The Park Bench Philosophers

Beer reviews from two blokes you definitely cannot trust. Add a few hood snack segments, some music critiques and a fair few laughs, Karlito and Gustav take you on a tour of Melbourne's park benches.

Episode 35-Project Brewing Special 08/25/2023

Episode 35-Project Brewing Special The lads are back at the OG parkbench to discuss Rowville's finest brewery Project Brewing and a few of there freshest ales. Plenty laughs, plenty beers and most importantly PLENTY OF BENCH! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/27853341

Episode 34-Dry July Non-Alcoholic Beers Special with Bigs (Rigorous Recordings) 07/27/2023

Episode 34-Dry July Non-Alcoholic Beers Special with Bigs (Rigorous Recordings) All-round legend Bigs drops by to sample some non-alcoholic beers with the fellas as they all strive to be healthier over Dry July. Bigs gives us an insight in to a long and illustrious music career, and also his current passion for running and training, whilst also engaging in the mandatory park bench sh!t talking. They all punch through a few dry july non-alcholic beers from Aus, NZ and Europe. Doing the lord's work so you don't have to. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/27580365

Episode 33-Black IPAs with Jay Carrillo. 06/29/2023

Episode 33-Black IPAs with Jay Carrillo. The lads start the episode on the friday night, get interrupted by some local booze hounds, and end up dragging one of them on to the show by the sunday. The boys wag chins with Jay Carrillo, a former craft beer industry worker, on his experiences in home brewing and the independent brewing world, whilst draining a few black IPA's (and a cheeky Barrel-Aged Flanders Red), talking the usual banter and laughs the Park Bench is known for. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/27321486

Episode 32-GABS 2023 05/26/2023

Episode 32-GABS 2023 Join the philosophers for what has to be the loudest, largest and drunkest PBP sesh ever. Perpetual 3rd wheeler Marcos Rodriguez joins the lads as they stumble around GABS 2023 trying some of the craziest beers and catching up with Zythologist Brewery, AVNGE Brewing, Beershack 01, Macedon Ranges Brew Club, Bright Tank Brewing, Cavalier and Aether Foot Care. The gang barely survived GABS just so they could report back to you how damn good it was. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/26963853

Episode 31-Boomstick Glassware Super Special! 04/27/2023

Episode 31-Boomstick Glassware Super Special! Boom! Ant from Boomstick Glassware joins the lads at the park bench to talk all things beer, wrestling, pop culture and more. Warning: This episode contains pure and unadulterated banter. One for the history books! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/26670042

Episode 30-NZ Super Special! 03/30/2023

Episode 30-NZ Super Special! Karlito returns from the land of the long white beer foam and smuggles some of New Zealand's finest beverages past customs so the lads can celebrate 30 episodes at the bench! Tune in and tune out its choice as bro! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/26389077

Episode 29-Sippin' Sours with Bias B 02/23/2023

Episode 29-Sippin' Sours with Bias B Melbourne Hip Hop royalty and prolific graffiti legend Bias B joins the Philosophers at the local bench to punch through a range of sour beers, discussing all things beer, food and music. Scott Skills rounds out the bench as Bias takes us through some iconic memories of the early hip hop and graffiti scenes of Melbourne, while sour beers are disected with food pairings and ratings, all the while with some huge laughs and wild stories from one of the Kings. Don't be a sucker, tune in and tune out! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/26019756

Episode 28-Quakers Hat Brewing with Zac from Ill Street Brews 01/26/2023

Episode 28-Quakers Hat Brewing with Zac from Ill Street Brews Hot dang the Park Bench at it again! Starting the new year off with a bang, Gustavo and Karlito link up with Zac from Ill Street Brews to talk turkey about...beer! Zac talks the fellas through his experiences with home brewing, experimenting with different hops, malts and wild yeasts to create some world class beers in his backyard in the western suburbs, while the good folk over at Quakers Hat Brewing in Sydney send a care package down south to the bench of a wide range of their awesome beers. The lads give a classic hip hop crew's last album a whirl, whilst also grilling Zac on his favourite food and beer destinations in town, with all the usual laughs and wild stories from your two least-hated lucha libre mask-wearing lager louts! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/25740381

Episode 27-2022 Wrap Up with Marcos Rodriguez & Scott Skills 12/29/2022

Episode 27-2022 Wrap Up with Marcos Rodriguez & Scott Skills This one's for the true believers. The fellas reunite the wolfpack for one hell of a xmas and 2022 wrap up party with Scotty "From Marketing" Skills and "Imelda" Marcos Rodriguez bringing the laughs and memories to the bench to cap what has been a BIG year for the park benchers. I'm talking Maple Syrup Porters, Wild Ales, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stouts and more to quench the thirst while the lads process all the happenings, favourite breweries and memories of 2022. Stop reading this and listen to the episode! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/25460262

Episode 26-AVNGE Brewing Moorabbin Bench Special! 12/14/2022

Episode 26-AVNGE Brewing Moorabbin Bench Special! This is a hall-of-famer episode for the ages. James from AVNGE Brewing joins the lads at the bench down by RSEA Park Moorabbin (Mecca to St Kilda fans). Besides sampling some amazing AVNGE stouts, West Coast and Red IPAs, James schools the fellas on his journey from beer lover to gypsy brewing, and the boys compare notes on Brewing as a tafe qualification. Plenty laughs and stories get told, and Tism gets more than an honourable mention in the music review. Strap yaselves in, this one's hitting the stratosphere. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/25322979

Episode 25-West Coast IPAs and Melbourne Hip Hop featuring Dyl Thomas & Royalz 11/29/2022

Episode 25-West Coast IPAs and Melbourne Hip Hop featuring Dyl Thomas & Royalz The lads team up with Melbourne Hip Hop stalwarts Dyl Thomas (Pang Productions) and Royalz (Grhyme Productions) to talk everything from music production, record shopping, Melbourne hip hop and more, all the while sipping on some spectacular West Coast IPA's curated by Karlito. The fellas brave the ever-unpredictable Melbourne weather while getting a rare insight into decades of music experience between the two guests, and plenty of wild stories are told from the dudes behind the discographies. The crew even uproot mid pod to duck the deluge of rain and wind up in one of Melbourne's rowdiest boozers to finish the ep. Definetly one for the memory banks. Tune in and let the Park Bench take you on a journey... /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/25159023

Episode 24-Porters in the studio with MixedByJD 11/16/2022

Episode 24-Porters in the studio with MixedByJD The collaboration the game's been calling for! Homie and friend of the Bench, MixedByJD hooks the lads up with studio time (due to the heinous Melbourne weather) to talk shop on his career in music production and studio engineering, live music in Melbourne, local eats and most importantly...BEER! Plenty laughs between the long-time hombres are had whilst MixedByJD and the fellas break down the latest Avantdale Bowling Club release, a gang of delicious porters and Karlito's most recent kebab experience. A celebration of AUS MUSIC MONTH, and the Park Bench's love of Melbourne music, beer and food, this is a rip snorter straight from the streets. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/25032522

Episode 23-Pastry & Smoothie Sours Mental Health Special featuring Reece Dunne & Scott Skills 10/26/2022

Episode 23-Pastry & Smoothie Sours Mental Health Special featuring Reece Dunne & Scott Skills The lads team up with fan-favourite Scott Skills and special guest Reece Dunne to talk about mental health, how it affects everyone and suggest some great tips to help your own mental health. Reece is a construction worker and ambassador for mental health, volunteering his time to raise funds for Mindful Aus. He talks through their mission, what it means to him and how they work within community groups to raise awareness for mental health. The fellas also punch through some delicious Pastry and Smoothie sours curated by Karlito, who also provides this episodes soundtrack with King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard's latest, and Bridge Road Brewery's menu gets a run through with Gustavo. Check the links below to see how you can support Reece in his fundraising goal, and also check in with anyone of these resources if you or someone you know needs help. It's ok to not be ok! Reece Dunne Mindful Fundraiser: Helpful links: or 13 11 14 /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/24812511

Episode 22-NEIPAs, A Year In The Game & OktoberWest 10/17/2022

Episode 22-NEIPAs, A Year In The Game & OktoberWest The weather is clearing up in Melbourne but the beers are as hazy as ever! The fellas jump into some NEIPAs from Deeds Brewing, Fury and Son and Deep Creek Brewing, while Gustavo brings in some funky Norweigian r&b/hip hop tunes for the bench, and Karlito talks on a recent visit to Hop Heads Altona. Gustavo talks up the Bridge Road Brewery pizzeria, and the fellas link up with fan favourite Marcos Rodriguez to check out 2022's OktoberWest festival in Williamstown. Big tings! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/24704655

Episode 21-Red Ales w/ Scott Skills 09/13/2022

Episode 21-Red Ales w/ Scott Skills The lads rendezvous at the park with bench-royalty and perpetual 3rd wheel Scott Skills to sip on some fine red ales curated by Karlito. The fellas get in to what tunes they've been bumping of late while Karlito talks on some brewery expeditions on the South-East side of Melbourne in this episode's pubwatch. This is the park bench at its best, liquored up on home turf with the laughs coming in hard. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/24359016

Episode 20-Barossa Valley Brewing 08/29/2022

Episode 20-Barossa Valley Brewing The lads unpack a special package from Barossa Valley Brewing and review a few of the amazing collection they're pumping out in Maggie Beer territory. Karlito talks on a memorable Sticky Fingers live gig experience, while Gustavo takes the hugs and kisses to Bonehead Brewing and Henry Street Brewhouse. Some of the tastiest beers coming out of South Australia get sipped, laughs are had and most importantly, the Park Bench rides again! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/24193704

Episode 19-Park Bench Passive Aggressive Crossover Spectacular 08/09/2022

Episode 19-Park Bench Passive Aggressive Crossover Spectacular This is the big one you didn't know you needed in your life. The lads catch up with friend of the pod Mat Jones of the Passive Aggressive podcast, to talk all sorts of nonsense including ageing former NBL players, the best chips, cheese and gravy, and flatulence. They all power through 4 amazing coffee-flavoured in honour of Mat's Ice Break addiction, and sip on some mighty fine sours to cleanse the pallette, styled in the fashion of a well-known Sports drink. Big on laughs, beer and knowledge on sh!t you didn't know you needed to know. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/24001545

Episode 18-Wheat Beers, Brew-It-Yourself & Footy. 07/26/2022

Episode 18-Wheat Beers, Brew-It-Yourself & Footy. The fellas are on here! Back at the OG park, the lads sample German Wheat beers of differing shapes and sizes, all the while sipping on some home brews made by both Karlito and his partner, and one of Gustavo's workmates even chucks the fellas a fresh pale long neck of home brew. Karlito speaks on his experiences at The Beer Factory, and would it be a Park Bencher if they didn't talk on the mighty St Kilda football team?!?!?! Tune in and tune out! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/23860272

Episode 17-Kwasi, wild beers and Morwell. 07/12/2022

Episode 17-Kwasi, wild beers and Morwell. Woof! This is an episode that has been in the making for a while, and its worth the wait. Gustavo and Karlito catch up with Melbourne-based musician and artist Kwasi, and talk all things shop on music, the Latrobe Valley, Kanye West's mania and much more. All of this is done in the deep dark cold of winter at the bench, while the lads guzzle back some interesting beer choices, including smoked pineapple and jalapeno sours, Salted Caramel Red IPA's and even a Chuck Berry and Back To The Future-inspired berry marshmallow joint! Things get crazy, tune in and see what was popping! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/23717753

Episode 16-GABS, late night fires and dessert beers 06/18/2022

Episode 16-GABS, late night fires and dessert beers Strap yourself in, the lads team up with two hombres of the show, Marcos Rodriguez and Scott Skills, to take on the friday night session of the Great Australian Beer Spectapular. Cast your ears over several excerpts from the lads exploits on the night, while Karlito and Gustavo reconvene a week later to recap the night, warm up by the Park Bench Homestead's fireplace, and take on three dessert beers. Inspired by a care package of curated dessert beers from online craft beer retailer Yeah The Beers, the boys wrap their lips around some sweet sippers for another action-packed episode. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/23468360

Episode 15-Cavalier Brewing 06/02/2022

Episode 15-Cavalier Brewing The lads head out to the wild west of Derrimut to catch up with Jase and Andrew of Cavalier Brewing, to get not only an insight into the mechanics and methods of brewing at Cavalier, but also a look into the marketing, artwork and front of house operations. More than a few laughs are had while sampling some of the best suds to come out of Melbourne's West. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/23303252

Episode 14-Synth Funk, Neighbourhood Pizzerias & Saisons 05/23/2022

Episode 14-Synth Funk, Neighbourhood Pizzerias & Saisons The lads brave the cold of Melbourne to sip on some Saisons from all over this fine city, while Gustavo talks up a great Footscray neighbourhood pizza shop and Karlito brings some Melbourne funky synth production to the boombox. An Ascot Vale bottleshop gets a look in too, wrap ya ears around this one its a barn burner. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/23197601

Episode 13-Hard Road Brewery 05/03/2022

Episode 13-Hard Road Brewery The fellas jump on the train to head waaaaay out to the outer-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne to catch up with Lein Jenkins, head brewer and owner of Hard Road brewery in Bayswater, Victoria. The three chat everything from Lagers, IPAs, Sours and Saisons, while also getting an insight into the wild world of independent brewing. From California to the Dandenongs, the Philosophers take the Hard Road for some super special beers! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/22989272

Episode 12-High Country Hop Special! 04/22/2022

Episode 12-High Country Hop Special! The lads head up the ol' dusty Hume Highway to the Victorian high country old gold town of Beechworth to experience the 2022 High Country Hop. Karlito and Gustavo catch up with Dollar Bill and Mountain Culture Breweries, and talk music with Middle Name Dance Band, Uptown Brown and a couple of the Putbacks (Of Emma Donovan and the Putbacks fame.) This is a one of a kind episode, plenty of beers and plenty of laughs, all live at one of the greatest beer festivals this side of the equator! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/22874228

Episode 11-Pils, Black Radio & Tortas 04/05/2022

Episode 11-Pils, Black Radio & Tortas Karlito and Gustavo are back better and fresher than ever with a brand spanking new theme song provided by Melbourne producer Royalz. The fellas smack their lips around some Pilseners in the park, Karlito brings some soul-tinged r&b and hip hop flavour with the album of the week, while Gustavo talks up a Taco and Torta vendor while on his way to a Fitzroy institution. Drop some Pils and get listening. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/22684832

Episode 10-XPA's, festivals & QLD cook ups 03/15/2022

Episode 10-XPA's, festivals & QLD cook ups The lads punch through a few XPA's from Philter, Wolf Of The Willows and Bojak Brewing, whilst catching up on recent travels to the great sweaty North of Queensland, music and beer festivals in a lucha libre mask and other misadventures had by the two. A local Thai restraunt of mythical status gets a whirl by Karlito, while Gustavo brings Lady Wray's latest album to the jukebox. Tune in and twist one open. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/22452065

Episode 9-Victory Park 02/09/2022

Episode 9-Victory Park Hazy DIPA's get a run through from the park's beer guzzlers. The lads check out Hazy DIPA's from Hawkers, Bad Shepherd and Deeds, while Gustavo talks shop on the 5th best butchers in Melbourne, while Karlito chucks some Madlib on the airwaves. The park has never been so thirsty! /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/22075055

Episode 8-Crown Street Stables 01/27/2022

Episode 8-Crown Street Stables The park benches have been callin' and the lads are back to serve a killer new episode featuring beers from Bright Brewery, Banks Brewing and Deeds Brewing. Karlito chows down on a Moonee Ponds Pizzeria while Gustavo spins Aaron Frazer's latest album. The boys are back to drink through '22. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/21916313

Episode 7-Footscray Park featuring Marcos Rodriguez (2021 Wrap Up) 01/05/2022

Episode 7-Footscray Park featuring Marcos Rodriguez (2021 Wrap Up) The lads wrap up the year that was with friend of the pod and all-round beer enthusiast Marcos Rodrigues, in the only way they now how...drinking beers! Karlito and Gustavo run down their 3 favourite beers they'd sampled in 2021, and Karlito gives The Seven Ups new EP The Old World a spin, all the while having a few laughs. Get a beer up ya 2021. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/21681023

Episode 6-Xmas Special featuring Mat Jones (Passive Aggressive Podcast) & Scott Skills 12/24/2021

Episode 6-Xmas Special featuring Mat Jones (Passive Aggressive Podcast) & Scott Skills The lads are bringing in xmas with a banger of an ep featuring Mat Jones from the Passive Aggressive Podcast and friend of the pod Scott Skills. The fellas tip back some Christmas beers from Bridge Road Brewery and Wolf of the Willows, while deconstructing fart jokes, topical news articles and Run DMC's Christmas On Hollis. They also talk Chillinit's latest album Family Ties. Another barn-burner from your favourite masked beer lovers. /episode/index/show/theparkbenchphilosophers/id/21592178

The Park Bench Philosophers

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