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Show de Vie Podcast w/Mike G

Cocktails, food, and hospitality are experiencing a beautiful resurgence. Meet the best chefs, entrepreneurs, bartenders, brand owners, and food/drink enthusiasts in the world. Conversational style interviews with nothing to hide and plenty to sip. Learn more about trends, new products, and upcoming events in the alcohol/food industry. Let's laugh, toast, and talk pop culture.
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Show de Vie Podcast w/Mike G
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 22, 2016

Most Scotland natives take advantage of the vast array of scotch resources while in the country, but for Glenfiddich's David Allardice, a circuitous journey to the states led him to the delicious spirit. David developed an early passion for hard core techno and turntables that now make him the ultimate brand ambassador. And as cocktail culture becomes more evolved, where does the traditional Scotch fit into the mix? David thinks the future might lie in Scotch cocktails and innovative branding ideas. We chat Trainspotting, health, loving your job, and working in the car.

  

Dec 19, 2016

Whiskey is known to bring communities together, but for Still Austin Whiskey Co's co-founder and CEO Chris Seals, it brought a son and father together. Still Austin Whiskey Co aims to bring back ancient flavors and hyper-local agriculture with a new vision on producing whiskey within the city limits. With an elegant new facility catering to interactive whiskey composition, Still Austin Whiskey Co hopes to collaboratively bring a new art scene to south Austin. Despite the heightened focus on local grains and production, Still Austin will enlarge the current narrative of whiskey in the US and create some highly innovative flavors in the process. We chat coming out, finances, prohibition, and more....

Dec 15, 2016

When a small town's ability to create careers and new opportunities seems bleak, you go off to study marketing at Texas Tech; or so the story goes. Scott Willis comes from a small Texas town, but has created a big Texas Tequila after he pursued the music business in Austin, Texas. Combining tech, promotional, and web experience, Scott answered an ad that quickly tossed him into the world of Tequila. 4 years later, Tequila 512 is a highly awarded triple distilled Tequila with Scott's flavor signature embedded in every drop. We chat kids, la casa, and the new Anejo expression. 

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

First, David Suro extols the thought process and production methods for his innovative new project Siembra Valles Ancestral. The resulting Tequila is so vivid, dynamic, and supple that your thoughts on the flavor of Tequila may forever be changed. Then, the living legend Mr. Carlos C. Camarena talks about this life and how he was born into the tequila industry. A man of nuance, exceptional taste, and admirable transparency, Carlos discusses the future of Tapatio and how the entire future of Tequila may be hinging on our furry flying friend, the bat. We chat the cartel, Tequila Ocho, academia, and more.

 

Dec 8, 2016

Tis the season!

 

It's been a great year of creativity and distillation. Today on SDV I make 12 suggestions for great boozy gifts this holiday season. Let's look past the Pappy and BTAC to truly gift the greatest work in bottle today. In not particular order (and from left to right):

Copper and Kings Butchertown Brandy- $65 62% abv

Mezcal Vago Madre Cuixe by Emigdio Jarquin- $99 51.7 abv

Gracias a Dios Cuixe- $75 45% abv

Alipus San Andres Espadin - $45 47% abv

Siembra Valles Ancestral - $110 49% abv

PersonalWine.com - Vary$

Henry McKenna BIB 10yr SB - $35 50% abv

Pikesville Straight Rye 6yr- $50 55% abv

Treaty Oak Experimental Collection Whiskey- $50 50% abv

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked- $50 45% abv

Parce 12 Year Columbian Rum- $50 40% abv

El Dorado 15 Year Rum- $35 40% abv

Dec 5, 2016

Happy Repeal Day! To further celebrate and cheers to the progress of booze, why not buy yourself a bottle of personalized wine? Today's chat with PersonalWine.com founder Alex Andrawes dives into serendipity, the UT experience, and how a well traveled youth can lead to a deep passion with wine. This "oil kid" has traveled all over the world and leveraged his college broker gig to understand when to strike while the iron's hot. The resulting concept: buying wine that is branded and personalized just for YOU. As the project evolved, Alex needed a space to not only sip amazing wines but also do a little business now and then. The Red Room Lounge was then born; a cool downstairs wine bar to relax and converse. We chat The Rolling Stones, Snoop Dog, and the real value of high priced wine.

Looking for gift ideas? Head over to the Red Room gifting link below to explore some options for this holiday season.

http://www.redroomaustin.com/holiday-gifting

Dec 1, 2016

We've all concluded our busy nights with a sip or 2 of the finest aperitif, Fernet. The late night favorite has established itself as one of the cult hits of the hospitality industry. And here, deep in the heart of Texas, Georgia native Megan Sparks carries the torch for the beloved spirit. Gymnast turned sculpture and cocktail mastermind, Megan has been dubbed the "Fernet Fairy" and no more apropos title has been conceived. With her career-centric business mind, Megan continues to shape a brilliant career evolving from one opportunity to the next. We chat public speaking, Italy, and bartender equality. 

 

Nov 28, 2016

War, political turmoil, religion, and more with Diageo Reserve's Jorge Raptis. A true aficionado of all things agave, Jorge is both Greek and Mexican; an interesting combination that spills hospitality and cordiality. From early days in Mexico to the career influencing years in Houston, Jorge has been driven to learn, greet, and pair the best minds together. In the midst of a massive reorganization of the Diageo teams, Jorge now finds himself singing the praises of Don Julio Tequila and Zacapa Rum across the nation. We chat the "big guys", incubators, and Sotol Pechuga.

 

Nov 24, 2016

It's been a crazy year and yet despite all the disheartening conflicts among us, there is still plenty to be thankful for.

I hope you enjoy this day with your family and loved ones. Sip something delicious and eat just enough.

Don't forget to enjoy that Turkey of a wild variety.

Now onto Christmas.....

xoxo

mike

 

Nov 21, 2016

The cocktail revolution is upon us, but the coffee revolution is now intersecting perfectly. With amazing flavor combinations and coffee innovations, you would think Fleet Coffee in Austin, TX is the newest Texas cocktail haven. It is in fact an incubator for amazing flavor combinations constructed by the 2 least pretentious gentleman you'd expect. Patrick and Lorenzo both worked their way through the early days of coffee in Austin. After time working together at Cafe Medici and a brief spark of entrepreneurialism, Fleet Coffee was born. We talk fruity pebbles, closing drinks, and modern music. 

 

Nov 17, 2016

Alexis Piotrowski is the perfect template for bar efficiency and no nonsense staff management. An early athlete and found object artist, Alexis found her destiny was in the hospitality industry. With varying experience serving shots, margaritas, and every other iteration of alcoholic beverages you can imagine, Alexis brought her impressive resume to Austin where she brought the original Jackalope into a new era of success and has been an integral force in constructing Version 2.0 Jackalope South Shore. We chat election results, being conscious of costs, and playing the right hits.

Jackalope South Shore's grand opening is THIS Saturday November 19th. Details Below.

Nov 14, 2016

Longtime guitarist and touring musician Aaron Beavers has been selling whiskey from the stage for years. Once he strummed his first guitar, he was hooked and writing hooks in no time. From Arizona to Colorado to Hawaii, Aaron has followed his passion for music and after years of writing, a pay to play gig in LA catapulted his music career. But as his rise to fame came to an apex, Napster was just around the corner redefining the operations of the music industry. Turning to hospitality to pay the bills and over a decade later, Aaron is still slinging whiskey. As a luxury specialist for Beam-Suntory, Aaron shares some of the world's greatest whiskies with some of the greatest minds in the game. We chat fatherhood, John Popper, and Wilco.

 

Nov 10, 2016

It's the one year anniversary of Austin's Infinite Monkey Theorem winery: a reinvention of the classic concept; reasonably priced, ethically produced, and completely transparent wine production all under a roof in the city limits. The wonderful couple Aaron and Meredith Berman are the masterminds behind the Austin landmark. They are business savvy, artistic, and sharing the great flavors of Texas terroir with their wines. With a child on the way, and the one year Austin anniversary of the winery on the horizon, how has this venture affected the couple's relationship and how difficult is it really to run a business with the person you love? We chat writing, third wheels, and wines in a can.

 

Nov 7, 2016

It's Martine-y time! To celebrate the launch of the Martine Honeysuckle Liqueur, today on SDV we talk to its creators and massive influences on the Texas spirits scene, Dee and Gary Kelleher. From Texacello, Dripping Springs Vodka, to Pepe Z tequila, Dee and Gary have been at the forefront of creating exciting products to firmly establish Texas as a haven for distilled spirits. What started as a cocktail waitress/bar manager romance over 35 years ago, has now transformed into a power couple that inspires and delights. They've seen the Austin cocktail scene at its every turn and now influences its future profoundly with bold new concoctions. We chat distilling, distributors, and maintaining a loving marriage for over 3 decades.

Nov 3, 2016

Texas rears its head again upon the global cocktail stage. From early days in the Houston music scene, to an academic pursuit of design, Claire Sprouse's shift to the hospitality industry was the perfect platform for her creativity, love of sociology, and passion for design. Unassuming and brilliant perfect illustrates Claire's level of perceptiveness and abilities behind the bar. A single Gin competition launched a career that now has Claire leading green efforts in San Francisco with her consulting group Tin Roof Drink Community. She's a mentor and innovator. We chat Fugazi, Hands Up Houston, fast food, and more.

 

Oct 31, 2016

Happy Halloween!

Growing careers and opportunities are built on education, and for Collectif 1806's Emily Arseneau, her journey through the hospitality industry has led to amazing twists and turns. A Louisiana native, Emily can create, craft conversations, and inspire. Her blend of radio DJ antics and studio art sensibilities, make her a prototypical, hard working hospitality veteran. With a wide array of bartending gigs under her belt, she leaves a massive impact on the Dallas cocktail scene while soon venturing to New York for her largest opportunity yet, National Brand manager for Collectif 1806- a group dedicated to best practices and education in the hospitality industry. We talk "Dig", Cointreau, and crazy facts this day in history. 

Oct 27, 2016

Sometimes pouring that first cocktail just opens up a gateway to flavor and opportunity. For Houston's Hal Brock, the hospitality industry always offered the creative and humanitarian sensibilities on which Hal thrives. When academia doesn't quite offer the flexibility and cash flow of the bistro down the street, serious decisions need to be made and in Hal's case, they led him through numerous avenues in the hospitality industry. From the cocktail haven Anvil to working in the distribution chain at Glazers, this winding road has uncovered many new narratives. The latest chapter finds Hal spreading the joy of Rum with Parce, a Columbian variety that uniquely demonstrates the terroir and processes of the region. We chat astrology, love, and symbolic imagery in bottle enclosures.

 

Oct 24, 2016

Sometimes playing trombone in school band is the perfect gateway into bigger and better things. For Houston's Alex Negranza, this modest start transitioned into promotions, coffee, and booze....for now. With few dollars in his pocket, Alex left his native California to start a new chapter in Seattle. Here he fell more in love with coffee, which (as we'd expect) led to a deep passion for booze, and now he not only evangelizes the delicious Scrappy's Bitters, but he bartends at the cocktail mecca Anvil in Houston, TX. Aspiring to always learn and educate, Alex also serves as education chair for the Houston USBG. We chat bourbon, coincidence, and barista-ness.

 

Oct 20, 2016

In our second installment of horror movie madness at SDV, we chat with Trey Jenkins and Michael Phillips about their top 3 films for the season. Nestled in a chilling, dark booth in the back of King Bee, we dive into some absolute classics. Whether you like acid blood, vampire love, or arachnid heads, this chat will pique your interest about the horror genre. Sit back on the edge of your seat, and enter the bone chilling worlds of John Carpenter, Ridley Scott, and more.....

Alien

Ringu

The Fly (1986)

The Thing (1982)

Let the Right One In

Rosemary's Baby

 

Oct 17, 2016

Diving into the spirit of Halloween, this week at SDV we take a look at some of our favorite guest's favorite horror movies. As we wait patiently for the weather to shift, i's time to bundle up, turn off the lights, and get scared a little with our favorite slasher, ghouls, and alien beings. Recorded in the dark annals of a booth at King Bee, this first installment of two dives into the minds of ghastly guys Billy Hankey and Don Swaynos. Perhaps you'll find some new favorite films in all of this.....

 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Phantasm

The Wicker Man (1973)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Basket Case

Suspiria

 

Oct 13, 2016

A love of history, science, and Utah was the spark for one of the great American whiskey tales. David Perkins wanted to be a doctor, but found better ways to help his fellow man in the pharmaceutical industry. This successful career forecasting sales and further understanding chemical compounds were the perfect precursor to a voyage in whiskey. In the face of unpopular whiskey sentiments, David learned about blending and leveraged it to make some of the finest blends in modern spirits. As the world's love of whiskey increased, so did High West sales and its need for expansion. Now, in the wake of a $160 million acquisition by constellation brands. who is the man that started it all? We talk Paul Newman, the mountains, and gadgetry.

 

Image from WSJ

Oct 10, 2016

It's High West Whiskey week at SDV! Today we dive into the one man Texas show, Chris Furtado. Chris has worked in all aspects of the hospitality industry and most recently shifted his knowledge at RNDC to become a whiskey maestro for High West. Despite some tangents into tech and coffee, whiskey kept calling him back. It's only a matter of time before this chef, bartender, and father is slinging you drinks behind his own bar. We chat rye, patrons, and talking to your audience in a language they can understand.

 

Oct 6, 2016

Welcome to inside the actor's studio with the whiskey king of Chicago, Martin Duffy. Martin has acted, has poured, has traveled, and ultimately established himself as one of the finest minds in the world of whiskey. After working his ranks through the kilt wearing days of "Brand Ambassadors" version 1. He became a SR masters of whiskey for Diageo where he tasted, saw, and smelled everything that whiskey had to offer. He now ponders the next steps while traveling the states spreading the word on the world's most luxurious sipping vessel: the Glencairn glass. In his constant support of the spirits industry, Martin has also co-produced multiple installments of the Chicago Independent Spirits Expo. We chat impressions, Gene Hackman, and how perhaps this is no whiskey country for old men.

 

Oct 4, 2016

Take a deep look into the products and culture of St. George Spirits with the hospitality veteran Paul Skiera. Working through the ranks behind the bar in Michigan and Florida, Paul made the step from RNDC to the largest small guy- St. George. 3 years later, he loves to share and imbibe in the wonderful reputation his portfolio of spirits has garnered among the industry. No doors are closes, and no projects are off limits as St. George explores every grain and fruit imaginable. We talk terroir, rock stardom, and suit jackets.

 

Sep 26, 2016

An observer of life and people, Alex Smith set on a writing journey that derailed due to academia and its creative confines. A long time California native, Alex has worked in all types of hospitality settings but found an affinity for Oakland very early on. The journey has ultimately led Alex to a deep passion for Gin, so much so that he now owns one of the the world's most amazing bar destinations for Gin, White Chapel. The idea was fortified on trust, arbitration, and ultimately Alex's reputation. We talk change, Trump, Gin, and more Gin.

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