Matt Likes Beer - Episode 21 - Phase Three Vienna Lager
Release Date: 02/04/2026
Matt Likes Beer - Episode 21 - Phase Three Vienna Lager
NEOZAZ Internet Entertainment
Episode 21 of Matt Likes Beer centers on one of Matt’s most personal beer styles: the Vienna Lager. The featured beer comes from Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a brewery Matt knows well through Tavour, though he has yet to visit in person. As the fifth episode of 2026, this installment marks a return to a classic, clearly defined BJCP style after several episodes focused on mixed or emerging categories. Matt opens by explaining why Vienna Lager holds such a special place in his beer journey, tracing it back to his early craft beer days and the role Sam Adams Boston Lager...
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The GR80s and Beyond - The Toxic Avenger
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In this episode of The GR80s and Beyond, Dave, Chris, Matt, and Khrysti discuss the hideously deformed creature of super human size and strength, the first superhero from New Jersey, 1984's "The Toxic Avenger!"
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Horrors from the Vault - You Murderer
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Humphrey Bogart is digitally resurrected in this very curious episode of TFTC.
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Matt Likes Beer - Episode 20 - Dollar Slice
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Episode 20 of Matt Likes Beer finds Matt deep into Dry January 2026, reflecting on health goals, pre-recorded episodes, and the realities of balancing beer enthusiasm with personal wellness. The beer in the spotlight is Dollar Slice, a hazy IPA from Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York—chosen initially for its pizza-inspired label and unexpected name. Matt shares his prior experience with Other Half, noting that while he’s enjoyed their IPAs before, this particular beer was a classic case of label buying—a marketing reality many craft beer fans know well. A deeper look into the...
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Best of Fives - Survival Movies
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It's another snowed-in special, and this time Chris. Dave, and Luke list their top 5 favorite survival movies!
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Effectively Speaking - Martin Bower Addendum
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Something a bit different this time, as i've taken an old interview i did with Martin Bower and trimmed it down to some additional insights he had on his time on Alien, and a little bit on Flash Gordon.
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Indiana Jones In Character - Raiders Recasting
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In this special blizzard edition of Indiana Jones in Character, Chris and Dave ponder the questions "What if Raiders of the Lost Ark where to remade and re-casted today?"
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The Best of Fives - Weather Movies
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In this special "snowed-in" edition of "The Best of Fives", Dave, Chris, Tim and Luke share their top 5 weather related movies from their snow captured compounds in the north of Florida. Posted from Orlando where the current temperature is a balmy 81 degrees.
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Pass the Popcorn - Avatar Fire and Ash, Housemaid, 28 Years Later The Bone Temple and More!
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In this episode, Chris, Tim and Luke review Avatar Fire and Ash, Housemaid, 28 Years Later The Bone Temple and more.
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(I Hope) Matt Likes (This) Beer - Dave's Care Package
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In this special episode of "Matt Likes Beer" Dave takes the mic to talk about the 16 beers from the Philadelphia area for Matt to feature on a special run of "Matt Likes Beer - Philadelphia Months"!
info_outlineEpisode 21 of Matt Likes Beer centers on one of Matt’s most personal beer styles: the Vienna Lager. The featured beer comes from Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a brewery Matt knows well through Tavour, though he has yet to visit in person. As the fifth episode of 2026, this installment marks a return to a classic, clearly defined BJCP style after several episodes focused on mixed or emerging categories.
Matt opens by explaining why Vienna Lager holds such a special place in his beer journey, tracing it back to his early craft beer days and the role Sam Adams Boston Lager played as his gateway into better beer. That personal connection sets the tone for a thoughtful, technically rigorous review grounded in both experience and nostalgia.
Using BJCP Category 7A guidelines, Matt evaluates the beer’s copper color, clarity, persistent head, malt-forward aroma, and balanced bitterness. While the beer excels in appearance and overall balance, the judging reveals a few technical shortcomings, including a slightly acrid finish, excess sweetness for the style, and a slick mouthfeel that detracts from elegance. These factors lead to a final score of 35 out of 50, placing the beer firmly in the “Very Good” range.
Despite the score, Matt is clear: this is a beer he would happily drink again. The episode reinforces a recurring theme of the podcast—the difference between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment—and why a technically imperfect beer can still be highly satisfying in real-world settings.