Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

From Puncher's Chance Bourbon to Blood x Sweat x Tears Vodka, Wolf Spirit founder/proprietor Umberto Luchini is building an independent spirits company and all during a pandemic. Umberto talks about starting his own company, the challenges he's faced, how he's adapted, how the company designs its bottles and logos, launching more brands and what's next.

A living legend joins us to hockey and tequila. Chris Chelios, co-founder El Bandido Yankee Tequila and Hockey Hall of Famer, talks about the launch of El Bandido, how he came to love tequila, the differences between hockey and business, his favorite memories from his Stanley Cup (x3) career, what's next for him, what's next for El Bandido and so much more.

We are Under the Influence of Craft Beer this roundtable as GoodBeerHunting.com's Bryan Roth, Master Cicerone Neil Witte, BeerCrunchers.com founder Doug Veliky and Cicerone/Beertender Lindsay Hayes all join us. We hit on a variety of topics, including NFTs and their future in the craft beer world, will seltzerys ever be a thing, will big companies ever go on a buying spree again and craft brewerie...

It's a bourbon Flight Night as we enjoy a three experimental finishes of Traverse City Whiskey and talk with co-founder Chris Fredrickson. The crew for flight night includes: D. or the @vabourbonhunter on Instagram; and Chris, or @Jefftherabb1t on Instagram. We enjoy their Cab Franc, Sherry Cask and Port finishes.

Everyone has heard of Ole Smoky Moonshine from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but did you know they have a bourbon? Robert Hall, CEO for Ole Smoky Distillery, joins us to talk about the launch of James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon, Ole Smoky's flavored whiskey and moonshines, how they keep up with demand, launching new products, how their 4 million visitors impact their releases, expansion and what's n...

Jarrett Dieterle, alcohol policy expert with R Street, joins to talk about changes in alcohol laws and his book "Give Me Liberty and Give Me A Drink!". We discuss how a dispute over airlines has impacted imports/exports with Europe, states adding to-go cocktails, internet sales of alcohol and other interesting law changes.

Connor Query, artist/graphic designer, and Carrie Johnson, trash crafter extraordinaire, join us to talk about being creative in the alcohol world as we close out Summer School 2021. They share how they got their starts, their creations, favorite things to make, bad dad jokes and more.

Jeff Evans, CEO/co-founder of Mean Mule Distilling Co from Kansas City, joins us to talk about making agave spirits in America, how it differs from tequila, how they got their start, sharing where the name comes from, building the path for others to produce agave spirits in the US, what's next and so much more.

Ryan Lang, co-founder/head distiller of Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio, joins us to talk about the impact grain selection has on whiskey. Ryan talks about what grain to glass means, how they selected their grains, how the weather impacts the grain, adding grains to the mash, using grains for other spirits and more.

We learn about both 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 the summer, bars opening up again, cocktail recipes for all of us to try at home and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson, a Cicerone and National Beer Judge, joins us to talk about summer beers, how hop varieties have changed...

Have you ever wondered how to start a whiskey/bourbon collection? Chad Watson, better known as MyDailyBourbon on Instagram, gives you the best practices to do just that. Learn what are good bottles to start with, what to avoid, why you should enjoy your bottles and more.

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.