Good Swill Hunting - A Budget Beer Review Podcast

Rick Speed is our beer Santa Claus and he's bringing his bag of goodies for a second year in a row. Matt joins us again, as we step away from swill for this special episode and try some of the absolute best seasonal beer you can get. Multiple flavors of Highland Brewing's Cold Mountain, Burial Skillet Cakes, and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout. Rick shares why he likes to age beer and explains the more important reason for why he hangs on to special release beers.

Matt is back! It's all the holiday cheer we need here! We're celebrating with a Texas swill, which is fitting because it's where Matt has been for months. We'll talk about some beer holiday traditions, including a giant keg tree in Rochester, and learn about more highly sought after beer gifts this holiday. It's that time of year!

Many consider this a seasonal flavored beer and it's one that won't break the bank. We're trying this colorful choice from Chippewa Falls as we get into December. We have gift ideas for beer lovers! And, you won't believe the new use we found for beer that doesn't involve drinking it.

This swill is straight from the creators of the hit series "Yellowstone." It came out in 2022, but started making its rounds across the U.S. this past year. Of course, we had to try it. We'll talk about where this beer is from, our thoughts on the flavor, and we'll chat about the drama of Yellowstone the series and the talk around what's going on with season 5 part 2.

A reason to be thankful! Celebration is, in our opinion, the IPA flavor of the holidays and truly a reason to celebrate because it's actually pretty cheap! We're going heavy on the pine tree perfume and loving it with this beer, which is hard to call swill. It's too high of quality. Sierra Nevada started brewing a variation of this back in 1981 and it has grown to legendary status. We talk about what's so special about this IPA, the recipes using this beer including a sausage wreath, and our favorites around Thanksgiving! Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a match made in...Pennsylvania. Two iconic American brands that delight our taste buds for different reasons are joined together in holy maltrimony. Yuengling and Hershey's. They've been together for six years brewing up this very affordable Porter and we're trying it! Rick weighs in on the impending holiday mail tsunami, we talk Porters, some history on these legendary brands, and what's the difference between a Porter and a Stout? Oh, and where's Matt!?

We're trying a beer brewed by a retired philosophy teacher out of Farmville, NC. Duck Rabbit is widely sold and distributed, and it's somewhat of a beer staple in our home state. We're thrilled to be back in Stout Season, but Rick says he drinks them year-round. In this episode, why is it called "milk" stout? Why does this count as swill? And, what is the best way to drink it?

Beer, pumpkin, cinnamon, and spice? New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger line is spicing things up this fall with this festive flavor. In this Episode, we are floored by this one, we broach the topic of whether pumpkin belongs in the 400 different kinds of pumpkin beers out there, and we talk about how long brewmasters have been serving up this concoction. Also, there's much more to do with pumpkin than just beer and a latte.

We're tapping into Spoetzl Brewery once again for their special Oktoberfest. We couldn't resist this swill because it was cheap and we've loved everything else they've put out. We also miss Matt, who is STILL in Texas. In this episode, find out why beer could be the secret to living to 100. We also talk a little about why marzens are the traditional go-to each fall. And, Rick tells us why you need to show your postmen and postwomen some love!

The official Oktoberfest may be over, but we're not. This is a packed episode, as we try this swill brewed by none other than Genesee! Did they nail it? Rick brings on some beer flavored pretzels to go with. Also, why more people attended Oktoberfest this year; but drank less? Plus, our big question for the beer drinking monkey in Indianapolis.

Fall is in the air, but there's still time for one last lake beer. This beer is available only in certain states (the midweset) and has a number of premium ingredients, but it's the rice that might give it the pleasant flavor it has. In this episode, Rick shares his love for bugs and Matt is back in Texas; but he joins us by phone.

We're back in Minnesota this episode and checking another off our list from the Grain Belt and Schell label. Nordeast is served up at Target Field and is a Minneapolis staple. But it comes from New Ulm, which is a ways South of the twin cities. Our conversation about this beer has us talking about everything from Gnomes to our favorite Halloween candy. Also, we're going camping! Send us your recommendations for camping beer and food--and we'll review it.

It sounds like 'Glick.' Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about a Minnesota standard. This 'Pilsner Pale Ale' was brought to us by another friend of GSH. How do we feel about this pilsner with a punch? Rick talks about cans and dates. Matt has a story from Minnesota that involves grits and a Waffle House. Blaine has plenty of experiences from the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" to make up for the both of them.

This beer is brewed with water from an artesian well. That's all you need to say, but there's so much more to hear about Matt's trip to Shiner, Texas where he collected and brought back this limited distribution beer. How does this beer stand up to the well-known Bock? Why can't we get it everywhere? We've got some explanations of sorts.

Coming to you from the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte, NC! This special episode is packed full of good times to celebrate our 100 episodes of Good Swill. We review two staples of Charlotte's staple bar that has overcome corporate development literally coming in from all sides. The tops are popped on Miller High Life and Coors Banquet in a place where there are other kinds of tops hanging from the ceiling. We talk about history, music, and get a visit from a birthday girl, as we soak up this celebration!

Rick returns from his home state of New Jersey with a classic beer. Ballantine Ale is brewed by Pabst, but the Ballantine & Sons origins date back to the 1800's. In this episode, hear why a field trip from Rick's childhood relates to this brewery. Also, it's episode 99! Join us as we get ready for our centenary!

Hang on for this whirlwind of a trip to Boston. Well, at least a trip in our minds to get a taste of Harpoon Brewery's finest. Our former host and friend John Lohr brought us this swill from the North. Fair warning this episode, as Matt sends this American Flyer in a tail spin with tongue punches and puns.

When you have more friends, you get more beer! We’ve got another one from a friend of Good Swill Hunting who is the first ever to join us as a guest by phone. Buckeye Beer is a special hometown beer for many like Andrew Lewandowski who bought us this beer. It's brewed by Maumee Bay Brewing, has a low price, loads of flavor; but most importantly, this is a unique regional beer giving us a sip of the culture and history brewed in Toledo, Ohio.

We're excited to try this Farmhouse Ale from Wisconsin. It's, award winning, highly rated, and highly sought after; so we think we'll be over the moon for it. Thank you to Carrington for bringing it by our studio! No matter how good this Swill is, Bryan will always find something to say--but it's not about the flavor of the beer this time. Join us for another good time and great insight on this beer!

This regional beer is a special delivery from Detroit, thanks to a good friend of GSH. It's also one of the very few beers none of the guys have ever tried! Like many regional swills, it's owned by Pabst; but has strong family roots that originated where? You guessed it. Germany. The GSH team talks about this throwback looking beer, questions about the year printed on the can, its history, and Rick has some advice when it comes to who's allowed to open and close your mailbox.