The Speakeasy

Latest Episodes:

Singani's 63 Jan 14, 2024

Show notes

Happy New Year Everybody! The band rings in 2024 with very special guests Luis Granier and Steven Soderbergh of Singani 63. The conversation ranges from what the heck Singani is anyway, to getting it behind bars, to the centuries old tradition of growing these very special grapes high in the mountains of Bolivia to - of course, because it’s Damon - the bottle design. An extra special set of guests and a really unique spirit, what’s not to love? Plus, is New Years Eve getting tamer or is the band just getting older? Further study is needed.

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🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts our business.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

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‘23 and Me Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

In the return of their multi-platinum end-of-year wrapup show, Damon, Sother, and Greg look back on 2023, the year that… sort of was? From labor trends to increasingly odd spirits to the seemingly inexhaustible longevity of the Espresso Martini, there’s a lot to talk about and a lot to look forward to. Oh yeah, and we made a pretty cool cocktail box and won a pretty cool plate too.

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rox and Roll Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

From microscopy to distilling and back again, Rox Tiburolobo has had quite the life. This week he sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about the wild, winding path that led him to Corning & Company Distillers (by way of Helsinki) and all the places he’s drawn inspiration from along the way, including the ancestral corn beers made by indigenous communities. A distiller of Chiricahua Apache Nde and Rarámuri descent, Rox talks about how that’s inspired him and how we can do better with indigenous representation in the drinks community. Plus, Greg’s back behind the bar! Come see him Wednesdays at Boulton & Watt, should you happen to be in the neighborhood, and find out what’s changed about bartending in the last four years.

Follow Rox on Instagram @el_tiburolobo and @corningandcompany and check out Ancestral Agave at ancestralagave.com

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bringing in the Staves Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Today Damon sits down with Joe Giildenzopf and Brad Neathery, founders of Texas-based custom whiskey company Oak and Eden, to discuss a new way of thinking about influenced, infused, and inspired whiskey finishes. Damon even created a personal whiskey during their interview on Oak and Eden's website with their amazing Whiskey Customizer! Check them out at their outpost tasting rooms locations in Texas, or on their website to easily buy and customize a bottle of whiskey for yourself or for an incredible holiday gift!

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Life Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Danielle Goldtooth of the Diné nation and her husband Alan Moore sit down with the band to talk about land: what grows there, what can we do with it, and how can we undo some of our ingrained and damaging ideas? The conversation ranges from food sovereignty to foraging, with a detour to talk about some accidental cucumber/melon hybrids along the way. Plus, unions at Death and Co? In the wake of this week’s election the band gets thoughtful about the future of labor unions in craft cocktail bars.

Follow Danielle and Alan on instagram at @danielle.goldtooth and @dii_iina_food

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(smooth) BRRRAAAAAAINNSS!! Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

It’s Day 5 of Halloweekend and The Band is holding it together… barely. Fortunately the illuminating Éva Pelczer is in the studio to talk Del Maguey, the rise of mezcal, and dia de los muertos! In the years since this funky Mexican spirit went nuclear a lot has changed in the bar landscape and Éva's here to walk the crew through it. Gently, please. Plus, is the Chartreuse shortage fake news?? Sother’s back from visiting the source and has some reporting to do that may surprise you. And it’s the last call for the better with bitters kickstarter! If you want to be a part of this bitter experience speak now or forever hold your peace!

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Preach Baby! Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Jordan Hughes, aka the High Proof Preacher sits down with Greg to talk about how exactly a youth pastor winds up publishing a cocktail book in the first place. From photography to a well-traveled instagram to eventually unleashing the Parmesan espresso martini on the world, Jordan’s had quite a legacy in the community and there’s plenty more to come. Plus, are the kids alright? They’re certainly drinking less, but is that necessarily a good thing? If you’re interested in signing up for Jordan’s Cocktail Camera 101 class use this link and the promo code SPEAKEASYPOD for 50% off enrollment.

And if you’re a bartender applying for free tuition, click here.

Photo Courtesy of Jordan Hughes.

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Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Classical Jazz Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Han Suk Cho has an impressive set of titles. Founder of Zero Proof. Lead bartender of Kato's boozy and non-alcoholic offerings. Punch’s 2023 Best New Bartender of the year. And classical music composer. No big deal. This week she sits down with Greg and Sother to talk transitioning from back of house to the front, establishing her niche in the industry, and building a career that lasts. Plus, what’s Sother spicy about this week? Check out his new kickstarter to find out!

Photo Courtesy of Dylan Ho.

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enjoy Your Stay Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Imagine running 6,700 different properties on six continents. Okay, now pick yourself up off the floor and tune in to this week’s Speakeasy where the band sits down with Adam Crocini, the senior vice president and global head of food and beverage brands at Hilton. Yes, that Hilton. Hear about what it’s like to run a company of that magnitude, curate individual experiences and adapt to changing tastes on a global scale. Plus, Greg went down a mine earlier this week and came back with… whiskey? And Sother is bitter again! He’s launching a new bitter experience with Shaker & Spoon, check it out here.

Photo Courtesy of Hilton.

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Not a Ton of Fire, but Still Some Fire Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Nicolas O’Connor of Apotheke (say that one out loud) sits down with the band to talk about building a distinctive brand identity, being an OG cocktail bar down an odd little side alley in Chinatown, and the relative merits of lighting your bartop on fire. How do you take someplace iconic and make sure that spirit doesn’t get lost when you move to a new locale? Tune in to find out! Plus, Sother is bitter again! He’s launching a new bitter experience with Shaker & Spoon, check it out here.

Photo Courtesy of theiiagency.

Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.

Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

Greg Benson @100ProofGreg

Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast

Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk

SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member!

The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.