The Pint Taken Podcast

Mike Hallihan, Andrew Hathway

The only thing that Mike and Drew like more than drinking beer is TALKING ABOUT BEER! #DrinkCreatively! 🍺

  1. Oct 30

    33. The Cold Bear Report ft. Hugh Colbert of Cold Bear Brewing

    Guest Alert! We're pumped to welcome in Hugh Colbert of Cold Bear Brewing to shoot the breeze about his brewing journey. Hugh owns and operates Cold Bear, located in Arnprior, Ontario. Show some love! (3:13) - We dive into where the name Cold Bear came from. (4:59) - With our thirst quenching, Hugh debuts and breaks down his own BRAND NEW “Harvest Lager” (wet hop) brew, which hasn’t even been released yet. We love this!  (10:29) - Hugh explains the difference between using wet hops versus dry hops within his brewing process (13:56) - Drew samples “Xaphan,” a unique smoked dunkel from Blood Brothers. (17:09) - Mike samples one of Hugh’s Cold Bear brews. An extra pale ale called “Fair Dinkum” (fantastic name). (22:46) - The parameters of brewing beer at particular alcohol percentages and the “guidelines” around it. (25:33) - The inception of Cold Bear and Hugh’s personal story of how the brewery came to be. (29:26) - The incorporation of live music into the Cold Bear brewery experience. (33:51) - Cold Bear’s impressive focus and importance placed on uplifting the local Community. (37:36) - The women of Cold Bear Brewing make a special beer for International Women’s Day every year and they have a bursary that gives back to female high school students? How ridiculously awesome is that?! (39:06) - A quick mention of the Cold Bear trivia league. (40:18) - The philosophy behind coming up with beer names. (45:48) - Hugh breaks down the science and his use of different hops, including some of his favorites. (51:25) - A little about Hugh’s Chech Lager that won an award at the World Beer Cup last year. We hope you enjoyed Hugh’s brewing journey and some of his industry insights. Give Cold Bear a follow, give The Pint Taken a follow and if you’re anywhere remotely close to Arnprior, Ontario, go drink Hugh’s beers!

  2. Oct 23

    32. BEERSGIVING!

    It’s our unequivocal favorite time of year. The holiday that excites us like no other. It’s BEERSGIVING! We break down the entire weekend of delicious beer sharing, stories of brewery hopping, pint swapping, and the shenanigans... the endless shenanigans. Drop by, pick up a pint, and celebrate with us! (0:00) - Smells like a pepperoni stick?! (1:38) - We begin by quickly catching up on Drew’s softball marathon before diving into the inner workings and behind the scenes of the greatest beer event of the year… BEERSGIVING! (8:43) - We both excitedly sample and react to the same beer: ⁠Third Moon⁠’s “Dark Sea Rising” Epoch Slushie. Wait, is that really pimento?! (13:38) - A brief mention and acknowledgment of the brand-new release of our beer bible, the ⁠Untappd⁠ app. (15:33) - Pre-Beer Adventures where we quickly run through Drew’s Renfrew Beer Festival experience and Mike’s mad dash to SIX breweries between Toronto in Cambridge, for the sake of loading up for the eventful weekend. (24:47) - In Beer Adventures, we’re throwing out some impressive (and gaudy) totals for Beersgiving and Year to Date, along with some BPD (Beers Per Day) statistics. (37:57) - A peculiar, haunting, and potentially incestuous story from last year’s Beersgiving. Hope you already ate. (45:25) - After the weirdness subsides, we highlight some of the ridiculously delicious and memorable beers (shenanigans includes) of BEERSGIVING 2026! Cheers friends, and #DrinkCreatively!

  3. Sep 27

    31. Scrabble, But With Beer

    Happy weekend. We got Episode 31 coming at you! Apologies though, we're about a week late on the posting of this, while we were trying to put together some neat AI video stuff (it's coming soon). For now, tons of great beer content... (0:00) - We kick off (no pun intended) by celebrating our football teams getting big road wins, ponder a Super Bowl gathering, and Drew recaps his Saskatoon National Fast Pitch Championship run. (11:42) - Drew samples the “Standoff” Hazy IPA by All My Friends in his brand new AMF glass with his brand new AMF hat. (16:28) - Mike samples “Miramichi Irish Red Ale” by Timber Ship Brewing back in his hometown. Make sure to catch the image of this cool can that is an exact replica of the City of Miramichi water tower! (19:57) - The boys dive into their Beer Adventures, first by celebrating Drew’s 1,500th unique check-in on Untappd. Then Mike shares his adventures, including some beauties from Third Moon (Epochs and Bestowed Maple Coffee), a quick get together with our brudder Graham, a surprise gifted mini haul from Parsons, another outing to the Endless Summer Music Festival with Godfather Chris, and finally a ridiculous Pina Colada Barrel Aged Stout from Blood Brothers. (29:25) - Drew highlights his adventures, including his Prairies experience, a family day trip to Ottawa where he visited Flora Hall and Slake breweries, and finally a brand new interprovincial online order from Candid Brewing Company in Antigonish, Nova Scotia! (40:55) - We go all the way back to elementary school and recite our ABC’s, but with a twist. We’re sharing our favorite BEER-RELATED WORDS with each letter. Lots of creativity with a splash of laughter. Cheers friends, and thanks for listening to our shenanigans!

  4. Aug 21

    30. Pints & Promises

    Cheers pals! We’re serving up Dirty Thirty, a super fun Episode 30 where we’re celebrating a couple of delicious beer samples, some interprovincial Beer Adventures, and revisiting our New Beer’s Resolutions from back in January.  Blast off! (0:00) - Intro time! Appendectomies, beard controversy, and an upcoming National title defense (and hopefully some beer adventures) in “Saskatchatoon.” (9:42) - Drew samples “Cosmos IPA” from O’Creek Brewing in Moncton, NB. (15:13) - Mike samples “Bestowed: Billy Miner Pie” from Third Moon Brewing in Milton, ON. (20:54) - Hold up! Did we say a brand new Sarcastic Comedian Beer Company?! “Flat Out Wrong" is here indeed. (25:38) - Drew highlights a few notables in his Beer Adventures. (32:03) - Mike shares his East Coast vacation-inspired Beer Adventures. (44:28) - Extreme Beer follow up from Episode 29: Most expensive beer ever sold. (47:31) - Extreme Beer follow up from Episode 29: Most expensive beer you can buy today. (49:16) - Extreme Beer follow up from Episode 29: Oldest beer you can still buy today. (51:38) - We check in on our New Beer’s Resolutions from all the way back in January (Episode 22). CHEERS, and drink creatively!

  5. Jul 27

    29. Scanning the Socials

    Sup y'all! The Pint Taken's social media feeds have been blowing up with all of these incredible summer beers. It's been phenomenal to lay our eyes (and hopefully someday our tastebuds) on. Fantastic episode ahead. Here's your itinerary: (0:00) - Intro. Galavanting in Mexico, some Pint Taken brand refreshments, and a Brudder in town! (8:05) - Mike samples “Bike Ride” Blonde Ale from Railtown! in Dutton, Michigan. (12:03) - Drew samples “Frob Gold” Blonde / Golden Ale from NuBrew Co. in Iqaluit, Nunavut (yes, you read that correctly). He also later samples/manhandles the “Banana, Mango, Apricot Epoch Slushie” from Third Moon (39:27). (17:01) - Drew delivers his advent calendar-based Beer Adventures. (25:13) - We celebrate Mike’s 1,000th unique beer check-in on Untappd, including a pre-written thank you speech. (30:52) - Mike shares his gathering-themed Beer Adventures. (36:38) - Scanning social media for exceptionally cool beer shit: (37:54) - #1. Something in the Water Brewing is closing its Toronto location. :( (42:38) - #2. Extremely notable beers (and the art!) that grabbed our attention. (56:55) - #3. An interesting trend in 2026 brewery openings. (1:01:28) - #4. Proper Pints informs about a self-serve Guinness station at Gibbons Irish Pub in Toronto. (1:04:44) - #5. We Rate Beers shares info about 5 extreme beers that sound made up, but are not. (1:11:23) - #6. INTERPROVINCIAL BEER SALES! Like, are you kidding us?! Cheers, and always #DrinkCreatively!

  6. Jul 6

    28. But, Series-ly

    Quick, what's the best defense of that muggy, 40+ degree summer heat? Well, COLD BEER of course! We're back for Episode 28 and we're diving into our favorite beer series'. Let's get right after it; here's the episode breakdown: (0:00) - The Intro, featuring a quick "beer doctor" appointment. (4:15) - Mike samples a dual hop Hazy IPA called “Simcoe / Mosaic” from Canvas Brewing Company (8:12) - Straight from his summer beer advent calendar, Drew unboxes and samples a Hazy IPA called “Bones and All” from Third Moon. (11:33) - Drew not-so-subtly reveals his newly-minted National Softball Championship ring. (15:38) - Alert the press! There's a brand new drop from Drew’s fictional Sarcastic Comedian Brewing Company called “Sorry, Germany.” (20:56) - Drew’s very mature and responsible Beer Adventures. (31:58) - Mike’s bordering-on-an-intervention Beer Adventures. (48:00) - Sharing our favorite beer SERIES': 1. “Epoch Slushie” from Third Moon (49:39)2. “Half & Half” from Blood Brothers (53:46)3. “Autopop” from Blood Brothers (57:28)4. “Gelato Sour” by Fine Balance (59:47)5. “Bestowed” by Third Moon (1:02:09)6. “Jelly King” by Bellwoods (1:04:16)7. “Sour Otis” by Tide & Boar (1:07:03) (54:25) - Mike whips out an impromptu second beer sample. “Hypnosis” from All My Friends. (1:06:11) - Drew then busts out his own impromptu second beer sample. The “Chocolate Strawberry Gelato Sour” from Fine Balance. (1:08:50) - Rapid Fire Beer Series Honorable Mentions. CHEERS, and drink creatively friends!

  7. Jun 3

    27. Big, Beautiful Beer Adventures

    Omg, where did the last two months go!? Truly embarrassing. But we’re back and ready to slide headfirst into some big, beautiful beer adventures. Lots of fun stories, shoutouts, samples, and laughs. Let’s run the breakdown: (1:43) - WE ARE BACK!(14:25) - Mike samples “Tropique” from Simple Malt Brasseurs in St. Eustache, Quebec (shout to Ludo and The Cannibals).(19:50) - Drew samples “Gateau Au Matcha” from Fine Balance (collab with Nano Cinco) in Kingston.(24:38) - Mike’s fictional brewery Broken Pancreas Beer Company finally returns with a long-awaited double release. “Cloud Cover” and “#SHEDANK” are now in make believe production!(33:24) - Drew’s Beer Adventures included finishing up a couple of wicked orders from Dominion City and Blood Brothers and some heavenly randoms.(44:30) - A little known, but glorious beer hack (shout out to Kasie and Andrew).(46:14) - Mike’s Beer Adventures included a whirlwind and peculiar trip to New Jersey (Village Idiot Brewery and Spellbound Brewing), a generously gifted mini-haul from Whalers in Rhode Island, an appreciation for our Canadian breweries, Easter, his birthday at Left Field, and pulling down 18 beers in 7 minutes in a quick LCBO run.(1:09:30) - Part two of Drew’s Beer Adventures included a sweet trip to Kingston to visit Fine Balance, Something in the Water, Kingston Brewing Company, and indirectly, Daft Brewing.CHEERS FRIENDS!

  8. Mar 28

    26. The One Where We Pivot!

    Back in the saddle and tackling some tasty tidbits in this episode. (4:55) - Sampling of "Fruit Helmet" IPA from Bellwoods in Toronto (a collab with Evil Twin in New York City)(8:23) - Sampling of "Sud" Root Beer Stout from Farm League in Cambridge(13:03) - Mike’s Beer Adventures covering a juicy order from Sidewalk Beer Shop(22:40) - Drew’s Beer Adventures covering the I Heart Beer Festival in Ottawa and delicious orders from Blood Brothers and Dominion City(38:16) - A very strict warning to those very same Blood Brothers regarding their "Passion of the Spice" release(43:32) - A few unfortunate brewery closures :((51:15) - One of the greatest discoveries ever with the Ontario Beer Delivery Index!(57:00) - A board game wrestling fans should cop right now called "Watch Wrestling, Get Drunk"(59:16) - Upcoming Beer Adventures

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About

The only thing that Mike and Drew like more than drinking beer is TALKING ABOUT BEER! #DrinkCreatively! 🍺

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Hallihan, Andrew Hathway
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mike Hallihan, Andrew Hathway
  • Show Website
    The Pint Taken Podcast

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