Beer and Bullsh*t

Ben chats with filmmaker, actor, and comedian Rob Baker about his CBC documentary series, Locals Welcome, his short film, The Light Before The Sun, and why he fights someone every day. Plus they share hilarious riffs on suffering through terrible comedy, disease, and dead dads.

Ben offers up a quick round-up of local beer news, including a look at how terrible things are and a not-unrelated look at the Premier of Ontario's latest efforts to get 'er done. 

Ben and co-host Chris Schryer welcome Obie Simmonds and Ania Donich of the Canadian Brewing Awards to talk about the beer awards landscape, being a "a non-beer guy" in the beer industry, trying to make craaft beer relevant to Joe Schmo, and leveraging influencers; plus Obie kind of sort gives us a sneak peek at "The Best Beer Project" and his plans ofr taking on Untappd. 

Ben and Chris celebrate 101 episodes with a live streamed video episode featuring a special message from Buck Martinez, a surprise call-in from Indie Alehouse’s Jason Fisher, and wa back log of burning listener questions; plus we discuss convenience store beer, the new wave of Ontario beer influencers, Hazy IPA monoculture, and the all mighty lager.

Ben chats with Brad Campeau of Brew Donkey and goes deep on all things Ottawa. Yes, Ottawa! They talk about why Ottawa beer folks might have a bit of a chip on their shoulder, TICO, zip zip zip hooray, cannabis, and why Brad's all in on "a really expensive way to get drunk."

Ben welcomes guest co-host Christ Schryer to chat with Richard Preiss, cofounder of Escarpment Labs, to talk about harvesting yeast from a wasp’s guts, ice machine drains, and their merger with Le Labo Solutions Brassicole to become Canada's Big Yeast. Plus fun facts about Wayne Gretzky, how to make your taproom more profitable, and why lambic romanticism has faded and nobody is using their stupid coolships any more. 

Ben chats with Alex and Emily of Lovebird Brewing about their transition from contract brewing for their eponymous snack club to building a bricks and mortar spot in Meaford, plus putting the GGBA on the map, east coast-style barbecue, reluctant AGCO compliance, and converting the après ski crowd to saisons.

Ben chats with Emma Maganja, Worker Owner at London Brewing, about running a brewery as a co-operative, the pros and cons of being organic, Euchre nights, converting her dad from Rickard's Red, and her company's ongoing blood feud with Gavin Anderson. 

Ben sits down with Chris Schryer of the Toronto Beer Podcast to talk about the decline of beer writing, mediocre BBC/CBC Christmas dramas from the 1970s, the inside scoop on the Canada Post strike, and why Chris is missing out by skipping Die Hard and all the MCU movies.

Ben unveils his new gig as "beer selector" for London's Bicycle Cafe, talks about Getting Struck, the Burdock Brewery / Kirkland Signature partnership we need, and the top selling beers in the LCBO this year. 

Ben welcomes Matt Park of Toronto's Burdock Brewery to discuss secret concerts, hosting literal gong shows, the burden of being Katie Perry's Sister's favourite pickle seltzer, and brewing the McRib of the beer world. 

Ben chats with Curt Thomas, brewer and co-founder of Three Sheets Brewing in Port Elgin about brewing beer in cottage country, learning the ropes from the Godfather of Craft Brewing, cyanide beer, and his disdain for Belgian beer.

Ben and Chris drop a rare Friday check-in just to offer the fans some proof of life, celebrate the complete roster for the Lil’ Bullshitters baseball team, discuss Ron Perlman vs Rhea Perlman, and toast the opportunity to buy booze from a convenience store at 7am. 

Ben and Chris talk beer glassware, renting a van to get out and try more beer, cheers etiquette, drinking from the bottle, and advice on starting a craft brewery--plus Ben suspects his Fiitbit knows too much, the team tries to recruit players to the Lil’ Bullshitters to win the Brewer’s Ball, and more. 

Ben and Chris talk about the end of the LCBO strike, the best toppings for a hot a dog. unionizing brewery employees, homegrown weed, magazines, and so much more!

On the four year anniversary of the show's launch, Ben and Chris chat about the LCBO strike and Charlie Sheen's fastball plus we take a look back (and listen!) to our very first episode on July 11, 2021 featuring Greg Taylor of Steam Whistle Brewing. 

Ben and Chris welcome Nick Baird and Adil Ahmad to the studio (no, really, there’s a studio now!) to discuss the end of Beerlab! and the brith of Supply and Demand — the duo’s pizza and live entertainment-based rebrand. Plus they talk traditional decoction methods, David Wilcox, hand-selecting hops, constructive criticism for homebrewers, and, for some reason, basic economic principles. 

Ben and Chris chat with Brad Clifford of Clifford Brewing about his early days as a nano-brewer in Toronto and his move to Hamilton, the soon-to-be-cool NOBA district, why he enters — and wins! — so many damn awards, and why he doesn’t actually drink that much porter. Plus: Cliffolini! Charles Grodin cult classics! A barking dog!