Beer and Bullsh*t Ben Johnson

Ben and Chris are back for a poolside episode to discuss the return of Canadian Beer News, help a listener with a chalkboard dilemma, and Chris samples a new THC-infused beverage. We investigate the inflated claims that NA beer is our lord and saviour, and Ben makes his pitch for a live version of the podcast at the Canadian Brewing Awards. Plus Chris previews his one man show about his mom, people get carved, and the guys are ATTACKED BY WILD RACCOONS!

Ben and Chris chat with Matt Giffen, owner and founder of Bench Brewing in Lincoln, Ontario, about the importance of sustainability, irrigating their eight acre farm/brewery, using Niagara fruits in the brewing process, and embracing old world brewing techniques -- plus the three former South Lions get into high school trivia and try to make this already-niche podcast even more niche. Iron 'em out!

When Ben and Chris are ghosted by this week’s guest, they opt to discuss the breweries they’d like to own, the province’s most underrated breweries, dad hats, and their most hated beer styles -- plus they start a blood feud with Great Lakes Brewery.

Ben and Chris chat with Todd Lewin of Muskoka Brewery about Mad Tom IPA as a game changer (that’s making a comeback), staying on top of trends vs trying to court macro drinkers, and the reality check that the pandemic brought on — plus nitro canned cocktails, convenience store beer, the NA market and a philosophical instalment of Pell’s Corner.  

Trying to outdrink your younger self, fantasizing about divorce with your spouse in front of your kids, pissing your pants after yelling at men with average-sized penises, Molson’s selfless sponsorship tactics that they need you to know about, and an inevitable-but-fun regression into just talking about Back to The Future. 

Ben chats with returning guest, Mary Beth Keefe, of the Granite Brewpub about being a second-generation brewer, what it means to be part of a family business, cutting back on beer consumption, the OG IPAs and pale ales that have inspired her, and ceasing to give a fuck when one hits 40.