This week on The Speakeasy , Damon is back! He and Sother are joined in the studio by Claire Bertin-Lang, the founder and president of CBL Liquid Consulting. Claire has over a decade's worth of experience in the hospitality industry, with a focus on spirits and food & wine events. A native New Yorker, she began tending bar at one of the city's classic dives at the age of 19. After college, she worked both on the brand side and for agencies executing major projects, beverage programs, and tra...
Nov 01, 2017•45 min•Ep. 261
This week on The Speakeasy , Sother is taking the reins again, and is joined in studio by acclaimed barman Jim Meehan, whose new book Meehan's Bartender Manual is a magnum opus of mixology. Meehan is best known for his pioneering work at PDT in New York's East Village. Though he now lives in Portland, Oregon, Meehan recently opened a new bar called Prairie School in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Also sitting in is Cory Bonfiglio of Beer Street. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast...
Oct 25, 2017•49 min•Ep. 260
This week on The Speakeasy , Sother is flying solo in the host chair. He's joined in studio by John Little, CEO and master distiller of Smooth Ambler Spirits, and Antonia Fattizzi, founder and president of Cork and Tin, a strategic partner for emerging beverage alcohol brands. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Oct 18, 2017•49 min•Ep. 259
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in the studio by Alla Lapushchik and Jane Danger, co-authors of the new book The Bourbon Bartender: 50 Cocktails to Celebrate the American Spirit . They have also co-written the book Cuban Cocktails: 100 Classic and Modern Drinks , in addition to being top shelf New York bartenders. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Oct 11, 2017•50 min•Ep. 258
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by bartender and baker Leslie Feinberg of Prohibition Bakery and bartender Brian Grummert of Subject Bar. Prohibition Bakery makes delicious alcoholic cupcakes based on classic cocktails, which are available at their store in the Lower East Side and at Subject Bar, a neighbor and partner of the bakery, which also offers cocktails in their traditional liquid form. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast...
Oct 04, 2017•51 min•Ep. 257
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined by Andrew Meltzer, who was named 2016 U.S. Bartender of the Year by the United States Bartender's Guild (USBG), following two days of heated competition at the global finals in Miami. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Sep 27, 2017•49 min•Ep. 256
Damon and Sother are joined in studio by Matteo Luxardo and mixologist and brand ambassador G. Franklin of Luxardo, a family-owned company founded in Zara, a port city on the Dalmatian coast of what is now Croatia. Girolamo Luxardo, a Genovese businessman, and his wife, Maria Canevari, moved to Zara in 1817. It was Maria who began perfecting "rosolio maraschino," a liqueur produced in Dalmatian convents since medieval times from special maraschino cherries. Canevari's liqueur was of such high qu...
Sep 21, 2017•40 min•Ep. 255
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in the studio by James Beard Award-winning author Brad Thomas Parsons. His latest book, Distillery Cats , features thirty profiles adorable distillery and brewery cats, plus fifteen cocktail recipes. It's the purr-fect read for any spirit and/or cat lover.
Sep 20, 2017•42 min•Ep. 254
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined by Sam Gauthier of Boilermaker. Sam is a former audio engineer turned bartender. He talks about his career, bar life in NYC, Boilermaker, and Ti' Punch! The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Sep 13, 2017•52 min•Ep. 253
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined by Amanda Schuster, a hooch writer/consultant and editor in chief of the online magazine Alcohol Professor . She is also the author of the new book New York Cocktails . The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Sep 06, 2017•50 min•Ep. 252
This week on The Speakeasy , Sother is back from BevCon in Charleston, and he and Damon are joined in the studio by Joseph Magliocco, Dan McKee, and John Holzinger of Michter's Distillery. Tune in to hear them discuss the history of the brand and the enduring power of American whiskies and distilleries.
Aug 30, 2017•46 min•Ep. 251
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon Boelte is joined in the studio by Lacy Hawkins, an escaped bartender, brand ambassador for Monkey 47 Gin, four-time Speed Rack USA winner, and bike rider. Tune in to hear them talk diversity in New York City, going from behind to bar to brand ambassador, and why you should give sloe gin another chance.
Aug 23, 2017•44 min•Ep. 250
On the season finale of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by "a third of the Cat Pack" – Karen Fu, head bartender at Donna, Natasha Torres, head bartender at Narcbar, and Jane Danger, head bartender at Mother of Pearl and Cienfuegos. Hear about how they ended up behind a bar in the first place, the careers they left behind to pursue the business, and what exactly the Cat Pack is all about.
Aug 09, 2017•49 min•Ep. 249
On an all new episode of The Speakeasy , hosts Damon Boelte and Sother Teague are joined in the studio by Misty Kalkofen and Éva Pelczer of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal. Tune in to hear them talk Tales of the Cocktail, single village mezcal, and Misty's guest bartender appearance at Coup, with all proceeds going to The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights. Stigibeu! The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast
Aug 02, 2017•50 min•Ep. 248
On a special episode of The Speakeasy , host Sother Teague is reporting from the field at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, the world's premier cocktail festival!
Jul 26, 2017•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 247
On this week's The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother have a special guest: Harry Rosenblum of Heritage Radio Network's Feast Yr Ears ! Harry is the co-founder of The Brooklyn Kitchen, which he started in 2006 with his wife Taylor Erkkinen. Interested and creative home cooks, Harry and Taylor recognized an opportunity to create a community space in their Williamsburg neighborhood. In 2009, following the insane success of the Pig Butchering classes, they founded the Meat Hook with partners, and moved t...
Jul 19, 2017•45 min•Ep. 246
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon is AWOL, but Sother hosts a packed house, including Jaime Felber of Drexler's, Chris Bidmead of Bar Methods, Justin Singh of Fools Gold, and, last but not least, Sam Ziar of Fernet Branca. Tune in to hear them talk about the Slow & Low rolling whiskey lounge, taking care of your body during and around your shifts behind the bar, the Bartender's Athletic Club, and more!
Jul 12, 2017•47 min•Ep. 245
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Sother is joined in studio by Russell Dillon of Basik and Altos Tequila ambassador Eric Job. Russell is the main man behind the bar at Basik, a Williamsburg bar that marks the return of the drinking establishment as a "public house" and has "back to the basics" as its main inspiration. Eric shares a bit of his experience as a traveling brand ambassador in Mexico and beyond.
Jul 05, 2017•46 min•Ep. 244
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by Rachel and Kyle Ford founders of Ford Media Lab, a team of creative strategists and content experts focused on delivering the creative and production services needed to uncover and share the stories worth telling. After attending OTIS College of Art and Design for Fashion, Rachel earned a degree in Business, merging her creative talents with a keen understanding of brand marketing and strategy. With a degree in Ec...
Jun 28, 2017•49 min•Ep. 243
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy, Damon and Sother are joined in studio by bartenders Tonia Guffey, who began her boozy career in her hometown of Orlando, Florida in 2002. She transferred her talents to New York City in 2005, where she became bar manager at Counter Organic Wine and Martini Bar. She soon passed the B.A.R. program in 2008. She can be found at Williamsburg’s Dram, where she showcases her classic cocktail prowess. Also in studio we have Charlie Parker, a mescal cocktail speci...
Jun 21, 2017•48 min•Ep. 242
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Sother is joined in studio by Darren Grenia of Yours Sincerely. Darren talks about how he uses science and meticulous mixing to craft sustainable and delicious cocktails. He also shares a bit of his journey to become a bartender and bar owner in the competitive NYC cocktail scene.
Jun 14, 2017•48 min•Ep. 241
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined by journalist Henry Jeffreys, author of Empire of Booze , a book about the history of the British Empire told through drink.
Jun 07, 2017•31 min•Ep. 240
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy, Damon and Sother are joined by Katie Stipe. Originally a dancer from the Southwest, Katie changed cities and professions to become a bartender in NYC. She talks about her beginning as a server and how she made her way to behind the bar.
May 31, 2017•47 min•Ep. 239
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by marketing specialist Adrienne Stillman. Adrienne has worked with a wide range of brands across wine, cocktails, finance and technology. She's a Certified Sommelier and the author of Where Bartenders Drink , a comprehensive book that gathers 700+ bar recommendations of 300 expert bartenders in 60 different countries.
May 24, 2017•47 min•Ep. 238
Damon and Sother are joined in studio by bartenders Julie Renee Williams and Austin Hennelly, who recently came back from 5 months in Costa Rica mixing drinks at Hotel Belmar. Julie and Austin talk about sustainability, growing their own ingredients and creating new recipes with them.
May 17, 2017•50 min•Ep. 237
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon is joined in studio by master mixologist Matt Friedlander of Sweetwater Social. Matt talks about his career as a musician and the transition into the cocktail world. Matt also brought his guitar, so tune in and listen to him jam with Damon!
May 10, 2017•42 min•Ep. 236
Hold your horses, this week's episode of The Speakeasy is about... horses! And drinks. Damon and Sother are joined in studio by master mixologist Dale Degroff and his guitar, and bestselling author Peter Fornatale from the Daily Racing Form.
May 03, 2017•1 hr•Ep. 235
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by Pete Nevenglosky, cachaça specialist and founder of Avuá Cachaça . Pete talks about the different types of aged, single-source Avuá Cachaça and his adventures in rural Brazil to find the best distillers for his brand.
Apr 26, 2017•51 min•Ep. 234
This week on The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in the studio by Heather Ash, brand ambassador for Tromba tequila. Tune in to hear them discuss paying your dues in the spirits industry, plus a live on-air sampling of three different expressions of Tromba!
Apr 19, 2017•44 min•Ep. 233
On this week's episode of The Speakeasy , Damon and Sother are joined in studio by Nick Korn of OFFSITE and Thirst Boston. OFFSITE is a cocktail catering and event production company specialized in brand strategy and education, and Thirst Boston is New England's premier cocktail festival, focusing on education regarding spirits, cocktails, and locally made beverages.
Apr 12, 2017•46 min•Ep. 232
