Episodes

This week, we're diving deep on a subject that we've briefly touched on before - kvass! We are joined by the wonderful Terran Schackor to talk about this half soda, half beer, all unique drink! In addition, we talk about homebrewing, cultural traditions, and how this relates back to the vikings and homemade mead! Join us for all of this and more! Petit Maître ½ Belvedere Vodka 1 oz. AKB6 Cognac ¾ Kvas Taras Dark Kvas ¼ Riga Black Basalm 2 dashes Angostura Bitters 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitte...

We return from our brief hiatus with the second part of our IPA discussion! We are still with the irrepressible Jordan Paley as we move into the modern era of IPAs. What's the difference between a Hazy and a Double IPA? What is a Milkshake IPA? And how exactly do you have a Black Imperial Pale Ale? Find out all of this and more on this week's Breaking Spirits! Drink Discussed: Black Craft 1 ½ oz. Do the Rye Thing Rye Whiskey 1/4 oz. Throw Back Fernet 4 dashes orange bitters Fairfield Brewi...

This week we are once again joined by the wonderful Jordan Paley as we dive into perhaps the most divisive beer style -the IPA! Where did IPA's originally come from? Why are they so popular? And what do those three letters actually mean? We talk about all of this and more on this week's episode of Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Calcutta Cutter: 1 oz. Darjeeling Barrel Aged Gin ½ oz. Calisaya Liqueur ¼ oz. Hamilton 86 Demerara Rum 3 dashes Polynesian Kiss Bitters Pizza Port Brewing'...

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are still discussing all things Faire with the wonderful Marilynn and Renee sisters! On this episode, we move into how the Faire has become a culture unto itself, and how that spirit still echoes through craft brewing, and the modern craft movement in general. How are modern mead makers pushing the limits of the style? Why does Hawai'i need a Renaissance Faire? We answer these questions and many more on this week's episode of Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discusse...

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are joined by the wonderful Hendrie sisters to discuss the world of the Renaissance Faire, and its deep connections to drinking culture! How did the Faire get started? Is there more to drink there than simple mead? And what does all of this have to do with the rise of craft brewing? Find out all of this and more this week on Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Purl of the Canyon 1 ½ oz. Anchor Distilling Co. Geneviève Genever Style Gin ½ oz. Shelter Distil...

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are still with the wonderful Arkonn as we discuss the history of sherry finished spirits! In this second part, we go global as we talk about how sherry finishing spread beyond just the Scotch industry, and has become the darling of spirits producers around the world! Join us as we explore all of this and more! Cocktail discussed: Link of Inspiration 1 ½ oz. Omar Sherry Cask Finished Whisky 1 oz. Ron Zacapa No. 23 Centenario 1/2 oz. lemon juice 1/2 oz. hibi...

This week, we're joined by the wonderful Arkonn as we explore the history of "sherry-finished" spirits! What exactly does sherry finished mean? What qualities does it impart on a spirit? And why exactly did distillers all across the world start finishing their products in this way in the first place! Find out all of this and more on the first part of this episode of Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Mutchlin 1 1/2 oz. Sexton Irish Single Malt Whiskey 1/2 oz. The Sassenach Wild Foraged Sc...

This week, we continue our discussion about all things American Single Malt with the wonderful Chris Rickabaugh! In this second part, we're focusing on what makes these whiskies so different from their single malt counterparts in Scotland or elsewhere around the world. Join us as we talk about barrel finishes, bespoke smokes, native peats, and much more on this episode of Breaking Spirits! Drink discussed: California Winter 1 ½ oz. St. George Single Baller Single Malt Whiskey ½ oz. Golden Be...

This week we are joined by Chris Rickabaugh as we start a dive into America' newest legally defined whiskey category- American Single Malts! We talk about how and why American distillers began to make single malts, what makes them different from traditional single malts, and how they still stay true to their inspiriations. Join us as we talk about all of this and much more on this week's Breaking Spirits. Cocktail Discussed: Bridge of the Gods 2 oz. Willow Creek American Single Malt 1/3 oz. ...

This week, we continue our discussion about the breadth of Taiwanese spirits with the wonderful Ariel Chu! In this part, we dive into the burgeoning world of Taiwanese whisky! Join us as we discover why whisky has grown so popular on the island, where the first Taiwanese whisky distillers have taken their inspiration from, and how they're making the category their own. Cocktail Discussed: Ilha Formosa 2 oz. Formosa 12 Year Single Malt ½ oz. fresh lime juice ½ oz. fresh lemon juice ¼ oz. Pe...

This week, we are joined by Ariel Chu as we dive into the history and diversity of Taiwanese spirits! In this first part, we look at the diverse influences that have shaped the island's history, and how they laid the foundations of what spirits that are being made there today! Join us as we explore the history of the world's first luxury spirit, communally chewing rice for fun and profit, and distilleries born out of homesickness- and much more on this week's Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discusse...

This week, we are still with the wonderful Rocky Slaughter as we explore the world of California made bourbon! We dig into some of the unique twists that Californian distillers are adding to their spirits, discuss the difference between a Kentucky and Californian hug, and much more on this episode of Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Fisherman’s Wharf 2 oz. Georgetown Port Barrel Finished Bourbon ¾ oz. Fernet Francisco ½ oz. lime juice Ginger beer Combine the first three ingredients i...

This week, we are joined by Rocky Slaughter as we begin a deep dive on bourbon- specifically, bourbon that is made right here in California! We start with a brief history of bourbon’s history here in the Golden State, what bourbon is, and why it doesn’t need to be made in Kentucky, and finally start to talk about the breadth of innovation California blenders and distillers are bringing to the category. Join us for all of this and much more this week, on Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Su...

This week, we’re still with the wonderful Diana Delgado Cornejo as we travel through the land and culture of the Basque! This week we move into the region's modern history, the downsides of Basque nationalism, and the resurgence of Basque culture and cuisine in the modern era! Join us as we talk about all this and more! Cocktail discussed: Florentino Fizz 3 oz. Txomin Etxanis Txakolina 1 oz. Chateau de Laubade VSOP Armagnac ½ oz. Zoco Paxtaran Navarro ¾ oz. Lemon juice 1 egg white Combin...

This week, we’re again joined by the wonderful Diana Delgado Cornejo as we try out a new type of episode! We’re diving deep into an area and people with a rich drinking culture - the Basque. Join us as we dig into what makes the Basque so unique, from their language to their impact on the rest of Europe, and how that in turn has shaped what and how they drink! Cocktail Discussed: De Hoyarçabal 1½ oz. Son of Man Handi Cider ¾ oz. Bearface Triple Oak Whisky ½ oz. Armorik Single Malt Whisky ¼...

Happy holidays, again! This week, as we sail towards Twelfth Night, we are still joined by the wonderful Sam Lucero, Nick, and Jenz! This week, we’re talking about how Christmas became the Christmas we all know now, and how splashing cider in orchards and wassailing your neighbors turned into bringing trees inside, and singing Christmas carols. We also dive deep into other Victorian Christmas traditions, like ghost stories, burning your fingers, and horrifying Christmas cards! Join us as we dive...

Happy holidays! This week, we are fully in the festive swing of things, as we are joined by the wonderful Sam Lucero, Nick, and Jenz to discuss one of the original Christmas traditions- Wassailing! We talk about how the practice started, whether its pronounced w-AH-sul or wh-SAIL, and how wassailing, trick-or-treating, and the Purge are all basically the same thing. Join us as we dive into the reason for the season - good drinks, good company, and good conversation! Drink discussed Wassail Cr...

This week, we are still joined by the wonderful Drew as we explore the drinking history of New Orleans! In this second half, we are going through some of the ups and downs of the city’s modern history, from the post-Prohibition decline of Bourbon street to the modern resurgence. Join us as we talk about the city’s seedier side, the birth of tiki, the Museum of the American Cocktail, and much more! Drink discussed: Eye of the Storm 1 oz. Rod & Hammer Cask Strength Bourbon ½ oz. Shelter Distil...

This week, we're joined by the wonderful Drew as we take a trip down South to talk about one of the most unique cities in the USA, New Orleans! We explore the city's rich (and wet) history through the Sazerac, old absinthe houses, prohibition, and more! Cocktail Discussed: 1 ¼ oz. Fundador Solera Brandy de Jerez ¾ oz. Kaniché Fiji XO Rum Barspoon Shelter Distilling Green Monster Absinthe Sugar cube 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Rinse a chilled rocks glass with th...

This week, we are still joined by Sam Lucero as we continue our discussion the ubiquitous clear spirit, vodka! On this second half, we explore how vodka turned from a Eastern European staple to a worldwide phenomenon, the Vodka Wars, and what exactly defines a craft vodka! Join us for all of these topics and more this week on Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Vigil 3 oz. Locals Only vodka 1 oz. Gin 1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stir until ...

This week, we are joined by the wonderful Sam Lucero as we begin a deep dive on the history of one of the world's most popular spirits- vodka! We look at how a clear, tasteless, odorless spirit became integral to the national myth of two different countries, why it spread so far so quickly, and how it might actually have a lot more nuance than people traditionally give it credit for! Join us for all of this and much more this week on Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: 1 ½ oz. Belvedere Vodk...

This week, we are still with Amy Hateley and Jak Syn as we continue discussing the world of chain restaurants and their drinking culture! Join us as we talk about disco drinks, the surprising mixology of TGI Fridays, and the nostalgia inherent in so many of these places. Join us for all of this and more! Cocktail discussed: Claqueur de l'Alibamon 1 oz. Belvedere Vodka ¾ oz. Spirit Works Barrel Reserve Sloe Gin ½ oz. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey ¼ oz. Luxardo Apricot Liqueur 2 oz...

This week we are joined again by the wonderful Amy Hateley, and for the first time by Jak Syn, as we explore the wide world of chain restaurants, and the drinks that you can find there! In this first part, we discuss what exactly makes a chain a chain, how chain restaurants are older than we think, and how liquor has always been tied into them! Join us for all this and more on this week's Breaking Spirits! Cocktail Discussed: Pimm's Cup 1 ½ oz. Pimm's Cup No. 1 ½ oz. Red Door Highland Gin ¼...

This week, we're still with the Rum Champion, Bryan Inman, as we continue to explore the world of California rum! We move into California's modern history with rum, from the tiki boom to the craft spirits revolution. Join us as we taste our way through the state, and talk about the history and much more! Cocktail discussed: Fata Pacifica ¾ oz. lime juice ¼ oz. Bethel Road Distillery Nocino ½ oz. Goleta Red Orange Java Overproof Liqueur 2 oz. Parlor Cay Rum Combine all ingredients in a sha...