We're excited to welcome Matthias Ingelmann, bars manager at KOL Mezcaleria in London, back to the Bar Hacks podcast! We first spoke to Matthias on episode 106, mostly about KOL, one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, and his role as the bars manager. This time, however, we're learning about mezcal.

Matthias breaks down styles of mezcal, regions (including the fact that mezcal is made in countries other than Mexico), and producers. He also dispels a number of myths and misconceptions, shares his approach to introducing guests to mezcal (and sotol and raicilla), and suggests food pairings. Of course, there's so much more, so make sure to give this episode a listen. Cheers!

Notes

Matthias Ingelmann IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthias.ingelmann/

KOL Mezcaleria IG: https://www.instagram.com/kol.restaurant/

KOL Mezcaleria website: https://kolrestaurant.com/the-mezcaleria/

Bar Hacks IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/⁠⁠⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/⁠⁠⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://krghospitality.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Klemt IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/david.ex.machina/

We're excited to share some huge news with you! There's a brand-new hospitality industry and F&B conference launching later this month in Cincinnati. So, we thought it would be a fantastic idea to sit down with co-founder Sarah Engstrand to learn all about it.

The inaugural edition of Flyover Conference takes place from Monday, June 24 to Tuesday, June 25. During the day, attendees will have access to two stages of engaging, education sessions at Rhinegeist Brewery. In the evenings, there will be sponsored bar crawls and plenty of time to relax, connect with show speakers, and network with peers. Oh, and the $45 ticket includes both days and ALL the programming. There are no add-ons, the tickets are already fully loaded.

And who will be speaking? Well, we'll be there, for one, with KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey presenting an informative session. Attendees will also hear from Michael Tipps, Chef Brian Duffy, Chef Kayla Robison, Lindsey Johnson, and many more, including local industry professionals. Don't miss out! Listen now!

Notes

Flyover Conference website: https://www.flyover-conference.com/

Flyover Conference IG: https://www.instagram.com/flyover_conference/

Sarah Engstrand IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_engstrand/

Bar Hacks IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/⁠⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/⁠⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality website: ⁠⁠⁠https://krghospitality.com/⁠⁠⁠

David Klemt IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/david.ex.machina/

We love a savvy operator here at Bar Hacks and KRG Hospitality. Juan Please Drink Company co-founder Pete Flores certainly falls into that category.

For several years, Flores was sure someone would bring a simple-but-delicious drink to the RTD space: lemonade and tea with a tequila base. Yet, that prediction never did come to pass. So, as Flores says, realizing that door was open, he stepped through it with a small team and brought the TLT (tequila, lemonade, tea) to market under the Juan Please Drink Company portfolio.

During this conversation you'll learn about Flores' experience in the hospitality world, how his vision for an RTD became reality, the challenges he and the team have faced and overcome, plans for future expressions, and much more. Cheers!

Notes

Juan Please website: https://www.drinkjuanplease.com/

Juan Please IG: https://www.instagram.com/drinkjuanplease/

Juan Please LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/juan-please-drinks-company

Bar Hacks IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/⁠⁠

KRG Hospitality website: ⁠⁠https://krghospitality.com/⁠⁠

David Klemt IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/david.ex.machina/

We had the opportunity to speak with Ana Rosenstein, the CEO of Amante 1530, and leapt at the chance. This new amaro is an interesting entry into the space, hitting more than one sweet spot.

For example, Aperol is 11% ABV, while Campari ranges from 24-29% ABV. Amante 1530 is bottled at 15-percent ABV (and there could be a higher-proof version in the cards as the brand grows). Further, Amante 1530 isn't as sweet as Aperol or bitter as Campari. Intriguingly, this amaro performs equally well as an aperitivo or a digestivo.

During this conversation you'll hear the brand's origin story, learn how the recipe was created, hear about the challenges Ana and her team faced and overcome while navigating the spirits space, and even get advice for getting in front of and succeeding with investors. Cheers!

Notes

Amante 1530 website: https://www.amante1530.com/

Amante 1530 IG: https://www.instagram.com/amante_1530/

Bar Hacks IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/⁠

KRG Hospitality IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/⁠

KRG Hospitality website: ⁠https://krghospitality.com/⁠

David Klemt IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/david.ex.machina/

The New Orleans Spirits Competition returns to Tales of the Cocktail for its third edition! NOSC's competition has an interesting and unique element born from a focus on transparency: public tasting and feedback.

To learn more about this competition we sat down with Wayne Curtis, head judge and spirits writer, and Matthew Sharpe, director of operations and hospitality veteran.

During this conversation you'll learn about how the NOSC is conducted; how Tales of the Cocktail 2024 attendees can participate; what spirits trends Curtis and Sharpe believe are taking hold this year; favorite NOLA restaurants and bars; and more. Cheers!

Notes

New Orleans Spirits Competition website: https://www.nolaspiritscomp.com/

NOSC IG: https://www.instagram.com/nolaspiritscomp/

Wayne Curtis website: https://waynecurtis.squarespace.com/

Wayne Curtis IG: https://www.instagram.com/wcurtis/

Bar Hacks IG: https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/

KRG Hospitality IG: https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/

KRG Hospitality website: https://krghospitality.com/

David Klemt IG: https://www.instagram.com/david.ex.machina/

The fantastic Anne Becerra returns to the Bar Hacks podcast! Anne is also returning to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, this year. That incredible event takes place from June 14 to June 16.

In addition to talking about the Food & Wine Classic, Anne and Bar Hacks host David Klemt chat about beer styles to check out and put on your menu now; service and turning non-beer drinkers on to beer; a few brewers you should have on your radar; whether 2024 is (finally) the Year of Lager; and more. Cheers!

Notes

Anne Becerra's website: https://annelikesbeer.com/

Anne Becerra IG: https://www.instagram.com/annelikesbeer/

Prison Pals Brewing Co.: https://prisonpalsbc.com/

Cool Cousin Brewing: https://cool-cousin.com/

TALEA Beer Co.: https://www.taleabeer.com/

KRG Hospitality website: https://krghospitality.com/

KRG Hospitality IG: https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality

Bar Hacks IG: https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/

Sponsored by Perrier, North America's 50 Best Bars is returning to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, on April 23. The 2024 ceremony represents the third edition of North America's 50 Best Bars.

And who better to share details about the upcoming ranking than Emma Sleight, Head of Content: Bars & Hotels for World's 50 Best? Emma dropped by the Bar Hacks podcast to talk about the 2024 ceremony, the Voting Academy, special awards, and more. In fact, listeners will get to learn a bit about Emma herself, including her being a sommelier and Associate of Cheese.

We're looking forward to this year's list! Be sure to stream the ceremony on YouTube or Facebook if you won't be attending in person. Cheers!

Notes

World's 50 Best website: https://www.theworlds50best.com/

World's 50 Best Bars website: https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/

World's 50 Best Bars IG: https://www.instagram.com/50bestbars/

World's 50 Best Bars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/50BestBars/

World's 50 Best Bars X: https://twitter.com/50bestbars

World's 50 Best Bars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcfVWlNK-F5k3hnA3qLLrOg

Bar Hacks IG: https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/

Bar Hacks X: https://twitter.com/AskBarHacks

KRG Hospitality website: https://krghospitality.com/

KRG Hospitality IG: http://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality

KRG Hospitality X: http://www.twitter.com/krghospitality

We know, we know—it's April 1 and we usually only release episodes on Tuesdays. However, this isn't a joke episode. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation really does want your help on an important research project.

The TOTCF began studying the relationship between bartenders and brands last year. Now, they're partnering with IWSR, Drinks Market Research to dive even further into this topic.

Bar professionals who are interested in contributing to this project can do so very easily by completing a short survey (it should only take about 5 minutes). As a bonus incentive, two $100 Amazon gift cards are up for grabs. Hit the link below to learn more and take the survey by April 8. Cheers!

Link to Survey: https://talesofthecocktail.org/iwsr-drinks-market-analysis/

It has taken a while but it has finally happened! Michael Tipps, friend of KRG Hospitality and podcast host David Klemt, dropped by Bar Hacks.

The two kick this episode off by discussing the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo. Both Tipps and KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey are speaking at this year's show. In fact, they're teaching back to back during a bootcamp on Monday, March 18. After the bootcamp, Tipps is presenting a workshop titled "Elevated Guest Experiences."

Tipps also gives his thoughts on the state of the industry and consulting; speaks about creating cool concepts; makes a big announcement; and more. Cheers!

Notes

Michael Tipps IG: https://www.instagram.com/mtippsy78/

Bar Hacks IG: https://www.instagram.com/barhacks/

KRG Hospitality IG: https://www.instagram.com/krg.hospitality/

KRG Hospitality website: https://krghospitality.com/

James Grant, World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2021 and Canada’s 100 Best Bartender of the Year 2022, stops into the Bar Hacks podcast!

As the director of mixology at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, James oversees three distinct concepts: CLOCKWORK, REIGN, and The Library Bar. As he explains, this role is quite a step up from bartending at and managing an 18-seat speakeasy in Edmonton, Alberta.

On this episode, James talks about his journey through hospitality to his current role; his approach to developing the Fairmont Royal York's cocktail programs; tips for speakeasy operators; advice for new operators; what it means to have The Library Bar recognized by World's 50 Best Bars; and more. Cheers!

Notes

James Grant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldgrayrabbit/

Fairmont Royal York website: https://thefairmontroyalyork.com/

Fairmont Royal York Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairmontroyalyork/

The Library Bar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/librarybartoronto/

CLOCKWORK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clockworktoronto/

REIGN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reigntoronto/

The Library Bar on World's 50 Best Bars: https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/Establishments/Canada/Toronto/Library-Bar-at-Fairmont-Royal-York-Hotel.html