveler, Peace Corp survivor, mountain climber, desert hiker, Las Vegas festival wrangler, and an all-around awesome human. And she just so happens to be an agnostic who is really worried that maybe religion and spirituality is real, and now she's going to hell. So to help her cope, we drink Stiegl Radler Grapefruit which is pretty tasty but super low in ABV. Then we have Bell's Brewery Oberon Wheat Ale which was fantastic. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beerfr...
Marie Sabino is Afraid of Going to Hell & We Drink Stiegl Radler and Bell's Brewery
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBMarie is a world traveler, Peace Corp survivor, mountain climber, desert hiker, Las Vegas festival wrangler, and an all-around awesome human. And she just so happens to be an agnostic who is really worried that maybe religion and spirituality is real, and now she's going to hell. So to help her cope, we drink Stiegl Radler Grapefruit which is pretty tasty but super low in ABV. Then we have Bell's Brewery Oberon Wheat Ale which was fantastic. Support the show
Ty is Afraid of the Meaning of Life & We Drink Moscow Mules
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBTy is a good friend of mine, a colleague here in Las Vegas, a financial wizard, and he's afraid of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life. So to help us dive through this, we drink some Moscow Mules. I know, I know, I'm already breaking the rules of my show. But it's my show. Plus, Ty brought them. So we drank them. And they were damn delicious. Especially considering it was like 100 degrees in my recording booth (aka garage). Also, you'll notice that I call the show "Beer & Horrors." Th...
Ty Tomco is Afraid of the Meaning of Life & We Drink Moscow Mules
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBTy is a good friend of mine, a colleague here in Las Vegas, a financial wizard, and he's afraid of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life. So to help us dive through this, we drink some Moscow Mules. I know, I know, I'm already breaking the rules of my show. But it's my show. Plus, Ty brought them. So we drank them. And they were damn delicious. Especially considering it was like 100 degrees in my recording booth (aka garage). Also, you'll notice that I call the show "Beer & Horrors." Th...
Blaine DeLuca is Afraid of Nukes & We Drink Joseph James Citra Rye Pale Ale
October 01, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBBlaine is an industrial engineer, world traveler, and all around good dude. But he used to work for a nuclear power company. So his fear is about nuclear proliferation, especially considering Russia just bragged about launching new rockets that are impossible to shoot down. So to help get past this perfectly legit fear, we drink a few beers, including Joseph James Citra Rye and Lovelady 9th Island Pineapple Sour. Blaine's also got a super charming southern accent, so you might want to just l...
Blaine is Afraid of Nukes & We Drink Joseph James Citra Rye Pale Ale
October 01, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBBlaine is an industrial engineer, world traveler, and all around good dude. But he used to work for a nuclear power company. So his fear is about nuclear proliferation, especially considering Russia just bragged about launching new rockets that are impossible to shoot down. So to help get past this perfectly legit fear, we drink a few beers, including Joseph James Citra Rye and Lovelady 9th Island Pineapple Sour. Blaine's also got a super charming southern accent, so you might want to just l...