Pigweed And Crowhill - Podcast Details

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Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill530: SCOTUS Since Dobbs: The Legal Earthquakes Shaping AmericaPigweed and Crowhill drink and review Summerfest lager from Sierra Nevada, then dive into the most consequential U.S. Supreme Court decisions handed down since the Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.We explore the Court’s growing willingness to redraw the legal map on race, religion, executive power, parental rights, and the limits of judicial authority. Highlights include:Affirmative Action Implosion: Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ends race-based college admissions.Free Speech vs. Anti-Discrimination: In 303 Creative v. Elenis, religious liberty takes precedence over LGBTQ protections.Executive Power Check: Bi...2025-07-1236 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill529: Is Catholicism making a comeback?The boys drink and review Calaminator, Crowhill's homebrewed dopplebock, then discuss the surprising comeback of Catholicism. What is a "rad trad"? Why are young people -- particularly young men -- increasingly attracted to conservative Catholicism? "How Catholicism Got Cool" by Madeleine Kearns addresses this question. Reasons include ... * Transcendence and mystery * Giving meaning to suffering * Beauty, aesthetics, and the sacred * Structure, discipline, and tough moral teaching * Male identity and brotherhood * Intimacy with God * Rejection of the shallow alternatives * Cultural credibility...2025-07-1036 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill528: Why beta males are a danger to societyP&C drink and review Pigweed's home-brewed pale ale, then discuss the societal danger of the so-called beta male. They react to a review by Dr. Orion Taraban of a Survivor episode that discusses the complex interactions between alpha males, beta males, and clever women. According to Dr. Taraban, the women made an alliance with the beta males to kick out the alpha males, but then the women turned on the beta males and kicked them out. How does this dynamic play out in society? Where does "toxic masculinity" fit in? The boys discuss. 2025-07-0529 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill527: The fisherman and his wife and The two brothers: Two Grimm fairy talesWith special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review an IPA from the Ministry of Brewing in Baltimore, then discuss some fairy tales. The two stories reviewed in today's episode ended up as #4 and #3 in a recent contest between Grimm's fairy tales. Pigweed, Crowhill, and Longinus review the stories and evaluate the imagery and messages they contain. The fisherman and his wife is a tale of avarice and a lack of contentment. The two brothers is a confusing story that seems to stitch together several different stories into a mad tapestry...2025-07-0341 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill521: How will AI affect education?P&C drink and review a robust porter from Founders, then discuss how artificial intelligence will change education -- for good and ill. Crowhill wonders why we don't yet have the self-paced education that his mother promised way back in the 70s? AI could do that, but it would be a major challenge to the current institution and would almost certainly be opposed. AI disrupts the current system in many ways. For example, the teacher can't tell if the student or AI did the homework. The teacher can't tell if the student wrote the paper. 2025-06-1228 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill513: The strange history of MarylandIn this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill, we crack open a First State IPA and dive into the quirky and complex history of Maryland—from its colonial beginnings to its odd borders, bold flag, and surprising state symbols.Learn about:* Why Maryland has one of the most distinctive flags in the U.S.* The Catholic roots of the colony and its experiment in religious tolerance* Feuds with Virginia and Delaware that helped shape state lines* Strange land grants, early tobacco economics, and the role of slavery* The story behind counties like Prince George’s and Anne...2025-05-1548 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill504: Why are liberals so okay with violence?In this provocative episode, Pigweed and Crowhill explore a troubling question: Why does the modern political left seem so comfortable with violence? From vandalism and verbal threats to outright attacks on political opponents, the boys examine real-world examples -- from keyed Teslas and firebombed dealerships to violent rhetoric at rallies and social media.They also take a philosophical turn, asking what might be going on psychologically and morally. Is victimhood being used as a moral loophole to justify aggressive behavior? Why do some on the left excuse or applaud violent actors, from radical activists to international terror...2025-04-1140 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill503: "Wrestling with Jordan Peterson's God," a reviewThe boys drink and review Bitburger, a German Pilsner, then discuss Crowhill's book about Jordan Peterson's religious views, and what we can piece together of his religious journey. Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist who broke onto the public scene after Canada decided to tell people how they can and can't speak. He wasn't having any part of it. Part of Peterson's mystique is his very public struggle with religious questions. His recent book, "We Who Wrestle With God" is his latest foray into the topic, mixing evolutionary biology, Jungian archetypes, the...2025-04-0746 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill497: Maryland is a lovely state with horrible politicsThe boys drink and review an IPA from Lost Rhino, then discuss the distressing direction of the state of Maryland. It's as if Maryland wants to follow all the most disastrous liberal policies they can find. Pigweed and Crowhill review problems with our horrible governor, stupid new laws and taxes, and the general tax and spend stupidity of the state. Maryland is a deep blue state that is on its way to recession. 🔔 Subscribe for more beer reviews and interesting commentary! 💬 What do you think of Maryland? Let us kno...2025-03-2149 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill495: Is Anarchism the same as Anarchy?The boys drink and review Crowhill's Extra Special Bitter, then discuss the philosophy of anarchism and how it's different than anarchy. Hobbes (see episode 487) believed that the life of man in the state of nature is so horrible that no matter how bad the sovereign is, he's better off under the sovereign than not. Anarchists take the opposite view -- that men can and do cooperate, and we don't need rulers to oppose their coercive authority on us. P&C discuss the good aspects of anarchism, then point out some of its weaknesses. 2025-03-1330 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill493: The Viking Age: Raids, settlements, and their enduring appealWith special guest Longinus, Pigweed and Crowhill drink Senate beer, then discuss the impact and popularity of Vikings. What drove the Vikings to set sail on their legendary raids? In this video, we explore the forces that pushed the Norse to leave their homelands in search of wealth, land, and glory. We begin with the infamous 793 AD raid on Lindisfarne, a brutal attack that shocked medieval Europe and marked the beginning of the Viking Age. Then, we dive into the fascinating possibility that Vikings reached North America centuries before Columbus, settling in Newfoundland at L’Anse aux Me...2025-03-0443 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill492: Why Beowulf Still Matters: the battle of Christianity and paganismThe boys drink and review one of Pigweed's homebrews, then discuss the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. What makes Beowulf such a timeless epic? In this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill, we dive into the legendary Old English poem, exploring its themes of heroism, honor, and the battle between good and evil.We discuss Beowulf’s iconic fights with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon—unpacking the deeper meanings behind these monstrous encounters. How does Beowulf reflect the values of warrior culture? What does it reveal about fate, leadership, and the tension betwee...2025-03-0139 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill484: Trump version 2 Week OneP&C drink and review a dark lager from Jack's Abby Brewing then discuss week one of the Trump administration. Trump's changes are coming so fast and furious that the left and the media can't keep up. They boys start with three criticisms. 1. Trump's pardon of the violent J6 people. 2. Crowhill isn't thrilled with RFK Jr. Yes, we should question the role of Big Food and Big Pharma, but he's not sure Bobby is the right man. 3. The postponement of the TikTok ban. Then they review the...2025-02-0350 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill468: Are we entering a new era of book banning?The boys drink Right Proper Pale Ale and discuss book bans. Anne Arundel County in Maryland has become "a book sanctuary." They want "all voices, all stories, and all perspectives to be protected." Crowhill calls it out as a flat lie and virtue signalling. These same people (or their intellectual fellow travelers) have been in favor of censorship on social media. Why is the library any different? Should we make a distinction between what children can access and what adults can access? A big part of the problem is the misuse...2024-12-0413 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill467: Does abortion qualify as "healthcare"?While drinking a local stout, the boys ask whether abortion is really healthcare and then discuss that and related issues. Healthcare is generally understood as the maintenance or improvement of health through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or management of illness, injury, and other physical or mental impairments. How does abortion fit in with that? Pigweed and Crowhill evaluate the reality against the propaganda and the pro-choice slogans. Is it really "my body, my choice"? Do people really want to affirm Roe v. Wade? Is it actually a "conversation...2024-12-0316 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill464: Do you really need to pay income tax?The boys drink and review "Raised by Wolves" from Right Proper brewing, then wonder if they're suckers for paying their income taxes when other people seem to get away with not filing! They start by steelmanning the arguments against the income tax, which include ... * The "sovereign citizen" idea * Questions about the ratification of the 16th Amendment * That it's a violation of the constitution's original intent * The "voluntary compliance" language * That the income tax was not intended to apply to everyone Pigweed and...2024-11-2131 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill463: Why are public schools failing so miserably?Broadcasting from the Royal Oak pub, the boys drink and review Crowhill's homebrewed porter then discuss the failure of our government-run schools and the American education system. Over the last 40 years we've had an increased role in education by both governments and unions, we've spent more and more on education, but results are worse and worse. Why? Private schools that spend far less per student get better educational outcomes, and homeschoolers -- who spend very little -- frequently outperform private schools. At the same...2024-11-1935 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill462: Trump wins just as P&C predicted. What now?Pigweed and Crowhill enjoy a celebratory bottle of champaign as they review the 2024 election. Which is the more important victory: that Donald Trump won, or that Harris lost? The first time around, Trump didn't have a "Trump Team." He had to cobble together an administration through recommendations from people who didn't agree with his policies and approach. That will be entirely different this time. Once again, the pollsters have egg on their faces. Trump overperformed by a wide margin. Why did this go wrong for the Democrats? * Kamala was...2024-11-1153 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill458: The D.C. tour -- thoughts on architecture and its meaningWith special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Slightly Mighty IPA by Dogfish Head brewing, then discuss their recent jaunt down to Washington, D.C., to review the architecture on some key buildings. Their trip took them to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, St. Matthews cathedral, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Capitol. Longinus was able to give Pigweed and Crowhill some insights into the history and architecture of these amazing buildings. The boys discuss the psychological effect and message of these buildings, but the show isn't only about architecture...2024-11-0143 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill455: Election Preview. Will it be Trump or Harris?The boys drink and review Lord Maltimore, a Marzen from Key Brewing Company, then discuss the state of the election and their predictions. Pigweed starts off ripping Kamala as a phony with no talent and little brains. Crowhill says she's mean and vapid. She slept her way to the top and has no idea what she's doing. No one is voting for Harris. They're voting against Trump. Harris gets three groups. (1) The "not Trump" vote. (2) The "it's time for a black woman" vote. (3) The "pull the D lever" vote. In addition, Harris has...2024-10-2337 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill453: P&C rank popular conspiracy theoriesThe boys compare Crowhill's homebrewed dopplebock against Paulaner's Salvator, then discuss conspiracy theories. Pigweed found a chart that characterized conspiracy theories in ascending order of craziness, from actually true, to you have left the world of sanity. Pigweed and Crowhill go through a list and rank them from true to impossible. Some conspiracies actually happened, like the Tuskegee experiment, MK Ultra, the FBI spying on Martin Luther King, etc. Then there's completely nutty things. Like chemtrails. Is the white trail behind jets really condensation, or is it a chemical the government is using...2024-10-1840 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill450: Animal Farm by George OrwellWith special guest Longinus the boys drink and review a "cold IPA" by Jailbreak Brewing, then discuss a short novella. Crowhill starts with a brief bio of the author, then the boys review the structure and plot of the book. The book was written at a time when large numbers of the so-called intellectual elites were enamoured of communism. The novel starts on Mr. Jones' farm. He's not the best or kindest of farmers, and the animals decide to rebel. They take over the farm with some high ideals. All animals...2024-10-0434 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill449: The Communist ManifestoThe boys drink and review an IPA from Cigar City, then discuss the communist manifesto. With special guest Longinus, Pigweed and Crowhill review the famous manifesto, starting with a brief bio of Marx and Engels. In order to understand Marx and Engels, you have to think about the context -- the industrial revolution and the horrible circumstances of workers in those days. The boys start with giving the manifesto an honest shot. What does it say, and what does it mean? Marx says that all of history is the story of...2024-10-0251 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill441: "The soundtrack of your life" playlistsP&C review Country Ride Pale Ale from RAR, then invite special guest Longinus to the show to discuss "celebration of life playlists." Longinus' playlist includes ... * A Love Supreme by John Coltrane * Sometime Ago/La Feista by Chick Corea * All Blues by Miles Davis * Song of Loving Kindness by Gary Bartz * Boogie Nights by Heatwave * September by Earth, Wind, and Fire * Brick House by the Commodores * Staying Alive by the Beegees * Red Barchetta by RUSH * Closer to...2024-08-2827 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill436: The GOP is the natural home for black AmericansThe boys drink and review White Chocolate Dream Blonde Stout by Black Beauty Brewery, then (starting at 3:43) discuss the history of blacks and the GOP. The Republican Party (GOP) started with the explicit intention of stopping the spread of slavery in America. The first Republican president was Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves. Democrats have a horrible record on votes that affect black people. Most Democrats votes against the 13th amendment (to free slaves). No Democrats voted for the 14th amendment (making freed slaves citizens). No Democrats voted for the 15th amendment (giving slaves the...2024-08-0741 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill431: An introduction to liquor basicsThe boys drink and review Crowhill's homemade gin, then give a broad overview of liquors. P&C discuss ... Fermentation vs. distillation The history of liquor Liquor vs. liquer and fortified wines What "proof" means White vs. colored liquors The main types of liquor - Vodka - Gin - Tequila - Rum - Whiskey (vs. whisky) - Brandy The science of getting drunk The...2024-07-1948 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill430: Star Wars, the Hero Journey, and The AcolyteThe boys drink and review Brooklyn Brewery's Sunny Pale Ale, then discuss Star Wars and the enduring influence of the hero's journey. The Star Wars movies struck quite a chord with the public. On the one hand, it seems like silly kid's stuff. On the other hand, Pigweed's literature professors referred to Star Wars as a classic example of the hero pattern, or quest journey. The lives of Jesus, Moses, King Arthur, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, and many others follow a very similar pattern. ...2024-07-1746 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill427: From Special to General: Exploring Einstein's Relativity Join us in this episode as we delve into the fascinating world of relativity, exploring the groundbreaking work of Albert Einstein. We cover both special and general relativity, discussing the profound implications these theories have on our understanding of space, time, and the universe. Whether you're a physics enthusiast or just curious about the cosmos, this episode offers insightful explanations and thought-provoking discussions. With special guest Longinus, Pigweed and Crowhill start the show with a review of a famous Belgian beer. 2024-07-0344 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill421: Is the pendulum swinging in a conservative direction?The boys drink and review Hopsecutioner IPA by Terrapin Brewing, then discuss the social pendulum. On a number of key issues, Pigweed feels he has held the minority opinion. "The wrong side of history," as the left would say. He's tempted to believe the pendulum is swinging back his way. His question to Crowhill: Is it? How do we define a "minority view" these days? We're given the impression that believing a man can become a women is the majority view. But that's false if you look at the...2024-06-1934 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill415: Evolution and modern objectionsP&C drink and review Crowhill’s homebrewed Tavern Ale, then discuss evolution. They start with a quick review of Darwin and his times and how scientists were slowly coming to the realization that the origin of the earth and life spanned a far longer time span than the Bible seemed to allow. There are still a lot of things we don’t know about our history, but there are some things we know for sure. * The earth is old. * Life is old (maybe a billion years). * Most creatures that have...2024-05-2045 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill414: Trump’s VP Pick, the 2020 election, and voter IDThe boys drink and review Perni Haze IPA from Wicked Weed Brewing, then discuss Trump’s options for a running mate. Trump is faced with a unique challenge because he can only serve one more term, so whoever he picks is likely to be the presidential nominee for 2028, and that person could potentially serve for eight years. Christi Noem – P&C think she’s probably torpedoed her chances by writing in her memoir about shooting her dog. Elise Stephanik – An unknown quantity to P&C. Not willing to recommend. Vivek Ramaswammy – He was an earl...2024-05-1441 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill405: The Big Five personality traits, plus pronoun classThe boys drink and review Super Thick Pastry Stout from Old Mother Brewing in Frederick, Maryland, then discuss the Big 5 personality characteristics. There are a lot of personality tests out there, like Myers Briggs and the Enneagram. Those aren't as solidly based in science as the Big Five. You can remember the Big Five with with of two acrostics, OCEAN or CANOE. They are ... The Big Five personality traits, also known as the Five Factor Model (FFM), are a widely accepted framework for understanding human personality. They represent broad dimensions of individual differences...2024-04-1136 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill399: Electric vehicle news -- can they replace gasoline?The boys drink and review Crowhill's homebrewed Viking Stout, then catch up on recent news with electric vehicles. There has been concern about fires and EVs. They burn hot, and it's hard to put them out. With some experience behind us now, while there are still concerns, it's not as bad as feared. EVs are still mostly a luxury item. They're great as a second car, but they can't completely replace gasoline vehicles. They don't work well in the cold. They take a long time to charge. There aren't enough charging stations. They don't have...2024-03-2335 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill397: The Oresteia by the Chesapeake Shakespeare CompanyPigweed, Crowhill, Longinus, and all three wives went to Baltimore to see an adaptation of The Oresteia, which was originally a 3-part play by Aeschylus. In this podcast they reflect on the play and related issues. The play focuses on the web of vengeance within the family of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, starting with Agamemnon's sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia, before the battle of Troy. When Agamemnon returns home with Cassandra the prophetess of Apollo as a spoil of war, Clytemnestra invites him back in regal style, but then murders both her husband and his new...2024-03-1740 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill391: The best rap song, fat swiss lesbians, back to the office, confusibles, and the "he gets us" adThe boys drink and review Jailbreak's White Russian cream ale, then discuss five topics in five minutes. #1 -- Confusibles. The boys review some words people commonly use incorrectly. That vs. which. Farther vs. further. etc. #2 -- Swiss fat lesbians. A journalist was sentenced to 60 days in jail for calling a self-described fat lesbian a fat lesbian. Which is true. She is a fat lesbian. But to call her one is somehow hate speech. Which is a ridiculous concept to begin with. #3 -- Is "back to the office" a tool of the patriarchy? Here's...2024-02-2330 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill387: The Texas immigration showdownP&C don't usually talk about current headlines, but every once in a while an issue arises that compels comment. Hence "Nooze and Booze." Immigration has been a crisis since before Ronald Reagan and has been a top concern for voters all that time. Nevertheless, both parties have refused to address it, and the Democrats have been absolutely insistent on open borders. It's been causing a crisis for the border states for decades, but the problem is spilling over into our major cities. It's causing an absolute catastrophe. But still Biden and the Democrats insist...2024-02-0343 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill386: Smart phones are a threat to societyThe boys drink and review Crowhill's homebrewed extra special bitter, then discuss the problems with smart phones (starting at 3:10). Mostly relying on the work of Jonathan Haidt, the boys discuss the good and the bad of social media and smart phones. Imagine social media like giving everybody a dart gun, and the social media platforms promoting everybody who likes to shoot. Social media makes even small conversations a mine field. A college professor lecturing 200 students can be a world-wide villain before the end of his lecture if somebody is offended and tweets it. The outrage mob on social media...2024-01-2940 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill385: Dogs vs. cats -- which are better?The boys drink and review their friend Ben's Mosaic IPA, then discuss the relative virtues of dogs and cats as pets. (Starting at 7:15.) Neither Pigweed nor Crowhill grew up with a dog or a cat, but both ended up with cats as adults. Pigweed takes the cat case and Crowhill takes the dog case. They go back and forth on the relative merits and demerits of each. * Cats are low maintenance. * Dogs can be trained. * Cats are better as "in-house" pets, so they're good for apartments. * Dogs...2024-01-2240 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill384: John Adams and the moral foundations of the U.S. governmentThe boys drink and review Crowhill's homemade Italian bitters, then discuss John Adams (starting about 3:50). Pigweed starts off with some historical information on Adams, our second president, including his on-going dispute with Thomas Jefferson. In a different context, John Adams famously said "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." What does that mean, and how are we to understand that in our modern society? The equation seems to be that more freedom requires more personal self-restraint and...2024-01-2040 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill376: The Dead by James JoyceThe boys review Crowhill's 2023 Christmas beer, then discuss a short story from James Joyce. Pigweed starts off with some biographical information about Joyce, and how "The Dead" fits into his collected works. The story was finished in 1907. Gabriel Conroy is the main character, and we see some of the action through his eyes. The whole story takes places in one snowy evening. It might have been the feast of Epiphany. The hosts have an annual musical celebration. Joyce sets...2023-12-2842 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and CrowhillThe Flashman Incident and cancel cultureThe boys drink and review Crowhill's Tavern Ale, then discuss the international outcry over the Flashman Incident. Some stories, like this one by Hunter Allen, seem like they should stay local, but every once in a while a story catches fire and spreads across the nation. That's what happened when Bob dropped off an old book in the local tiny library. Day 1 -- Bob drops off the book. Pedro picks up "Flashman," by George McDonald Frazier, which is one of the books Bob dropped off. Day 2 -- Pedro takes the book...2023-12-1530 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill372: Crowhill goes to the United Arab EmiratesWith special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Witness Tree Nut Brown Ale from Antietam Brewery, then discuss Crowhill's recent trip to the UAE. While Saudi Arabia dominates the Arabian peninsula, a couple smaller nations squeeze their way in, including UAE. After reviewing a bit of history and geography, the boys discuss Crowhill’s experiences in Abu Dhabi. Crowhill had three goals for his trip. Swim in the Persian Gulf, visit the Grand Mosque, and eat some weird local food. The boys discuss how the UAE maintains a national identity when only about 11 percent of the population is lo...2023-12-0637 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill367: The Salem witch trialsThe boys drink and review Warlock, a pumpkin imperial stout, then discuss the Salem witch trials. In this gripping podcast, Pigweed and Crowhill delve into the chilling history of the Salem witch trials. Join us as we unravel the mysteries, uncover the accused, and explore the dark trials that shook the heart of colonial America. Discover the truth behind the hysteria that still haunts Salem to this day. The Salem witch trials were a series of events that occurred in 1692 in colonial Massachusetts. They involved mass hysteria and accusations of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of 20 people, mainly women...2023-11-0743 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill366: Pro Palestinian rallies on campusThe boys drink and review Captain Crowhill Abbey Ale, then discuss the recent spectacle of college students defending Hamas. The conversation starts with a few assumptions. * Israel exists * It has a right to exist * It has a right to defend itself Why have there been so many ugly rallies in support of Hamas, and why have the universities been so silent about it. If you misgender someone on a college campus, that's the end of you. But if you call for genocide against the Jews, that's free speech. 2023-10-3144 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill360: HawaiiP&C drink and review a non-alcoholic Octoberfest "beer," then discuss their experiences in Hawaii. Pigweed had visited a few decades ago, while Crowhill just got back after a visit to Capt. Crowhill. Crowhill was surprised by several things. * Chickens everywhere. * Not many shells on the beach. * Almost no sea birds. * Mongooses on the loose. * The mountains are incredibly sheer and steep. * There's a sports team called "Red Raiders" with an image of a...2023-10-0436 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill358: Oliver Anthony, aka Chris LunsfordThe boys drink and review a lime and salt no-alcohol brew from Dos Equis, then discuss Chris Lunsford, who some people think is named Oliver Anthony. Mr. Lunsford recently appeared on both Jordan Peterson's and Joe Rogan's podcast. Pigweed and Crowhill try to determine if Mr. Lunsford is the man people think he is -- a simple, authentic man of the people. He seems to be. He has a disdain for commercial success, a love for people, and a desire for his music to be more of a ministry than a monetary venture. 2023-09-1637 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill356: Ideal and planned cities. Hubris or genius?Along with special guest Longinus, the boys review an Amber "non-alcoholic brew" from O'Douls, then discuss planned cities. Pigweed was curious who was secretly buying lots of land near Travis Air Force Base. The fear was it was the Chinese, but it turns out to be Silicon Valley millionaires and billionaires. They want to create an "ideal city" -- because they know best about everything. There is, of course, a long history of people believing they could design the perfect city. It's not an encouraging track record. Longinus starts off the show with...2023-09-1355 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill355: Comments on the GOP debateThe boys drink and review a light copper near bear from Athletic Brewing, then discuss the GOP debates. The participants were Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, Doug Burgum, and Asa Hutchinson. The candidates are all so far behind Donald Trump at this point that it was almost like a debate to see who wanted to be Trump's VP, except that Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, and Mike Pence were clearly competing for the anti/never-Trump lane. Vivek is widely seen as the winner, but Crowhill wasn't all...2023-09-0943 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill352: Pigweed quizzes Crowhill on the Bible352 Pigweed quizzes Crowhill on the Bible The boys drink and review Penn's Best NA, then discuss non-alcoholic beers. How they're made, why anyone would want them, etc. Then Pigweed tries to stump Crowhill on some Bible trivia. Starting with the National Geographic's "50 Influential Figures of the Bible," then moving on to some internet Bible trivia, Pigweed tries to find the holes in Crowhill's biblical knowledge. 2023-08-3139 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill348: The Suburbs - their history and present relevanceWith special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Everyday Amber, then discuss the development, history, and significance of the suburbs. Crowhill mentions his conflict between his preference for free-market solutions, and the reality that some level of governemnt planning is necessary for reasonable civil life. Longinus gives some historical context for cities and suburbs, and ties the big suburbs -- like Levittown -- to the ability to construct houses in an assembly-like manner, effective transportation, and the GI bill, which made financing possible. ...2023-08-0348 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill340: Famous BaltimoreansWith special guest Longinus, Pigweed and Crowhill drink and review Pigweed's homebrewed version of Monument's Steady Eddie IPA, then discuss famous people who are from or have a strong connection with Baltimore, including ... John Aston Jada Pinkett Smith Barry Levitson David Hasselhoff Oprah started off in Baltimore Anna Farris Elmer Snowden Billie Holiday Michael Phelps Julie Bowen John Waters Thurgood Marshall Toni Braxton Tori Amos Tupac...2023-07-0341 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill338: The Ultimate Guide to Aliens; Everything You Need to KnowThe boys drink and review Crowhill's latest homebrew concoction, then discuss the recent phenomenon of aliens moving from nerd world to mainstream. Why has this happened? Is there new evidence? Some videos have surfaced that allegedly show strange craft doing impossible things. The military seems to have changed its tune in their responses to these reports. Military aviators report regular contact with strange objects. We also have high-level, credible whistleblowers who have given remarkable testimony that the U.S. government has alien spacecrafts. But there are still no bodies, no spaceships...2023-06-2338 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill336: The Trump IndictmentThe boys drink a Gold Rush cocktail, then discuss the Trump indictment. We clearly have a problem with classified documents in this country. Biden, Pence, Hillary, and Trump have all been found to behave recklessly with classified documents. There's no question Trump was very reckless. If Capt. Crowhill did any of this, she'd be in jail -- no question. Trump claims that he declassified all the documents before he took them home, but later evidence shows that's not true. Was Trump uniquely reckless? That's hard to say. Hillary's actions were pretty...2023-06-1636 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill328: Are electric vehicle batteries good for the environment?After a quick skit by the Ben Franklin players, Pigweed and Crowhill drink and review a French Toast stout, then discuss the production of EV batteries. The story goes that the planet is heating because of carbon emissions, so we have to move to electric vehicles. Energy drives prosperity and human flourishing. Right now, most energy is produced by fossil fuels, and agricultural relies on fertilizer, which requires fossil fuels. But there's a big drive to move all our vehicles to electric. The boys discuss the details about the production and...2023-05-1932 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill323: Fox News and Tucker CarlsonThe boys do a "nooze and booze" episode about recent events at Fox news while drinking homemade apple pie moonshine. In a matter of a week, there were several big stories in the news world. Fox News parted company with Dan Bongino, Fox News settled with Dominion Voting for an ungodly sum, Don Lemon was fired from CNN, and Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News. The boys discuss the basics of the Dominion Voting lawsuit, but spend most of their time on theories about the Tucker Carlson issue. Pigweed and Crowhill favor...2023-04-2941 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill321: Should the U.S. pay reparations for slavery?Pigweed and Crowhill drink and review an IPA from Three Floyds, then discuss whether the United States should pay reparations for the evils of slavery. P&C agree that the concept of reparations is sound. When you harm someone, you should try to repair the wrong that's been done. They review some of the arguments for reparations and have sympathy for many of them. The idea is not simply that the ancestors of slave owners should pay the ancestors of slaves, but that the entire system was complicit in slavery, so the entire...2023-04-2339 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill319: Was Jan 6 "the darkest day in history"?P&C drink and review Double Nickel Session IPA, then discuss January 6 and all the hyperventilating about it. The over-hyping of the events of January 6 turned Pigweed and Crowhill away from the story. When everyone over-reacts, we under-react. Now that there's some distance and the rhetoric has died down a bit, maybe there's some ability to evaluate it calmly. First, Trump was absolutely wrong in his belief that Pence had the authority to not certify the election results. Unfortunately, some people believed it. Second, there have been some persistent lies about...2023-04-1543 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill318: Religious RevivalsThe boys drink and review Bakalar, a Czech dark lager, then discuss the history of religious revivals in the United States, and their effects. They discuss what makes something a religious revival -- what are its signs and effects. What elements are essential and what are accidental? They review several of the great religious revivals in U.S. history, and mention some of their leading figures. Also, what causes a revival? What sorts of cultural situations tend to precede revivals? Do they come in a predictable rhythm? Do they always involve a fixation...2023-04-0747 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill316: Destination weddings, and large people on planesThe boys drink and review Dark and Righteous, from Jailbreak brewing, then discuss their recent experiences with destination weddings. P&C both attended Roman Catholic weddings -- Crowhill was the father of the bride at a wedding in Nashville, and Pigweed was at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, near Puerto Vallarta. The boys discuss similarities and differences in their experiences at the weddings, as well as travel, accommodations, and entertainment. They reflect on the whole package -- what they liked and what they didn't. On the way home, Pigweed had the unfortunate experience of...2023-04-0636 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill314: What is Latinx? plus relaxing on vacationThe boys drink and review Lagunitas's Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale, then discuss the new word Latinx, and vacations. Our language overlords have insisted that Latino and Latina are inappropriate in our new woke universe, so they imposed a monstrosity: Latinx -- which makes no sense. Spanish is a gendered language, but white woke people in America figured they had to fix that, because those stupid Latinos didn't know what to do with their own language. Pigweed takes a woke, revisionist Spanish document with him to Mexico to ask some actual Latinos what they...2023-04-0528 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill315: All the best women are menThe boys drink and review Troeg's Nugget Nectar, then discuss how men are stealing all the top places in women's rankings. While thinking about transgender ideology, the boys look at ... * Contradictions in transgender ideology * What "transgender" means * Can people be "trapped in the wrong body"? * Examples of how men are stealing women's thunder * Where have all the feminists gone? The gender fluidity / trans perspective is internally inconsistent, illogical, unscientific, and mind-bogglingly stupid. Pigweed and Crowhill try their best to inject some sense and...2023-03-3047 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill312: Lent and beer fastingWith special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Paulaner pils, then discuss Lent and fasting. Lent is the penitential season before Easter. Crowhill gives a basic history of Lent, and the boys discuss some common Lenten customs. The 40 days of Lent are symbolic, similar to other 40-day events in the Bible. Modern Lenten fasts are usually not as stringent as fasts in the past, and especially not as strict as the fasts the monks used to do. Which leads us to Pigweed and Crowhill's beer fast. The Paulaner...2023-03-2331 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill311: Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle and Farmer Giles of HamThe boys drink and review Sweet Baby Banana by DuClaw, then discuss two short works by Tolkien. In this latest installment of their "shortcut to the classics" series, Longinus joins Pigweed and Crowhill to review these two interesting stories. Niggle is a quiet little man who would like to spend his life on his grand work, which was a painting of a tree. His neighbor, Parish, keeps interrupting him with irritating requests. Niggle helps Parish when he can, but fails to prepare for a long journey, and is caught unawares when the day comes. 2023-03-1750 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill305: Possible causes of the recent gender confusionThe boys drink and review Crowhill's Henry IV homebrew, then discuss possible causes of the recent uptick in gender confusion. Just recently -- all of a sudden -- we're getting an epidemic of people with gender dysphoria. Why? What's causing this? We're told that the only possible explanation is that this has always been true -- that sex is not binary -- but that truth has been suppressed by the patriarchal tyranny. P&C think there are lots of other possibilities, including ... 1. Microplastics. 2. Environmental toxins that are interfering with repro...2023-02-1046 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill302: Skills we wish we hadThe boys drink and review Delicious IPA from Stone, then discuss skills they wish they had learned. Everybody has to make choices about how they spend their time, and some skills require a lot of work to acquire. Pigweed and Crowhill talk about things they wish they could do, but have never applied themselves to. Things like ... Being handy, or a gearhead, Whistling well, Getting comfortable with the Celsius scale, Learning the metric system, Budgeting, Tying lots of cool knots, Learning other languages, Dancing, Playing the guitar, or the piano, Charming fabulous women, Swordfighting, and other fun...2023-02-0735 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill298: VegetarianismWith special guest Longinus (a vegetarian), the boys drink and review a small beer, following a recipe from George Washington, then discuss vegetarianism. Sometimes vegetarianism is inspired by religious beliefs, and sometimes by secular ethics and questions of health. There are also issues about environmental issues and sustainability. There are different types or levels of vegetarianism, including veganism, lacto and ovo vegetarianism, pescetarianism, raw vegans, etc. Some claim that vegetarianism is more healthy and better for the planet. Pigweed asks how vegetarianism squares with the history of our species. Cooking and eati...2023-01-2249 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill291: P&C talk about Christmas musicThe boys drink and review a peppermint Imperial stout, then discuss Christmas music. What do scary ghost stories have to do with Christmas? It might be more complicated than you think! Pigweed and Crowhill discuss their favorite songs, the duds, themes in Christmas music, and why the Christmas season is so special. This is a light-hearted episode, sure to put you in the holiday spirit. 2022-12-1743 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill280: The Red Trickle of 2022Pigweed and Crowhill drink and review two beers from Springfield Manor Brewery, then discuss the disappointing results of the 2022 midterm elections. The proverb says "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," and that's certainly the case here. What in the world happened to the Red Wave? The modern Democratic Party has gone so far past the insane label that it's hard to believe anybody would vote for them. But ... apparently a lot of people don't feel that way. Republicans severely under-delivered. Why? Part of it is candidate quality. Some of the R...2022-11-1052 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill276: Edgar Allan PoeAs part of their ongoing and popular "shortcut to the classics" series, Pigweed and Crowhill, with special guest Longinus, review Tell Tale Heart IPA, then discuss Poe's life and works, including his connection to Baltimore, Maryland. They review several Poe short stories and poems, including The Fall of the House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Raven. For each story, the boys give a brief review of the basic details, then delve into some interpretation and commentary. The stories play off common horrors: bei...2022-10-2453 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill273: Why male employment mattersThe boys drink and review Pigweed's D.C. Bro, an attempt to clone D.C. Brau's India Pale Ale. Then they discuss male employment. Does it matter if men are unemployed? P&C say yes, it matters. In fact, it's a serious problem, and our culture is not addressing it. As a general rule, young men need to be reined in. A successful culture needs to steer the aggressive, competitive instincts of men towards something useful for society. We're not doing that. Men are falling behind. They're killing themselves more, suffering more addiction, and...2022-10-1236 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill270: Franz Kafka's MetamorphosisIn this latest edition of "shortcut to the classics," the boys review Czechvar Lager, then review The Metamorphosis. Special guest Longinus joins the show to contribute his literary expertise. After a very brief biography of Kafka, the boys review the characters, the basic plot, and the structure of the book, then delve into its possible meanings. Gregor, the main character, wakes up one morning as a bug, with predictable but rather amusing consequences for his job and his family. In some ways, the story sounds like something a 5th grader would drea...2022-09-3042 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill263: Censorship by government and big techThe boys drink and review Crowhill's 2022 Christmas Ale, then discuss censorship. Is it okay for search engines to "curate" our search results, based on what they think we should know and be exposed to? Should medical associations or journals crack down on doctors who propose alternative theories or treatments? What about when the government gets involved and asks Big Tech to ban certain people or certain messages? Is it right for the FBI to tell Facebook what to suppress? Is it different in times of war? The boys think throu...2022-09-1546 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill262: RIP Queen Elizabeth 2, and the benefits of monarchyIn this special edition of Nooze and Booze, Pigweed and Crowhill do a spontaneous, off-the-cuff tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Sept. 8, 2022. As Americans, P&C aren't as familiar with the details of the transition of power, rules of succession, and so on, and spend some time asking questions and wondering what happens next. The boys also reflect on monarchy in general, and discuss some of its positive aspects, such as having a source of stability that exists outside the political cycle. God save the King! 2022-09-0916 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill261: What's behind the assault on humor?Pigweed and Crowhill review an imperial stout and discuss humor. What makes a joke funny? Can we classify different types of jokes? Why do we tell jokes? What social purpose do they serve? Can humor serve as a corrective, to show us how things are supposed to be? Do jokes train people in what's appropriate and inappropriate? The boys dig into these questions as they reflect on a recent Ricky Gervais performance. The left used to defend offensive and irreverent humor. Now there are elements on the left that are trying to restrict hum...2022-09-0940 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill257: Marriage, gay marriage, gay parenting, etc.The boys drink and review "Triple Dog Triple IPA" from Flying Dog brewery, then respond to a listener question on gay marriage. What does "marriage" mean? And are Pigweed and Crowhill in favor of same-sex marriage? The boys start with biology. Pair bonding. Procreation. What goes on in the animal kingdom. When does monogamy make sense? And what about property? Isn't marriage largely about inheritance? Then there's the issue of forming political bonds between different tribes. It was only recently that marriage changed from being primarily about procreation and property to its...2022-08-2441 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill248: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis CarrollPigweed and Crowhill, with special guest Longinus, drink and review a coffee stout from Guinness, then continue their "shortcut to the classics" series with a review of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. They start off with a whirlwind tour of the story, then discuss various potential meanings and interpretations. Generally speaking, the boys are not impressed, and they wonder why in the world this has become such a classic. It is the third most quoted book in the English language! It's silly and playful, but is that all? Are there any hidden meanings? Is...2022-07-2641 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill239: Hell and Satan. Their origins and history. Where did we get the idea of Hell, and how has it developed over time?Pigweed and Crowhill drink and review a Hefeweizen from 1623 Brewing, then discuss Hell and Satan. We often read later understandings of Hell and Satan back into old texts, so we see the serpent in the garden of Eden as Satan, and Sheol in the Hebrew Bible as Hell. But it wasn't always that way. The notion of Hell and the role of Satan wasn't as clear in older texts as they became later. Hell is much more clearly described in the New Testament, as is Satan, but the concepts continued to develop past that through...2022-06-2951 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill236: Air conditioning. Some history of climate control and how it changed AmericaPigweed and Crowhill drink and review a homebrewed no-alcohol porter, then discuss the history and significance of air conditioning. Special guest Longinus joins P&C to contribute his knowledge of history and the development of cities. Refrigeration started with ice houses, ice boxes and ice-cooled freight cars, but eventually moved on to refrigeration, which relies on the laws of physics to create a cool environment. These amazing devices allowed modern refrigerators and air conditioning. Longinus gives some history on how air conditioning slowly worked its way into industry and homes. Air...2022-06-2948 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill235: The Great Gatsby. The boys review F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous classic workPigweed and Crowhill drink and review Vulpulin Tropical Pale Ale from Sly Fox Brewing, then review The Great Gatsby. With special guest Longinus, P&C continue their "shortcut to the classics" series, picking a short work by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Following a quick biography of the man, the boys review the plot and discuss the meaning of the text. The book is often considered a classic treatment of the roaring 20s. The writing is top-notch, and the story is interesting, but the characters are less than admirable. Themes in the book...2022-06-2956 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill231: Florida, casual dress, bikinis and Florida Man. The sunshine state is an odd mix of wonderful and redneck.The boys drink and review a homebrew dry hop experiment, then discuss Florida. Both of the boys have spent some time there, but Crowhill has spent about a year there, off and on. The state is quite a mixed bag. It's the vacation capital of the world, but it has some unique issues. One thing you quickly notice is that it's filled with lizards: anoles, iguanas and alligators. They're usually not a problem, but they're omnipresent. While you expect Florida to be a paradise of bikinis and sand, there are a lot of...2022-06-2948 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill213: Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. A brief history, plus some fun Irish facts and humorThe boys drink and review O'Hara's Irish Stout, then celebrate March 17th. They do a quick review of Irish history, starting back in pre-history, through St. Patrick, the Vikings, Brian Boru and the English occupation, and up to modern times. They ask why is Ireland divided north and south, and wonder about the demise of the IRA. They also discuss the two spellings of whiskey, the potato famine, St. Patrick Day customs, Irish beer, and how much Irish blood Pigweed and Crowhill have in them.2022-06-2941 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill207: Food fads, "free range" chicken, farmed fish, etc.The boys drink and review a "lazy beer," then discuss food fads. Is it better to "eat local"? Are farmed fish less healthy than wild caught? Are "free range" chickens happier and healthier than others? Unfortunately, many of these things are so imprecisely defined that they're meaningless. Pigweed and Crowhill both agree with many of the goals of the people who promote some of these food fads, but when you look into them, they tend to fall apart under scrutiny.2022-06-2948 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill204: Multiple Personalities / Dissociative Identity DisorderP&C drink and review one of Crowhill's recent homebrews, then discuss multiple personality syndrome, or, the way it's known these days, dissociative identity disorder (DID). The boys review some popular treatments of the subject, including The Three Faces of Eve, Sybil, the Billy Milligan story, and Split. Is DID real, or are people being coached (even hypnotized or drugged) into a diagnosis by their therapists? P&C have their doubts. Cases of DID always increase after a popular movie or book covers the subject. Today, there's a whole community of DID sufferers...2022-06-2955 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill200: An overview of the first 200 episodesPigweed and Crowhill review how and why they started the podcast, and the innovations and interesting things they've brought to "Beer and Conversation" over the years, including ... * Skits * Five for Five * Shortcut to the classics * Nooze and Booze * Predictions * Pretend events * Reviews of books that don't exist They've also covered quite a range of topics: * Economics * Science * Religion * Culture * Politics * Entertainment (movies, books, tv) * Tech * History * Logic * Grammar * Cryptocurrency * Sci-fi 2022-06-2911 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill197: Militaries around the worldP&C drink and review Victory's Storm King, then Pigweed quizzes Crowhill on military statistics. Who spends the most? Who has the biggest military? Who has the most global firepower? After reviewing some stats, the boys discuss the politics of it all. Why is the U.S. military all over the world, protecting everyone else? Does NATO pay its fair share? Should we be protecting other countries, or should they shoulder their own burden?2022-01-2548 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill195: Biden in 2024, Thick Spokesmodels, and Mask MandatesP&C drink and review Harpoon's Winter Warmer, then open the mailbag. Uncle Billy doesn't believe Joe Biden will run for president, and that Harris is a disaster for the Democratic Party. The boys discuss. Red Pill Rick wonders why spokesmodels and actresses are getting chunkier. Pigweed and Crowhill reflect on some possible examples and possible explanations. And probably get in trouble in the process. Chaz the Spaz asks why unelected officials are making laws. Pigweed has a relevant person experience with his county council and mask mandates.2022-01-2039 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill190: The Woke and presuppositionalismP&C review the latest DuClaw version of the "Pastryarchy," then discuss woke presuppositionalism. Crowhill explains what "presuppositionalism" means, and then the boys discuss the sorts of things that we all presuppose. Context. Goals. Value. Ethics. We can't even perceive the world without these things. So in some limited sense, the basic concept of "presuppositionalism" is true. How does this apply to the woke? First, there are things the woke all assume, which P&C review. But second, the woke don't seem to believe there's any common ground between the woke...2021-12-3134 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill189: The War on DrugsThe boys review Crowhill's Dopplebock, then discuss the war on drugs. This so-called war on drugs has been going on for decades. What has it accomplished? Drug use is up. Deaths by overdose are increasing. If we're really fighting a war on drugs, how should that affect our border policy? What is the role of Big Pharma and pain management? How did the lockdown affect drug use? What about legalization? 2021-12-3043 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill187: Renaissance FestivalsP&C review "Naughty or Nice," an IPA from Devil's Backbone, then discuss the Renaissance festival. Pigweed and Crowhill have only been to the Maryland Renn Fest, which they hear is one of the better ones. The Renn Fest is the happiest place on earth. Everyone is there to have a good time. There are no bad attitudes. No arguments. No conflicts. It can get bawdy, and quite silly, and it's not always purely "Renaissance." The periods get a little confused. But it's a great time.2021-12-2230 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill186: CBD vs. THC: What do they do?The boys drink and review a Christmas stout, then discuss CBD vs. THC. If you believe the internet, CBD seems like a cure-all. But if you go to the web sites that sell it, the claims get much more modest! Are there any decent studies to tell us what CBD can and can't do? There are some, and they're not that encouraging. While there are a few proven benefits of CBD, most of the claims are not supported by science. Pigweed and Crowhill urge caution.2021-12-2138 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill185: Pigweed and Crowhill go to churchThe boys review Pigweed's Pale Ale, then discuss a field trip to a local Evangelical church. Longinus came along as well. The building itself was very plain -- like an auditorium. No religious art. There was only one cross, which wasn't even in a central location. The music was upbeat, but a little weird. The service focused on the very long sermon, which was biblical, but a bit rambling. The boys reflect on the experience and the religious and social implications.2021-12-1235 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill183: People who are addicted to dramaP&C drink and review Crowhill's Kentucky Brown Ale, then discuss people who are drawn to drama -- in their own lives, or in the lives of their significant others. You may be addicted to drama if ... * Life is a roller coaster. * You storm in and out of relationships. And you sabotage them. * Drama is a bad addiction. You hate it and need it at the same time. * You're Loud. Childish. Agressive. There's a lot of yelling and crying. * You compliment people a lot. * You create emotional situations that can't...2021-12-0936 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill179: Comic booksP&C drink and review Crowhill's Christmas ale, then discuss comic books. The boys review their own personal experience with comics, then discuss modern issues with comic books, and movies based on comics. Is this another example of extended childhood? Or are these superhero movies fulfilling some deep psychological need? Also, the woke are ruining this too.2021-11-2446 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill175: Wrinkles the ClownP&C review Crowhill's Kentucky Common, then discuss Wrinkles the Clown. Parents have been heard to say, "We don't spank, we use the discipline clown." E.g., "You'd better be good, or I'll call Wrinkles." "Hello, Wrinkles," [child wailing in the background], "I have some very bad children here." The story of Wrinkles is very interesting, and more complicated than you might think. What should we think of a clown designed to scare children?2021-11-0739 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill163: The Flashman IncidentP&C drink and review Crowhill's Tavern Ale, then discuss a local story that went national. The Flashman Incident. Bob thought he was doing the community a favor by dropping off some of his dad's old books in the free Tiny Libraries that dotted his neighborhood, but when Pedro took the book to school and his teacher saw some inappropriate language, all Hell broke loose. The social media / woke firestorm threatened to engulf everyone in its way. It's still unclear what will happen to Bob. Flashman is the name of a novel by George MacDonald...2021-10-0131 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill152: Crowhill is a liberal?P&C review a new brewer's first beer, and Pigweed is shocked to discover that Crowhill is a liberal. That leads to a discussion on the differences between classical and modern liberalism. Classical liberalism insisted that government is only justified with the consent of the governed. It was all about liberty, free speech, small government, self-reliance and individual rights, which didn't come from government, but from the creator. The government only has power because we let it have power. Modern liberalism has departed from these ideals in important ways, which the boys summarize.2021-08-1241 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill147: The secular perspective on religionP&C drink a homebrew fail from Crowhill, then discuss various sociological perspectives on religion. If you look at religion from an evolutionary or sociological perspective, what function does it serve? How was religious belief a positive adaptation? Or was it? Sociologists and evolutionary psychologists who study this question have come up with some interesting theories about the benefits of religion, and why it helped humans advance. P&C consider the "New Atheist" perspective on religion and compare it with other secular approaches.2021-07-2646 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill121: KoreaCaptain Crunch made a surprise trip to town, bringing a very strange Korean rice beer, and regaling Pigweed and Crowhill with tales of her travels in Korea. What's different over there? Shopping. Weather. Living arrangements. Technology. Having a wacko neighbor to the north. Snack foods. Driving. Trash. Listen in and hear all about it.2021-04-0236 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill119: Jordan Peterson as Martin Luther 2P&C drink and review the latest Pastryarchy offering from DuClaw, then discuss the similarities between Martin Luther and Jordan Peterson. Crowhill is convinced JP is on the edge of a major transformation, and can see similarities between Peterson and Luther -- especially in how they deal with the righteousness of God. Peterson seems unable to deal with the moral weight of God's existence in a healthy way. It crushes him. It terrifies him. As it did Luther. JP will have to solve this. And soon.2021-03-2650 min

Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and CrowhillEp 113: Equity vs EqualityP&C drink and review Crowhill's anise-flavored porter, then discuss the differences between equality and equity. Equality focuses on equal treatment. Equity focuses on equal outcomes. Equity is the right choice in some situations, but not in others. But "equity" has become the modern rallying cry, as if it's a cure-all. Equity is particularly misplaced when it's applied to groups rather than to individuals, so the combination of equity and identity politics creates a particularly bad outcome.2021-03-0548 min