Grab a cold one and settle in, because this week the Tall Boy studio is absolutely packed to the rafters. Hosts Beans, Gaz, and Andy are back together, but they’ve brought some serious southern hospitality along for the ride. Joining the crew all the way from the Lone Star State are Beans’ cousin Beau and his legendary pals Kevin and Ron. The boys are fresh off an epic, whirlwind road trip that saw Beans playing tour guide to three Texans on a historic, beer-soaked journey starting in the heart of London and winding all the way up to the historic streets of Edinburgh. The episode kicks off with the guys landing in London and immediately hitting the bricks. Beau, Kevin, and Ron give their unfiltered first impressions of the UK, before Beans recounts leading them into the dark history of the East End on a chilling Jack the Ripper tour. From there, things took a more musical turn with a mandatory pilgrimage to the iconic Abbey Road crossing (yes, shoes stayed on). But you can't have a Tall Boy road trip without proper pubs, and London delivered. The guys break down their favorite historic watering holes: Finding the hidden gem that is Ye Olde Mitre. Sipping pints at The George, walking the exact same floorboards where Charles Dickens used to drink. Paying respects at The Dolphin, a pub that literally survived being bombed in World War I. Indulging in some candlelit atmosphere and plenty of wine at Gordon’s Wine Bar. Next, the crew heads out of the capital. In Windsor, they skipped the usual royal fanfare to hunt down excellent craft beer, hitting up the local independent scene including the fantastic Indie Rabble brewery. Moving on to Oxford, the boys drank in the historic shadows of the university at the legendary Lamb & Flag and tucked themselves away in the hidden courtyard of the Turf Tavern. Then... things got weird in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Expecting a quaint, peaceful afternoon exploring Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the boys instead walked straight into what looked like an action movie. Beans and the Texans recount the absolute chaos of witnessing a full-on gang fight and a literal car fire right in the middle of town. Luckily, they found sanctuary in the historic Old Thatched Inn and The Garrick Inn, before settling their nerves with what they collectively agree were world-class, mind-blowing steaks at Loxley's. The road trip officially hits maximum capacity in York, where resident co-host Andy links up with the traveling circus. Andy takes the lead to talk about walking the spectacular medieval York City Walls and marveling at the towering York Minster. Of course, the history lessons quickly returned to true crime and rebellion. The guys share a pint at the very pub where Guy Fawkes was born, before heading over to The Blue Boar Inn to drink a beer right next to the spot where the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin’s body lay after his execution. To balance out the history, they also made time for a liquid tribute to indie royalty at the local Stone Roses Bar. The epic journey wraps up across the border in Scotland's capital. The boys tackle the steep cobblestones of the Royal Mile and experience the spooky, theatrical vibes of Frankenstein's monster-themed pub. Beau, Kevin, and Ron give their official, brutally honest verdicts on trying haggis for the very first time at the historic Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar, before the group stops for a dramatic pint at the infamous World's End pub. Finally, to cleanse the palate after weeks of traditional ales, the trip concludes on a modern high note: puckering up for some incredible, fruit-forward sour beers at Vault City’s cozy taproom, the Wee Vault. It’s an episode full of historical deep dives, culture shocks, near-death experiences, and a truly staggering amount of beer. tallboyradio.com
