Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Rod Cegelski, co-owner of SLO Brew, and Koby Collins, one of the brewermasters, join us to talk about building innovative brands, creating unique products, brewing a variety of styles, taco chips in beer, benefits of being a brewery and distillery, what's next and so much more!

It's a bourbon Flight Night as we enjoy a four varieties of Breckenridge Distillery and talk with owner/founder Bryan Nolt. The crew for flight night includes: D. or the @vabourbonhunter on Instagram; and A, @influensky on Instagram. We enjoy their Bourbon Whiskey, PX Cask Finish, Rum Cask Finish and High Blend Proof.

Ben Williams, owner/co-founder of Highway Vodka, joins us to talk about using hemp seed in vodka, how charity plays an important role, working with family, navigating the legal side, what's next and more.

Learn about some cool products for the home bar this week with Eddie Simeon of Hella Cocktail Co. and Draft Top's Sean Kelly. Eddie, co-founder and CMO for Hella, talks about how Hella Cocktail got its start, making their products in small batches, their product line, how they got their name and more. Sean, co-founder and executive beer drinker of Draft Top, chats about what the Draft Top is, how...

We are Under the Influence of Beer this roundtable as Master Cicerone Neil Witte and BeerCrunchers.com founder Doug Veliky join us. We hit on a variety of topics, including seltzers taking over taps at the bar, production declining in 2020 a trend, concept bars exploding and the importance of packaging (and augmented reality?).

It's a bourbon Flight Night as we enjoy a few varieties of Chicken Cock and talk with legend and master distiller Gregg Snyder. The crew for flight night includes: D. or the @vabourbonhunter on Instagram; Chris, or @Jefftherabb1t on Instagram; and A, @influensky on Instagram. Plus, we chat with Gaston Martinez, CEO and co-founder of IZO Spirits, who talks about Cinco de Mayo, Mexican spirits and m...

We have three amazing folks joining us so you can plan the perfect Kentucky Derby Party (or Bourbon Tasting event). Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler talk about their book “Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon”, tips for throwing the perfect party, their careers and so much more. Woodford Reserve NYC Ambassador Michael Toscano hops on to talk about Mint Juleps, how to make a classic Julep, a new...

Damon Thayer, co-founder of Kentucky Senator Bourbon, joins us to talk about launching a bourbon, the history of the name, being a NDP producer, trying to source bourbon and what's next. Plus, we get the scoop on their next release plans!

Aaron Justus, Ballast Point's director of research and development, and Chris Takecuchi, R&D Brewer, join us to talk about the California-based brewery, the Brothers Gus release, how R&D works at a brewery, Ballast Point's history, how they got into the industry and more.

Chris Seals, CEO of Still Austin, and John Schrepel, head distiller, join us to talk about the Texas-based distillery, how they got started, their unique process for crafting spirits, how the Texas heat plays a role in the aging, what's next and so much more.

It's our third Flight Night as we enjoy three varieties from Braxton Brewing and talk with Evan Rouse, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer for Braxton. The crew for the craft beer flight night includes: Kindsey Bernhard from @boysarefrommarzen on Instagram; and Seth Hendrix from @onesipbeerreview on Instagram.

We have hops and spirits this week with cocktails and beers. Jake Sulek, beverage director at West Main Crafting Co in Lexington, Ky., talks about crafting cocktails for spring, how they put together their lineup and tips for the at-home bartender. Plus, Kevin Patterson, a Cicerone and National Beer Judge, joins us to talk about spring beers, what styles will be on tap, breweries worth checking ou...

Ryan Wagner, Guinness Open Gate Brewery National Ambassador and Certified Cicerone, joins us to talk about the Baltimore-based brewery, history of the location, making experimental beers, a unique series releasing now, what to expect when folks visit and more.

We are Under the Influence of Beer this roundtable as GoodBeerHunting.com's Bryan Roth, Master Cicerone Neil Witte, Boys are from Marzen host Kindsey Bernhard and BeerCrunchers.com founder Doug Veliky. We hit on a variety of topics, including breweries expanding with a second/third location, craft beer in 12 packs, breweries and distilleries collaborating more and Boulevard Brewing.

It's our second Flight Night as we enjoy three varieties from Urban Artifact craft brewery and talk with Scotty Hunter, co-owner/head of sales for Urban Artifact. The crew for the craft beer flight night includes: Kindsey Bernhard from @boysarefrommarzen on Instagram; and Derrick Young from @onesipbeerreview on Instagram.

Have you ever wondered what your favorite beer might taste like as a whiskey? Greg Biagi and Ben Pollack of Foundry Distilling explain just how that happens. Greg and Ben discuss how the Brewer-Distiller Alliance came to be, how the process works, what types of beers are typically used and where you can find it. Plus, they chat about their make your own whiskey program.

Christian and Blake Huber from Starlight Distillery explain just how whiskey gets its flavor. From the barrels and the char level to aging and more, there are plenty of ways whiskey adds flavor notes before it hits the bottle. Plus, James Wood shares how their barrel pick process for stores and groups happens in week two of Flavorful February.

Mirror Twin Brewing owner and head brewer Derek DeFranco helps us kick off Flavorful February with a look at the process of creating beers with unique flavors. How do they put Snickers, Starburst, cereal, fruits and more in to beer? Derek explains it all.

We are Under the Influence of Beer this roundtable as GoodBeerHunting.com's Bryan Roth, Master Cicerone Neil Witte and Boys are from Marzen host Kindsey Bernhard. We hit on a variety of topics, including the low-cal IPA/athletic beer craze, flagship beers take charge, the smoothie/slushy beer trend and 2020 changes.

It's our inaugural Flight Night as we enjoy four varieties of Barrell Bourbon and talk with Will Schragis, national director for Barrell Craft Spirits. The crew for flight night includes: D. or the @vabourbonhunter on Instagram; Chris, or @Jefftherabb1t on Instagram; and A, @influensky on Instagram.

Laura Lashley, the National Education Manager for Seedlip Spirits, joins us to talk non-alcoholic spirits as we continue to shine a light on Dry January. Laura shares how Seedlip got its start, the process to make non-alcoholic spirits, the hurdles they face, what folks can expect from each of their spirits, a few cocktails to try and what's next for them.

John Walker, co-founder and head brewer for Athletic Brewing, joins us to talk non-alcoholic craft beer as we shine a light on Dry January. John shares how Athletic got its start, the process to make non-alcoholic beer, how they make normal craft beer styles, the hurdles they face, what folks can expect from their beers and what's next for them.

We close out 2020 with a Best of 2020 episode featuring some of our favorite interview clips and moments. We feature five different interviews ranging from whiskey and beer to barware and illegal distilling. Plus, a pirate hooker statue and a salad bar make a special appearance. Enjoy!

Kevin Patterson, a Cicerone and National Beer Judge, joins us to talk about beer trends, what to expect in 2021, what styles are out now with winter releases, how breweries and beer have changed with the pandemic and more. Plus, he shares three breweries he's enjoying these days that you might not of heard of. For whiskey lovers, we review the George Dickel Single Barrel that just launched.

Mark Wilson, brewmaster of Abita Brewing in Louisiana, joins us to talk about Abita's growth, how the industry has changed, working with fresh ingredients, creating new beers, making soda and what's next. Plus, Jake Sulek, beverage director at West Main Crafting Co in Lexington, Ky., talks about crafting cocktails for the winter months and tips for the at-home bartender.