Stuck in Beta Podcast

It’s a roller coaster of an episode as Greg and Josh start with a disappointing Peanut Butter Milk Stout before redeeming themselves with a solid Brown Ale from Bluewood Brewing. Josh shares the baffling saga of a tenant who ghosted and left a fully furnished apartment behind, while Greg troubleshoots a misfiring truck and celebrates a sudden view spike on his “Half-Assed TV” channel. The nostalgia hits hard with a look back at collecting Kool-Aid points for “Wacky Warehouse” prizes, followed by a spicy taste test of Chili Chews and a vertigo-inducing chat about free-solo skyscraper climbers. Show Notes Beer 1: Left Hand Brewing Peanut Butter Milk Stout. Verdict: Smells like peanut butter but tastes like artificial, bitter dark chocolate. Beer 2: Bluewood Brewing Battle Stag “Cherokee Street” Brown Ale. Verdict: A malty, nutty, and roasty redemption from the first round. The Rental Saga: Josh recounts the weirdness of a tenant who ghosted and left a fully furnished unit, complete with a stocked fridge and pantry. Half-Assed Productions: Greg’s “Half-Assed TV” channel gets a sudden boost from a vintage Rotadraw toy review. Garage Logic: Troubleshooting a truck that shudders at 50mph—is it the spark plugs or the ignition coils?. Snack Review: Target’s “Chili Chews”—strawberry bites with a spicy kick that are surprisingly addictive. Pop Culture & Tech: The return of Fear Factor and the baffling trends of TikTok. Josh’s struggle to recover his Facebook and email accounts. Wonder Man review and why Iron Man 3 is better than you remember. Watching Alex Honnold climb Taipei 101 and the anxiety of Free Solo. Local Events: Apathy toward the Super Bowl (Patriots vs. Seahawks?) but excitement for the Soulard and Festus Pet Parades.

After a snow-covered week off, Greg and Josh return to the studio to thaw out with a Milk Stout from Maplewood Brewing. Josh recounts the administrative nightmare of scheduling a physical after a four-year hiatus, sparking a conversation about “old man” health maintenance and anti-inflammatory snacks. The guys break down some strange beverage news—from a potential ban on “airplane bottles” in KC to a bizarre bear-poop-infused beer collaboration—before diving into a bag of Bacon Grilled Cheese Lay’s and debating which TV theme songs are worth skipping. Show Notes Weather Report: Surviving the 8-10 inches of snow in Festus, MO, and the joy of two consecutive snow days. Beer of the Week: Maplewood Brewing Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout (Chicago, IL). Verdict: A solid 5.9% ABV with notes of dark chocolate and coffee. Perfect for a cold day. Flashback: Realizing they reviewed a similar Horchata Yeti almost 10 years ago. Health Check: Josh’s return to the doctor after four years, the struggle of finding a new provider, and the looming reality of “the box” (colonoscopies) and shingles shots. Diet & Snacks: Josh’s attempt at the “Bobby Approved” anti-inflammatory diet (avocado oil and Clancy’s chips). Snack Review: Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese chips. (Verdict: Surprisingly good). News from the Cooler: Kansas City’s potential ban on small liquor bottles and single cans to curb litter and crime. Weird Brews: The Columbia Sportswear x Breakside Brewery collaboration “Nature Calls”—a beer made with water filtered through… bear poop? TV Talk: Greg’s Top 5 TV Theme Songs (and the ones you always skip). Thoughts on The Sopranos (too long?), Severance (too slow?), and the unnerving nature of The Big C. Nostalgia: Remembering Budweiser Black Crown and the Platinum era.

From the loss of a family pet to the liberation of canceling a $180 subscription, Josh and Greg navigate the highs and lows of modern adulthood. This week, the guys celebrate their first official brand deal, dive into a smooth 9.5% ABV stout, and revisit the legendary hustle of Michael J. Fox—plus a deep dive into the weirdest toy of the early 90s. The Drink & The Snack The Beer: Horchata Yeti by Great Divide Brewing. A creamy, 9.5% ABV imperial stout featuring rice, cinnamon, and vanilla. It’s dessert in a glass with zero boozy bite. The Snack: Righteous Felon Meat Sticks. The guys put these to the test to see if they live up to the hype. Life in Beta Morty’s Legacy: Greg shares a touching (and unplanned) lesson in grief and resilience following the passing of the family hamster. Cutting the Cord: Josh breaks down why he finally axed Amazon Prime after a shipping disaster and realized the $180 annual fee just wasn’t adding up. The Big Win: We’re officially sponsored! We discuss our first brand deal—a $200 partnership for a specialized electrical diagnostic tool. ????? Pop Culture & Nostalgia The Balzac: Remember the toy that was basically just a balloon inside a heavy-duty cloth sack? We revisit the marketing genius (and the odd name) of this 80s/90s staple. On the Bookshelf: A look at Michael J. Fox’s memoir, Future Boy, and the unbelievable story of how he filmed Back to the Future and Family Ties at the same time. Top 5 Comfort Movies: The definitive list of movies that feel like a warm blanket, featuring Dumb and Dumber and Mallrats.

After a two-week hiatus, Greg and Josh kick off 2026 with spilled beer and an uninvited guest (Ruby the Golden Retriever). This hour-plus deep dive covers everything from the shrinking St. Louis craft beer scene and local tornado recovery to the 1986 pop culture peaks and the final verdict on the Stranger Things finale. What’s on Tap The Beer: No Problem IPA – Friendship Brewing Company. A 7.7% Hazy IPA that’s citrus-forward with major nostalgic “High C” vibes. Industry News: A look at the closing of Minglewood (Cape Girardeau) and Friendship Brewing’s Wentzville location. The Deep Dive: Discussing the Closed for Storm documentary (Jazzland/New Orleans) and the parallels to the ongoing recovery in St. Louis’s Delmar neighborhood. The “Beta” Life Suspended Terror: Josh recounts taking the nephews to the Union Station Rope Course. A bargain at $12.50, even if it feels like a near-death experience. Snack Test: Premium Beef Jerky with Old Bay seasoning. New Discoveries: Why we are suddenly into shuffleboard. Pop Culture & Nostalgia 1986 Rewind: Reminiscing about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the release of the Beastie Boys’ License to Ill. Stranger Things: Did the Duffer Brothers stick the landing? We break down the series finale and the strategic holiday release. Connect with Stuck in Beta Hosts: Greg & Josh Topic: Life, Tech, and the 80s/90s nostalgia that keeps us updated.

This week, Greg and Josh celebrate the holidays with Alpha Brewing Company’s He-Man-themed “I Have The Sipster” APA. Greg stresses over his ambitious plan to bake thirteen different types of cookies (plus peanut brittle!) while trying to keep his kitchen—and his kids—under control. The guys also recount a legendary trip to St. Louis icon Crown Candy Kitchen for a BLT the size of a brick and a milkshake that defies physics. Plus: A disappointing salted caramel chip tasting, essential table saw safety tips to keep your fingers attached, and the definitive Top 5 Christmas Songs playlist (featuring Run DMC and Wham!).

Soda Wars, Crazy Drivers, and the Toys We Never Got! Greg and Josh break tradition this week by swapping their usual craft beers for a blind taste test of holiday cranberry sodas! The guys discuss the shocking price of stadium beers, reminisce about their 30-year “Guys’ Night Out” tradition, and recount a chaotic encounter with an unhinged driver. Also on the show: A deep dive into the “Top 5 Toys We Never Got” (featuring He-Man and Optimus Prime), a review of limited-edition White Fudge Oreos, and a candid look at their recent DIY projects—including a lighting upgrade that takes the basement from “boobs to cans.”

UPS Mishaps, Christmas Beer, and the Grinch Meal Join Greg and Josh this week as they dive into the holiday madness and tackle the big questions: Is the McDonald’s Grinch Meal worth it? (Spoiler: It involves dill pickle seasoning!) And who keeps stealing their porch snacks without dropping off the packages? The guys break down the hilarious security footage! Also on the menu: A review of Schlafly Christmas Ale and a segment on their DIY channel, How to Fix It Workshop, revealing their upcoming projects. Get ready for a dose of festive fun and their unique perspectives on life’s little absurdities!

Vintage Stouts, Holy Beer, and Spicy Meat! Join Greg and Josh as they dive into the holiday spirit with a five-year-old Bourbon County Stout (if it hasn’t expired yet!) and discuss whether Goose Island’s anniversary beer gets better with age. They try Jack Link’s intriguing Mango Jalapeño Beef Jerky, discuss the surprising news that Rogue Ales is closing its doors after 37 years, and cover the controversy around Pope Francis receiving a Chicago beer. The main event? Your hosts reveal their Top 5 Winter Drinks you need to warm up right now! Plus, hear their takes on the wild new season of The Chair Company.

Busted Turntables, Hot Honey Chips, and Voltron Beer! Join Greg and Josh for an episode packed with holiday cheer, beer reviews, and auto repair! The guys discuss their Friendsgiving leftovers, the ongoing saga of repairing Greg’s vintage turntable, and the surprising deliciousness of Mike’s Hot Honey chips. Plus, they dive deep into 4 Hands Brewing’s Voltron IPA series, debate the best Thanksgiving TV specials (including the famous Charlie Brown feast), and reveal the secret lives of classic action figures like Voltron. Get ready for some great laughs and even better debate!

Is Thanksgiving dinner better on a pizza? Greg and Josh put DiGiorno’s limited-edition Thanksgiving Pizza to the test—complete with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, green beans, crispy onions, and a gravy drizzle on Detroit-style crust. The flavor combo impresses them more than expected, but the turkey texture? Not so much. Still, this holiday experiment earns a shockingly solid B+ and inspires ideas for making your own leftover-Thanksgiving pizza at home. The feast continues with a review of Bell’s Red Hearted IPA, courtesy of Greg’s neighbor Bobby. With pine, citrus, and caramel notes, it scores an easy A from both hosts. From there, the debate begins: When is it socially acceptable to start playing Christmas music? And is canned cranberry jelly the superior form? Post-Halloween decorating dilemmas lead into talk of Gremlins 3 rumors, vintage turntable restoration problems, and the mysterious reason their workshop videos blow up months after posting. In this episode: DiGiorno Thanksgiving Pizza taste test Bell’s Red Hearted IPA review Christmas music timing debate Cranberry sauce preferences Halloween ? Thanksgiving ? Christmas decoration shifts Gremlins 3 speculation Vintage audio gear restoration Viral workshop video weirdness Tune in to “Pizzagiving” for holiday hype, weird snacks, craft beer, and classic Stuck in Beta chaos.