Hops & Spirits: Bar Conversations

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, what a bourbon steward is, virtual tastings and more.

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.

Author Wesley Browne joins to chat about the release of his book Hillbilly Hustle. Wesley talks about how some real life events made it into the book, a late re-write that changed the book, being a businessman and lawyer full-time, what got him into writing and the coolest thing he's been able to do.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Matthew Cummings, owner/brewer/glassblower of Pretentious Beer and Pretentious Glass in Knoxville, TN, on how a drinking club pushed him toward glassware, starting a brewery, doing more experimental beers and what's next. (Chat with Matthew starts around 12 min mark) Also, author/businessman Wesley Browne joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Matt Kwasniewski, head brewer and president of Big Timber Brewing in West Virginia, on how his time in Montana got him into home brewing, launching a brewery in Elkins, WV, being part of a young craft beer market, their beers and what's next. (Chat with Matt starts around 20 min mark) Also, Kenny Coleman of Bourbon Pursuit, joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Shane Baker, co-owner and master distiller of Wilderness Trail Distillery in Kentucky, on consulting in the industry first, launching WTD, starting with one barrel a day, how a band played a key role, growing fast and what's next. (Chat with Shane starts around 12 min mark) Also, Liz, girl_meets_beer_ on Instagram, joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

Host Jonathan Greene talks with Bobby Slattery, owner of Fifty West Brewing in Cincinnati, on how it all got started, building a campus of fun, small batch brewing, their Penny Lane VW Bus and what's next. (Chat with Bobby starts around 13 min mark) Also, Charlie the Chicago Craft Beer Guy joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

We talk with Brent Elliott, master distiller for Four Roses Bourbon, on how Four Roses got its name, being named Master Distiller of the Year, watching bourbon grow, differences of the brand's bourbons and what's next. (Chat with Brent starts around 17 min mark) Also, Boys are from Marzen host Kindsey Bernhard joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.

We talk with Sam Cruz and Jerry Gnagy, two of the co-founders of Against The Grain in Louisville, on how they launched ATG, their crazy can designs, naming beers, adding a second location and what's next. Also, former Major League pitcher Alex Wilson joins for a 6-Pack of Questions.