Hops & Spirits: Neat & Mixed

Simon Hunt has worked for major brands across the spirits industry and he's now the CEO of Catalyst Spirits, which is behind Howler Head Whiskey. Howler Head Whiskey is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Green River Distillery with natural banana flavor. Simon talks (3:10 mark) about how he got into the business, how he ended up working with Howler Head, why their whiskey is different from others like it, what folks should watch out for with flavored whiskies and more. Plus, he shares a few stories from his career.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Ramsey’s Diners in Lexington announced their Tates Creek location will be closing after 32 years and their new Masterson Station location will be opening later this summer. RD1 Spirits in Lexington is hosting a special Father's Day Tasting while Log Still Distillery has launched its single barrel program. Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Summer Patio Series is underway and happen every other Friday through August. And starting June 21, Manchester Music Hall in Lexington’s Distillery District is launching a the free Manchester Music Hall Summer Sessions.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Tim Piersant (2:50 mark), co-founder/CEO of Chattanooga Whiskey, for the latest stop on our Road Trip Series. He talks about how he got into whiskey, why Chattanooga, working to get Tennessee distilling laws changed, creating their recipe, adding new products to their line-up, their distilling crew, places to visit in Chattanooga and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Mason, Ohio-based 16 Lots Brewing has officially opened its long-awaited second location in Newport on the Levee while Taco John’s will expand its presence in Kentucky. The Midway Bourbon & Blues Festival is set for this weekend, June 10-11, and the Kentucky Craft Bash is coming up on June 24. Plus, The Belle of Louisville is launching a new “On the River” cruise series this summer with special themed cruises.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Taylor Diaz and Nooch Saeedi (3:00 mark), of Kyros Brewing in Louisville, for our Q&A. They talk about how Kyros Brewing came to be, working together as friends/couples, the name Kyros, their location, leaning into a family-friendly vibe, what's next and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Country Boy Brewing is opening a new taproom in downtown Louisville at the Falls City Market in the Omni Hotel. Craft beer passport program Louisville Ale Trail won a Global Crushie award for “Best Beer Trail” while Cincinnati-based Mazunte Tacos announced it will open its first location outside of Ohio in Lexington’s Distillery District. Plus, James Beam launches new American Single Malt Whiskey and Lux Row announces Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey, Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey and a newly reformulated Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream.

We welcome in Kristen and Justin Matthews (3:05 mark), co-owners of Eridanus Brewing in Russell, Ky., for our Q&A. They talk about how Eridanus Brewing came to be, home brewing beer and tea, creating a tea and beer taproom, finding their location in Russell, renovating a historic train depot, the meaning behind their name, what folks can expect when visiting, what's next and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): The Party Source in Newport announced its Merchants Club bar will be opening inside of the store in July 2023, in the former Braxton Labs space. Heaven's Door Spirits recently announced its plans to open a new distillery in Pleasureville, Ky., along with a brand experience in downtown Louisville. The Budweiser Clydesdales are visiting the Chevy Chase Inn on May 31 in Lexington for its 90th anniversary celebration plus Lakeside Live returns to Lexington Green on June 23.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Chris Williams (3:05 mark), chef/pitmaster/owner of Four Pegs Smokehouse & Bar in Louisville, for our Q&A. He talks about his role at the restaurant, when he got into cooking and barbecue, starting the Cafe 502 food truck, buying Four Pegs, putting his spin on the restaurant, what folks can expect, The Greatest burger challenge and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): The fifth annual FEAST fundraiser for Lexington nonprofit FoodChain is set for May 24 at Fasig-Tipton. The Pickleball Ranch @ FBC, short for Freedom Brewing Company, is coming to Florence with a brewery, taproom and pickleball courts plus Kyros Brewing Co. is now officially open in Louisville (2425 Portland Ave.). Lexington Craft Beer Week is underway featuring special releases and collaborations. Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience (624 W. Main St. in Louisville) officially cut the ribbon on its micro-distillery, bar, and retail shop while the owners of Equus Run Vineyards in Midway have announced the opening of its new venture, Saddlestone Distillery.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Jimmy Longbottom (3:05 mark), founder/duck whisperer of Longbottom Bird Ranch, as part of our Road Trip 2023 Series. He talks about how started raising domestic ducks, how he learned about people abandoning pet ducks, the biggest difference between wild and domestic ducks, what folks should know about raising ducks, how the Birds & Brews Tour got started, what folks can expect on the tour, how folks can get involved and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): The International Food Truck Festival returns to Louisville's Waterfront Park Big Four Lawn on Saturday, May 13. Black Soil hosting Heal Over A Meal monthly series in Lexington while The Burl has announced its first ever Burl County Fair set for September. Number 15 on Louisville's Whiskey Row is set to open soon plus Chef Edward Lee has opened his first Korean steakhouse Nami and new bar and restaurant concept called Sphinx is opening in Butchertown.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Kevin Patterson (2:50 mark), cicerone/national beer judge and manager for The Beer Trappe Craft Beer Store & Bar in Lexington, for our Q&A. He talks about how he got into craft beer, what it took to be a cicerone and national beer judge, how he ended up at The Beer Trappe, what folks can expect when visiting the bar/store, beer trends he's seen lately, his favorite recent pours, teaching beer school and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Newport on the Levee will soon be home to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Resort and be home to multiple new restaurants and a coveted hotel. Goodbounce Pickleball Yard is now open in Louisville while Ale-8-One is debuting a new limited-edition peach flavor in May and Louisville Ale Trail’s 502 Beer Appreciation Day returns.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Krista Snider (2:50 mark), CEO of Belle of Louisville Riverboats, for our Q&A. She talks about the history of the Belle of Louisville, when the Mary M. Miller joined the fleet, how often the riverboats run, their new annual pass and other fun additions for 2023, returning favorites for the year, why folks should come on a cruise again, what's in store for the future and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Covington’s House of Orange has closed indefinitely while Jack in the Box is set to come to Lexington and Louisville. Plus, Wing KYng is moving into Lexington's Greyline Station and Castle & Key 502 has opened in the Omni Hotel near Louisville’s Whiskey Row.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Doug Price and Derek DeFranco (3:05 mark), co-owners of Myriad Meadery in Lexington, for our Q&A. They talk about how Myriad came to be, being part of the Mirror Twin family, what folks can expect when visiting the taproom, what is mead, how it differs from beer/cider, how they're still experimental with mead, what's on tap and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): Nic & Norman's is set to come to Louisville in June while Georgie’s Social House is now open in Lexington. Bourbon with HeART’s latest exhibit “Bowtied Together” is open at The Galt House through Derby season and Bourbon Festival tickets go on sale May 11. Also, the Campari Group announces plans to add a second distillery at its Wild Turkey campus in Lawrenceburg.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

We welcome in Greg Scott (3:15 mark), chef/owner of Broussard's Delta Kitchen in Georgetown, for our Q&A. He talks about how he got into cooking, trips to visit his granny in Louisiana, working for Ritz Carlton, getting into Creole cooking, retiring and opening up his own restaurants, picking Georgetown, the name Broussard's, what folks can expect when they visit and more.

What's Pouring Kentucky (0:30 mark): PGA Ticket Registry is now open for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville while tickets are now available for the 2023 PGA TOUR Barbasol Championship in Nicholasville this July. Louisville Taco Week runs April 17-23 and tickets are on sale for the Summer Beer Fest at Frazier. Also, District 7 Social has added the Breezeway Beer Garden in Lexington's Distillery District and Condado Tacos is set to open next to Top Golf in Louisville this week.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.