Doctrines of Grains blends rich theology with fine craft beer. Hosted by Seth and Cole, this podcast explores Reformed theology, history, and culture—all while reviewing quality brews. Each episode follows a three-part format: The Grains (beer reviews), The Chaser (debate & discussion), and The Doctrines (deep dives into theology). We’re working through Calvin’s Institutes and Protestant political theory, challenging modern assumptions—all with a pint in hand. Serious theology. Spirited conversation. No watered-down doctrine. Find us at thebattleandthebride.com.
The Blue Episode - Trappist Taps & Divine Imprints: Calvin vs. the Skeptics (Pt. 1)
In this episode, we pour into the St. Bernardus Belgian Tripel and explore the rich legacy of Trappist brewing—monks, monasteries, and malt. Then we open the first half of Book 1, Chapter 5 of Calvin’s Institutes, where he argues that God’s fingerprints are unmistakably etched into creation, though skeptics try to scrub them out. Foam, ferment, and foundational theology await.
Also: we’ve got a brand-new studio setup courtesy of Seth’s lovely (and stylishly blue-inclined) wife!
Checkout our new page on thebattleandthebride.com
🎶 Huge thanks to Wordless Flight and Scythian for generously allowing us to use their music.
🛠️ Support our sponsors & affiliates:
Seven Weeks Coffee (https://sevenweekscoffee.com) — Use promo code GRAINS at checkout for 10% off
Ex Fide Bibles (https://exfide.com) — Use code GRAINS for free stitching
6 Apr 2025
SEASON 2 PREMIER: Idols, IPAs, and Ignorance
We’re back! 🎉 After a wild hiatus, Doctrines of Grains returns with the Season 2 kickoff. We catch up on the past year’s shenanigans, dive into Book 1, Chapter 5 of Calvin’s Institutes, and crack open the bold Norse Double IPA from Väsen Brewing Co.
In this episode:
🍃 The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or Maliciously
People suppress or twist the knowledge of God, even though creation reveals Him clearly. Calvin gets into idolatry, self-deception, and how even natural religion gets corrupted.
🍺 Reviewing Norse Double IPA: big flavor, big attitude
🤪 Stories from our time away, and the madness that ensued
Come for the theology, stay for the brew (and the chaos).
Listen & Subscribe!Follow us: @DoctrinesOfGrains on YT; @doctrines0fgrains on IG; @DoctrinesGrains on X | #ReformedTheology #CraftBeer #Podcast
Join the conversation: What have you been sipping (or studying) during our break? Drop your thoughts below! 🍻
5 Apr 2025
Season 1 Finale: Feasting w/ Ben Garrett
The Doctrines of Grains season 1 finale is one for the books with our first guest ever, Ben Garrett. Ben is a deacon at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, and co-hosts the Haunted Cosmos podcast with his friend and pastor, Brian Sauve. In season 1, we’ve talked a lot about feasting in many forms, and Ben jumped on to help us understand how to take that Biblical concept and apply it to almost every aspect of our life. And he brought some napalm-level truth bombs that you don’t want to miss!We also finish this season with a review of Horton Vineyards’ Vintage Port, which is the only port made in Virginia that can truly be called a port! If you’re going to be feasting this holiday season, this is a bottle you’ll want to have at the table along with your friends and family.Have any suggestions for season 2? Email us at doctrines0fgrains@gmail.comSpecial thanks, as always, to Scythian for allowing us the usage of their music for our episodes.
4 Apr 2025
How Man Naturally Knows God
Seth and Cole return for episode 7 of Doctrines of Grains! In this spiciest of spicy episodes, we review an American Pale Ale by Vibrissa Brewery - located in Seth's hometown! We also discuss whether or not Christians should be using wine for communion - and the connection that grape juice has to first-wave feminism. And finally, we get into Chapter 3 of Calvin's first book of the Institutes, which dives into the concept that all men are naturally born with this knowledge of God imprinted upon their very minds. It's a great discussion on a foundational principle of presuppositional apologetics! You won't want to miss a single second!
4 Apr 2025
What it is to Know God...and the James Bean Porter
In Episode 6 of Doctrines of Grains, we delve into Book 1, Chapter 2 of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, where Calvin explores the essence of truly knowing God and its profound impact on our lives. We discuss how this knowledge fosters genuine reverence and guides authentic worship.
We'll also discuss the Bud Light Controversy - and the many tiny compromises it took us to get here.
Additionally, we review the James Bean Vanilla Oatmeal Porter from James River Brewery in Scottsville, Virginia. This 6.9% ABV porter combines toasted malts with vanilla and oatmeal, offering a unique tasting experience.
Listen & Subscribe: thebattleandthebride.com
Follow us for more: @DoctrinesOfGrains on YT; @doctrines0fgrains on IG; @DoctrinesGrains on X | #Theology #Reformed #CraftBeer
Share your thoughts in the comments! How do you perceive the connection between knowing God and personal reverence? Have you tried the James Bean Porter? Let us know your experience!
3 Apr 2025
The Apostles Creed, Chapter 1, & a Blonde Ale
In this episode of Doctrines of Grains, we explore the foundational elements of Reformed theology:
The Apostles' Creed: Examining its significance and how it has shaped Christian doctrine over the centuries.
Calvin's Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 1: Delving into John Calvin's insights on the interconnectedness of knowing God and knowing ourselves.
Beer Review: Tasting and sharing our thoughts on Morning Glow, a blonde ale from Swamp Head Brewery.
Join us as we blend deep theological discussion with the enjoyment of a quality brew.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: thebattleandthebride.com
📺 Watch more episodes:
📢 Follow us for more: @doctrines0fgrains on IG; @DoctrinesGrains on X | #Theology #Reformed #CraftBeer
Share your thoughts in the comments! What's your take on the Apostles' Creed or Morning Glow?
3 Apr 2025
God and Guinness
Have you ever considered how Christianity could influence every area of life? Did you ever think how that could affect the world through...BEER?? In this episode, Cole and Seth review Stephen Mansfield's The Search for God and Guinness, and they discuss the far-reaching implications of the theology that influenced Arthur Guinness - a mindset that changed the industry, the nation, and the world because of Christ Jesus.
2 Apr 2025
First Shot of the Institutes
Many Christians call themselves Reformed. At the foundation of Reformation thinking lies John Calvin’s mighty work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion. However, few people nowadays have read this weighty tome. Instead of relying on the word of others, we are embarking on the great journey of working through it piece by piece, chapter by chapter, and we’re inviting you to join us! Today, we begin by reading through John Calvin’s Preface to the First Edition, written and sent to King Francis I of France as an appeal against the accusations and persecutions of the Roman Catholics. He does this by working through 7 responses to their objections of Protestant thinking. They are masterful, brutal, and still applicable today. We also review the Bowman Bros. Pioneer Spirit Small Batch Bourbon and discuss Historic Localism as a Chaser.Special thanks to Scythian for the continued use of their music in our episodes:Broken String from the album Roots and StonesWhiskey from the album It’s Not Too LateVirginia from their single VirginiaI Saw Three Ships from their album Christmas Out at Sea
1 Apr 2025
A Theology of Alcohol
Is it a sin to drink alcohol? What does the Bible tell us about alcohol? Can it be used to glorify God? In today's episode, Seth and Cole discuss these questions while also reviewing the Nut Brown Ale from St. George's Brewing Co. in Hampton, Virginia.
31 Mar 2025
01 Calvinism: Kicking and Screaming
SPECIAL EPISODE! This new endeavor has been a labor of love for us. We love Christ, love talking about theology, and love quality beer. So, we proudly present to you the first episode in our new series Doctrines of Grains. We wanted to incorporate video as well as audio, so that you could get a look at what we were reviewing as well as hear what we were saying. Eventually, this will become its own website/podcast/everything, but for now, we’ll be pumping these out at the beginning of every month.
In this first episode, Seth and Cole review Tradition Brewing Co's (https://traditionbrewing.com/) Continental Divide Double IPA while discussing what happened in their lives to draw them both (reluctantly) to Reformed Theology and ultimately Calvinism.
C.G. Billiot runs the Repent for Christendom (https://repentforchristendom.org/) website and hosts the Christus Rex Blogcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5r2UTfBXCdp1JN4OppbDeo?si=61ef5c14268d4c01)
Special thanks to Scythian (https://www.scythianmusic.com/) for the use of their song Broken String from their album Roots and Stones.
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