The Responsibly Rowdy Podcast

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Stephen Callahan and head brewer Danny Smith lock their Vols vs. No. 1 Texas picks over the Tennessee Hills Transfusion RTD, right here at our distillery in Bristol, TN.

Plus the Bristol Night Race brawl, the Titans at 0-2, Neat or Not on NC State's intentional safety and the Great American Beer Festival moving outdoors, and a check-in on our office fantasy football league, where both hosts are somehow 2-0.

Tennessee Hills is a family-run distillery and brewery in Bristol, TN, in the heart of East Tennessee, pouring Tennessee whiskey and craft beer side by side and building a small business from the ground up. Stop by, raise a glass, and always drink responsibly.

Want to be our next guest? We record during Rowdy Hour, Thursdays 3 to 6pm, right here at the distillery in Bristol.

Stay #ResponsiblyRowdy.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

A random Thursday at our Tennessee whiskey distillery turned into one of our best craft beer conversations yet. Lee, a UK engineer wrapping up 20 years of business trips to East Tennessee, walked into Rowdy Hour at our brewery and left as our newest podcast guest.

0:00 - Cold Open: Meet Lee (Picked Up at the Bar)

1:45 - First Pour: Mirage Lager & Bird Dog Rye Pale Ale

3:58 - How a UK Engineer Ended Up in Bristol, TN

6:05 - Bourbon vs. Scotch: An Outsider's Honest Take

6:29 - Bristol: The Birthplace of Country Music

8:03 - Music, AI, and the Rise of the One-Man Band

9:43 - Lee's First Record & the Best Gig of His Life (Queen, Wembley '86)

12:53 - What British Rock Has That American Rock Lost

15:14 - Why East Tennessee Starts in Bristol

17:15 - Danny's Widespread Panic Obsession

19:35 - Is AI Music Ruining the Industry?

21:20 - Tennessee Hills Hits a Million Views

21:49 - Bar Tab: Rapid Fire with Lee

29:05 - Last Call: Lee's (Very Private) New YouTube Channel

Head brewer Danny Smith and distillery owner Stephen Callahan poured a First Pour of Mirage Lager (our Japanese rice lager) and Bird Dog Rye Pale Ale, then let the conversation go wherever it wanted. Lee broke down why British IPAs run stronger than ours, defended Scotch over Tennessee whiskey (respectfully), and settled the age-old British rock vs. American rock debate. Somewhere in there we found out Danny's closing in on 90 Widespread Panic shows, and that Tennessee Hills just hit its first million-view month across social. This is what Responsibly Rowdy is built on: real conversation, real craft beer, real Tennessee whiskey, no script.

BOOK A TOUR: https://tennesseehills.com/pages/book-a-tour

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FOLLOW US:

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Want to be our next random guest? We record live during Rowdy Hour, Thursdays 3 to 6pm, right here at the distillery. Pull up a stool and you might end up on the podcast.

Stay #ResponsiblyRowdy

#TennesseeWhiskey #CraftBeer #CraftDistillery #ResponsiblyRowdy #BristolTN

The San Francisco 49ers routed the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia–and Stephen Callahan and head brewer Danny Smith have the receipts (they don't).

They open the sealed picks they made before kickoff, react to the action at Melbourne Cricket Ground, and decide whether football at breakfast is Net or Not.

Back in Tennessee, the Vols head to Georgia Tech on September 12 for their first road test of 2026, while Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion celebrates its 25th anniversary in downtown Bristol September 11–13. Danny also pours a another great beer.

Plus: Bristol Sessions Nights on September 18, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 19, and eight "rapid-fire" questions in Bar Tab.

Tell us in the comments: Is an NFL game at 10:35 a.m. NEAT or NOT?

BRISTOL SESSIONS NIGHTS: A TRUE TASTE OF TENNESSEE | SEPTEMBER 18

Featuring a guided whiskey tasting with Stephen Callahan, Smokestillery catering, and live music from Adrian Bundy and Ryder Casey.

Get tickets here: https://cityofbristoltn.ticketspice.com/bristol-sessions-festival-2026See what's happening at Tennessee Hills: https://tennesseehills.com/pages/events-calendar

Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny Smith

Producers: Cody Ryans & Jahlil White

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistilleryListen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tnhillsdistilleryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERYTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Website: https://tennesseehills.com/

#ResponsiblyRowdy #NFL #49ers #Rams #Vols #BristolRhythmAndRoots #CraftBeer #TennesseeWhiskey

Follow on Spotify + Apple Podcasts. Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Stephen Callahan shows up with a busted lip and a story, Jahlil gets promoted to professional taste tester, and Eric learns the hard way what happens when you flip the wrong switch in the production booth. Plus the great American road trip argument nobody wins and the biggest weekend on The Hill all year.New here? Quick version: two of us, up on The Hill in Bristol, every Friday, talking sports and whatever we're fired up about, with a drink in hand, all from the largest privately-owned Brewstillery in North America (we think).The Rowdy Read: Great American Road Trips. Route 66, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pacific Coast Highway, and [the one Stephen swears is better than all of them]. Where you stop, what you drink, and why the drive beats the destination every time.On the bar: a first pour of RED STRIPE MANGO (Thank you to our newest team member – Romario!). Jahlil takes it seriously, Stephen takes it fast, and the taste-tester title is officially handed out on camera.Behind the Barrel: what actually went wrong in production this week, courtesy of Eric. We kept it in.Cody's Fun Facts: the things you didn't know about the Brewstillery, the bike, and the weekend ahead.The weekend on The Hill:Saturday, Sept 5: the Indian Motorcycle gets a new rider at the Brewstillery, Johnson City. Sunday, Sept 6: Afroman live at Tennessee Hills Bristol, presented by East Tennessee Distillery. All ages, ticket only, gates at 6.Tell us in the comments: what's the best road trip in America? Drop it below and we'll read the best one on the next episode.Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny SmithProducers: Cody Ryans, Jahlil WhiteStay #ResponsiblyRowdy.Follow Tennessee Hills:Instagram: instagram.com/tnhillsdistilleryFacebook: facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERYTikTok: tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistilleryWebsite: tennesseehills.comSee What's Happening at Tennessee Hills: tennesseehills.com/pages/events-calendar

Follow us on Spotify + Apple Podcasts + YouTube: @tennesseehillsdistillery.

On today's episode, Stephen Callahan busts out his old college helmet to relive his captain days, Danny Smith debuts Neat or Not, and the internet's putting an electrical substation on trial for the 49ers' training camp.

Football's back, Week 0 kicks off, and The Hill is exactly where you want to be for football season.

New here? Quick version: two of us, up on The Hill in Bristol, every Friday, talking sports and whatever we're fired up about, with a drink in hand, all from the largest privately-owned Brewstillery in North America (we think).

The Rowdy Read: Week 0 is upon us, the Vols open Sept 5 against Furman, Texas comes to Neyland Sept 26 for the first regular-season meeting between the two programs, and the NFL breaks a 75-year tradition with a Wednesday night opener Sept 9 in Seattle. Plus the full case against the substation everyone's blaming for the 49ers' bad luck.

The debut of Neat or Not: a trend or a hot topic, 60–90 seconds a ruling, both hosts have to land on NEAT (fine as-is) or NOT.

First up: a Wednesday NFL opener, college football kicking off in Dublin, and whether $15 stadium beers are just the cost of the modern game-day experience.

Behind the Barrel: school's back, and so is Danny. ETSU's Brewing & Distillation Studies program just sent us a brand new cohort, and he walks through what they'll actually learn on our floor.

Plus: Oktoberfest comes to Bristol Oct 3 (last year was one of our biggest nights yet and this one's bigger). That means BLUE-EYED MÄRZEN IS BACK. And also, this is officially your last full episode to win the bike.

The Indian Motorcycle giveaway draws next Friday, Sept 4. Get your entry in before we pick a name: https://go.rallyup.com/tennesseehillsindianmotorcycle

Tell us in the comments: what's your ruling, Neat, or Not? Drop it below and we'll read the best one on the next episode.

Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny Smith

Producers: Cody Ryans, Jahlil White

Stay #ResponsiblyRowdy.

Follow Tennessee Hills:

Instagram: instagram.com/tnhillsdistillery

Facebook: facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERY

TikTok: tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Website: tennesseehills.com

See What's Happening at Tennessee Hills: tennesseehills.com/pages/events-calendar

Troy's doing donuts, and that's just the beginning. Stephen Callahan and head brewer Danny Smith debut Hold My Beer, weigh in on football and Woody Harrelson, pour one out for Jack Daniel's new 138-proof monster, and announce the biggest night of the fall on The Hill.

New here? Quick version: two of us, up on The Hill in Bristol, every Friday at noon now, talking sports and whatever we're fired up about, with a drink in hand, all from the largest privately-owned Brewstillery in North America.

In this episode: the debut of Hold My Beer — who said "hold my beer" this week? One nominee each, 90 seconds to make the case, then the ruling: ROWDY or RECKLESS. Trump says he'd be the greatest WNBA coach in history, and we have questions. Woody Harrelson is producing a documentary about Armadillo World Headquarters, the Austin hall that launched outlaw country. Jack Daniel's dropped a 138.4-proof Angel's Share release, so Stephen explains what the angels actually drink in 30 seconds flat. The Comeback of the Week hits both the staff and the culture. And the Shadow of the Moon recap: sunshine for set one, a full rain party for set two on Jerry Garcia's birthday. The rain didn't end the show. It made it.

Plus: Marker 2 is in the glass for the First Pour, Bristol Sessions Nights lands September 18 (guided whiskey tasting with Stephen, Smokestillery catering, live music from Adrian Bundy and Ryder Casey — get your tickets before it's too late), and the Indian Motorcycle giveaway draws September 4. Details in the episode.

Answer in the Q&A below: who's your Hold My Beer nominee this week? Best one gets read on the next episode.

Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny Smith

Producers: Cody Ryans, Jahlil White

Follow the show here on Spotify and watch the full video episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Follow Tennessee Hills:

Instagram: instagram.com/tnhillsdistillery

Facebook: facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERY

TikTok: tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Website: tennesseehills.com

Stay Responsibly Rowdy.

Football is almost here, and the Responsibly Rowdy desk is READY. Stephen Callahan and head brewer Danny Smith preview the Vols' season, pick sides in the quarterback battle, talk a little trash about Florida, and reveal a Founder's Edition bottle you'll want to know about.

New here? Quick version: two of us, up on The Hill in Bristol, every week, talking sports and whatever we're fired up about, with a drink in hand, all from the largest privately-owned Brewstillery in North America.

In this episode: the Vols quarterback battle, broken down like fans, not analysts. True freshman Faizon Brandon has the buzz, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre is pushing him, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is the steady vet, so who gets the keys? Playoff or bust: the fanbase says College Football Playoff, the projections say 8-4, and we argue about which side has lost their minds. The Bristol Beat goes deep on the season: win totals, the Texas home opener September 26 (first regular-season meeting between the Vols and Longhorns ever), and a gator hate corner we make no apologies for. Plus the Bristol Night Race lands September 19, right in our backyard. Then the big one: the Emory & Henry Founder's Edition bottle, the story behind it, and the exclusive launch party on Thursday, August 21. And yes, the Indian Motorcycle giveaway is ON. Drawing is the Friday before Labor Day, September 4.

Plus: Bird Dog, our Rye Pale Ale, is in the glass for the First Pour, and Bar Tab goes full football this week. Tab closes at eight.

Answer in the Q&A below: Vols win total this season. Give us the number and one bold prediction. Best answers get read on a future episode.

Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny Smith

Producers: Cody Ryans, Jahlil White

Follow the show here on Spotify and watch the full video episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Follow Tennessee Hills:

Instagram: instagram.com/tnhillsdistillery

Facebook: facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERY

TikTok: tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Website: tennesseehills.com

Stay Responsibly Rowdy.

The Responsibly Rowdy Podcast is back and completely rebuilt better than ever, baby! Stephen Callahan and head brewer Danny Smith draft the Four Horsemen of Good Beer Names, talk football, break down what's happening at Tennessee Hills, and reveal which of our beers are hitting cans this fall.

Season 2 changes the show. Same crew, same bar, but we're going weekly, and we're talking a whole lot more than what's in the glass. Sports, the week, whatever we can't shut up about, all from the largest privately-owned Brewstillery in North America.

In this episode: why we rebuilt the show (weekly episodes, two hosts, segments you'll learn fast). The Four Horsemen of Good Beer Names: four picks each, defended hard and roasted harder, featuring Old Chub, Sit Yo Ass Down, Santa's Blue Balls, and one Michelob Ultra pick somebody has to answer for. Football is back and the sleeper-team takes are flowing. Meet Romario, the newest member of the crew. The Salt House 10-year anniversary party recap. Which beers are headed to cans this fall (Bird Dog and Haze in the Hills), plus the first whisper of Rowdy Recovery. And the debut of Bar Tab: eight rapid-fire questions, tab closes at eight.

Plus: Haze in the Hills is in the glass for the First Pour, and we're giving away an Indian Motorcycle. Drawing is the Friday before Labor Day, September 4. Details in the episode.

Answer in the Q&A below: what's your fourth Horseman, the best beer name you've ever seen in the wild? We'll read the best ones on a future episode.

Hosts: Stephen Callahan & Danny Smith

Producers: Cody Ryans, Jahlil White

Follow the show here on Spotify and watch the full video episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Follow Tennessee Hills:

Instagram: instagram.com/tnhillsdistillery

Facebook: facebook.com/TNHILLSDISTILLERY

TikTok: tiktok.com/@tennesseehillsdistillery

Website: tennesseehills.com

Stay Responsibly Rowdy.

Stephen Callahan sits down with Danny Smith, Head Brewer at Tennessee Hills, for the story behind one of the quietest builders in our operation.

Before Danny had a beer named after him in our lineup, he had a career in healthcare. He walked away to chase craft beer, and ended up running the brewing program at America's largest privately-owned Brewstillery. He was instrumental in standing up Tennessee Hills' brewing operation when "Brewstillery" was still just a concept on a whiteboard. Today he's brewing the beers that anchor our taproom, helping shape ETSU's Brewing & Distillation Studies Minor inside the College of Business and Technology, and training the next generation of East Tennessee brewers.

This episode covers the pivot that started it all. The early days of building a brewing program inside a distillery. The science conversations between Stephen (the chemist) and Danny (the brewer) that shaped how we brew today. Danny's Irish Stout, the beer that bears his name, and what makes it his. The most interesting thing he's learned since Tennessee Hills added brewing. And a first taste of the Bristol Session West Coast Pilsner hitting the taproom this spring.

If you've ever thought about leaving a stable career for something you actually love, this one's for you.

New episodes every month. Follow Tennessee Hills Distillery on Instagram @tnhillsdistillery for clips and behind-the-scenes content from the brewhouse.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Stay #ResponsiblyRowdy.

Stephen Callahan sits down with Jason Franklin, Master Distiller at Tennessee Hills Distillery, for the most personal episode yet.

Before Jason ran production at America's largest privately-owned Brewstillery in Bristol, TN, Stephen officiated his wedding at the Salt House in Jonesborough. Five years ago, almost to the day. Their friendship is one of the best origin stories in craft spirits, and this episode tells the whole thing: how they met when Jason was distilling in Sevierville, the moment Stephen knew he'd found his guy, the wedding, the stories that don't make it to social media, and the craziest moments from life on the production floor.

No science this time. That's Jason's next episode. This one's about the man behind the still.

New episodes every other week. Follow Tennessee Hills Distillery on Instagram @tnhillsdistillery for clips and behind-the-scenes content.