Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Chris Fredrickson, co-founder and distiller of Traverse City Whiskey Co., joins us to talk about his family's history in the distilling industry, launching Traverse City Whiskey, building a new facility, their whiskies and more. Plus, Roger Huff, co-owner and co-brewer of Gallant Fox Brewing in Louisville, Ky., chats about their start, why they do small batch brews, collecting bourbons, pricing po...

Tim Knittel and Aften Locken of Distilled Living join us to talk about pairing holiday foods and bourbons. They also dish on holiday care packages and cocktails. And, Jarrett Dieterle, author of Give Me Liberty and Give Me A Drink!, talks about the policy side of the alcohol industry and the crazy laws that come with it.

Brandon Hunt, founder of Bourbon Charity, joins us to talk about what Bourbon Charity is, how it was founded, sourcing bourbon, picking charities, events, Bourbon Hood and more. Also, Chris Walters, the creator of Nose Your Bourbon, talks about his nosing kits, how he got into bourbon and more.

Nicole Austin, GM and distiller of Cascade Hollow Distilling — the home of George Dickel — joins us to talk about launching a new brand in Cascade Moon Whisky, how it channels the original Cascade Pure Whiskey, being inspired by gose-style beer, what people can expect and what's next. Also, Josh Hurst from Pies & Pints joins to talk about his role as hospitality director, the restaurant chain'...

We talk with Tim Luscher, co-owner, and Dylan Greenwood, brewmaster, from Sig Luscher Brewery in Frankfort, Kentucky. They talk about the history of the brewery, the founder Sigmund ‘Sig’ Luscher, their philosophy on brewing, having a small amount of beers on tap and more.

Ryan Lang, co-founder/head distiller of Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio, joins us for the final ep of Whiskey Weeks 2020. Ryan talks about launching a distillery in Ohio, his family history in distilling (some legal and not), sourcing everything locally from grains to glass, their spirits and what's next. Plus, D. Brown (@vabourbonhunter on Instagram) joins to talk about bourbon hunting, the...

Kentucky native and chart-topping country artist Dustin Collins joins us to talk about his new song "Stand for the Flag", how he writes songs, being a road warrior, working on a new album and more.

Christian Huber and James Wood from Starlight Distillery and Huber Winery join us for Whiskey Weeks 2020. Christian, a jack of all trades for Starlight and 7th generation distiller, along with James, sales and brand manager talks about the Huber family farm, the process to get a distillery in Indiana, each family members' taste in whiskey, going from wine to whiskey and what's next.

Tim Piersant, co-founder/CEO of Chattanooga Whiskey, joins us for Whiskey Weeks 2020. Tim talks about what it took to bring distilling operations back to Chattanooga, outsourcing whiskey at first then retiring it, creating their own recipes and what's next.

Whiskey Weeks 2020 continues with Tripp Stimson, chief whiskey scientist and director of distillery operations for Barrell Craft Spirits, and he talks about how Barrell Craft Spirits does things different than others, how blending whiskeys works, going the route of batch editions, several of their bourbons and what's next. Also, Michael Toscano, New York City Ambassador for Woodford Reserve, joins...

We talk with Kentucky-based singer/songwriter Justin Wells about his style of music, his latest album The United State, how he planned on writing, going solo, Shooter Jennings and more.

We kick off Whiskey Weeks 2020 with Nicole Austin, GM and distiller of Cascade Hollow Distilling — the home of George Dickel — on how she got into the distilling industry, taking over a brand like George Dickel, being innovative, her favorite whiskey and what's next. Also, Tim Knittel of Distilled Living joins to talk about his role of a bourbon steward for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Castle,...

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia of country duo Everette. Brent and Anthony talk about their style of music, their new album Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot Side A, how a jam session kicked off a friendship, writing personal songs, what drew them to music, their name and more.

We talk with Adam Hall, brand manager for Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City, on how founder John McDonald started the brewery, a very used European bottling line at the beginning, expanding at its original location, their Smokestack Series, getting into IPAs and what's next. (Chat with Adam starts around 11 min mark) Also, country duo Everette joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

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.