This week on the show we talk with Mr. Philip Duff, who is among other things, director of education for Tales of the Cocktail. Well we continue to talk about TOTC, as it became official last week, (Mid February 2018), that Gary Solomon Jr,Neal Bodenheimer of Cure and Cane & Table have taken over leadership of Tales. We spoke to Gary Soloman and Neal Bodenheimer about all this on show #241 , just 2 episodes ago. First, l want to thank some great people that chose to help support this podcast. As...
Mar 01, 2018•32 min•Ep. 87
Hello. First, Thank You for listening to the Bartender Journey Podcast and joining me every week as I chat with industry experts about bartending culture and spirits. You may have noticed that there hasn't been a podcast episode for a few weeks or blog posts. Life happens and instead of posting about it here, I decided to have some real talk with you, my listeners, on the podcast episode. Please listen there and join us next week as we resume our regular schedule featuring an interview with Indu...
Feb 19, 2018•6 min•Ep. 86
241 As you probably know, Tales of the Cocktail is one of, if not the, biggest and most important cocktail conferences in the world. Tales is going through a transition. After much controversy, which we wont rehash, but reported on extensively first in episode #203 , Tales is in the process of being reorganized as the Tunermans are selling their shares. Listen to Bartender Journey Podcast No. 241 by clicking on the player on this page or subscribe in Apple Podcasts , Android or Stitcher Radio. T...
Jan 18, 2018•24 min•Ep. 85
The Speedrack Northeast semi-finals took place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens NY on January 7, 2018. This is the 7th season of this great event. Speed Rack, was founded in 2011 by Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero. This from speed-rack.com: “The service industry can sometime be thought of as a man’s world. "Mix and Marrero have been able to shine a spotlight on female mixologists thriving behind bars around the country; and while they are at it, raise money for breast cancer research, education, a...
Jan 11, 2018•16 min•Ep. 84
The Daiquiri. A drink everyone has heard of, but likely the many people think of as a pink slushy containing copious amounts of inexpensive nondescript alcohol. What the Bartending community sometimes refers to as a “Classic Daiquiri” is a very different drink than the slushy artificially colored and flavored thing many people think of as a Daiquiri. While a frozen Daiquiri can be delicious, a “Classic Daiquiri” is simply 3 ingredients, shaken until very cold and served without ice in a chilled ...
Jan 04, 2018•37 min•Ep. 82
We chat with Bartender Craig Schidelo about Bartending, Competitions and how to advance your career. We’ll also talk to Sorab Silawri from Filibuster Distillery. Filibuster put on a nice Holiday gathering at Club Macanudo, with some nice cigars and great Filibuster whiskey. Book of the Week: Bourbon Curious by Fred Minnick This book gets into serious detail about Bourbon, with an exploration of many brands broken down into categories: Grain-Forward, Nutmeg-Forward, Carmel-Forward, Cinnamon-Forwa...
Dec 20, 2017•31 min•Ep. 81
Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan is, true to its name, a Manual. It details how to layout a bar from start to finish. The section called “The Physical Bar” is extremely specific, starting with the location for your establishment – considering everything from the population density to income levels and more. Then the theme of the bar, or even, “do you really want one of those”. Then moving on to building the interior, the book gives detailed measurements of the ideal distance from the back...
Dec 07, 2017•22 min•Ep. 80
We’ll talk with Chet Holstein who makes Kuma Turmeric Liqueur in Washington State. We’ll talk about his unusual and delicious product. Plus the humble Gin and Tonic - how can we change things up a little? It’s the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 236! Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe in Apple Podcasts , Android or Stitcher Radio . Tonic began as a medicine many years ago. According to Wikipedia : "Quinine was added to a drink to protect against malaria . It was originally in...
Nov 30, 2017•31 min•Ep. 79
It’s the Bartender Journey Podcast #235. Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe in Apple Podcasts , Android or Stitcher Radio . Bar Institute was in NY last week. Lush Life is the organization that puts this on and they do an amazing job. They also produce Camp Runamuck and Cane Camp. Bar Institute is classes, parties, tastings, and networking. The speakers at the Bar Institute classes are all amazing and all volunteer - great people that want to help raise the industry. One ama...
Nov 22, 2017•28 min•Ep. 78
At our USBG meeting this month we talk with Brooke Toscano, who is passionate about spreading the word about paper straws. Brooke is also an Angel’s Envy Whiskey Guardian. Brooke shares a great discount code with us for 50% off an order of $150 or more of paper straws from the Aardvark Straws Company. Use the discount code ANGELSENVY50 at checkout. We also speak to our friend Willie Mack who we met at Bar Methods . Willie is a Bartender at the Barclays Center. It’s the Bartender Journey Podcast ...
Nov 16, 2017•22 min•Ep. 77
While Bartenders can not be expected to have Sommelier level wine education, we certainly need to be knowledgeable about what we are serving and how to make recommendations to our guests. We chat with Monika Elling, author of Wine 123: All you need to know about wine in 90 minutes or less It’s the Bartender Journey Podcast #233. Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe in Apple Podcasts , Android or Stitcher Radio . Over the past 232 episodes of Bartender Journey we’ve only talked...
Nov 09, 2017•45 min•Ep. 76
It was an eventful Monday this week. Our USBG NY chapter meeting was held in Brooklyn at The Counting Room. It was sponsored by Highland Park scotch. They welcomed us with some delicious Highland Park Old Fashions and tasted us on the Highland Park 12, and their Magnus, Valkyrie expressions. It was a Viking theme for the afternoon. Jordon Zimmerman from the brand took great care of us and it was another amazing USBG meeting. It’s the Bartender Journey Podcast #232. Listen with the audio player o...
Nov 02, 2017•20 min•Ep. 75
This week on the podcast, it’s another edition of Bartender Journey City Spotlight, as Hazel travels to Washington DC. She chats with Rico Wisner, a bartender from the Adams Morgan neighborhood that has been in the DC cocktail scene for over 20 years. He first started at a country club and then went onto work at a variety of places including Baltimore Inner Harbor, McCormick & Schmick’s, Dave & Buster’s, Graffiato, Ambar and Bonfire. He has been featured in media including Zagat, Washingtonian a...
Oct 26, 2017•34 min•Ep. 74
Rye Week It is officially New York Rye Week as declared by the Governor and State Legislature of New York. In honor of this, there are many events happening in NY, especially New York City including two special industry events from Allen Katz at the New York Distilling Company. (As you may recall, we interviewed Allen on Episode No.225 .) The Bartender Journey team was fortunate enough to attend The Renaissance of Rye, the trade day kickoff event on Thursday, October 19th. This event not only fe...
Oct 20, 2017•12 min•Ep. 73
This week on the podcast we talk to Burlesque Dancer and Bartender Rosie. We caught up with Rosie a while back at Holiday Cocktail Lounge one night when she was behind the bar. Her stage name is Rosie 151. It's the Bartender Journey Podcast Number 229! Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe in Apple Podcasts , Android or Stitcher Radio . First, let’s talk a bit about garnishes. Cutting that fruit - It’s something we do everyday behind the bar, but nobody really talks about it! I...
Oct 11, 2017•23 min•Ep. 72
Security Plans for your Bar. The tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas this week have people realing. It was just an awful, disgusting act, but you don’t need me to tell you that. We send our best wishes to those affected,directly and indirectly. I would imagine among other repercussions that this will affect tourism in Las Vegas for some time, and will hurt our brother and sister Bartenders and other Hospitality workers in the pocketbook. This is not the place to discuss the event itself. One issue...
Oct 05, 2017•14 min•Ep. 71
On this week’s Podcast, our good friend Hazel Alvarado who works with me on the show, journeys to New Haven, CT to check out their cocktail culture and chats with Dan Rek, Beverage Director for Fork Hospitality and Tim Cabral,one of the owners of New Haven’s oldest Tavern - The Ordinary. Take a listen to the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 227 with the audio player on this page, or on Apple Podcasts / Google Play Music / Stitcher Radio But first there’s plenty of other stuff to talk about. I told ...
Sep 28, 2017•38 min•Ep. 70
Today on the podcast it’s a very special interview with Whiskey writer and all around good guy Lew Bryson! Lew wrote the great book Tasting Whiskey and is the managing editor and columnist for Whisky Advocate. Take a listen to the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 226 with the audio player on this page, or on Apple Podcasts / Google Play Music / Stitcher Radio for a slice of the Tales experience! Book of the Week: Tasting Whiskey: An Insider's Guide to the Unique Pleasures of the World's Finest Spir...
Sep 14, 2017•34 min•Ep. 69
We are talking about Hospitality today, our book of the week is Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business . Cocktail of the Week: Singapore Sling This is one of those drinks that everybody has heard of, but doesn’t get ordered very often and a lot of people have no idea what’s in it. I borrow this recipe from Tristan Stevenson’s Book The Curious Bartender: The artistry and alchemy of creating the perfect cocktail 1 ¼ oz London Dry Gin 2 oz Cherry Heeing Liqueur Barspoo...
Sep 08, 2017•33 min•Ep. 68
224 Warren Bobrow, Mezcal: At Suite Silenceo & House of Elyx We talk with our friend Warren Bobrow. We caught up with Warren at a pool party on the rooftop of Hotel Montelegone during Tales of the Cocktail 2017. Also, we travel to Suite Silenceo and House of Elyx for two amazing Tales of the Cocktail events, and learn more about El Silenceo Mezcal and Absolute Elyx. Take a listen to the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 224 with the audio player on this page, or on Apple Podcasts / Google Play Music...
Sep 01, 2017•37 min•Ep. 67
This week, we continue our Tales of the Cocktail 2017 coverage. This is the 5th of 9 planned episodes about Tales 2017. We will talk with Jane Bowie from Maker’s Mark. During Tales this year, I was invited to a Maker’s Mark event at Dicky Brennen’s Bourbon House. The Bourbon House had purchased a full barrel of Maker’s 46. Quoting from the invitation I received to the event, The Bourbon House is “the first in Louisiana to have created its very own Maker’s Mark® Private Select™. This is a first-o...
Aug 25, 2017•30 min•Ep. 66
On the Bartender Journey Podcast this week, we continue our Tales of the Cocktail 2017 coverage. This is the 4th of 9 planned episodes about Tales 2017. We will talk with 2 very interesting ladies: Laura Bellucci – Lead Bartender at Sobu in New Orleans Aisha Sharpe – Brand Ambassador VDKA 1600 Take a listen to Podcast No. 222 with the audio player on this page, or on Apple Podcasts / Google Play Music / Stitcher Radio for a slice of the Tales experience! Cocktail of the Week: Courtesy of Aisha S...
Aug 16, 2017•27 min•Ep. 65
"Thinking outside the box." Perhaps an overused phrase, but is an appropriate term for Summer Jane Bell's Seminar: Shake Outside of the Box: Avant-Garde Cocktails. Many great ideas were floated at this seminar. Take a listen as Brian reads through his notes from this wonderful Tales of the Cocktail seminar. Take a listen the podcast with the audio player on this page, or on: • Apple Podcasts * Google Play Music * Stitcher Radio for a slice of the Tales experience! We also talk to Jeff Quint, fou...
Aug 12, 2017•32 min•Ep. 64
From Tales of the Cocktail 2017 in New Orleans: · Tales of the Cocktail 2017 has wrapped up, but it lives-on, with Bartender Journey! We have a total of 8 shows planned with Tales 2017 coverage. This is the second in the series. On the show this week, we bring you the audio from our Tales seminar: Hot Mic - Podcasting for Bartenders. Take a listen the podcast with the audio player on this page, or on: • Apple Podcasts * Google Play Music * Stitcher Radio for a slice of the Tales experience!...
Aug 03, 2017•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 63
Sustainability is the hot topic in the Bar & Restaurant world right now. How can we help the environment AND our bottom line at the same time? Brian is just back from Tales of the Cockail 2017 with a fresh perspective! "If we knew what to do with it, it wouldn't be waste any more!"
Jul 27, 2017•34 min•Ep. 62
It's the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 218 and as you know I’ll be attending Tales this year again but this time as a part of a panel titled: “Hot Mic: Podcasting for Bartenders”. I’ll be presenting along with Kara Newman, our guest author on Podcast 193, Sother Teague, a friend and propritor of the new socially conscious bar, Coup, that donates all profits to charities and Damon Boelte, of Speakeasy Radio. Special thanks to our sponsor, Brooklyn Gin! If you’re headed down, make sure to stop by ...
Jun 28, 2017•4 min
We look at some education options - one in NYC and one online. Its a short show this week, but we think you'll learn a little something, or at least learn how to learn! Cheers!
Jun 22, 2017•7 min
It's the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 216! Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe on iTunes , Android or Stitcher Radio . This time on the Podcast we talk to Colby Frey who is doing great work out in Nevada making spirits from “ground to glass” as he says. We’ll talk to Colby about his gins and some of the other spirits that he is producing at Frey Ranch Estate Distillery. Cocktail of the Week: The Pegu cocktail is a wonderful Gin drink. Great for summer. According to wikipedia...
Jun 15, 2017•36 min
World Gin Day is the second Saturday of June each year. We will take this opportunity to dedicate an entire episode to Gin! It's the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 215! Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe on iTunes , Android or Stitcher Radio . Use the hashtag #worldginday to tell the world what you are doing to celebrate Gin. This week on the podcast we talk with Tristan Stephenson, Bartender, Bar Owner & Author from England. He wrote among others, The Curious Bartender’s Gin...
Jun 07, 2017•50 min
Oh Lime, How Do I Squeeze You? Freshly squeezed lime juice is one of the most important ingredients in a good Bartender’s arsenal. Pre-packed bottled stuff is no comparison. But HOW is the juice being produced? A Motorized Commercial Bar Juicer is certainly faster, more efficient and produces a higher yield than a hand press, but is the resulting juice the same? It's the Bartender Journey Podcast No. 214! Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe on iTunes , Android or Stitcher Rad...
Jun 01, 2017•34 min
