Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Author Wesley Browne joins to chat about the release of his book Hillbilly Hustle. Wesley talks about how some real life events made it into the book, a late re-write that changed the book, being a businessman and lawyer full-time, what got him into writing and the coolest thing he's been able to do.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Matthew Cummings, owner/brewer/glassblower of Pretentious Beer and Pretentious Glass in Knoxville, TN, on how a drinking club pushed him toward glassware, starting a brewery, doing more experimental beers and what's next. (Chat with Matthew starts around 12 min mark) Also, author/businessman Wesley Browne joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Matt Kwasniewski, head brewer and president of Big Timber Brewing in West Virginia, on how his time in Montana got him into home brewing, launching a brewery in Elkins, WV, being part of a young craft beer market, their beers and what's next. (Chat with Matt starts around 20 min mark) Also, Kenny Coleman of Bourbon Pursuit, joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Shane Baker, co-owner and master distiller of Wilderness Trail Distillery in Kentucky, on consulting in the industry first, launching WTD, starting with one barrel a day, how a band played a key role, growing fast and what's next. (Chat with Shane starts around 12 min mark) Also, Liz, girl_meets_beer_ on Instagram, joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Bobby Slattery, owner of Fifty West Brewing in Cincinnati, on how it all got started, building a campus of fun, small batch brewing, their Penny Lane VW Bus and what's next. (Chat with Bobby starts around 13 min mark) Also, Charlie the Chicago Craft Beer Guy joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

We talk with Brent Elliott, master distiller for Four Roses Bourbon, on how Four Roses got its name, being named Master Distiller of the Year, watching bourbon grow, differences of the brand's bourbons and what's next. (Chat with Brent starts around 17 min mark) Also, Boys are from Marzen host Kindsey Bernhard joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

We talk with Sam Cruz and Jerry Gnagy, two of the co-founders of Against The Grain in Louisville, on how they launched ATG, their crazy can designs, naming beers, adding a second location and what's next. Also, former Major League pitcher Alex Wilson joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Kevin Patterson, a Cicerone and National Beer Judge, on what beers are coming out in the fall and what exactly is an Oktoberfest beer. Also, Adam Johnson of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail joins to talk about how the trail was started, what visitors can expect, the Craft Experience Tour and what's next.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Peter Weiss, marketing manager for Lexington Brewing & Distilling in Kentucky. Peter talks how Lexington Brewing got started, their bourbon barrel flagships, launching Town Branch Bourbon, adding Hard Teas, and what's next.

We talk with DH (aka Daniel Harrison), co-founder and brand manager, of Country Boy Brewing in Kentucky, which has locations in Lexington and Georgetown. DH talks about how Country Boy got its start, fun naming beers, expanding, what a new canning line means, what's next and more.

Host Jonathan Greene chats with Ted Mitzlaff, the CEO of Goodwood Brewing in Louisville. Ted talks about how Goodwood Brewing got its start, their unique brewing process (aging beer on wood), expanding to Frankfort, small batch craft spirits and what's next.

We talk with Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve in Kentucky. Chris talks Woodford's history, bringing the site back to life, creating a bourbon brand and what's next.

Host Jonathan Greene chats with Chris Paumi of Fusion Brewing in Lexington. Chris, co-owner and head brewer, talks about how he got into brewing, how his experiences have shaped Fusion's beers, their location, their name and what's next.

Host Jonathan Greene chats with Andrew Bishop, co-owner/founder of Ethereal Brewing in Lexington. Andrew talks about their unique path to opening, how they found their current home at the Pepper Campus, expanding to downtown Lexington, working on distribution and what's next.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Brady Barlow, co-owner of West Sixth Brewing in Lexington. Brady talks about how West Sixth started, expanding to new locations, their beers, COVID-19 plans and what's next.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Derek DeFranco, owner and head brewer of Mirror Twin. Derek talks how Mirror Twin got started, the name, the creative process of making their beers (including special releases), the new 723 building and what's next.