Beer And Conversation With Pigweed And Crowhill

With special guest Longinus, the boys review Garage Beer, then discuss some fairy tales. The two stories reviewed in today's episode came in at #2 and #1 in a recent contest between Grimm's fairy tales. Pigweed, Crowhill, and Longinus review the stories and evaluate the imagery and messages they contain. Coming in at #2 is The Juniper Tree, which is a very grim Grimm fairy tale. It includes the classic child with an evil step mother, but this step mother's sins will curdle your blood. It includes a magical tree, a magical bird, biblical allusions, and more. Coming in at #1 is the "The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was." This is an odd story in the Grimm canon, and very different from the others. The youth is a complete dolt who comically stumbles his way into wealth, fame, and position. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#fairytales #Grimmfairytales #stories #BrothersGrimm

With special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review a local IPA, then continue their "Shortcut to the classics" series with a review of "Daisy Miller" by Henry James. What makes Daisy so fascinating — and so frustrating? We discuss her headstrong independence, the social rules she challenges, and how her choices lead to tragedy. Along the way, we explore themes of innocence vs. experience, cultural clashes between Americans and Europeans, and James’s subtle commentary on class, gender, and reputation.We also share our takes on whether Daisy is a victim of society or the author of her own downfall — and why Daisy Miller still sparks debate more than a century later.So pour yourself a drink, settle in, and join us for literary analysis with a conversational twist.More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#HenryJames #DaisyMiller #literature

P&C drink and review a single-hop beer from Brookeville Beer Farm, then Crowhill quizzes Pigweed on the most important characters in English literature. Crowhill combined replies from both ChatGPT and Grok to create a test for Pigweed. The prompt read as follow: "Please give me a list of the 30 most important characters in English literature. By important I mean they have made a lasting impression on the culture, they're cited, they're imitated or referenced in other works, and so on. Please exclude the Bible. Please give no more than two characters from any given author. Please list the character, the author, the book in which the character appears, and a brief description of the character." Pigweed does a great job guessing characters from Shakespeare, Austen, Bronte, Conan Doyle, Orwell, Dickens, Twain, Orwell, and others. The boys also give an update to their "have we reached the end of woke" show. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9

The boys drink and review 13 Eye Witness Brews then head back into the topic of transhumanism. (See episode 535.) One of the problems the transhumanist agenda needs to address is the connection between the body and the mind. Is "the mind" something that can -- even in principle -- be uploaded to a computer? Or does it have to have a body. Does the mind = the brain, or is there a non-material component. And even if the mind is entirely physical, does that mean we can upload it? The Star Trek transporter problem becomes relevant here. If the transhumanists have their way and some people are "upgraded," what will happen to the people who remain "natural"? Will they be able to participate in society, or will they be relegated to second-class status? There are other questions, like how a Republic can function as AI and transhumans take over. How will the economy work in this situation? There are also religious problems. If humans become linked to some hive mind, isn't that a littl

The boys drink and review Brookeville Beer Farm's Dew Point Pale Ale then discuss the 100th anniversary of the Scopes monkey trial. Called "the trial of the century," the Scopes trial pitted tradition against modernism. Due to the influence of H.L. Mencken, who covered the trial, it was one of the first big media events. It became a cultural flashpoint whose influence went far beyond the details of the case, which was the fact that John Scopes violated Tennessee law by teaching evolution in school. Mencken ensured that the trial was seen as a clash between modernism and religious fundamentalism. Key players were Clarence Darrow, for the defense (pro evolution), and William Jennings Bryan, for the prosecution (anti-evolution).

P&C drink and review Beach Traffic lager from Big Oyster Brewery, then discuss the blurring lines between using technology to restore human function vs. enhancing it beyond natural limits. From bionic limbs and neural implants to nanobots, AI integration, and the terrifying implications of brain-computer interfaces, Pigweed and Crowhill ask: Are we on the verge of becoming obsolete in a world run by machines? Is humanity enhancing itself—or handing over the keys to a new digital overlord?Topics include:* Neuralink and brain-machine communication* The ethical dilemma of enhancement vs. restoration* Transhumanism as a new religion* The rise of a “useless class” in an AI-driven society* Merging with machines vs. resisting the singularity* Whether we’ll need implants just to participate in modern lifeGrab a cold one and join the conversation. This is part one of a discussion that’s as hilarious as it is haunting.

In this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill, we crack open a local amber lager and dive into a deceptively simple question about whiskey: If all distilled spirits come out clear, does it really matter what grain you start with?Crowhill shares a long-standing curiosity about the flavor differences in whiskey and what actually survives the distillation process. Pigweed joins the inquiry with wit and skepticism as we challenge the assumptions behind grain bills, barrels, and backwoods bourbon.Then we pivot—hard—into politics, revisiting the "80/20 Democrats" idea: why party leaders consistently take unpopular stances on key issues. Listener "White Knight" writes in with more baffling examples, from taxpayer-funded Medicare for illegal immigrants to abortion up to birth. It's sharp, opinionated, and unapologetically provocative.Grab a beer, pour some whiskey (if you dare), and join us for another episode of good drinks and unfiltered conversation.

In this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed & Crowhill, we dive into the meteoric rise and personal struggles of Oliver Anthony, the viral country-folk sensation behind Rich Men North of Richmond. From rags to Rogan, Anthony rocketed to fame with his raw, heartfelt music and humble lifestyle. But what happens to a marriage when it confronts sudden fame and fortune? In this case, it led to a divorce, and a new top hit, Scornful Woman. Did the wealth bring more pain than peace? Along the way, we explore big themes: the myth that money fixes everything, modern marriage pitfalls, and the price of keeping your soul in a fame-obsessed world.We also discuss Anthony's commitment to authenticity — canceling overpriced shows, building Christian rehab centers, and resisting industry pressure.Plus, we review a letter from a "concerned listener," and a rant about creepy driver-monitoring tech in rental cars.

In this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill, we crack open an Amber Castle from Silver Branch Brewing and dig into Andrew Doyle’s hard-hitting new book The End of Woke: How the Culture War Went Too Far and What to Expect from the Counter‑Revolution. What we cover:* Why 15 years of “woke” may have peaked — from DEI backlash to Trump’s political re‑entry * Woke vs. Liberalism—Doyle argues woke isn’t progressive—it’s authoritarian masquerading as virtue * The rise of a counter-revolution: Are we replacing one tyranny with another? Doyle warns anti‑woke leaders can slip into censorship * Where do we go from here? Doyle’s rallying call for true liberalism—free speech, rational debate, and defending individual liberty.Expect sharp insight, brutal honesty, animated debate… and some beer drinking.

The boys drink and review a pale ale from Oliver Brewing, then bask in the fortunate timing of their births. No, we didn’t win World War II or build the postwar economy, but those of us born between 1960 and 1980 — the late Boomers and early Gen X — may have hit the generational jackpot.In this episode, we explore why we think our generation is the most fortunate of all. We were…* Too young for Vietnam, too old for TikTok* Raised in a world without smartphones — but smart enough to use them* Adults before housing, college, and groceries became luxury items* Raised with recess, real food, and real music* Part of a shared culture where we all watched the same cartoons and sitcoms* Witnesses to real progress on race before the outrage industry hijacked the conversation* Taught to fix our own cars, mow our own lawns, and go on actual datesThis isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake — it’s a look at a narrow window in history where peace, prosperity, and analog childhoods gave rise to a uniquely grounded adulthood.C

Pigweed 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: Biden v. Nebraska smacks down student loan forgiveness via the HEROES Act.Trump v. CASA: The Court ends the era of universal injunctions, with Justice Barrett dressing down Justice Brown’s call for judicial supremacy.Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton: Age verification for online porn upheld, raising quiet questions about whether obscenity should be protected speech at all.Mahmoud v. Taylor:

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 and intellectual depth Is this a good thing for the culture? The boys discuss. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#Christianity #Catholicism #radtrad #revival #traditionalism #transcendence

P&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. But what is this alpha / beta stuff? Pigweed reviews some of the characteristics. Crowhill tries to tie it together with a higher-level theory that doesn't distinguish by sex -- teasing out the roles of strong leaders, weak leaders, and behind-the-scenes manipulators. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#toxicmasculinity #survivor #betamales #alphamales

With 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. It's long and fun and very strange. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#fairytales #Grimmfairytales #stories #BrothersGrimm

With special guest Longinus, the boys review a shandy from Founders, then continue their "shortcut to the classics" series with a review of Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" -- a haunting 1886 novella that ripped the mask off Victorian respectability and exposed the brutal split within human nature.Set in the same foggy, gaslit London as Sherlock Holmes, this story of duality, repression, and moral despair hit like a thunderclap on both sides of the Atlantic. But it’s more than just a gothic thriller — it’s a mirror held up to human nature and society itself.We explore:* The origins of the story and why Stevenson rewrote it from scratch after his wife’s critique* The moral message: man is not one but two — and there may be no salvation for either* The symbolism of Jekyll’s divided house, the hidden back door, and the cultured facade over inner rot* The novella’s critique of Victorian England, where public virtue masks private vice* Interpretive lens

The boys drink and review Ballast Point Sculpin IPA then discuss CIA brainwashing. From LSD-laced cocktails in CIA-run brothels to secret psychic spy units trying to read Soviet minds, this episode dives into some of the U.S. government's most bizarre and controversial experiments.We expose the dark legacy of MK-Ultra, including mind control, psychological torture, and illegal human experimentation. Then we explore the Stargate Project and other military efforts to weaponize psychic abilities, including remote viewing, telepathy, and even psychic assassination.What motivated these programs? Did they really end? And are similar experiments happening today under different names?This isn't conspiracy theory. These are declassified facts, and they're more disturbing than fiction.MK-Ultra: LSD, Torture & Mind ControlOperation Midnight ClimaxRemote Viewing & Psychic SpiesCold War Paranoia and Soviet Psychic TechWhy These Programs Might Still ExistNeural Interfaces, AI Psy-Ops, and the New FrontierMore at ..

The boys drink Pigweed's crazy "Iron Dome" cocktail, then continue their "nooze and booze" series with a discussion of the Israel-Iran war. Israel and Iran have been adversaries for decades. Iran loudly insists it wants to destroy Israel. They also insist they will develop a nuclear bomb. Israel calls that an "existential threat" to their regime and will not allow Iran to get the bomb. Iran has been getting closer and closer to having a nuke, so Israel preemptively attacked Iran to shut down their nuclear program. President Trump has insisted for decades that Iran can't have a nuke. So ... will the United States get involved? The boys discuss the war to date and what might happen next. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#Israel #Iran #nukes #war

The boys drink and review Lost Navigator from Heavy Seas, then discuss the idea of bringing your authentic self to work. There are benefits to having different views and perspectives in the workplace -- both for the employer and for the employee. But some people think the job of the workplace is to make them feel good. To feel affirmed and comfortable. That's nonsense. And sometimes your "authentic self" is not consistent with the company's brand or mission. What if you're an introvert and the company wants extroverts? "Don't be a phony and don't lie" seem like reasonable rules, but this "authentic self" business is taking it too far. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#authenticself #workplace #beerreviews

P&C drink and review Shiner's Ruby Redbird, then discuss the big bang and what (if anything) came before. While most scientists believe in a hot big bang, there is a lot of dispute about what happened right before that. The most well-known theory is the "singularity," and there is no "before" in that scenaio. But there are a lot of other options that scientists have considered. The boys review some of these other options and their implications. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#bigbang #physics #origins #creation

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. AI might move us toward in-person assessments, a system that looks at the whole process (drafts, revisions) and not just the final product, or requiring students to explain what they've done. More at ... https://www.pigweedandcrowhill.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAjUk6LttQyUk_fV9F46R06OQgH39exQ#AIeducation #education