Listen While You Drink

The two of us are always trying to think of fun and unique ways to incorporate our interests into our blog posts. Normally we’re discussing beer, food or traveling. Well, today we want to talk about one of our other favorite things: podcasts.  Broad has about a half hour commute to the office and also drives to and from court and to client appointments. Beard drives to the brewery, the production facility and to his sales accounts all over the west side of Cleveland. So, we both spend a lot of time in the car, and Broad also spends quite a bit of time in the office.  Like most people, we’re not thrilled with local radio stations and occasionally grow bored with our Spotify playlists, so we have turned to podcasts. One day we asked ourselves, what are the perfect beverages to pair with our favorite podcasts?  Read on to find out what we came up with!

What is a Podcast?
If you’re not familiar with podcasts, to put it simply, they could be viewed as “internet radio on-demand” (International Podcast Day).  Each podcast typically has a website where episodes can be listened to or downloaded for future listening. There are also different distribution services that deliver podcasts (Stitcher, iTunes or Earwolf). Most podcasts are free and listeners can subscribe to have new episodes delivered to their device without having to constantly check when a new one is released. Sometimes certain podcasts will offer a premium service for a fee where subscribers can access additional episodes or other extras.

Anyone can have a podcast, not just celebrities, and you can talk about whatever you want. Additionally most podcasts have websites or at least a Facebook page where listeners can leave comments about episodes or engage in discussions with other listeners or sometimes even the hosts. It really creates a community type environment. Broad belongs to many podcast groups and will talk to you for hours about them if you let her.

Our Favorite Podcasts
Broad’s favorite podcast topics are true crime, comedy, history, and ones based on human experience (think NPR). Beard’s favorite topics include movies/tv shows, comedy, and also ones based on the human experience. The following podcasts are some of our favorites and what we suggest you drink while you listen, PLUS a surprise bonus suggestion from their hosts!

Sword & Scale
“Sword and Scale is an internet radio show and website covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it.” (Sword & Scale). Hosted by Mike Boudet, their stories cover crimes ranging from murder, rape and abduction to even crazier crimes. It’s really a no holds barred podcast. The episodes are told from the narrator’s point of view and the episodes include everything that has to do with the crime including 911 calls, court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes interviews with perpetrators. It’s really a complete look at the whole story.

The Drink: The Martini. We reached out to Boudet and asked him for his favorite drink.  His answer: “I drink very dry martinis. Hold the garnish.” He further went out to say, “They’re crisp, clean and get the job done with the efficiency of a scalpel. Simple to make: all you need is Vodka, ice and a martini glass. The glass is crucial, because it’s a silly glass with a fucked up center of gravity. So when you start knocking them over, you know you’ve had enough and it’s time to go home before you make an ass of yourself. Again.”

First Impressions:
Beard: Yup, need a stiff drink with this podcast.  More often than not, it’s super heavy shit.  There’s times where episodes just make me anxious and having a drink that’s essentially vodka on the rocks is a nice way to deal with them (*not while driving of course).  I would prefer my extra dry martini with gin, but would swap it out for vodka to make it more of a Boudet-inspired listening/drinking experience.

Broad: I have to agree with Mike. I think the perfect drink while listening to this podcast is a martini, a dry martini. Broad would like to add the garnish, preferably stuffed olives (garlic or blue cheese, the more snacks the better). The podcast can get pretty dark quickly and it’s good to have a strong, crisp drink by your side for comfort.

Casefile
Casefile is the podcast that really sparked Broad’s obsession with true crime podcasts. The tagline is “Fact is Scarier Than Fiction” (Casefile). Episodes air weekly and run anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. The narrator, known only as “Brad,” calmly tells a story of a devastating crime such as murder or abduction, usually an Australian crime but not always. The podcast sometimes walks the listener through the criminal’s trial. Other times it discusses potential theories for a crime whose perpetrator was never caught. It’s truly fascinating.

The Drink: Beer, Bourbon, Shiraz. The host of Casefile is anonymous and we know nothing about him other than that he has an Australian accent. So when we reached out to him, we honestly did not expect a response; but lo and behold, he wrote back to us! He actually gave us three favorite drinks: “Favorite beer: Stone and Wood Pacific Ale; Favorite Spirit: Wild Turkey American Honey; Favorite Wine: Shiraz.” He went on to say it depends on the weather, occasion etc. as to which would be his favorite. We did try to find some Stone and Wood Pacific Ale (it’s out of Australia) around here in Cleveland, but unfortunately we weren’t able to.  The bourbon and Shiraz were easy though.

First Impressions:
Beard:  These episodes can be pretty eclectic.  There’s some I find fascinating from the beginning, and others are more of a slow burn.  For this reason, the trio of suggested drinks works really well.  Wine for the slow to develop episodes, beer for the more intense, intriguing episodes, and whiskey for the episodes that punch you in the face right from the beginning.

Broad: I’m a huge fan of Shiraz wines so I was happy this was picked. I really wish we could have tried Stone and Wood. We will just have to go to Australia and get some! As for the bourbon, I can’t drink it straight. I can only drink it in a mixed cocktail.  I definitely feel like a Shiraz or red wine is the perfect drink for this podcast. It’s comforting to have something delicious and strong while listening to these intense episodes.

How To Be Amazing With Michael Ian Black
How to Be Amazing is an in-depth interview show hosted by comedian, author and actor Michael Ian Black. “Black sits down with some of today’s most provocative writers, entertainers, artists, innovative thinkers and politicians for humorous, thought-provoking conversations that dive into the creative process and the intricate minds of some of the most influential voices of our time” (website).

The Drink: Dr. Pepper. We shot an email to Michael Ian Black via the podcast website. We honestly weren’t expecting a response because he is a VERY busy man juggling stand-up, writing, acting, fatherhood, podcasting etc. But, we surprisingly got an immediate reply! “An afternoon Dr. Pepper is always a good podcast accompaniment. Served, of course, in a proper glass with proper ice cubes.” We know that he’s not a big drinker so this answer was no surprise. We think that a good soft drink (although we personally don’t drink a lot of soda) would accompany this podcast perfectly. You’ll want to settle into your couch or office chair and listen to Black’s smooth voice as he interviews amazing people on how they got to be that amazing.

First Impressions:
Beard:  Like Broad, I don’t drink soda very often.  But, sometimes I do get a craving for that bubbly, sugary refreshment.  Michael Ian Black has just the right playful tone to make soda pop the perfect pairing for this podcast.  I’ve actually always been a big Dr. Pepper fan, so his recommendation is right up my alley.

Broad: I hardly drink any soda and when I do I usually go for a Mountain Dew. It’s been awhile since I had a Dr. Pepper. It’s still good but if I had my choice of sodas, I would stick to the Dew or Coke. I do think a delicious, refreshing soft drink pairs well with this podcast.

I Was There Too
This is a truly unique podcast! Matt Gourley (Superego, Drunk History, James Bonding) interviews the people who who were in the backgrounds of classic movie and television scenes or who were at least in the room while they happened. During the interviews, you’ll hear stories of how these scenes were made truly “from a fly-on-the-wall perspective you’ve never heard” (I Was There Too).  Gourley is a really terrific, entertaining host and he always has the best guests. Sometimes he has special guest appearances from his equally funny fiancé Amanda Lund and their adorable funny cat Margeaux the fat guy.

The Drink: Gin & Tonic. Gourley’s answer was perfect when we asked for his favorite beverage! “In the past couple of years I have learned to love just a simple gin and tonic. Sure, some good gin helps and some nice tonic isn’t bad either. But even so, if it’s crap straight from Ralphs, squeeze a lime in and I enjoy it just the same!” If you know anything about us, in addition to loving beer, we love gin. We love gin with tonic, bitters, juice etc. I think while listening to IWTT a refreshing G&T compliments the interesting and funny stories.

Additionally we received a bonus from Gourley. He went on to tell us that he made a drink for the summer he calls the “Annandale.” He went on to say, “it’s complicated and isn’t as easy as a gin and tonic so I default more to the G+T these days.” For a look at the Annandale and the recipe click here.

First Impressions:
Beard: I pride myself on introducing Broad to the wonders and versatility of gin.  Before we started dating she had only had the run of the mill G & T, but since then it’s become our liquor of choice in a variety of cocktails and we’ve amassed quite a collection.  Because of this, we’ve grown to appreciate the simplicity of a Gin & Tonic even more.  Always solid and reliable, the G & T also offers a wide range of flavor possibilities with changes in types of gin or tonic.  IWTT quickly become one of my favorite podcasts for these same reasons.  Even if I’m not familiar with the guest (one rarely is) or film, the episodes are always entertaining and Gourley does a fantastic job of steering them into entertaining and fun directions.  Same format for every episodes, yet all are distinctly different.

As far as the Annandale goes, I was a big fan.  We didn’t have limoncello cream so I had to improvise by using half & half and regular limoncello.  I’d like to try this again with a few more tweaks.  Could be a great summer staple!

Broad: I enjoy gin and tonics, although they are not my go-to gin drink. I prefer a gin gimlet (with extra limes). With that being said, G+T’s are great summer drinks. If made with the right gin (preferably Watershed) you can easily drink them all day. We also made the Annandale which was pretty good too. I think Ben may have went overboard with the limoncello but it was still pretty delicious.

Love + Radio
Love + Radio “features in-depth, otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime. You’ve never heard anything like it before” (website). New episodes are released monthly. The episodes always seem to have a point where a twist happens, no matter the content.  We highly recommend starting with these episodes: Dirty Balloons, Greetings from Coney Island, The Living Room & Man in the Road. Warning: some of these episodes get a bit raunchy, but that’s why we love this podcast. It really explores humans from all walks of life. For more on the host Nick van der Kolk and the show, check out this excellent article from the Guardian.

The Drink: Moxie Libre.  According to van der Kolk, his drink recommendation is the Moxie Libre, something we both have never heard of. “1 part dark rum to 3 parts Moxie served with a squeezed lime. Repellent at first. But surprisingly complex. And grows on you to the point that you’re going back for another and another.” This drink (and description) is perfect for this podcast.  Complex, (maybe repellent at first or at times) but will keep you coming back for more.

First Impressions:
Beard: Not bad.  I had no idea what to expect with the Moxie, but I noticed gentian root was among the listed ingredients.  It’s sometimes found in cocktail bitters and tonic water, so I figured there’d be some of those characteristics in the soda.  I felt this added a nice contrast to the sweetness of the rum and the boat load of sugar in the soda.  I first tried the cocktail without the lime and it was tolerable, but not great.  After the lime, still not great, but better.  I’d never order this anywhere, but wouldn’t throw it in the garbage.
Broad: Oh man, to be completely honest I hated this drink. I’m not a big rum drinker so I had a feeling this would be rough. I tried the Moxie by itself and I could barely swallow it. It was bitter and yet sweet at the same time. Together with the rum, it was barely drinkable. This is something I would not make again. Despite not being a fan of this, I think this drink pairs well with the craziness and intensity of this podcast.

We just want to say thank you to Mike Boudet, Michael Ian Black, Matt Gourely, Nick van der Kolk for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk drinks with us! 

Complete List of Our Favorite Podcasts:

• Sword & Scale
• Casefile
• How To Be Amazing With Michael Ian Black
• I Was There Too
• Love + Radio
• Spontaneanation with Paul F. Tompkins
• This American Life
• Criminal
• Radiolab
• Death, Sex & Money
• Invisibilia
• Crimetown
• Bitch Sesh: A Real Housewives Breakdown
• Serial
• Reveal
• Revisionist History