John and Rory

The Bottleopeners

Comedy EN ↓ 3 episodes

*Join Rory and John as they sip and slurp their way through the complexities, controversies and conundrums of beloved (and not so beloved) beverages. You’ll get tipsy on facts, friendship and funny tales, with an optional drink-along as the pair share tasting notes for each episode’s chosen drink.**Expect industry insights from John - the Brian Cox of beer and wine - and often unhelpful interjections from Rory - a crap man’s James Acaster. Plus there are regular, welcome tangents that explore where fantasy, fiction and fine drinking cross over: 'Dungeons and Dregs', 'Books and Booze' and more....

Author

John and Rory

Episodes

3. Comic Sans Alcohol 03.04.2026 56:19

How do you make non-alcoholic beer? Why were Rory’s teenage dates such a disaster? Is this episode’s Dungeons and Dregs (9 mins in) the scariest ever? Why can wasps recognise human faces? Can beer ever be considered a sports drink? Why does John keep saying 'growler'? All this and more is answered in episode 3. Wanna drink along for the tasting towards the end of the episode? Grab yourself...

2. To Helles and Back 08.02.2026 40:19

The science of shotgunning a can of beer and what Rory witnessed when John didn’t get it right, how Helles lager got its name, plus the fictional beverage that appears across US hit TV shows vs the one we all know from The Simpsons. It’s all here in the second episode, starting with a few minutes of John checking in from his car while he waits to see if his dog has mauled the groomer. Then usual a...

1. How Merlot Can You Go? 24.01.2026 32:23

Exploding grapes. Hobbit vintage. The most expensive glass of wine in the world. Brad Pitt's appetite. What is a 'corked' bottle? And why John HATES Merlot. Mostly. All this and more in episode 1 of The Bottleopeners. Wanna drink along during the taste test? Grab a budget Chilean Merlot in advance! Sent to your ears with love by John and Rory.