Beats, Beards & Brews

Put on your big boy — or big girl — pants and maybe grab a beverage for a little bit of liquid courage, as we've got an extra spooky edition of Beats, Beards & Brews for you! Eric and Dan return to their respective mics to review Bloody Hammers' latest, Misfits-inspired, horror punk album Songs of Unspeakable Terror. Bloody Hammers tracks previewed on this episode include: "A Night to Dismember" "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" "Not Of This Earth" Things get a little less spooky during the beard portion of the podcast, as Dan and Eric share their thoughts on the Nightfall "Evening Cologne" scented beard oil from Copper Johns Beard Company. Eric thinks it smells kind of like Irish Spring soap. Dan isn't so sure. But one thing's for certain ... it's Dad-approved. Finally, the boys sip on some flavorful peanut butter craft brews. Dan drinks down the Badger Snack Peanut Butter Stout by Badger Hill Brewing based out of Shakopee, Minnesota. Meanwhile, Eric tastes Tommy Thai One On, a peanut butter porter brewed

It's the first episode of Beats, Beards & Brews in 2021 and the boys are getting rowdy. In a somewhat NSFW episode, Eric, Evan and Dan share their thoughts on The Dirty Nil's third studio album Fuck Art, misheard lyrics and all. If you like rock n roll riffs and catchy punk hooks, dive on in. The Dirty Nil tracks previewed on this episode include: "Doom Boy" "Done With Drugs" "Damage Control" Next up, Dan and Eric review not one ... not two ... but THREE carbon fiber combs from Chicago Comb Co. Dan gives his take on the Model No. 6 Carbon Fiber "everyday styling/standard comb." Meanwhile, Eric reviews the Model No. 7 Carbon Fiber "pick comb" and reveals whether his original five-star review for the Model No. 8 Carbon Fiber "detangling comb" still holds up. For the beer portion of the episode, the boys review some Double Hazy IPAs. Evan and Eric drink down the Batch 1365 Hazy Double IPA from Confluence Brewing Co. in Des Moines and Dan sips on Hop Spin #1: Double Dry Hopped, Double Hazy IPA from Insight

The boys return to their respective mics for the final time in 2020 to celebrate the 100th episode of the Beats, Beards & Brews podcast! To mark this momentous occasion, Eric, Evan and Dan selected three albums they missed a chance to review on the podcast this year ... and proceed to do exactly that! Their album picks include Figure by Into It. Over It., Expectations by Katie Pruitt and Ravening Iron by Eternal Champion. These are not necessarily their selections for top album of the year, though they agree the albums are all worthy of your time and attention. Songs previewed in this episode include: "Courtesy Greetings" by Into It. Over It. "Expectations" by Katie Pruitt "A Face in the Glare" by Eternal Champion Next up, it's time for "Sudsin' It Up With the Boys." Evan, Dan and Eric all grabbed some Big Ass Bricks of Beer Soap from Duke Cannon. Eric and Evan share their take on The Patriot Collection featuring The Great American Beer Soap, while Dan reviews the Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA edition of

Eric, Evan and Dan don't just invite anyone to join them in recording the Beats, Beards & Brews podcast ... so you know it's a special occasion when we have a guest on the show. Our long-time pal — and resident The Smashing Pumpkins expert — Alex joins us as we review the alternative rock legend's new synth-pop inspired double album, CYR. The Smashing Pumpkins tracks previewed on this episode include: "Cyr" "Anno Satana" "Wyttch" "Save Your Tears" Eric drops some quick hit recommendations for winter holiday beard oils, if you're into that sort of thing. His selections include: "Abomintable" by Iowa Beard Company (Smells like: Hot Cocoa, Mint/Candy Cane, Sweet Tobacco and more) "The Claus" by Fable Beard Company (Smells like: Frosted Sugar Cookies) "Joy" by Can You Handlebar (Smells like: Peppermint & Clary Sage) To close out the episode, Evan, Alex and Eric drink and rate both the Oatmeal Cookie Stout and St. Nick's Gingerbread Inspired Ale from Confluence Brewing Company. Meanwhile, Dan drinks an

Rock 'n' roll legends AC/DC are back in 2020 to make everyone's year a little brighter — and a lot more rockin' — with their 17th studio album PWR/UP aka POWER UP. How does the new album compare to the band's classic releases? Tune in to find out. AC/DC tracks previewed on this episode include: "Shot in the Dark" "Through the Mists of Time" "Money Shot" Next up, Eric shares some of his extensive hair and beard comb knowledge just in time for the "Combsgiving" holiday season. What makes him the expert? Personal experience of course. Eric provides recommendations that include combs made of plastic, wood, ox horn, and carbon fiber. Meanwhile, Dan shares his go-to Kent pocket comb alternative that is also linked below. Combs mentioned in the "Combsgiving" segment include: Kent Hand Made Sawcut Combs (6T and 12T) — Plastic Beardbrand's Large Comb (Official Website) — Plastic Myhsmooth Sandalwood Comb (Amazon) — Wood Ox Horn Beard Comb (Beard Octane) — Ox Horn Chicago Comb Co. Model No. 8 (Official Website) — Ca

Get ready to break out the tissues, as Eric, Evan, and Dan review yet another 2020 "sad boi" music release. Eels' 13th studio album Earth to Dora explores the full gamut of happy and sad moments that occur during the course of a relationship, and it provides a fittingly mellow, indie rock soundtrack for the colder fall months. Eels tracks previewed on this episode include: "Are We Alright Again" "I Got Hurt" "Baby Let's Make It Real" Now that you're good and sad, it's time for a Beats, Beards & Brews' Movember "Quarantine Wellness Check." The boys share some of the ways they are staying sane and semi-healthy while doing their best to remain socially distant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now's the time to check your habits and touch base with your fellow bearded and non-bearded brothers, too. As the seasons change, it's also time to shelf those Hazy IPAs and break out the heavy-duty, flavorful stouts! Evan and Eric sip on Hard No, a 6.4% abv gingerbread coffee pastry stout from 515 Brewing in Des Moines,

At Beats, Beards & Brews, we're all about value. In this episode, we give you two album reviews for the price of one! Eric, Evan and Dan check out the latest releases from British rockers The Struts (Strange Days) and U.S. rockers Spirit Adrift (Enlightened in Eternity). We skip the beard portion of the episode this go-round to save you time. Songs previewed in this episode include: "Burn It Down" (The Struts) "Cosmic Conquest" (Spirit Adrift) "Do You Love Me" (KISS) "Harmony of the Spheres" (Spirit Adrift) For the beer portion of the episode, the boys review some chocolate porters. Evan and Eric share their thoughts on the Fun Size Salted Chocolate Porter from Lion Bridge Brewing Co. in Cedar Rapids, IA. Meanwhile, Dan rates the CPB Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter from Lupulin Brewing Co. in Big Lake, MN.

Eddie Van Halen — easily one of the greatest guitarists of all time, if not the greatest guitarist of all time — died on October 6, 2020. This episode is our tribute to all-things Van Halen. The boys dive into some band history and share some of their favorite tunes. Van Halen songs previewed on the episode include: Top Jimmy (1984) Why Can't This Be Love? (5150) Unchained (Fair Warning) Panama (1984) Eddie Van Halen rightfully steals much of the spotlight in this recording. In the beard portion of the episode, the boys remind everyone that now is the time to shop at and support local businesses. Eric mentions another exciting limited edition fall beard product release from Iowa Beard Co. — Hatbox. Meanwhile, everyone drinks and reviews Alpha King Pale Ale from 3 Floyds Brewing Co. out of Munster, Indiana. A legendary beer drank in tribute to a legendary guitarist. RIP Eddie Van Halen! Podcast bonus content: Eric mentions an article written by Chuck Klosterman that ranks all of the Van Halen songs. Here's t

There were several albums Eric, Evan, and Dan could have reviewed on this episode of Beats, Beards & Brews. But Public Enemy's fifteenth studio album What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? managed to "beat them all" — *cough* it's clever because that's the name of a track on the album *cough*. Cue the boomer humor. While our reviews of the new album vary, we can all agree that Chuck D and Flavor Flav's rhymes are still extremely relevant in 2020. Public Enemy tracks previewed on this episode include: GRID [feat. Cypress Hill and George Clinton] State of the Union (STFU) [feat. DJ Premier] Fight the Power: Remix 2020 [feat. Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, Jahi, YG, and Questlove] Later in the episode, the boys discuss whether beard products are BS or not — you may think you know our answers, but do you really? — and they drop a review of Verbal Tip New England IPA from Falling Knife Brewing Co. out of Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you're all hanging in there and staying healthy in these trying times. B

The last time Evan and Eric recorded an episode of Beats, Beards & Brews together — minus Dan — it was right before COVID-19 hit the U.S. in full force. Since that went so well, the duo decided it was time to reunite for a review of Napalm Death's 16th studio album Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism. Eric drops some knowledge about the grindcore music genre. Evan revisits blast beats. This is angry music for angry boys (and girls). Enjoy the ride and maybe learn something new. Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism tracks previewed on the episode include: Backlash Just Because Amoral A Bellyful of Salt and Spleen Eric switches gears for the beard/men's grooming portion of the episode and reviews the Haddonfield Limited Edition Pomade from The Classics Pomade Company. Keep an eye out on the company's Instagram page for more fun limited edition styling products during spooky season and beyond. In the beer portion of the episode, Evan and Eric say farewell to summer by drinking and reviewing Pineapple

On another very special quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys check out the 20th Anniversary Edition remaster of In Flames' game-changing melodic death metal album Clayman. Eric, Evan and Dan reminisce about discovering the "Pinball Map" music video for the first time and they reflect on how one band from Gothenburg, Sweden, impacted the lives of three teenagers growing up in Des Moines, Iowa. Clayman tracks previewed on the episode include: "Only for the Weak" (2020 remaster) "Only for the Weak" (2020 rerecording) "Pinball Map" (2020 remaster) While we're all stuck indoors, the seasons continue to change. As the fall weather slowly creeps in, Eric shares his thoughts on Iowa Beard Company's Hitchhiker Limited Edition Fall/Halloween Scent of beard oil and beard butter. Listen in to find out why Eric can't stop huffing this intriguing and slightly spooky scent blend. For the beer portion of the episode, the three amigos once again align in their beverage choices as they explore the brave

Welcome to yet another action-packed quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews! This time the boys attempt to escape from the reality of the pandemic through the music of Vancouver-based power metal band Unleash the Archers. The album in question, Abyss, is full of fantasy lyrics, shredding guitars and soaring vocals. Seriously, Brittney Hayes (aka Brittney Slayes) is one of the better vocalists in the game right now. Check 'em out! While Dan is feelin' the fantasy in his metal, he's not feelin' it in his beard oil or lack thereof. Eric reviews two CBD beard oils from Fable Beard Co., who we have reviewed on our podcast a few times now and Eric has mostly enjoyed — the company even made his recent top five list. The Roaster, a roasted coffee scented beard oil, and The Angler, an oceanic cologne scented beard oil, are both available for purchase on Fable's alternate CBD website. Is CBD beard oil worth all the hype? Listen and find out! For the beer portion of the episode, the guys enter the world of the

In the 90th episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, Eric and Dan do a deep dive on Deep Purple's 21st studio album Whoosh! OK, so Dan only listened through it once. But hey, he still has some deep thoughts on this legendary rock band's modern output. Deep Purple songs previewed during this episode include: Throw My Bones We're All the Same in the Dark The Power of the Moon Eric grabbed a bottle of Zeus Beard Shampoo — of the sandalwood variety — to review for the beard portion of the episode. Dan gave this beard wash a solid review on a previous episode ... but does it hold up to Eric's stringent "Sudsin' It Up" beard wash standards??? Tune in to find out! Finally, the duo drops their reviews of two fully flavored craft brews. Eric shares his take on the Cucumber Kölsch from Lion Bridge Brewing out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Meanwhile, Dan rates Sicario Piña from 3 Floyds Brewing Co. out of Munster, Indiana.

In a very special artist tribute episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys dive into their picks for most underrated and enjoyable Iron Maiden albums of all time. Their selections are as follows: Killers (1981), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), and Brave New World (2000). Iron Maiden songs previewed during this episode include: "Murders in the Rue Morgue" (Killers) "Can I Play With Madness" (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son) "The Wicker Man" (Brave New World) "2 Minutes to Midnight" (Rock in Rio) Eric shares his thoughts on the Beard Oil Sample 5-Pack from Last Looks Grooming Company, a fun, movie-themed beard oil company out of Los Angeles. Eric challenges Dan and Evan to classic game of "Guess That Beard Oil Scent Profile," and hey, Dan actually gets close on a couple. Evan and Eric circle back to the Iron Maiden theme as they review the TROOPER, a 4.7% abv "premium British beer" brewed by Robinsons Brewery in collaboration with Iron Maiden. Dan strikes up a One Man Mosh Pit as he drinks the 7.2% abv

It's hard to believe we're already more than halfway through the dumpster fire of a year that is 2020 ... but hey, at least we got plenty of music to get us through the tough times! Rather than picking our favorite albums of 2020 so far, we decided to select three albums that we "missed" a chance to review on the podcast this year. Those albums include: Circles by Mac Miller (Evan's Pick) Healer by Grouplove (Dan's Pick) Opulent Decay by Spell (Eric's Pick) Eric is feelin' quite positive this episode and actually enjoys all of the albums selected — or at least appreciates what they bring to the table. Dan and Evan ... well you'll just have to tune in. On another note of positivity, check out The Mac Miller Fund. It seems like a good cause that helps support young musicians battling addiction (Miller died of an accidental drug overdose at 26). Also: Eric did put together a Spotify playlist of select tracks from his favorite albums of 2020 so far, if you're at all interested. Beyond the music, Eric created a

In the latest episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys tackle men's fashion during the quarantine, including one very iconic look. Dan, Evan and Eric then dive into a review of the third studio album by HAIM titled Women in Music Part III. The group consists of three sisters who blend pop, rock, and even some R&B into their hooks. HAIM songs previewed in this episode include: I Know Alone Don't Wanna Now I'm in It Eric drops a review of Snake Oil Beard Oil that his barber, Chuck, at Franklin Barber Shop created. The gang also discuss the joys of finding a good barber — cherish it while you can, boys! Evan and Eric sip on Confluence Brewing's Blue Corn Lager Con Chiles and also drop a review of its Batch 1252 Hazy Double IPA. Meanwhile, Dan drinks down Bad Weather Brewing Company's Hopcromancer IPA. Confluence is based out of Des Moines, Iowa. Bad Weather Brewing is based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Oh, and no matter what Dan thinks, those "bonus tracks" on the HAIM album are totally part of the

Dan, Evan and Eric embrace the quarantine sadness, as they review singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers' second studio album Punisher. Eric thinks the 25-year-old's marketing is on-point. Evan is looking forward to the next album. Dan just really enjoys the music — but don't call him a punisher! Phoebe Bridgers songs previewed on this episode include: Kyoto Halloween Graceland Too Eric reviews The Beard Baron's Boardwalk beard oil, a limited edition summer scent blend of grape, lemon and lime. Dan isn't sure if he would want grape on his face. Eric doesn't mind it. Dan drops a review of Mass Haze-teria a 6.7% abv double dry-hopped IPA from Pryes Brewing Company. Eric and Evan sip on multiple brews from 1717 Brewing, including the Des Moines Rugger Blonde Ale and the Irish Red, among other flavors. Eric and Evan's commentary eventually gets Dan revved — rubbed? — up, signaling the end of the episode.

"There's a lot of uncomfortable white people in America right now." Dan and Eric review Run the Jewel's latest album RTJ4 and, inevitably, the discussion turns political. While the boys generally steer clear of politics on the pod, some needed conversation is had and the new RTJ album is a fitting soundtrack for the times. Run the Jewels songs previewed on this episode include: Walking in the Snow Ooh La La (feat. Greg Nice & DJ Premier) Ju$t (feat. Pharrell Williams & Zack de la Rocha) Eric rates the Beard Wash and Co Wash from Iowa Beard Co. These products are good on their own, but the duo shines when used together to leave your beard soft, silky and smooth. Sorry, no code on this one, Eric never got a chance to look into it! Also in this episode, Dan drinks and reviews Partying Past Burning Bridges, a 6.66% abv dip hopped IPA by Fair State Brewing Cooperative and 3 Floyds Brewing Co. Eric sips on Blood Orange Bohemian, a 5.0% abv fruited sour ale by Exile Brewing Co. Remember, now is the time to

The boys are now 10 quarantine episodes deep. And more regular podcast recording means more wild card music reviews. This time, the gang dives into The 1975's fourth studio album Notes on a Conditional Form. The album is one hour and 20 minutes of spoken word, punk rock, pop rock, synth-pop, and more. The music is all over the place ... for better or worse. Eric decides to take a break from the beard portion of the podcast this episode as he tries out new products, including Iowa Beard Company's Beard Wash and Co Wash (stay tuned for his review in an upcoming episode of Beats, Beards & Brews!). Evan and Eric drink Summer Fling Pineapple IPA from Mistress Brewing out of Ankeny, Iowa. This dangerously smooth 8% abv beverage is Eric's pick for "beer of the summer 2020." Whoa! Meanwhile, Dan sips on Solarama Crush, a double dry-hopped honey, hazy American IPA from 56 Brewing in Minneapolis. Never forget this out of context gem of a quote from Dan: "Everybody in the Braak household gets a facial!" If only ever

After Weezer and Bon Jovi both delayed the release of their new albums, Dan, Evan and Eric pivot to reviewing Reunions, the latest album from alt-country superstars Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Jason Isbell's thoughtful lyrics manage to connect with everyone. It must be the quarantine. Getting us all stirred up emotionally. For the beard portion of the podcast, Eric drops a review of Beardbrand's Tea Tree Styling Balm — a styling product from a beard company that he put on his hair and not on his beard. Evan invites Eric out for ice cream. Including that here in the show notes so Evan does not back down on his promise of ice cream. Finally, in the beer portion of the episode, Eric and Evan drink and review Bixby, an 8.2% imperial sour ale from Lua Brewing in Des Moines. Dan imbibes some Löyly, a 7.1% sahti-style farmhouse ale from Hammerheart Brewing in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Interesting brews for interesting times.