In this episode, we fully lean into the weird—starting with a black garlic beer that had been sitting in our “save for the right moment” pile for far too long. Spoiler: we decided to stop waiting and just drink the thing. What we expected to be bold, punchy, and unmistakably garlicky turned out to be… surprisingly normal. Instead of garlic bread in a glass, we got a smooth, caramel-forward amber ale with subtle, almost balsamic depth thanks to the black garlic. It sparked a bigger question for us: when we call a beer “weird,” do we actually mean it tastes strange—or just that it challenges our expectations?

From there, we spiral (joyfully) into a wider conversation about unusual beer ingredients and where the line between “weird,” “interesting,” and “totally normal in context” actually sits. We swap stories about everything from squid ink and mustard beers to mushroom brews, bacon cupcakes in liquid form, and even historical brewing techniques using wood, herbs, and whatever was on hand. Along the way, we unpack how much of “weirdness” is shaped by culture, familiarity, and personal taste—because let’s be honest, some things only seem strange until you understand them.

By the end, we’re deep into the wonderfully chaotic world of experimental brewing—think spaghetti bolognese beers, takeaway sauce concoctions, and even smoked goat brains (yes, really). But the takeaway isn’t shock value—it’s curiosity. Whether something works or not, we’re firmly in the camp of trying it before judging it. Because ultimately, “weird” isn’t a bad thing—it’s what keeps beer fun, creative, and worth talking about.

Reddit’s weirdest beers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/1ew8s2y/the_weirdest_beer/?seeker-session=true

Vinepair’s weirdest craft beers:

https://vinepair.com/articles/16-weirdest-craft-beers/

Reddit’s weird ingredients to brew with:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/otfapo/weird_ingredients_to_brew_with/

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Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com