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Brains and Beers #11: Blue Ox vs. Clearwater Comedy vs. Hot Dish

March 10, 2026·35 min·3 clips

Scott Montesano kicks off Brains and Beers from the Phoenix Taproom with local celebrities ready for fun questions.

This episode of Brains and Beers features host Scott Montesano quizzing local Eau Claire celebrities Adam Condon, Zach Johnson, and Cullen Ryan. The game show is recorded at the Phoenix Taproom and Kitchen, which offers a large self-pouring beverage selection. Contestants include a running store owner, a musician and media host, and a comedian representing Clearwater Comedy. Adam Condon reveals he is drinking kombucha instead of alcohol due to a later medical appointment. Cullen Ryan is drinking a Juice Cloud beer, which he describes as tasting like fruit. The host notes the venue also serves non-alcoholic options like straight-from-the-tap root beer. Scott Montesano points out the high sugar content in the root beer can make it a decadent choice. The format involves asking the local guests a variety of questions while they enjoy complimentary drinks. The episode promotes the Phoenix Taproom's patio location along the river as ideal for spring and summer. The show's premise is to blend trivia with casual conversation in a local bar setting. Insights include the practical consideration of choosing non-alcoholic drinks for health-related reasons. The casual mention of a "medically related" appointment adds a personal, relatable detail to the game. The tone is lighthearted, promotional, and deeply community-focused. The style is conversational and informal, emphasizing local business and personalities. Listeners who enjoy hyper-local Midwestern content and light game shows would appreciate this episode. Fans of the specific guests or the Phoenix Taproom would find it particularly engaging. Those seeking deep interviews, high-stakes trivia, or non-local topics might want to skip it.

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