Podcast
Malt Couture
Hosted by DontDrinkBeer · EN
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.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Batch 314: Keeping Together Battles The Barrel-Aged Robots
2w ago02:11:44Tap to summarizeWhat happens in the Power Rankings when a 6% Barrel-Aged Ale from Keeping Together in collaboration with Hill Farmstead takes on the ABV heavy Barrel-Aged beers from The Veil and Hair of the Dog, Revolution Brewing, and Wax Wings Brewing Co.? Oh, Keeping Together, they don't believe us. But you won't let those Barrel-Aged robots defeat us. In the Beer News, the aluminum can supply is in short supply for the rest of the decade, St. Agrestis, makers of Phony Negroni, get bought out by The Wine Group and Alex and Stephen fall on different sides of the fence for the future of their favorite NA RTD, and Ryan Air's CEO says drunk passengers are disrupting their flight schedules. Thanks to Zymarium Meadery for sponsoring this episode. Follow them on IG @Zymarium. To shop their selection of meads for pick up or delivery check out their online shop. Join their Barrel-Aged Mead Membership group Order of the Golden Honeybee for six member exclusive bottles! 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.
Transcribe →Batch 313: California Classic Part II
4w ago02:09:50Tap to summarizeThere's a rumble in the Golden State as the second iteration of the California Classic sees rare gems from Lost Abbey, Alesmith Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company, and North Park Beer Company get put through the Power Ranking treatment. In the Beer News, it's more California content as Toronado finally finds a new owner, Stone Brewing gets hot potato'ed to Firestone Walker who's owned by Duvel USA, and the residents of Oakland can enjoy $3 beers as long as they're craving a burger to go with it. Thanks to Sante Adairius Rustic Ales for sponsoring this episode. Follow them on IG @RusticAles. Check out their shop for SARA merch including glassware and apparel. If you live in California or Oregon you can have SARA beers shipped right to your doorstep. Visit them in Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Oakland! Membership for SARA's Cellar 2026 is now open! 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.
Transcribe →Batch 312: New England Mosh Pit*
Apr 2301:58:42Tap to summarizeEVERYONE GET IN THE PIT! It's a New England throw down with beers from Treehouse Brewing, Trillium Brewing, Alchemist Brewing, and a homebrew from Massachusetts filled with double barleywines and experimental hops. In the Beer News, Firestone Walker assumes stewardship of Trumer Pils, a new Teku mug enters the arena, and the Costco hot dog aesthetic once again graces the limited drop black market. Thanks to Highland Park Brewery for sponsoring this episode. Follow them on IG @HighlandParkBrewery. Check out their new Fresh Friends club for California residents. Grab some merch in their shop and rep Sad Cat or get ready for baseball season. Mark your calendars for Burger Month during May and Timbo Week starts July 13th. Look for their collab with Monkish at LA Beer Week. 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.
Transcribe →Batch 311: Stupid, Sexy White Diddly Whales
Apr 901:43:32Tap to summarizeIn one of the wildest Power Ranking throwdowns, a white whale from the year 2000 by De Dolle Brouwers finds itself up against barrel-aged barleywines from Brujos Brewing and Dimensional Brewing Company and a locals only single-barrel 2026 BCBS. In the Beer News, beer sales on St. Patrick's Day have bounced back, Chicago claims the American English Mild Ale crown for the three-peat, and Tilray teams up with an American legacy brand Popsicle. Thanks to Trillium Brewing for sponsoring this episode. Follow them on IG @TrilliumBrewing. Check out their latest releases and collab beers here. Don't sleep on their spirits program either. Look out for their West Coast IPA collab with Sante Adairius, Monkish, and Side Project at the 2026 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest. 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.
Transcribe →Batch 310: Bottles with Backstories
Mar 2601:39:47Tap to summarizeAlex won his first ever razzle in order to put this episode together when he sources a hazy DIPA from Threat Beer Company. A mysterious benefactor sells Alex a Stone Stonewall bottle from 2005. Then rounding out the Bottleshare is the 2025 Toronado Barleywine Festival winner from Wonderous Brewing Co. and a love letter to Dark Lord from a bunch of basement dwellers in Chicago. In the Beer News, George Clooney gets involved in the NA beer game and Half Acre and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery merge to form a new Chicago beverage platform. 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.
Transcribe →Batch 309: Cool Aunts and Ice In Your Wine
Mar 1201:47:34Tap to summarizeWe all had one. She'd buy you tickets to R-rated movies or go on pre-Thanksgiving dinner walks. She adds Coke and ice to her red wine and smokes slims. She's your cool aunt and she's not judging anyone for drinking NA beers. The Malty Boyz™ also do their due diligence when they crack open Bud Light Blizzard Brew and take in the terroir of HIghmark Stadium. In the Beer News, Tilray acquires BrewDog, Michelob Ultra Zero becomes the king of NA beers, and a SoCal beer icon is blowin' in the wind. 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. 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
Transcribe →Batch 308: Geriatric Millennial Grifters
Feb 2602:03:13Tap to summarizeAlex tracks down another White Whale as Surly Darkness Batch 1 lands on the show and finds itself in the mix with Holy Mountain Brewing Company's Summoning Spell, Bissell Brothers' Brewing Super Swish, and Fiddlehead Brewing's Second Fiddle. In the Beer News, a beloved SoCal brewery closes shop, BrewDog announces they're being sold but not without tons of drama, and Budweiser takes the top spot in this year's Super Bowl commercial rankings according to USA Today. 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
Transcribe →Batch 307: PRRRTing in the Wind
Feb 1202:21:26Tap to summarizeReturning 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
Transcribe →Batch 306: The Top 5 Whiskeys of 2025
Jan 2902:07:46Summary readyAlex 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
SummaryBatch 305: Barleywine is Life 7: The State of Barleywhales
Jan 1502:03:12Tap to summarizeAlex 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
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