The Speakeasy

Live from the future (and Australia) Aaron Trotman sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about Non , his zero-proof… wine? Wine alternative? Liquid? Beyond the failure of the English language to discuss these drinks the convo covers what’s in them, where the inspiration for a non-alc comes from, and whether or not Dry January is a good thing. Plus, James Beard nods are out, and a couple entries f...

All the way from South Korea, Bran Hill joins the band to talk about Tokki Soju - what it is, how it’s made and most importantly, how it’s being sold these days to a customer base that’s just getting to know it here in the U.S., and it rediscovering it in its home country. Plus, it’s awards season! A certain restaurant themed show is racking up the trophies this year but what does that mean for th...

Happy New Year Everybody! The band rings in 2024 with very special guests Luis Granier and Steven Soderbergh of Singani 63 . The conversation ranges from what the heck Singani is anyway, to getting it behind bars, to the centuries old tradition of growing these very special grapes high in the mountains of Bolivia to - of course, because it’s Damon - the bottle design. An extra special set of guest...

In the return of their multi-platinum end-of-year wrapup show, Damon, Sother, and Greg look back on 2023, the year that… sort of was? From labor trends to increasingly odd spirits to the seemingly inexhaustible longevity of the Espresso Martini, there’s a lot to talk about and a lot to look forward to. Oh yeah, and we made a pretty cool cocktail box and won a pretty cool plate too. Don’t forget to...

From microscopy to distilling and back again, Rox Tiburolobo has had quite the life. This week he sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about the wild, winding path that led him to Corning & Company Distillers (by way of Helsinki) and all the places he’s drawn inspiration from along the way, including the ancestral corn beers made by indigenous communities. A distiller of Chiricahua Apache Nd...

Today Damon sits down with Joe Giildenzopf and Brad Neathery, founders of Texas-based custom whiskey company Oak and Eden , to discuss a new way of thinking about influenced, infused, and inspired whiskey finishes. Damon even created a personal whiskey during their interview on Oak and Eden's website with their amazing Whiskey Customizer! Check them out at their outpost tasting rooms locations in...

Danielle Goldtooth of the Diné nation and her husband Alan Moore sit down with the band to talk about land: what grows there, what can we do with it, and how can we undo some of our ingrained and damaging ideas? The conversation ranges from food sovereignty to foraging, with a detour to talk about some accidental cucumber/melon hybrids along the way. Plus, unions at Death and Co? In the wake of th...

It’s Day 5 of Halloweekend and The Band is holding it together… barely. Fortunately the illuminating Éva Pelczer is in the studio to talk Del Maguey , the rise of mezcal, and dia de los muertos! In the years since this funky Mexican spirit went nuclear a lot has changed in the bar landscape and Éva's here to walk the crew through it. Gently, please. Plus, is the Chartreuse shortage fake news?? Sot...

Jordan Hughes , aka the High Proof Preacher sits down with Greg to talk about how exactly a youth pastor winds up publishing a cocktail book in the first place. From photography to a well-traveled instagram to eventually unleashing the Parmesan espresso martini on the world, Jordan’s had quite a legacy in the community and there’s plenty more to come. Plus, are the kids alright? They’re certainly...

Han Suk Cho has an impressive set of titles. Founder of Zero Proof . Lead bartender of Kato's boozy and non-alcoholic offerings. Punch’s 2023 Best New Bartender of the year. And classical music composer. No big deal. This week she sits down with Greg and Sother to talk transitioning from back of house to the front, establishing her niche in the industry, and building a career that lasts. Plus, wha...

Imagine running 6,700 different properties on six continents. Okay, now pick yourself up off the floor and tune in to this week’s Speakeasy where the band sits down with Adam Crocini, the senior vice president and global head of food and beverage brands at Hilton . Yes, that Hilton. Hear about what it’s like to run a company of that magnitude, curate individual experiences and adapt to changing ta...

Nicolas O’Connor of Apotheke (say that one out loud) sits down with the band to talk about building a distinctive brand identity, being an OG cocktail bar down an odd little side alley in Chinatown, and the relative merits of lighting your bartop on fire. How do you take someplace iconic and make sure that spirit doesn’t get lost when you move to a new locale? Tune in to find out! Plus, Sother is...

It’s Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers! Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes , the creative forces behind the spooky season popup Black Lagoon pop by to chat inspiration, metal bars, franchising a takeover, and where you can find their hell-raising cocktails this autumn! Plus, rivers of wine in Portugal, DUIs on horseback, and Greg finds out in real time that Ron Jeremy is canceled. All that and more...

Kailee and Jason Asher from Century Grand in Phoenix sit down with the band to talk about their recent “Best Cocktail Bar” win at Tales of the Cocktail, building a sustainable (and profitable) bar program and creating immersive experiences. Wanna drink craft cocktails on a train? Better book your flight to Arizona. Plus, Sother’s back from Milwaukee and shares his thoughts on the band’s collaborat...

It’s a podcollaboration! Anna Gorovoy and Mike Milyavsky of Shaker & Spoon swing by the studio to talk about their latest cocktail box, which just so happens to have been designed by the guys behind the Speakeasy! Tune in as they talk gin, the art of making cocktail kits to ship, and how their business has grown over the years. Plus, what Greg and Damon got up to on their summer vacations.  Wa...

Lucky Preksto and Jon Langley from the newly established January Spirits share with us the the path they’ve taken to bring a spirit brand that includes a gin, genepy, and an amaro to market.  Photo Courtesy of Chad Arnholt. Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.  🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospital...

In a special on-location dispatch episode from New Orleans, Sother sits down with Karl duHoffmann and Regan Doughty of Preiss Imports to investigate possible alternatives to the now dwindling availability of Chartreuse. Together they sample several examples of Joaquín Simó’s neo classic Naked and Famous as well as the venerable Last Word cocktail. Though they all agree the differences are notable,...

Elayne Duff , Director of Advocacy for Samson & Surrey, founder of the Beverage BA Academy and all around bar all-star (and former rescuer) sits down with the band to talk brand ambassadorship, keeping busy, when to stay humble and when to brag just a little bit. Plus, one of her brands has a new collaboration with Alice In Chains, so you should check it out. Oh, and there’s a little bit of ho...

Adrian Michalcek joins Greg and Damon live from Norway where he’s the head bartender at Pier 42 to talk storytelling, sustainability and what it means to welcome guests in with your hospitality. Plus, it’s Tales of the Cocktail week everyone! Remember to drink lots of water, get a reasonable amount of rest, and take everything in moderation, including moderation. Have fun out there kids! Don’t for...

Garret Richard and Ben Schaffer have released their book Tropical Standard and it’s a forward thinking look under the hood of everything we thought we knew about tropical cocktails. Together they apply modern techniques and tools to reinterpret classics as well as forge new paths to delicious drinks all in a manner that’s easily understood and digestible.  We’re also quite excited that Michelin is...

Jamie Hunt of Fast Penny Spirits and Kim Harmon of Maker’s Mark sit down with the band to talk B Corps - what they are, how you become one, and what a force for good they can be in the world. Far from a lecture from your CPA, this is a model for how distilleries of all sizes - and schools, offices, and businesses of all flavors - can do better. Plus, robot dates that stand you up? They’re availabl...

We all know the nursery rhyme but what exactly is whey? And can you make booze out of it? Greg sits down with Emily Darchuk, founder of Wheyward Spirits to discuss this new category of spirits; where it came from, how it’s helping the planet, and what, exactly, fermented whey tastes like. Plus, happy belated Fourth of July everyone! Greg gives a quick update on the state of the union alongside a f...

Where have all the lesbian bars gone? Greg sits down with Erica Rose , co-founder and co-director of the Lesbian Bar Project , to talk about the dwindling number of these spaces, and what they represent in the first place. The conversation ranges from New York to DC to Berlin to Mobile, Alabama, as they talk about the need for these spaces in the service industry and the queer community, as well a...

Ever wondered why certain smells make you think of different flavors? How certain colors and even music affect flavors? Or whether Dijon mustard would be good in a brownie? Mandy Naglich , author of How To Taste joins Greg and Sother to discuss the science of tasting on a chemical, biological, cultural, and competitive level. You’ll have a newfound appreciation for all the hard work your tongue do...

John deBary , author of “Drink What You Want” and the upcoming “Saved by the Bellini” sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about, what else? The 90s. Bucket hats, low rise jeans, Melrose Place and how all those relate to fun tasty cocktails abound in this episode. Plus, they talk about two things that have proven surprisingly tricky when it comes to the world of cocktails - taking care of yourse...