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After 7 years of being anonymous, 1.5 million words written about beer, and preaching the gospel of Barleywine is Life, Don't Drink Beer's Alex Kidd gets into the deep, dark world of podcasting. Joining him are his co-hosts, comedy writers and performers Stephen Loh and Michael Gabriel. Together they explore the absurd underbelly of the craft beer world while also discussing movies, music, video games, pop culture, and their sad, basement dwelling lives.

Location:

United States

Description:

After 7 years of being anonymous, 1.5 million words written about beer, and preaching the gospel of Barleywine is Life, Don't Drink Beer's Alex Kidd gets into the deep, dark world of podcasting. Joining him are his co-hosts, comedy writers and performers Stephen Loh and Michael Gabriel. Together they explore the absurd underbelly of the craft beer world while also discussing movies, music, video games, pop culture, and their sad, basement dwelling lives.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Batch 307: PRRRTing in the Wind

2/12/2026
Returning to their old way of ranking beers, Alex's video game and Stephen's wrestling rating systems are back for this batch's motley lineup of beers. Bell's Brewery's Hopslam finally makes it on the show. A throwback to the IBU Wars, Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf, takes the Malty Boyz™ back to the mid-2000s. Alex's leather jacket-gate inspires a massive collaboration with Barreled Souls Grifter and Friends strong ale. Then a Drekker's smoothie sour has Alex struggling to wrap his head around... well, craft beer. In the Beer News, Midnight Sun shutters an iconic taproom location while a bear poop fueled press release makes the rounds through the press. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter

Duration:02:21:26

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Batch 306: The Top 5 Whiskeys of 2025

1/29/2026
Alex hunts down the best and most sought after whiskeys released in 2025! E.H. Taylor BTAC, Russell's Reserve 15 Year, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Special Release Tanyard HIll Rye, Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish, and Hill Farmstead Whistle Pig Rye 10 Year all compete for that coveted spot atop the Malt Couture Power Rankings. In the Beer News, the TTB gets served a lawsuit to allow meads, ciders, and fruit wines to display vintages on their labels and the world's oldest monastic brewery in Germany is sold. Thanks to Amory's Tomb Brewing Co. for sponsoring this episode. Visit their newly reopened tap room in Maynard, Massachusetts. Look for them at the New England Real Ale Exhibition from March 25-28 and at Widowmaker's Hopsmokerfest in April! Follow them on IG @AmorysTomb! To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter

Duration:02:07:46

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Batch 305: Barleywine is Life 7: The State of Barleywhales

1/15/2026
Alex and Stephen start 2026 with a visit from Lord Maris for the seventh Barleywine is Life episode with four Barleywhales that have been lighting up the tradeboards on the secondary market. Featuring barleybobs from The Veil (STARVE: Exhibit H), Goose Island (King Henry II), Anchorage Brewing (Penta Oaked A Deal With the Devil), and Half Acre (Bazalt Wilderness of History). In the Beer News, Jim Beam temporarily shutters a distillery, Disneyland offers a $250 adult beverage, and Bells Brewing tests the spelling skills of their fanbase for this year's Hopslam release. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter

Duration:02:03:12

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Batch 304: Good For The Goose, Good For The Gander

1/1/2026
After braving the Black Friday crowds outside Binny's and pissing in bottles in now temperate weather, Alex and Stephen have sourced a horizontal of all six of Goose Island's Bourbon Country Brand Stout releases from this year. They'll be goosin' it, they'll be loosin', and they'll be Power Rankin' it to see how this year's Chicago Juice stacks up. Nothing like 14% ABV beers in the AM to kick off the new year. In the Beer News, the Canadian Brewing Awards integrate AI into their voting system and the judges take a hard stance against the clankers, Bud Light brews beer with melted snow from the Buffalo Bills stadium. Thanks to Uinta Brewing Company for sponsoring this episode. Utah's favorite in '93 has released Cutthroat Zero, their non-alcoholic Pale Ale which is on shelves now! Follow Uinta Brewing Company on Instagram @UintaBrewing. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter

Duration:01:52:10

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Batch 303: The State of Whales Today

12/18/2025
Call us The Malty Boyz™. Some years ago--never mind how long precisely--having little or no malty bucks in our purse, and nothing particular to interest us on the shelves at Binny's, we thought we would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. Now we've slayed many a white whale but it's been a minute since we've searched for a modern day whale. Which is why in this episode, Alex reels in some Schramm's, Hill Farmstead, Moksa, and Perennial Artisan Ales to see what's still worth paying triple digits over in the beer and mead game. In the Beer News, the thrilling conclusion of the Fair State saga, Canada gets its own gas station whale, and beer brewed for an arctic expedition looks to be brought back to life. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter

Duration:01:50:58

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Batch 302: Sober Due Diligence

12/4/2025
After a run of White Whales, Old Money, and lots of fresh hops, Alex and Stephen return to the NA space to Power Rank an XL line-up of beers (and a soda) that have popped up in the Beer News in recent months. Sapporo, Paulaner, Years Beer, Rhinegeist Brewery, and Athletic Brewing Company are all represented for this due diligence episode. In the Beer News, A Class of '88 pillar topples as Rogue Brewing abruptly shutters their operations, The Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy move to Canada in response to visa operations in the US, and Cigar City ditches aluminum and glass as they sell Jai Alai in a plastic five gallon bucket. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:47:00

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Batch 301: When Old is New

11/20/2025
Alex looks into some old dogs learning new tricks as Brasserie Au Baron, Kern River Brewing Company, 3 Fonteinen, Brasserie Fantôme, and Yazoo Brewing Company break from traditions. In the Beer News, Paulaner gets into the soda game, Untappd allows any beverage to be checked in, and craft beer legend and long time New Belgium brewer Lauren Woods Limbach retires after 28 years. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:50:29

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Batch 300: The Oldest Currency

11/6/2025
Alex and Stephen celebrate 300 episodes by cracking open tried and true old money staples and one not so old money beer. Beers from Brasserie de Blaugies, Uerige Obergärige Hausbrauerei, De Ranke, and Sierra Nevada will be put through the Power Rankings treatment. In the Beer News, Schramms Meadery released a batch of The Statement Reserve to help pay off their orchard loan, Sapporo gets in the NA and light beer game in the US, and AB-InBev gets caught doing gimmick infringement with the look of their latest hard tea product line. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:48:39

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Batch 299: Pacific Northwest Fresh Hopstravaganza

10/23/2025
It's fresh hop season and Alex sources four of the best fresh hop beers from the heart of hop country: the Pacific Northwest. Beers from Fremont Brewing, Crux Fermentation Project, Little Beast Brewing, and Gigantic Brewing Company will face off to see who's got the dankest offering this fresh hop season. In the Beer News, Alex recaps the NA winners at GABF, another twist is added to Ballast Point's long, complicated history, Fair State stops being a co-op, and Tree House Brewing Company launches their Barrel Reserve Society and membership sells out immediately. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:59:21

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Batch 298: Oops! All White Whales

10/9/2025
Alex busts out his trusty ticking harpoon and hunts down four beers off the White Whale list. Lost Abbey Veritas 006, Stone Brewing Vertical Epic 02.02.02 Encore, New Glarus R&D Very Sour Blackberry (re-release), and Cantillon Loerik go head-to-head and then get put through the Power Ranking treatment. In the Beer News, a series of closures sadden and anger the craft beer community, Unibroue La Fin du Monde celebrates its 30th anniversary, and John Mulaney releases a line of NA beers. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:43:50

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Batch 297: New Releases, Old Money Brewers

9/25/2025
In one of the most competitive Power Ranking episodes, new releases from Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company, Mcilhenney Brewing Company, and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Brew Co. go head-to-head featuring an array of styles. In the Beer News, longtime Chicago burger joint Burger Antics announces their closure, Charlie Sheen gets into the NA beer space, and Budweiser teams up with Netflix. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:54:23

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Batch 296: Alex Kidd and the Amazing Technicolor 8.4 oz Can

9/11/2025
Alex praises the recent Sierra Nevada Pils releases in 8.4 oz cans! But does he really believe what he says or is this another #nostrilgate? Then Alex and Stephen try some NA beverages and a new contender challenges St. Agrestis for the throne. They try their first NA wine and revisit a NA beer favorite then throw all four drinks through the Power Rankings treatment. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:42:03

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Batch 295: Sober Summer Refreshers

8/30/2025
It was a summer of boozy beers but Alex and Stephen hop back on the NA train with four summer "refreshers." Not quite a cocktail, not at all beer, possibly soda-ish, offerings from Casamara Club, Something & Nothing, Melo, and Pentire battle it out to see if any NA drink is worthy of dethroning St. Agrestis. In the Beer News, new tariffs will hit the beer industry soon, Spindrift 86s their Spiked seltzer line, and Campbell's Soup teams up with Pabst Blue Ribbon for a soup collab no one asked for. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:36:01

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Batch 294: Trappist Punjabi Prison Match

8/14/2025
Alex and Stephen approach completion in trying all the Trappist beers out there as they tick Zundert Trappist, Engelszell Trappist, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, and Mont Des Cats Biere Trappiste. This leaves only 1 Trappist Beer left to try. In the Beer News, Schramm's Mead is for sale Ken Schramm is told to retire due to health complications, Boston Beer Company closes two of their LA ventures including their Truly LA bar, and Bokke releases a $300 lambic saber which sells out almost instantly. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:02:08:43

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Batch 293: Alex & Stephen's Trappist House

7/31/2025
It's a Trappist beer showdown as Alex sources four Trappist beers from three different Trappist breweries that have never been featured on the show, then he and Stephen put the beers through the Power Ranking treatment. In the Beer News, a huge shakeup goes down in the distribution side of the beer world, Buffalo Trace grasps at straws for their next limited release, and it's the annual GOOSE IT OF LOOSE IT! To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:47:19

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Batch 292: Sacramento West Coast IPA Shootout

7/17/2025
Alex and Stephen head to the capitol of their home state to seek out the best West Coast IPAs that haven't been featured on the show. WCIPAs from Slice Beer Co., Shred Beer Company, Bike Dog Brewing Company, and Movement Brewing Co. will be put through the Power Ranking treatment. In the Beer News, disgraced wrestler Hulk Hogan grifts other grifters, King of the Hill's reboot prompts Alamo Beer to make a true-to-show beer label, Mountain Dew teams up with Buffalo Wild Wings for a collab from hell, and and Miller High Life releases a frozen treat for the summer. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:43:19

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Batch 391: Colorado West Coast IPA Shootout

7/3/2025
Alex sources a line-up of four mostly from Colorado West Coast IPAs that have never been featured on the show to see who reigns supreme in the Centennial State! Alex also gives an update about Facebook drama after the Barleywine is Life group gets deleted. In the Beer News, Stephen and Alex try to Blue Moon lip balm, the famed PH1 barrel is now full of Off Color beer as John Laffler reveals what's gestating inside everyone's favorite barrel, New Belgium releases a set of Malort IPAs but the gimmick raises some red flags, mostly stolen valor, and William H. Macy does a whiskey collab that no one asked for. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:59:44

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Batch 290: Just Add a Big Ice Cube

6/19/2025
Alex and Stephen are back in the NA realm as they put 4 NA cocktails through the Power Ranking treatment. The line-up consists of perennial favorite St. Agrestis and their Phony White Negroni, a Paloma from mead masters B. Nektar, a Moscow Mule from Beckett's Tonics, and Stockholms Bränneri Apéro Alcohol Free Aperitif Soda. In the Beer News, the Brewers Association officially recognizes Mexican Lager as a style of beer, Eagle Rare drops one of the most aged bourbons ever, and Blue Moon does a lip balm collab. Stephen calls out Alex for blowing his nose by blowing both nostrils at the same time. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:57:41

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Batch 289: We're All Here Together

6/5/2025
It's the most sacred of all weekends in the Maltyverse as the Malty Boyz™ descend upon the Malt Mansion. You heard that right, the Malty Boyz™, which means Michael's back! Yes! They're all here together for Batch 289. Alex curates an insane line-up for this batch where all the Malty Boyz™ are back together including a batch 1 Bookers and they tick another White Whale beer when they try Brandy Vanilla Dark Lord. In the Beer News, the Boyz discuss famed brewer and Beachwood Brewing owner Julian Shrago joining Urban Roots, the closing of a Netherlands Trappist brewery, watches made from beer barrels, a new batch of King Henry from Goose Island, and a Timberland collab with Pabst Blue Ribbon. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:44:36

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Batch 288: Well, It Was A Good Day At Pebble Beach For Us

5/22/2025
Grabs your clubs, we're cracking NA beers and putting up bogeys! Alex and Stephen try a wholesome foursome of NA beers from Resident Culture Brewing, Fieldwork Brewing Co., Burial Beer Co., and Golden Road Brewing. Alex reveals he knows nothing about the world of fine art. In the Beer News, PH1 lands in the hands of John Laffler at Off Color Brewing which is very exciting news if you were old enough to drive a car when 9/11 happened, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout will make their 10oz bottle debut this year, and Campari enters the RTD NA cocktail game. To get involved with the "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer. If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe. For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation. Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Duration:01:37:34