Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

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.

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.