Another Reason to Drink

Send us Fan Mail The night starts with a pour that looks like burnished copper and tastes like old-world craft: a Belgian imperial Christmas ale with caramel, marzipan, peach, and that signature Belgian yeast bite at 12% ABV. We talk through why it works—fermentation-driven spice, a dry finish that reins in sweetness, and the way a tulip glass unlocks aroma—before pulling back the curtain on our p...

Send us Fan Mail The label promised berry jam; our glasses screamed butterscotch. We cracked open Great Lakes Brewing’s Cookie Exchange milk stout expecting a sweet, fruity holiday twist and instead found caramel, coffee, and a full-on Werther’s vibe. After a pre-show feast and one too many smoothie-style pours at a local favorite, we got honest about why pastry stouts can overwhelm a full palate...

Send us Fan Mail Two holiday beers, one wild night. We crack open a chocolate peppermint bark stout that drinks like grown-up cocoa, then tackle an 11% cherry Belgian strong ale dressed up with a champagne cork—and yes, we found glass shards in two corks. That surprise detour turns into a quick safety PSA, an email to the brewery, and practical tips for opening corked beer bottles without bleeding...

Send us Fan Mail A silky oatmeal cream pie stout that surprises with balance. An 11% tiramisu coffee stout that seduces with cocoa and espresso but leans sweet. And a brewery road story that proves awards can’t fix bad hospitality, while a friendly bar down the street can turn an average pint into a memorable night. That’s the ride we take as we crack open Whole Hog’s 8% Imperial Stout and Saunder...

Send us Fan Mail Two seasonal beers. One big question: cozy malt comfort or piney hop punch. We kicked off with Abita Pecan Ale, a Louisiana classic built on roasted pecans, pale malt, and caramel malt. The aroma brought nutty warmth, the palate leaned earthy and brown-ale smooth, and as it warmed we noticed a drier finish. It instantly conjured camping nights and flannel weather, and we landed on...

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Send us Fan Mail Fall tastes better when the first pour surprises you and the second one lingers. We kick off spooky season with a road trip to Dented Keg in Clearfield, PA, where river views meet a flight that actually teaches you something about the brewery’s range. The standout is a cherry-driven sour that nails the beginner’s balance—refreshing, not too tart, and clean enough to sip all night....

Send us Fan Mail Pumpkin shelves are still full, so we went hunting for what’s actually worth drinking and wound up with two wildly different takes. First up: North High Carved Pumpkin, a smooth 7.5% ale with a holiday-leaning spice bill. The aroma says pumpkin patch, but the sip says clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon turned up past cozy and into Christmas. No alcohol burn, no syrupy sweetness, just a c...

Send us Fan Mail The night started simple—two brown ales, side by side—and turned into a full-on fall flavor map. We cracked Civil Rivalry’s First Down Brown and Alesmith’s English nut brown to see how cocoa, caramel, bitterness, and biscuit actually show up in the glass. One poured darker with a chocolate-forward core and a clean, bitter snap; the other drifted lighter, smoother, and bready, warm...

Send us Fan Mail Crisp nights, clinking steins, and the great Oktoberfest debate: does the same beer really taste that different on tap vs in a can? We put it to the test with two pours—a local Jamestown Oktoberfest and a Munich-brewed Helles—then dig into why carbonation, packaging, and freshness can swing a rating from a nine to a seven in a single pour. If you’ve ever brought home a favorite dr...

Send us Fan Mail Fall beer season brings a perfect excuse to explore the spectrum of autumnal flavors, and we're diving headfirst into two distinctive brews that couldn't be more different yet equally impressive. The Brew Kettle's Pumpkin Drop Lager offers a refreshing take on the pumpkin beer formula. At 5% ABV, this Ohio-based brew delivers authentic pumpkin flavor without overwhe...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.anotherreasontodrink.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.anotherreasontodrink.com

Send us Fan Mail Fall beer season has officially arrived, and we're celebrating with a deep dive into two exceptional seasonal brews that captured our attention. The Bent Run Amber Ale from Warren, PA packs a perfect balance of toffee notes and drinkability at 5.8% ABV, while Shiner's Oktoberfest delivers a surprisingly smooth experience that challenges our usual preference for pumpkin b...

Send us Fan Mail Remember that perfect summer day when everything tasted better? That's exactly what we captured in this episode when we cracked open a Blueberry Lemon Shandy from Saugatuck Brewing Company. This Michigan-made marvel transported us straight to flavor paradise with its authentic blueberry profile that had us reminiscing about childhood cereals and carefree summer days. Not too...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when friends gather over specialty beers and start sharing unfiltered thoughts about everything from BBQ sauce experiments to golf adventures? This episode captures the authentic camaraderie that makes craft beer tasting so enjoyable. First up, we dive into Narragansett Lager, a Rhode Island classic dating back to 1890. At 5% ABV and just 12 IBU, this smooth, uniquely...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it's like to camp in a human fishbowl? This week's adventure puts one of our hosts at the center of a bizarre camping cul-de-sac where every fellow camper had to circle his site to get anywhere. The result? An improvised drinking game and some hilariously awkward encounters with strangers making multiple passes. We kick things off with Victory Brewing&...

Send us Fan Mail Summertime adventures and ice-cold hazy IPAs collide in this long-awaited return episode where Rick and Princess catch listeners up on their whirlwind summer travels. From a beautiful mountain wedding in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest (complete with bourbon and cigar bar) to death-defying tubing escapades that sent bodies flying four feet into the air, every story...

Send us Fan Mail Summer is slipping away faster than an ice-cold beer on a hot day, and Rick and Princess are here to remind you to savor every moment with another round of honest brew reviews and belly laughs. After Rick's solo episode last week, Princess returns to the recording studio ready to explore two vastly different brewing styles. First up is Little Fish Brewing Company's Cleft...

Send us Fan Mail That moment when mortality math hits you in the face – after turning 50, the average person has just 176 Sundays left. This sobering realization formed the unexpected emotional core of our conversation with special guest Greg, who's contemplating a major life transition from the familiar warmth of North Carolina to the uncharted winters of Northeast Ohio. Between sips of Coun...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if a lemon shanty can taste like fancy lemon water? That's exactly what we discovered with Great Lakes Rally Drum in our latest boozy adventure. This refreshing 4% ABV shanty stunned us with its clean, cucumber-worthy profile that could easily masquerade as a healthy morning beverage (we're not suggesting it, but we're not not suggesting it either). Be...

Send us Fan Mail Crack open a cold one and join us for a beer-soaked journey through craft brews, life stories, and questionable decisions. This episode features a head-to-head battle between two distinct Ohio craft beer styles – Masthead Brewery's Rotondra Hazy IPA (a collaboration with Heinen's) and Twin Oaks Brewery's Ship Burner Porter. The hazy IPA surprises us with its bold, b...

Send us Fan Mail Ever tried battling a fly the size of a quarter while attempting to taste craft beer? Welcome to our world. This episode takes an unexpected turn as we're invaded by what might be the largest house fly in recorded history, transforming our beer tasting into an impromptu insect safari. Between swats and near-misses, we manage to properly evaluate two exceptional brews. First u...

Send us Fan Mail The McDonald's Mystery Man makes an unexpected return as our hosts dive into a beer-fueled adventure spanning Memorial Day weekend. Between sips of Blue Pearl Kolsch from Immigrant Sons Brewing and Chimay Red from Belgium, we're treated to hilarious tales from Cleveland's nightlife scene that'll have you laughing out loud. The Blue Pearl Kolsch earns solid mark...

Send us Fan Mail Ever had a beer so bad you'd rather drink anything else? This episode takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the extreme highs and catastrophic lows of craft beer exploration. We kick things off with Jacko's Gift from the Crows, a dangerously drinkable 9.5% hazy double IPA from Ohio that delivers waves of pineapple, papaya, and fresh strawberry notes. Despite its subs...