Beer and Conversation Podcast

Just in time for Halloween, the boys review a classic horror story

Along with special guest Longinus, P&C review “The Fear,” an imperial pumpkin beer from Flying Dog, then continue their “shortcut to the classics” series with a discussion of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Considered one of the first horror novels, and also one of the first science fiction novels, the book has inspired more than its share of plays and movies, although most of the movies depart from the book in many details. You may be surprised what is and is not in the book.

Our favorite literary critics review the plot and a few of the more prominent themes.

Is there any benefit to roughing it for a while?

P&C review DuClaw’s 25th anniversary version of Naked Fish, then talk about lessons learned from camping.

The major thing you learn from camping is to not be so fussy about bugs and dirt and discomfort. But there’s more to it than that. It can be an opportunity for children to learn a little independence, and to stretch themselves and their perceptions of what they can do.

P&C reflect on different types of camping, share a couple of their camping stories, and generally celebrate the hobby.

Are they as bad as people usually think, or is there more to it?

P&C drink and review Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown Nectar, then discuss the Crusades.

It’s a very difficult and controversial subject, but the boys try to parse through some of it.

There were multiple different crusades with different purposes, different personalities and different alliances. Some of the crusades were incredibly successful, while others were complete disasters.

P&C stick mostly to the first crusade, reviewing its antecedents and trying to put it in historical perspective.

What the heck does Biden want to spend all this money on?

P&C drink and review Candy Cane Imperial Stout, then discuss Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion spending spree, and wonder what we get out of it.

Right now, Congress is working on two bills. The first is the “good bill” — the “build back better” bill, which allegedly focuses on infrastructure, and has a hefty price tag on its own. The second is the social spending bill, which dwarfs the infrastructure bill and blows the roof off federal spending.

The boys try to dig into the details and find out what Biden and company are trying to buy.

The boys review Pigweed’s Black Ops Ale, then discuss when it’s legit to take the law into your own hands.

The social contract involves individuals giving up their right to vengeance — taking matters into their own hands — for a collective and organized exercise of justice.

P&C recently watched a documentary called “No One Saw a Thing” where a town decided to deal with the town bully, because law enforcement wasn’t.

Were they right? Why not? When is it legitimate to take the law into your own hands?

P&C drink and review a homebrewed porter, then discuss how to destroy America.

Since we can’t seem to agree on how to make America great, perhaps we can agree on things to avoid. P&C hope that if we can identify really dumb things — things that would undermine our economy, our culture, our defenses, the family, law and order — things that no sensible person would ever want — then maybe we can agree on how to move forward.

Or if you’d rather watch it, here you go.

P&C drink and review a homebrewed Alt beer, then do five topics in five minutes each.

1. Why is natural immunity being ignored by the vaccine proponents? Our goal should be immunity. Why does it matter if it’s from the vaccine or from natural immunity? (Along these lines, see this: Undercover Video: Pfizer Scientists Say Natural Immunity Is Superior and Big Pharma Is Suppressing Info for Money)

2. Why do assassins and mass murderers have three names?

3. What is forest bathing?

4. Indians at the time of Columbus vs. indians at the time of the Mayflower.

5. Who’s the pervert?

P&C drink and review Crowhill’s Tavern Ale, then discuss a local story that went national. The Flashman Incident.

Bob thought he was doing the community a favor by dropping off some of his dad’s old books in the free Tiny Libraries that dotted his neighborhood, but when Pedro took the book to school and his teacher saw some inappropriate language, all Hell broke loose. The social media / woke firestorm threatened to engulf everyone in its way. It’s still unclear what will happen to Bob.

Flashman: A Novel is by George MacDonald Fraser.

P&C drink and review DuClaw’s Mad Bishop, then discuss the temperance movement, and laws about alcohol.

The American temperance movement led to more women participating in politics, and eventually to Prohibition. Looking back on Prohibition, it looks silly. But several trends going on at the time made it less ridiculous than you might think.

Also, contrary to popular belief, it was not an exclusively American phenomenon. The wide availability of cheap liquor created social issues all around the world.

P&C welcome the Ben Franklin Players, who perform a skit called “Schopenhauer’s Evangelist.” Then they drink and review Cigar City’s Margarita Gose.

Schopenhauer was a dour fellow whose philosophy is rather depressing. Life is nothing but endless and useless suffering and striving, he says. Everything stems from a “Will to Life,” which deceives us to continue on this useless treadmill, simply to perpetuate life. Suffering is the default state. Our fleeting enjoyments are the exception.

His proposed path out would satisfy most Buddhists. Pursue a path of asceticism and kill this useless striving.

P&C review a Maibock, then ask at what point has the government gone too far in trying to protect us?

If a citizen is doing something unsafe, should the government step in? If so, in what cases? What are the limiting principles?

There seems to be a sliding scale between areas where government should clearly intervene, and areas where it clearly should not, and it’s hard to come up with a clear red line between them.

P&C drink and review “Slightly Mighty” by Dogfish Head, then review China’s recent crackdowns on video games and effeminate men in movies.

Since the CCP has complete control over technology services in China, they can monitor how much time kids spend playing video games. They’re limiting kids to 3 hours / week, and only on the weekend. 

This is part of a response to an alleged crisis of masculinity in their culture. They’re also proscribing movies that show effeminate men.

This is a common concern in nations that are trying to build an empire. Which tells us about China’s ambitions.

P&C drink and review DuClaw’s Root Beer Float Imperial Brown Ale — part of their Pastryarchy series — then discuss the right to privacy. What is it, where did it come from, and what are its limits?

Recently, Apple has decided it will scan people’s phones for kiddie porn. Can they do that?

“Well, what do you have to hide?”

Is it an admission of guilt to tell people they should mind their own business?

P&C listen to a lot of podcasts, and often trade recommendations on something new or interesting to tickle the ear bones.

Pigweed got on a philosophy kick recently, and we both listened to Stephen West of the Philosophize This! podcast explain and discuss Arthur Schopenhauer, who is a rather depressing fellow, but had some interesting ideas. (Look for a future episode on “Beer and Conversation.”)

Biden should be impeached over Afghanistan

In this episode of Nooze and Booze, the boys drink PB&J whiskey, and review the mess Biden has made of Afghanistan.

Where is the competence we were promised? Where are the adults in the room?

There are lots of unanswered questions about this catastrophe, but Biden has gone back to familiar territory — he lies, when he’s not turning his back on the press. 

P&C expose the lies, review the mistakes, and lament the fact that we have a bumbling idiot in charge.