NEOZAZ

After a long break away, we're back. It could've been a more memorable tale to mark it - no hero other than our regulars, and no real villains, just a couple of daft blokes.

In this episode Chris, Luke, and Tim review Wuthering Heights, Scream 7, Send Help, and more!

In this special episode Dave shares his list for 9 star, nearly perfect, horror movies.

Episode 25 of Matt Likes Beer tackles one of the most polarizing modern beer styles of the past decade: the Cold IPA. The featured beer comes from Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon, the brewery that not only created the recipe concept but also coined the term “Cold IPA” in 2018. For Matt—who actively seeks out the style—this makes Wayfinder the definitive benchmark. Matt opens by reflecting on the intense backlash Cold IPA received when it first appeared, noting that the hostility rivaled—and even surpassed—the early resistance to Hazy IPA. He contrasts that early reaction with the sudden, almost overnight acceptance the style enjoys today, raising questions about how and why beer communities choose what to embrace or reject. Drawing directly from Wayfinder’s own published definition of the style, Matt explains what sets Cold IPA apart: heavy use of rice adjuncts, lager yeast, a very dry finish, and an emphasis on clean fermentation that allows American hops to shine with clarity and precision. He also points out that Wayfinder has effectively written their own style guideline—complete with vital statistics—despite the BJCP not yet adopting Cold IPA as a standalone category. Because no official BJCP style exists, the beer is evaluated as a 34B Mixed-Style Beer, declared as American IPA + American Lager, which Matt agrees is the best available option—even if it doesn’t fully capture what Cold IPA truly is. Using this framework, he conducts a full judging breakdown, noting a medium-yellow appearance with persistent foam, expressive citrus-forward aroma, light herbal and dank hop character, subtle grain notes, and a distinct but restrained lager yeast presence. Flavor-wise, the beer delivers orange zest, grapefruit rind, floral and herbal hop notes, light toasted grain, and a crisp, slightly dry finish. However, Matt finds the bitterness lower than expected for the style—particularly from the brewery that defined it. Mouthfeel is light-bodied and highly carbonated with surprising softness beneath the fizz, contributing to excellent drinkability. The final score lands at 35 out of 50, placing it squarely in the “Very Good” range. With no online reviews to read—of any rating—the episode pivots into an extended and impassioned soapbox segment. Matt unpacks the early hatred directed at Cold IPA, arguing that much of the criticism was aimed at the name and concept, not the beer itself. He connects that reaction to a broader problem within craft beer and homebrewing: resistance to innovation, gatekeeping, and a reflexive hostility toward anything new or unfamiliar.

In this episode of Indiana Jones in Character, Dave and Chris explore the many libraries featured in the Indian Jones Saga.

You read that right, Box Office Bozo is back with another challenge for Chris! Can Chris name to top grossing movies of Kevin Bacon? If he can, he's a Box Office Boss! If he fails, he's a Box Office Bozo. Listen along and see where he lands.

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Chris and Dave pay honor the works of the recently passed actor, Robert Duvall.

Episode 24 of Matt Likes Beer shines a spotlight on a rice-forward American-style lager from Table Brewing, continuing the show’s run of style-driven, BJCP-informed beer evaluations. Picked up through Tavour, the beer prompts Matt to dig into one of the most frequently misunderstood brewing ingredients in modern beer: rice. Matt opens by addressing his own preconceived notions about dark beers and adjunct lagers, acknowledging that rice is often unfairly associated with mass-market American lagers. From there, the episode pivots into an educational breakdown of how rice is actually used in brewing, including the distinction between standard brewer’s rice and more aromatic varieties like jasmine rice, which can contribute subtle floral and grain character rather than just fermentable sugar. Judged using BJCP guidelines, the beer presents with excellent clarity, a pale golden color, and a clean, well-formed head. Aromatically, it remains restrained—appropriate for the style—while offering delicate grain notes and a soft, rounded malt profile. Flavor-wise, the beer is crisp and highly drinkable, with rice contributing dryness and smoothness rather than overt sweetness or hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium-light, clean, and refreshing, aligning well with the intended style. While the beer performs well technically, Matt notes that the subtlety of the style inherently limits how high it can score in competition settings. The final BJCP score lands in the Very Good range, reinforcing a recurring theme of the podcast: some beers are meant to be enjoyed, not chased for points. The episode expands into a broader discussion about style bias, particularly how adjunct lagers are often dismissed before being properly evaluated. Matt argues that when brewed with intention and quality ingredients, rice lagers can be elegant, nuanced, and extremely difficult to execute well—making them worthy of respect both on the judging table and in everyday drinking.

HFTV gives their final thoughts and ranking on the penultimate season of TFTC.

In this episode of Streams and Nightmares, Dave discusses Coyotes, The Jester 2, Don't Go In the Woods, Hostel Part 3. In the Mouth of Madness, and Shivers.

In this episode, re-visit the 1992 film "The Bodyguard" starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Huston.

Episode 23 of Matt Likes Beer features Dolly Hole, a hazy IPA collaboration between Tactical Brewing and Sideward Brewing, two of Matt’s most frequently visited and personally meaningful Orlando-area breweries. Gifted to Matt by a fellow homebrew club member, the beer marks the first local brewery review of 2026, setting the stage for more hometown highlights throughout the year. Matt opens the episode by explaining his approach to note-taking, clarifying that while the show is unscripted, he keeps minimal reference notes to ensure accuracy—especially when discussing unfamiliar breweries or beer descriptions. That leads into a discussion of Tactical Brewing’s intentionally minimal website descriptions, which prompted Matt to dig slightly deeper than usual, confirming that Dolly Hole was a recent rebrew rather than an older release. The beer itself is evaluated strictly under BJCP Category 21C: Hazy IPA, eliminating the ambiguity that often surrounds modern IPA substyles. Appearance-wise, Dolly Hole pours an opaque, butter-yellow color with a dense, mousse-like head, though Matt notes that the haze borders on murky, a technical fault under BJCP guidelines. Aromatically, the beer bursts with orange rind, citrus juice, and tropical fruit, supported by subtle esters and a faint herbal note. While expressive and inviting, the aroma lacks sufficient malt presence, costing it points in the judging process. Flavor-wise, the beer leans heavily into sweet, candy-like citrus, fruit punch, and lemon-lime soda character, with only a fleeting bitterness appearing late in the finish. The mouthfeel is one of the beer’s strongest attributes—soft, silky, and medium-bodied, perfectly aligned with the hazy IPA style. However, excessive sweetness and minimal bitterness ultimately hold the beer back from higher marks. Matt scores Dolly Hole 32 out of 50, placing it in the “Very Good” range while emphasizing that the score reflects stylistic evaluation—not overall enjoyment. With no one-star reviews to read, the episode transitions into a detailed breakdown of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). Matt explains what the BJCP is, how judging works, and demystifies the certification process—from the notoriously difficult online entrance exam to the tasting exam and the various ranking levels. He also shares how becoming a BJCP judge has made him a better brewer and more thoughtful beer drinker. The episode closes with an invitation for listeners interested in judging or learning more to explore structured study resources, reinforcing one of the podcast’s central themes: beer appreciation improves with education, curiosity, and community involvement.

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Dave, Chris, and Luke discuss their top five favorite "Screams".

In this edition of The Best of Fives, Dave, Chris, and Luke discuss their top five favorite Survivor Contestants.

Episode 22 of Matt Likes Beer focuses on one of Matt’s all-time favorite beer styles: the Strong Bitter. The featured beer is Trooper, the iconic Iron Maiden collaboration brewed by Robinsons Brewery in Cheshire, England, a beer Matt has been drinking—and defending—for years. Matt opens by clarifying a common misconception: while many drinkers refer to beers like this as “ESBs,” that name is technically reserved for Fuller’s ESB. Under BJCP guidelines, Trooper is properly evaluated as 11C Strong Bitter, the strongest subcategory within the British Bitter family—though still very much a low-ABV, balance-driven beer. The episode explores Matt’s long history with Trooper, including how its rarity and style alone made it an instant purchase when he first encountered it years ago. That history leads into a fascinating discovery: the vast global Iron Maiden beer lineup, brewed with multiple partners worldwide and spanning everything from lagers and IPAs to stouts, sake pilsners, and imperial beers—far beyond the single Trooper label most fans recognize. Using BJCP 11C Strong Bitter guidelines, Matt conducts a full judging breakdown, highlighting the beer’s brilliant clarity, deep copper color, caramel-forward malt profile, restrained earthy hop character, and deceptively dry finish. While the beer hits many stylistic markers, excess sweetness and slightly muted bitterness hold it back in competition terms, resulting in a final score of 34 out of 50 (Very Good). As with many episodes, Matt emphasizes the distinction between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment. Despite the lower-than-expected score, he makes it clear that Trooper remains a beer he will gladly continue to drink whenever it’s available. The episode then delivers a collection of savage one-star reviews, ranging from stale malt complaints to over-the-top Iron Maiden insults, providing some much-needed levity.

In this episode, Dave discusses Dead Kids, The Shed, Veronica, The Toxic Avenger, and In Their Skin.

In this special episode of The Best of Fives, we pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara.

Episode 21 of Matt Likes Beer centers on one of Matt’s most personal beer styles: the Vienna Lager. The featured beer comes from Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a brewery Matt knows well through Tavour, though he has yet to visit in person. As the fifth episode of 2026, this installment marks a return to a classic, clearly defined BJCP style after several episodes focused on mixed or emerging categories. Matt opens by explaining why Vienna Lager holds such a special place in his beer journey, tracing it back to his early craft beer days and the role Sam Adams Boston Lager played as his gateway into better beer. That personal connection sets the tone for a thoughtful, technically rigorous review grounded in both experience and nostalgia. Using BJCP Category 7A guidelines, Matt evaluates the beer’s copper color, clarity, persistent head, malt-forward aroma, and balanced bitterness. While the beer excels in appearance and overall balance, the judging reveals a few technical shortcomings, including a slightly acrid finish, excess sweetness for the style, and a slick mouthfeel that detracts from elegance. These factors lead to a final score of 35 out of 50, placing the beer firmly in the “Very Good” range. Despite the score, Matt is clear: this is a beer he would happily drink again. The episode reinforces a recurring theme of the podcast—the difference between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment—and why a technically imperfect beer can still be highly satisfying in real-world settings.

In this episode of The GR80s and Beyond, Dave, Chris, Matt, and Khrysti discuss the hideously deformed creature of super human size and strength, the first superhero from New Jersey, 1984's "The Toxic Avenger!"

Something a bit different this time, as i've taken an old interview i did with Martin Bower and trimmed it down to some additional insights he had on his time on Alien, and a little bit on Flash Gordon.