Megan and her four-legged companion Morley jump on the pod to talk about the inspiration of opening Bitter Pops, and the standards and responsibilities the bottle shop bestows upon itself as a neighborhood community center. We also chat about hospitality, craft beer/spirits and we breakdown “Golden Girls” to close the show.
Read MoreJake, Wilson and Matt sit down discuss the rise and soon-to-be immediate collapse of Liverpool Football, before entering into an intriguing discussion on the cultural diversity of all things drinking between Melbourne and US cities. The trio also poses the question if the pioneers of this current whisk(e)y/cocktail renaissance are transforming into gatekeepers of the industry. And, consequently, prohibiting the expansion of new and current spirits explorers.
Read MoreGeorgy joins the pod to chat about his professional upbringing through the New York whiskey/cocktail renaissance, and how working at establishments such as The Flatiron Room shaped his passion for whiskey. Georgy also shares how this formative industry years prepared him for his current position representing international brands in the City.
Read MoreTait Forman sits down with Jake Hukee to share how his knowledge of history, his embedded passion for hospitality and his fervency for storytelling encompasses the elegant details of his bar Bibo Ergo Sum in Los Angeles. Tait also discusses the importance of a shared community; having an impactful identity on sustainability in the local community and the further network of this industry.
Read MoreBob Zacharias joins the show to chat about running a neighborhood bar that just happens to house nearly a 1,000 bottles of whiskeys. Fountainhead has become an industry standard for whiskey bars in Chicago, and Bob is one of the catalysts creating a friendly environment for all to enjoy the diverse world of whiskey. We also talk barrel picks, whiskey trips across the world and Bob’s passion for being an ambassador of whiskey.
Read MoreThe jig is up. Begyle Brewing officially found out that Jake and Wilson record a podcast above their brewery. Brett Knickerbocker and Chelsea Matsumonji join the show to collect rent for the last few months. They also discuss their beginnings with Begyle and their personal investment into the craft brewery. Brett and Chelsea help manage the brewery/taproom and are prime components to Begyle’s rise as one of the Chicago’s top breweries.
Read MoreAlan Clark joins the show to chat about growing up with a father in the Scotch Whisky industry, and how his journey began in Speyside with Pernod Ricard before moving to India to represent their brands. Alan is now a brand ambassador for Aberlour in Chicago.
Read MoreJamie joins us to chat about how her nearly lifelong curiosity of the spirits industry took her to a couple Midwest craft distilleries straight out of college to her current role representing international brands. We also discuss the challenges of balancing work and life, staying humble, diet and maintaining a healthy relationship with your loved ones.
Read MoreJake Hukee, Wilson Torres and Matt Brown sit down at Begyle Brewing to chat about Spring/Summer cocktails and whiskeys to explore. The trio also open up to discuss the failures they’ve experienced in the industry, and how they transformed those experiences into positives. Then they explore the advantages that independent bottle shops have over large retails stores. And of course, they chew over what bottle they’re drinking.
Read MoreMary joins us to chat about how a road trip and a random nap in Austin, TX changed her life. Mary is the Ambassador of Buzz for Treaty Oak in Chicago, IL, bringing the delicious spirits and the pragmatic foundation of the family owned distillery to folks across the U.S.
Read MoreJake Hukee, Wilson Torres and Matt Brown sit down to chat and catch up on the whiskeys all three are currently enjoying. The trio also discuss the progress of the Illinois craft distiller licensing bill currently in the state House.
Read MoreJake Hukee and Wilson Torres breakdown the events and the community built during Chicago’s Whisky Week. In the second part of the hour, the two hosts detail the process and the inspiration to create Key In The Lake.
Read MoreJared Savocchi of The Native joins Wilson Torres and Jake Hukee to chat about his passion for building a bar based on his vinyl collection and a trip to Speyside, Scotland. Then adjusting his drink menu to the crowd his neighborhood spot attracts.
Read MoreWilson Torres, Matt Brown and Jake Hukee sit down to breakdown what we’ve drank, where we’ve drank, and what is to come during the remainder of Chicago’s Whisky Week. We also explain the entire process of selling a barrel program to bars and retail.
Read MoreIan joins us to talk about the origin story of the heritage brand and the importance of finding happiness and passion in your work.
Read MoreMike joins Jake Hukee and special cohost Matthew Brown of Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. to chat about owning one of the best independent liquor stores in Chicago.
Read MoreHarrison Pious of MGP (Midwest Grain Products) joins us to chat about the challenges and opportunities during his career as a market manager for craft distributors, craft distilleries to his current role at on the most reputable distilleries in America.
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