What is the best way to ensure hospitality in the beverage industry? The answer is education! This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined via the phone lines by Danny Ronen, founder of DC Spirits, an food, wine and spirits educational organization, as well as Senior Educator at Liquid Kitchen, a global hospitality agency. Tune into this episode to hear about Danny’s inspiration after an interesting experience with inhospitable sommelier. Learn about the rise of the brand ambassador, plus ...
Nov 13, 2013•36 min•Ep. 110
On today’s episode of The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte speaks with Colin Spoelman, distiller at Kings County Distillery , and author of the latest book, Kings County Distillery Guide to Urban Moonshining . Colin talks about starting his business, from distilling moonshine in his own apartment, to scaling and growing a business. Later, Colin talks about the history of distilling, with the first distillers in Staten Island, and immigrants who came from Ireland to make barrels of whiskey on Vinegar...
Nov 06, 2013•30 min•Ep. 109
On today’s episode of The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte welcomes Leslie Pariseau (deputy editor) and Talia Baiocchi (editor-in-chief) of PUNCH magazine, a new online magazine that focuses on the people within wine, spirits, and cocktails. Recently launched (today!), together they speak on food journalism, and how they plan to capture their audience utilizing beautiful photos, loads of cocktail recipes, highlighting the backgrounds of bartenders, and an A-Z guide to drink. For more information abo...
Oct 30, 2013•29 min•Ep. 108
On this week’s episode of The Speakeasy, Katie Parla, Rome-based food and beverage educator and journalist, joins host Damon Boelte to talk about the cocktail scene abroad in Rome! Katie has an art history degree from Yale, a master’s degree in Italian Gastronomic Culture from the Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, a sommelier certificate from the Federazione Italiana Sommelier Albergatori Ristoratori, and an archeological speleology certification from the city of Rome. She has also w...
Oct 16, 2013•30 min•Ep. 107
This week on The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte welcomes Jim Kearns, bar director at Play , a new cafe and cocktail restaurant opening next to the Museum of Sex in New York City. Jim got his bartending start at Balthazar, and quickly progressed to working with some of NYC’s finest including Sasha Petraske and Audrey Sanders at places such as Double Seven, Pegu Club, Death & Co., Freemans and the NoMad. On today’s episode, Jim talks about formulating a new cocktail menu for Play, and finding ne...
Oct 09, 2013•36 min•Ep. 106
This week on The Speakeasy, Robin Robinson of Compass Box Whiskey joins host Damon Boelte in the studio to talk more about whiskey, it’s complexities, and Compass Box’s range of flavors. From light, delicate and elegant to big, smoky and peaty, Compass Box is a specialist Scotch whiskeymaker, offering a Signature Range of five whiskies that provides something for everyone. Find out how Compass Box creates a range of whiskies with richness, balance, and purity of flavor, while entertaining whiske...
Sep 18, 2013•36 min•Ep. 105
This week on The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte speaks with Anne-Louise Marquis, brand ambassador for Pernod Absinthe. Together the two speak about the history of absinthe, it’s myths, and it’s role in cocktail culture today. Learn about different ways of correctly trying absinthe, such as traditionally with sugar, or added with a touch of water. Also find out where the myth of hallucinating absinthe comes from, and how it got the name, the “Green Fairy.” Lastly, Anne-Louise tells us how she moved...
Sep 11, 2013•29 min•Ep. 104
This week on The Speakeasy, Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, of The Dalmore joins host Damon Boelet in the studio to talk whiskey! Descended from a long line of whisky blenders, his pathway was all but pre-destined. Richard began his career at a whisky brokerage in Glasgow and following completion of his apprenticeship, joined The Dalmore where he has been Master Distiller since 1970. As a result of his years and years of training and passion with whiskey, Richard continues to create whiskey ...
Sep 04, 2013•37 min•Ep. 103
Damon Boelte is sampling a large array of whiskies from Hillrock Estate Distillery with Dave Pickerell and Danielle Eddy! Tune into this episode to hear about Dave’s storied history in the liquor industry, and his background in chemical engineering. How does Dave’s science background affect how he works in the distillery? Learn how Dave and Danielle began collaborating through Hillrock Estate Distillery, and how they have implemented solera-aging and floor-malting techniques in their single malt...
Aug 21, 2013•30 min•Ep. 102
Chaim Dauermann is in the studio for today’s episode of The Speakeasy! Chaim is the beverage director at Desnuda in Williamsburg, as well as a bartender at Gin Palace NY , and a professional drinker (of course). This episode goes in depth into how Chaim dived into the world of alcohol, cocktails, and bartending. At the early age of 19, he quickly became interested in beer and bourbon, and with no guidance, went to bartending school at the age of 21. Although an odd experience, he moved to New Yo...
Jul 31, 2013•31 min•Ep. 101
This week on The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte speaks with bartender Garret Richard of Monkey Bar about Tiki culture, frozen cocktails, and the upcoming Brooklyn Tiki Luau! Garret Richard is currently set to work at the Brooklyn Luau at RES, a new space opened by The Franks. He has also participated in the Remixology Bartender Challenge, in which he has won the contest with his drink titled, “Guerolito,” which takes inspiration from the flavors of Mexican street vendors. Also learn how Garret uti...
Jul 24, 2013•36 min•Ep. 100
This week on The Speakeasy we celebrate episode number 100 with special guests, The Franks! Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo of Frankies and Prime Meats are here with host Damon Boelte, to talk about their latest project – RES , an artist residency for chefs, where chefs from around the world can present their work,their very best work, to the audience of New York without being rushed or stressed. Located on the the historic Brooklyn waterfront, RES is about creating a place where a chef ca...
Jul 10, 2013•32 min•Ep. 99
This week on The Speakeasy, we celebrate the eve of America’s birthday by talking about barbecue, bikes, and the history of America’s food industry with Dan Lyle, owner of The Shop in Brooklyn. Together with host Damon Boelte, Dan talks about the influence of the upcoming 4th of July, tracing back its roots to the laborers of the 1800s. As a result, America continues to pride itself on the importance of a communal table, the notion of community, and simply sharing a meal with family and friends....
Jul 03, 2013•35 min•Ep. 98
Abraham Hawkins is a bartender at Dutch Kills, in Long Island City. Today on the studio he talks with host Damon Boelte to talk about his experience, cocktails, and even motorcycles and Hawaiian shirts! Explaining how he received his training from trying his first egg white drink, to working at Little Branch, a speakeasy based in the West Village of Manhattan in New York City, Abraham talks about summer drinks, gives us some amazing daquiri recipies, and tells us his favorite drink to make (hint...
Jun 26, 2013•30 min•Ep. 97
This week on The Speakeasy host Damon Boelte speaks with Justin Briggs, bartender, brand ambassador, consultant, and mixologist. Justin Briggs currently bartends at The Gin Palace and Barbes in New York City, is a Brand Ambassador at Imbue Vermouth, and often consults at James Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY. Recently, Briggs has been hard at work on various bitters, which he has had the pleasure of presenting at Cecil and Merl in his Cherry Bitters , which contains a delicate balance of bright, sour...
Jun 19, 2013•29 min•Ep. 96
This week’s episode of The Speakeasy pairs us once again with Steve Schneider, bartender at West Village watering hole, Employees Only. Today he joins us to talk about the documentary film “Hey Bartender,” in which he is the main subject, and displaying an ode to the cocktail culture that has swept New York City within the past decade. He also talks about his entry into the bartending world, and offers advice to bartenders who are looking to continue working in the industry today. Lastly, Steve ...
Jun 05, 2013•32 min•Ep. 95
It’s time for another Cripple Creek! After two smashing nights at Lit Lounge in December of 2012, Cripple Creek is kicking off their first North American tour at Webster Hall, bringing with them their cutting edge cocktails and rock and roll stage show. Aaron Polsky, Damon Boelte, Mayur Subbarao, and Michael O’Rourke have come together to create some of the world’s most hedonistic, expressive cocktails with, in their own words, “compelling flavors that everyone can relate to”. Tune in for a spec...
May 29, 2013•31 min•Ep. 94
When covering beverages, it quickly becomes clear that the wine world and the cocktail/spirits world are two completely different beasts to deal with Robert Simonson, our guest today on The Speakeasy , chose the latter – and he couldn’t be happier. Tune in as he and host Damon Boelte chat about the allure of the cocktail scene, the camaraderie of bartenders and mixologists working today and some of the emerging trends in the industry. Do trends deserve to die? What is the responsibility of a jou...
May 22, 2013•30 min•Ep. 93
As a native New Yorker, Charles Hardwick has seen how the city’s biggest juice joints have changed over the years. On this episode of The Speakeasy , Hardwick looks back with host Damon Boelte on his beginning years as a bartender. Learn what used to pass as a margarita and how the renaissance in the mixing world came to pass. What hasn’t changed is the role of the bartender. Hear what Hardwick has to say about how bartenders double as hosts and servers, and the “rules of engagement” that come w...
May 15, 2013•32 min•Ep. 92
Tara Wright is the head bartender at 21 Club, the historical speakeasy located on 52nd street in New York City. During our time speaking with Tara, she explained to us the special cocktails she created inspired by the upcoming movie, The Great Gatsby and why they are representative of that time period and that movie specifically. Tara also gave us the historical backstory to the historical establishment that was opened on December 31, 1929. She tells us the creative way in which they were able t...
May 08, 2013•28 min•Ep. 91
Holy GoogaMooga! Julie Reiner, owner and operator of the Clover Club and Flatiron Lounge, chats with Damon Boelte on The Speakeasy about her role as VIP Cocktail Experience coordinator of the Great GoogaMooga Festival in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Music, food and cocktails collide at the Great GoogaMooga. Reiner is working on bringing together the city’s biggest mixologists and with quality food (foie gras donut, anyone?). The festival features bars at specific times so listen to who’s coming and...
Apr 17, 2013•29 min•Ep. 90
Same spot, new look! This week on The Speakeasy, Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy drop by to talk with host Damon Boelte about their new bar, Attaboy. The two took over the former location of Lower East Side staple, Milk and Honey. Find out what it takes to open your own bar, and what they’ve changed to make the spot their own. What’s stayed the same since the bar opened a month ago? Classic cocktails. Hear Damon, Sam and Michael debate the value of a cocktail menu. Does a lack of menus make things ...
Apr 10, 2013•34 min•Ep. 89
Old school Italian New York is alive and well. This week on The Speakeasy , get to know Thomas Waugh, the bar director for Major Food Group – the people behind Torissi Italian Specialties, Parm and the newly opened Carbone. He shares the plans behind Carbone, a high quality and entertaining take on classic red and white checkered tablecloth NYC Italian restaurants. Hear about Thomas’s inclusive drink program at Carbone, that will promise diners free limoncello and grappa at the end of their meal...
Apr 03, 2013•29 min•Ep. 88
Booker & Dax is like a mad scientists lab… just with more booze. On today’s episode of The Speakeasy , hang out with Damon Boelte as he chats with bartender at Booker & Dax, Tristan Willey. Hear how he got into this scientific style of bartending and why the tools used at Booker & Dax are not at all for show. Hot drinks, savory cocktails and crazy infusions are all part of the formula at Booker & Dax – and if you weren’t craving a cocktail before this show, you will be by the end...
Mar 27, 2013•30 min•Ep. 87
Giuseppe Gonzalez joins Damon Boelte for a raunchy, raw and real episode of The Speakeasy . Giuseppe was the head bartender at Julie Reiner’s well-known Flatiron Lounge and her more recent Brooklyn endeavor, Clover Club. Gonzalez also worked as lead barman at Sasha Petraske’s project in Long Island City, Dutch Kills, where he mixed classically-based cocktails in 19th century saloon-style digs. Since then, he’s opened Painkiller, one of the best tiki bars in the country, and plans on opening Gold...
Mar 20, 2013•34 min•Ep. 86
Nick Jarrett is calling in to The Speakeasy all the way from sunny New Orleans! Damon checks in with Nick and talks shop about cocktails in NOLA, the Big Easy mentality, dive bars and beyond. Find out how they make a real Sazerac in New Orleans and why the drinking culture is so alive. Nick talks about some of his favorite rye whiskeys, house cocktails and day drinking routines. Find out why the drinks seem so sweet down south and what Nick has planned for St. Patrick’s Day! This program was spo...
Mar 13, 2013•31 min•Ep. 85
For the first time, Damon Boelte is talking BEER on The Speakeasy . Tune in as he’s joined by Tristan Colegrove for a conversation about session beers, beer cocktails and other interesting things happening in the world of brews. What’s the perfect ABV for a session beer? What does the future hold for beer cocktails? Get ahead of the curve and listen in for a very insightful conversation on the future of beer culture in America. This program was sponsored by The International Culinary Center ....
Mar 06, 2013•35 min•Ep. 84
Nico de Soto has traveled the world in the name of cocktails. This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte invites Nico into the studio to talk about his positions as Bar Manager and General Manager at The Experimental Cocktail Club in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Find out how Nico’s South American trip has influenced his creative juices. Hear about the small menu at The Experimental Cocktail Club, and why Nico does not include classics on his list. Find out how flash infusions, carbonation, and rot...
Feb 13, 2013•30 min•Ep. 83
What goes into opening a distillery? From troubleshooting boilers to priming pumps, Bridget Firtle has gotten a lot of training she never expected to while opening “The Noble Experiment”, a distillery in NYC. On this week’s episode of The Speakeasy , Damon Boelte chats with Bridget about opening a distillery, making rum and making moves in the craft spirits industry. If things like sourcing molasses and Island rum variations interest you, then you’ve found the right show to listen to. Today’s pr...
Feb 06, 2013•30 min•Ep. 82
Who’s in the mood for whiskey? Tune into the Speakeasy and hear from “master blender” Nicole Austin from Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn. Find out how the small distillery has evolved over the past few years, and learn what exactly a master blender does. Learn about corn whiskey and what makes it different than other spirits and why when it comes to barels size does matter. Small barel distillation is a trickier task, but it makes for some absolutely delicious product. Learn all about small ...
Jan 23, 2013•32 min•Ep. 81
