Beer and a Movie

This episode of Beer and a Movie goes full James Cameron—twice. Joined by comedian Connor Stewart, we dive into Avatar: Fire and Ash and the sci-fi horror classic Aliens. One is a sequel for the ages. One… frankly, isn’t. We break down blue aliens, big budgets, space marines, flamethrowers, and Cameron’s lifelong obsession with raising the stakes—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes questionably. Along the way, we compare how his storytelling, action, and world-building evolved across decades, and which franchise actually earned its legacy. Then we crack open Lagunitas Brewing's Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ and Saint Arnold's Christmas Ale, pairing hop-forward chaos and holiday nostalgia with Cameron’s cinematic excess. Expect strong opinions, beer-fueled tangents, and Connor Stewart doing what he does best—calling it like he sees it. Grab a beer, pick a side, and stay frosty—because in space, no one can hear you crack open a Christmas ale. 🍺🎬

This episode of Beer and a Movie goes full James Cameron—twice. Joined by comedian Connor Stewart, we dive into Avatar: Fire and Ash and the sci-fi horror classic Aliens. One is a sequel for the ages. One… frankly, isn’t. We break down blue aliens, big budgets, space marines, flamethrowers, and Cameron’s lifelong obsession with raising the stakes—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes questionably. Along the way, we compare how his storytelling, action, and world-building evolved across decades, and which franchise actually earned its legacy. Then we crack open Lagunitas Brewing's Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ and Saint Arnold's Christmas Ale, pairing hop-forward chaos and holiday nostalgia with Cameron’s cinematic excess. Expect strong opinions, beer-fueled tangents, and Connor Stewart doing what he does best—calling it like he sees it. Grab a beer, pick a side, and stay frosty—because in space, no one can hear you crack open a Christmas ale. 🍺🎬

Hark! A New BaaM Episode Appeareth  This week on Beer and a Movie, we are joined by Emily Suggs, our most learned and oft-returning guest, for a thoughtful dip into Hamnet—a most modern tale and fictionalized accounting of the writing of Hamlet, now strutting about the awards circuit in fine hose. But lo, Shakespeare hath been borrowed from before. Thus, we turn our gaze unto Shakespeare in Love, and discourse upon inspiration, grief, creation, and the eternal question: what if the bard was, in fact, very horny? Our cups run dry of alcohol this fortnight, yet not of flavor, as we quaff Brooklyn Brewery’s Special Effects Grapefruit IPA alongside Best Day Brewing’s Galaxy Ripple Imperial IPA—our first parley with Best Day. Same keen analysis. Same merry disputation. Just NA beers, gentlefolk. 🎧 Attend thee now, wherever podcasts be heard.

This week, we hit a double feature of Netflix’s latest mood-soaked meditations, Jay Kelly and Train Dreams, with guest Adam Beam. Both films lean hard into lush cinematography, sweeping landscapes, and the quiet poetry of a life unfolding… but they take those ingredients to two very different destinations. To pair with all that visual beauty, the guys crack open a couple of beers with complicated pasts. First up: Magnetic Disturbance from Roughtail Brewing—an IPA Joe grabbed last week without peeking at the bottom of the can: It's two and a half years old. (Whoops. Not all art ages gracefully.) Fortunately, redemption comes in the form of a 2024 Goose Island Bourbon County Macaroon Stout, a beer that absolutely benefits from a year of patience and barrel-kissed maturity. Thoughtful films, adventurous beers, and a blunt verdict from Dave and Joe: See Train Dreams NOW.

This week, we’re following the yellow brick road straight into an Oz double feature—Wicked: For Good and Return to Oz. Two films, decades apart, both proving that no matter how far you wander, you can’t escape those ruby-slippered roots. To keep our courage up, we crack open two high-octane potions from Lagunitas: the Maximus Colossal IPA and the Shugga Original Recipe—big, bold brews with enough ABV to make even the Cowardly Lion roar. Let’s just say there’s no place like foam. Joining us is returning guest Adam Beam, who chatted with us about the original Wicked: Part One. He’s back to help us untangle this Emerald-City-sized tapestry of witches, Wheelers, wizardry, claymation fever dreams, and questionable Kansas parenting. We ease on down the cinematic road, talk sequels that aren’t really sequels, prequels that might be sequels, and why Return to Oz still feels like the dark and stormy night Dorothy really needed a therapist for. If you’re into green girls, Gump gliders, and stories stitched together with a whole lot of heart, this episode is over the rainbow and then some. Grab a Maximus, click those heels, and join us—because this week, it’s Oz or nothing.