Man Cave Happy Hour

Send us Fan Mail A brown bag, a number on the cap, and a chorus of guesses—there’s something electric about a blind pour. We crack open day one of a whiskey advent exchange and let the senses lead: orange peel peeks out, a warm glide crawls across the palate, and debate kicks off about proof, finish, and whether banana means Jack or something sneakier. The best part isn’t being right; it’s how a r...

Send us Fan Mail Rare pours belong in glasses, not on pedestals. We sat down with Jerry from Neat Or Stir to unpack how a Detroit-area bourbon club turns the chase into a craft: buying whole barrels, tasting blind, and building real relationships with stores to secure bottles worth opening. If you’ve ever felt burned by Michigan pricing or baffled by allocations, this conversation maps a smarter p...

Send us Fan Mail A quiet Monday at a local brewery turns electric when a homebrew guild pulls up chairs and starts pouring stories. We begin with two teachers who fell for British cask ales, came home to stovetops and driveway boils, and helped fuel a club where curiosity ferments into craft. The thread runs through every glass we raise: the right community turns “someday” into batches, medals, an...

Send us Fan Mail A brewery story that starts with nuts and bolts and ends with medals and cult beers is worth a pint and a half. We set up at Kuhnhenn Brewing and talk with brothers Eric and Bret about how a family hardware store in Warren became a fiercely independent microbrewery known for high-gravity ales that still drink refreshingly clean. The path wasn’t smooth—paperwork delays, a sparse ea...

Send us Fan Mail Ever stared at a Four Roses label and wondered what those letters actually taste like? We pulled on the baseball tees, poured a mystery single barrel at 100 proof, and put our palates to the test—no hints, just noses, notes, and a friendly wager. What started as happy hour turned into a crash course on mash bills, yeast strains, and how recipe codes like OBSF, OESO, and OESK map t...

Send us Fan Mail A glass can change a night, and sometimes a cause. We’re clinking through Detroit’s dining glow-up, tasting everything from a zero-proof old fashioned that actually satisfies to a small-lot Mount Veeder Cabernet with the kind of structure that makes bourbon fans nod. Along the way, we spotlight Uncork for a Cure—the 10th-anniversary gala rallying chefs, sommeliers, and guests to f...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a simple promise the most significant gift you could ever give someone? For Freddie Johnson, Buffalo Trace Distillery's beloved ambassador, keeping his word literally saved his life. Sitting in what he calls "the ultimate man cave," Freddie shares the rich tapestry of his family's deep connection to Kentucky bourbon. As the third generation to walk t...

Send us Fan Mail Raise your glasses to another round of spirited conversation on the Man Cave Happy Hour! This week, Jamie Flanagan, August Kitchen, Matt Fox, and special guest David Wright (the Motor City Hypnotist) dive into a blue-hued adventure celebrating Detroit's football fever. Fresh off the successful Magnum 12 fundraiser, the crew shares behind-the-scenes stories that had us laughin...

Send us Fan Mail Raise your glasses and wax those mustaches – it's time to talk charity, cider, and community support on this episode of Man Cave Happy Hour! Jamie, Matt, and August dive into a tasting of Blake's Cider seasonal offerings while unveiling the backstory of their beloved Magnum 12 charity event. What started as friends challenging each other to wear tracksuits to a bar has e...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a pint and join us for a deep dive into soccer culture as we explore the beautiful game through the lens of traditional English pub ales and Detroit's thriving soccer community.  What happens when you mix the world's most popular sport with Detroit's gritty character and authentic beer culture? Pure magic. Our guest Matt Conti breaks down the intricacies of fan...

Send us Fan Mail Nothing brings friends together quite like celebrating life's victories over a good glass of bourbon. In this episode, we're joined by special guest David, the Motor City Hypnotist, as we crack open some long-neglected "orphan bottles" and share stories that range from triumphant to heartwarming. The spotlight first falls on Matt's incredible achievement -...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the heart of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, where an unassuming bar houses a breathtaking treasury of over 1,450 different whiskeys. At the Butter Run Saloon, owner Dave Harden has created more than just a drinking establishment—he's built a whiskey lover's sanctuary that draws enthusiasts from across the Midwest. During our visit, Dave guides us through his perso...

Send us Fan Mail The old saying goes that Wild Turkey is just "country whiskey," but true bourbon lovers know better. This week, we're putting two expressions from this iconic Kentucky distillery head-to-head: the classic Wild Turkey 101 against the more elusive Wild Turkey 101.8. What's the difference between these two nearly identical-proof bourbons? About two years minimum i...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the refreshing world of authentic Finnish long drinks as we welcome the team behind Lancaro to the Man Cave Happy Hour. This eye-opening conversation reveals how a paralyzed founder's dream evolved into a mission-driven beverage company revolutionizing the ready-to-drink market with clean, natural flavors. Discover the fascinating history behind Finland's natio...

Send us Fan Mail Blindfolds, cocktails, and murder – what more could you want from a dinner party? Creator Jill Bell joins us to reveal the story behind "Murder on the Rocks," the cocktail party murder mystery game that's completely reinventing game night. With a PhD in cybersecurity and experience as a firefighter, Jill never expected to become a game designer. Yet her creation jus...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into a cocktail experiment gone hilariously wrong as we tackle the Kalimotxo—an unusual Spanish drink that mixes red wine with Coca-Cola. This strange combination dates back to the 1920s when festival organizers in Spain discovered their wine was terrible and desperately needed a fix. Their solution? Mask it with Coca-Cola, creating what we dub "the original Fyre Festiva...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when three whiskey enthusiasts decide to pair fine spirits with jelly beans? Pure chaotic deliciousness! This episode takes you on a flavorful journey through unexpected combinations as Jamie, Matt, and August explore the intersection of childhood nostalgia and adult beverages. The adventure begins with a sample of Willett Small Batch Family Estate Straight Rye Whiske...

Send us Fan Mail Bourbon lovers, listen up! We're diving deep into a brand new release that's generating serious buzz - Heaven Hill's Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled in Bond bourbon. Unlike its limited-edition decanter siblings, this new expression promises to be a regular shelf staple (if you're lucky enough to find it). The episode kicks off with a Father's Day-themed New...

Send us Fan Mail The Man Cave Happy Hour crew welcomes Detroit writer Mickey Lyons for an evening of spirit exploration and storytelling. After sampling the underwhelming Widow Jane bourbon (dubbed "aggressively mediocre" by the hosts), the conversation transforms when August introduces a rare bottle of green Chartreuse. https://www.mickeylyons.com/ This legendary liqueur, crafted by Car...

Send us Fan Mail Raise a glass and journey with us through the captivating wine regions of northwestern Spain as we explore the distinctive character of Spanish wines while previewing an upcoming adventure to this remarkable destination. Our conversation uncorks with a lively tasting of traditional Spanish Cava, that crisp, refreshing alternative to Champagne that sets the stage perfectly for our...

Send us Fan Mail Step through the intentionally squeaky door of Donovan's Pub, and you'll immediately understand what makes neighborhood bars the backbone of Detroit. Owner Shannon Lowell keeps that door noisy for a reason - when it creaks, everyone glances up to size newcomers within 30 seconds. Located in what Shannon calls "the cracks between Corktown and Mexicantown," this...

Send us Fan Mail From spreadsheet wizard to master distiller, Jeff Duckhorn's journey from corporate accountant to craft spirits pioneer embodies the adventurous spirit of Redwood Empire Whiskey. With infectious passion, Jeff shares how his home brewing hobby and creative drive helped transform a wine company's side project into a flourishing whiskey brand celebrating Northern California...

Send us Fan Mail Step into a slice of living history at Detroit's famed Cadieux Cafe, where authentic Belgian feather bowling lanes have been delighting visitors since 1933. Our conversation with owner John Rutherford reveals the fascinating journey of this east side crown jewel from its origins as a Belgian grocery store during Prohibition to its current status as America's only authent...

Send us Fan Mail Step into a world where mushrooms transform your drinking experience—without the alcohol. Megan Klein, founder and CEO of Little Saints, takes us on a fascinating journey through her line of non-alcoholic, mushroom-powered cocktails that deliver mood enhancement and cognitive benefits with zero sugar and only five calories. From her mint green vending trailer origins in Detroit to...

Send us Fan Mail Do you have a bag of lemons and no idea what to do with them? Join us as we transform citrus into classic cocktails while unveiling our exciting new format that will take our show on the road! When our guest brought an entire bag of lemons instead of just the two requested, it sparked an impromptu exploration of lemon-based cocktails. We kick things off with our "Limosa"...