Minivans Before Beer Cans - Finding the Comedy in Parenting

In this episode Billy flies solo.  Nate takes a break for a few weeks during a busy work season and to get his tech up to snuff so Billy awkwardly stumbles through the pod without anyone to laugh at his dad jokes.  Will you be that somebody?  In this episode, Billy covers the idea that parents may have an overlooked advantage in the workplace.  Also, movies are a substantial topic as Billy gives some ratings for recently seen children's movies and rants about the pricing of theater concession stand.  The pod gets real for a moment as well as Billy discusses how things aren't always "sunshine and rainbows" at home.  The first ever wine of the week is a cheap jumbo bottle of Aldi wine, check it out!  

It is springtime (sort of) and it is time to get out the bikes!  Nate and Billy discuss the multiple steps of their children learning to ride a bike.  From balance bikes to gears and handlebar brakes, we break it all down.  Billy and Nate's son's share a birthday on April 2nd, and conveniently are both gifted bikes.  The results from the previous week's pizza vs sandwich poll are revealed and we also discussed our favorite arcade game of all time.  There is a dad bod tip, some robe and croc talk, and a goofy pro parenting tip.  The beer of the week is a Fulton War and Peace.  We wander into some NBA playoff seeding barbershop talk in the end for anyone who is into that sort of thing as well.  Thanks for listening! 

In this weeks episode of Minivans Before Beer Cans Nate and Billy debate the most popular pizza and sandwich shop chains and plug them into a Sweet 16 bracket.  Billy breaks down the pizza and Nate tackles the best between bread.  The championship entails a debate between the top pizza and top sandwich shop. We sample a Pilsener from Summit Brewing Company that would make a great companion to a sub or slice of pizza.  It's March Madness! 

In episode 023 Billy and Nate debate their favorite and least favorite kids books.  From Caldecott medals to Goosebumps this episode is a dive into children's literature.  Billy has a few confessions and Nate aces his grade school trivia quiz.  The beer of the week is an Omnipollo Ariana which was a funky little sour number we both enjoyed.  Spring is here and feels like winter more than ever!  Might as well listen to another podcast...  www.vansbeforecans.com

In this episode of Minivans Before Beer Cans Nate and Billy discuss what music means to them as dads.  What do we listen to, what our kids listen to, and how our preferences have changed.  Also included in this episode is some educational information regarding making maple syrup, a Midwest Sports Update, and daylight savings time.  In this episode, we also announce the winners of last weeks EtS Apparel giveaway.  The beer of the week is a Third Street Brewhouse Sugar Shack in celebration of the spring season. Thanks for listening!   

In this weeks episode, Billy and Nate discuss the ins and outs of prepping children for going outdoors during winters in the midwest.  Base layer, snow pants, boots, gator, scarf, mittens, jacket, hat...can you move?  Where are your mittens?  Luckily if you have ever lost a pair of mittens, EtS Apparel and Minivans Before Beer Cans have your back.  Listen to this episode for the chance to win some fantastic gear (the EtS Cubbie) to help make keeping track of those mittens a bit easier.  Giveaway rules are included in this episode!  We also discuss the insanity of the season finale of the Bachelor (yep, going there), we have a "From the Mouth of Babes", and round it all out with a "Sappy Dad" segment from Nate.  This weeks beer accompaniment is a Dogfish Head Pennsylvania Tuxedo that we thoroughly enjoyed.  Thanks for listening!  

In our 20th episode of Minivans Before Beer Cans we do a major deep dive into bedtime routines.  We leave no stone unturned this week as we get a bit long-winded.  Just as putting kids to bed seems to drag on for what feels like forever, we shall provide the same experience for our listeners.  Also included in the episode we provide a heartfelt apology to our gold medal-winning curlers, give the low down on natural deodorant, and discuss some diaper theft.  To round out the bedtime discussion we do a special reading of the popular book Go the F*ck to Sleep.  The beer of the week is an Excelsior Brewing Company Bitteschlappe Brown Ale.   

In this week's episode, a huge milestone is achieved as Billy and Nate welcome their first guest onto the podcast! Ian Finch, fellow UW-La Crosse grad and co-owner of The Whistle Punk, a craft beer and coffee establishment in Stone Lake, Wisconsin, sits down with Nate to discuss the current state of the craft beer industry and how The Whistle Punk came to be. Unlike Billy and Nate, Ian is an actual beer expert who is a Certified Cicerone and gives some pro tips on sampling a beer without coming across as pretentious. It was a great time and hopefully everyone enjoys listening! Remember to swing on in and see Ian and the gang next time you are in Stone Lake.

In this weeks episode, Billy and Nate take a moment to wonder, "What events would comprise an Olympics competition of Fatherhood?"  Shoveling snow?  Bedtime routines?  Our main topic consists of hypothesizing what such a spectacle would look like, and who would most likely take home the gold medal.  Dad bod is back to cover the topic of sledding as a family.  We add a new segment we like to call "Check Your Midwest" where we ponder what is unique to the midwest, and Billy meets a local celebrity that was discussed in episodes past.  The beer of the week is a Keweenaw Brewing Company Red Jacket Amber Ale.  The torch has been lit and we are off to the races!  

In this week's episode, we discuss the slang that makes us who we are right up here in da midwest.  Also included: a Superbowl recap, halftime show critique, best commercial award, some good and horrible movie recommendations, a news story update on the Kardashians, and an update on Nate's ongoing battle with a "varmit".  Week 17 is ready to go!  We will be reviewing the limited release Hopslam by Bell's Brewery out of Comstock Michigan.  Grab your hotdish and meet us at the brat fry! 

In this weeks episode of Minivans Before Beer Cans, we discuss how time away can make time with family that much better.  Nate gives us a breakdown of Super Bowl week in the twin cities after recovering from being stroller shamed at the Mall of America.  Topics include a where are they now for Steve from Blues Clues, Nate's battle with varmints, some trashy Out of the Mouth of Babes, and an update on the Milwaukee Bucks.  The beer this week is an Eviltwin Brewing Ryan and the Gosling, our first funky beer review.  Tune in to hear how our New Year's Resolutions are going as we are back to our weekly schedule!

In this episode of Minivan Before Beer Cans Nate and Billy discuss the stereotype of giving up as a parent.  Do you choose to dress and drive more comfortably as a conscious choice, or have we given up?  We check in on our Dad Bod New Years resolutions, tell some horrible dad jokes, and throw it back to teenage heartthrobs who are still kicking.  Nate has a Big Willie hot take as we attempt to get back on the horse after a long holiday break.  The beer of the week is a Boom Island Brewing Company Witness Witbier out of Minneapolis Minnesota.  Don't call it a comeback because we never left!  

We are excited to share our first ever live event recording!  A huge thank you to Cedarburg Public Library and CPL Radio for inviting us!  We were not sure if it would just be our families attending so we planned an event centered around kids activities.  But then as usual a curveball came into play as Billy's children all were inflicted with chicken pox setting off a domino effect causing Nate to leave his children at home as well.  Luckily our host Jeff brought his daughter who turned out to be the star of the show.  All in all, we had a great time taste testing local Sprecher Root Beer, debating cats vs dogs, and hosting a Midwest Sports Update Packer Quiz Show.  Check out this special edition of Minivans Before Beer Cans!  

In episode 013 Billy and Nate do a thorough examination of how to have a successful road trip with children.  Our Beet of the week is a Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter out of Amherst Wisconsin.  The road trip discussion covers topics such as movies, snacks, potty breaks, child placement, and some horror stories.  Billy dishes a very hot take on cruise control, Nate gets musical more than once, a great product is recommended, and we all learn a little bit about travelling with kids safely in the winter.  The minivan is warmed up (or maybe not we shouldn't have) and ready for takeoff.  Hop in and enjoy the luxurious ride as always!  

Minivans Before Beer Cans announces its first ever event!  December 30th at the Cedarburg Public Library from 10:30-12:00 Nate and Billy will be recording a live podcast with a lot of audience participation.  This event will be catered toward children.  Keep an eye out for further information to come!  In this episode, Nate and Billy discuss the hypothetical scenario of being the parent of an extreme sports child.  We also try our hands at a new game of funny not funny when we decide if epic fail videos are just sad or actually humorous.  Beer of the week is Capital Brewery's, Wiscosnsin Amber. As always the doors are open and ready for passengers.  Come along and enjoy the ride!