Neat & Mixed from Hops & Spirits

In this Q&A, we talk with Chuck Wood, the manager of Talbott Tavern Restaurant & Inn in Bardstown. He talks about where the tavern's name originates, having history there dating back to 1779, a haunted history too, being part of the bourbon world in Bardstown, being an inn, the restaurant, the crazy bourbon collection at their bourbon bar, what folks can expect when they visit and more.

In this Q&A, we talk with two of the co-founders from Against the Grain in Louisville, Sam Cruz and Jerry Gnagy. They talk about how a pirate hooker statue pushed them to launch ATG, the journey to finding their Smokehouse location, expanding and trying new concepts, how they name their beers, the wildness is their can designs and what's next for them.

In this Q&A, we welcome in Ariel Jahn, a Kentucky native and the Development Manager for Woodinville Whiskey. She talks about how she got into the business, her role with Woodinville, the role of a Brand Ambassador, how a whiskey company enters a new market, working with bartenders and mixologists in a market, how tastings and events work, the history of Woodinville Whiskey, how it is a local...

In this Q&A, we welcome in Damon Thayer, co-founder of Kentucky Senator Bourbon. He talks about why they got into the bourbon business, the history of the name, being a NDP producer, what it's been like to source bourbon, their first three releases, giving some history with each bottle, getting recognition/awards and what's next for the brand.

In this Q&A, we go Beyond Kentucky as we chat with Becky Harris, co-founder/distiller of Catoctin Creek in Virginia. She talks about how she and her husband launched the distillery, her background in engineering, learning to love whiskey, why they focused on rye whiskey, sourcing regionally, the name, their fun partnerships, being a craft distillery and more.

It's a bourbon Flight Night as we enjoy a two different pours from RD1 Spirits in Lexington — Kentucky Straight Bourbon and French Oak Finish — with Chris Tetterton, VP of Marketing for RD1 Spirits. The crew for flight night includes: D., @vabourbonhunter; and Chris, or @Jefftherabb1t on Instagram. In addition to the pours, we talk about their name, creating new bourbons, the original W.M. Tarr tr...

In this Q&A, we chat with Jessy Harding, executive director of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, and Tyler Madison of the Kentucky Proud program. They talk about what the Kentucky Proud Beer Series is, how the programs work with farmers and brewers, the variety of produce used in the series (butternut squash anyone?!), why they turned this into a month-long event, where to get release information...

In this Q&A, we chat with Alan Jackson's Silverbelly Whiskey. Mattie Jackson Selecman, author/sommelier and Jackson's daughter, and Robbie Goldsmith, CEO of Silverbelly, join us to talk about how Alan Jackson got into the whiskey business, the name behind the brand, working with Green River Distillery in Kentucky on the whiskey, crafting a different batch with Alan's songs, how Mattie became a...

In this Q&A, we chat with Rebecca Burnworth, owner of The Stave Restaurant and Bourbon Bar in Millville, Kentucky. She talks about launching the Stave Restaurant, working as an architect/interior designer, designing other restaurants in central Kentucky, the location of The Stave, creating the outside spot The Treehouse, the name, what folks can expect when they visit, a potential new restaura...

In this Q&A, we chat with Kim and Tom Bard, co-founders, of The Bard Distillery in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. They talk about Tom's heritage with Bardstown, how they ended up in Muhlenberg, the distillery's site and its history, their former careers, launching The Bard, their products, what's next and more!

It's a craft beer Flight Night as we enjoy a four different pours from Blue Stallion Brewing of Lexington — Kolsch, Bruised Orange Pilsner, Lexipolitan and Dunkel — with head brewer JR. The crew for flight night includes: Emily, Brandon and Derrick. In addition to the pours, we talk how JR got into brewing, his move to Blue Stallion, tweaking recipes, the brand's refresh, upcoming projects and mor...

In this Q&A, we chat with Ryan Lang, co-founder and CEO of Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio. Ryan talks about how the industry has changed since Middle West launched in 2008, his family's history in distilling, going from engineer to distiller, why they source locally/regionally as much as possible, collaborating with others on projects, sharing their knowledge with partners, their lineup...

In this Q&A, we chat with Keegan McGee, head brewer at Turtleback Ridge Brewery in Robertson County. Keegan talks about being part of a working farm, how the brewery became part of it, working with other farmers/growers in the area, collaborating with breweries across the state, experimenting with beer styles and flavors, being in Robertson County and what's next.

In this Q&A, we chat with Sara Bradley, owner/chef of the freight house in Paducah and runner-up Season 16 of Top Chef. Sara talks about how she became a chef, how she puts her psychology degree to use, sharing the restaurant with family, having fun on social media, what it was like on Top Chef, returning to Paducah, launching the freight house, the restaurant's booze collection and what's nex...

In this Q&A, we chat with John King, creator and founder of Drunkwood. John talks about how he got into woodworking, if he's always been creative, being a teacher, how he comes up with designs, working with bourbon barrels, his love of craft beer, being part of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, how folks kind find his work and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Mark Wombles, owner/chef of Heirloom in Midway & Distilled on Jefferson in Lexington. Mark talks about how he became a chef, going to California to learn, working with other local chefs, launching Heirloom, expanding with more restaurants, what folks can expect at each, what his roles are these days and more.

It's a bourbon Flight Night as we enjoy a three different pours from Limestone Branch — Minor Case Rye, Yellowstone Select and Yellowstone Family Recipe — with co-founder and master distiller Stephen Beam. The crew for flight night includes: Arielle, or influensky on Instagram; D., @vabourbonhunter; and Chris, or @Jefftherabb1t on Instagram. In addition to the pours, we talk how they brought back...

In this Q&A, we chat with author and mixologist Heather Wibbels. Heather talks about how she became Cocktail Contessa, her journey into cocktails, how Bourbon Women played a role in her life/career, what it was like to write "Bourbon is My Comfort Food", how the book differed from her work in magazines, her next projects and more.

Our latest Q&A is with Scout & Scholar Brewing in Bardstown, Kentucky. We're joined by Lee Northcutt, Head Brewer, and Matthew Cammack, Brewer, as they talk about how Scout & Scholar got its name, how the name lends itself to the beer, having a full kitchen on site, working with local distilleries on projects, collaborating with other breweries across the state and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Rivergreen Cocktails owner/founder Danielle Mann. Danielle talks about how Rivergreen Cocktails came about, going with gin-based cocktails, using all-natural ingredients, producing small batches, making everything in Louisville, launching with three cocktails, making them at 12%ABV, where can folks find it and what's next.

In this Q&A, we chat with 15 Stars Bourbon co-founders Rick and Ricky Johnson. They talk about how it is working together as father and son, how their other family business played a role in this venture, where the name 15 Stars comes from, their first two initial offerings, how they will tap into those heirloom corns in the future, where 15 Stars is currently available and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Alison Settle, executive chef, and Randi Densford, beverage director, of Barn8 at Hermitage Farm. They join us to talk about their roles at the restaurant/farm, how they got into their careers, earning some impressive honors, their food, their drinks, how they incorporate the farm into their programs, what they have in store for the summer and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Castle & Key Distillery's Head Blender Brett Connors. Brett talks about how his role has evolved at Castle & Key, what a head blender does, how his art history degree came into play at the distillery, the long and amazing history of the site, their Restoration Rye, their first bourbon releases, what's next and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Danielle Rowell, owner/founder of Inebriated Baker and Inebriated Chef. She joins us to talk about how she started the Inebriated Baker, who Cletus is (the logo), the difficulty of baking with booze, how her boozy cupcakes differ from others, the many boozy options she has now, the perks of a storefront and more.

In this Q&A, we chat with Rogue Spirits Director of Spirits John Christie as we go Beyond Kentucky. John talks about how Rogue Spirits got its start, how closely tied they are with Rogue Ales, aging whiskey on the Pacific Coast, their whiskies, their other spirits, new canned cocktails and what's next for them.