Sipping Social Podcast

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In this podcast we talk about all things surrounding the restaurant and bar industry. Tune in with us every couple of weeks to hear anything from beverage reviews, to stories about customers, and everything in-between. We look forward sipping on something with you!

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    • Oct 5, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 54m AVG DURATION
    • 64 EPISODES

    5 from 42 ratings Listeners of Sipping Social Podcast that love the show mention: talkin bout, garret, bourbon, drink, good, great, listen.



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    Latest episodes from Sipping Social Podcast

    #064 - Benchmark Single Barrel & Hazy Pitch Pale Ale

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 65:21


    And....  we're back! After taking the summer off we are eager to get back at it. In this episode we chat about how our summer went, the opening of Proof No. 5 in Wheaton, IL and reviewed a couple of nice beverages. Let's go!

    #063 - Hidden Hand Collaboration w/ Bourbon Belly

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 59:17


    In this episode we sat down at the Underground Studio West (aka Garrett's basement bar) in Geneva, Illinois to discuss and taste the recent Bourbon Belly collaboration with Solemn Oath (Hidden Hand). Director of Operations, JP Vander Veen and Sales Director, Nick Scofield gave some great insight into their Hidden Hand brand. It was great night! 

    #062 - Master Distiller Greg Metze

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 73:08


    Greg Metze became Old Elk Distillery's Master Distiller in 2016 following a 38-year career at Seagram's Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the world's largest distilleries. We had the amazing opportunity to sit down with him at Maize+Mash in Glen Ellyn. It was a great conversation about his career and all things Old Elk.

    #061 - Larceny Barrel Proof & Hidden Hand Beers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 51:35


    In this episode we try a Larceny barrel proof bourbon and some delicious beers from the Hidden Hand series by Solemn Oath brewery in Naperville, IL. Customer of the week was a touchy one for Mike. We had been drinking and brewing beer all day with the Solemn Oath crew so we may sound a little toasted on this one. 

    #060 - Michter's Limited Release Barrel Strength Rye

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2023 51:08


    Let's go! In this episode we celebrate Garrett, he just hosted his 100th whiskey class! Congratulations on this huge milestone Garrett. We celebrated with a delicious Michter's limited release barrel strength rye. The beer this week was Ride or Die Pale Ale from Hopewell Brewing out of Chicago, IL.

    #059 - Russell's Reserve Private Barrel Select

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 51:59


    We tasted a delicious couple of brews from Solemn Oath Brewing from their Small Wave series. The Private Barrel Select from Russell's Reserve was not surprisingly wonderful. It was a fun, romantic, candle-lit spring night at the Underground Studio. Let's go!

    #058 - Red Ales & Bull Run Single Barrel Aged 15 Years

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 69:37


    In this episode we're back in the Underground Studio after some amazing live events. We discuss the new restaurants in Wheaton that are about to open and New Belgium changing the recipe of Fat Tire. We reviewed Tighthead's Scarlet Fire and Great Lakes Conway Red Ale on the beer side, both were good but one stood out. The  whiskey was a Bull Run 13 yr bourbon aged in Pinot Noir casks for 2 years that is super tasty, especially for the proof! Listen up and drink up!

    #057 - Denver Trip, Laws Whiskey House & Old Elk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 62:56


    In this episode we recap our amazing trip to Denver, Colorado. We visited the Old Elk packaging facility in Fort Collins with their rep Erik. He was also able to get us a private barrel tasting in their rickhouse which was an amazing experience. We also toured Laws Whiskey House distillery and rickhouse to pick a barrel for the Chicago based restaurant group Bourbon Belly Hospitality.

    #056 - Early Times Bourbon & Hop Butcher Telehopic Double IPA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 42:25


    It this episode we wrap up 2022 with some delicious bourbon and beer and chat about all the great things we accomplished this year. The Hop Butcher Telehopic Double IPA was amazing and the Early Times Bottled-in-bond did not disappoint. Looking forward to 2023! Silent Night (Holy Night) by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    #055 - Dovetail Brewing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 54:50


    In this episode we recorded remote at the Dovetail Brewery in Chicago, IL. Dovetail Brewery merges continental European styles and techniques with American creativity to produce amazingly unique beers that are typically found in small, family-run breweries in Europe. We had a great discussion with owners Hagen & Bill and their sales director Dan. Lets go!

    #054 - Hopeleaf Bar Chicago

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2022 52:11


    Hopleaf has been a both a mecca for craft beer fans and a relaxed neighborhood pub in Andersonville. For over 15 years, Hopleaf has also offered thoughtfully sourced, in-house prepped, chef-inspired dining. We had the pleasure in talking to Michael Roper, the man who started it all.

    chicago andersonville michael roper hopleaf
    #053 - Russell's Reserve Rye Single Barrel & Crystal Lake Beers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 69:56


    In this episode, we sipped on Hoptopus Imperial Hazy IPA and Dunkel Lagar from Crystal Lake Brewery in, you guessed it, Crystal Lake. Garrett also brought a winner that stayed at the Underground Studio from Russell's Reserve, their Straight Rye Single Barrel. We apologize for the slight fuzzy audio quality in this one, we will dial it in next episode.

    #052 - Noon Whistle Brewing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 57:15


    In this episode we chat with the owners of Noon Whistle Brewing out of Lombard, IL. They brought everything they have in stock for us to try, and we tried it all. Listen up for some great insights and new techniques in the brewing industry. These boys were fun to hang out with and had a lot of interesting knowledge to share. Let's go!

    lombard noon whistle brewing
    #051 - Phase Three Stay Free & Nulu Single Barrel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022


    Phase Three seems to never disappoint, but did they in this episode? You'll just have to listen up and find out, ha! We also try a Nulu single barrel barrel from Justin's House of Bourbon. Everyone was in great spirits coming off our previous live show recording, it was a fun one.

    #050 - Live Show - Pinhook Bourbon & Sean Josephs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 51:35


    Sean Josephs is a founder of Pinhook and the Master Blender. We chat with him about a couple of unique bourbons, one of them being an barrel pick by Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group. It was a fun night in front of a packed viewing audience at Burger Social in downtown Wheaton, IL.

    #049 - Underground Studio West

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 67:21


    In this podcast we venture out to our very own Garrett's underground bar, "the office" in Geneva, IL. Mike and Johnny had to opportunity to hand select a couple of very nice bottles of whiskey to down while enjoying the look of disgust on G's face. All jokes aside, he shares. Cheerful Whistling by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

    #048 - 93 Octane Brewery

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 73:24


    In this episode we sat down with Mario, the owner of 93 Octane Brewery and his head brewer Alex. 93 Octane Brewery opened in 2019 and is out of St. Charles, IL. They are doing some pretty great things over there. Be sure to listen till the end of this episode, where Alex does some pretty interesting things to their stout beer.

    #047 - Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 58:45


    In this episode we try a funky farmhouse ale from Illuminated Brew Works called Watermelon Gun. Garrett outdid himself on the whiskey side and brought in Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend, a phenomenal whiskey outfit out of Washington DC. Listen up to hear when the next live show is and drink up so we sound good!!

    #046 - Half Acre Brewing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 64:37


    We had the opportunity to record in mikes favorite brewery of all time and he's on cloud nine. Garrett "kind of likes" Half Acre as well and unfortunately for Johnny we're not at the Captain Morgan Distillery. Sipping Social welcomes Matt Gallagher on the show, he's the owner, co-founder, and engineer of Half Acre. We talked about a lot of shit. Listen up!

    half acre matt gallagher half acre brewing
    #045 - Traverse City Whiskey Co. & Boat Beers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 68:27


    On this episode we reviewed a Traverse City Whiskey Co. single barrel store pick from Pride Liquor. This barrel proof whiskey was selected by producer johnny and came in at around 113 proof (Garrett was happy). We also blind tasted three random beers that sounded like they'd be good to crush while boating. We hated one, loved one and passed on one. Listen up, we had a blast!

    #044 - Colorado Spirits and Craft Beers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 74:30


    Our very own Mike Carl took an epic trip to Colorado and hit up some great breweries and distilleries you should check out! If your in a ski town in Colorado, these are some joints you should definitely check out. Mikes story about river rafting while it's snowing is something to hear, it was quiet the once in a lifetime experience. Hellfire by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    #043 - The Live Show

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 41:50


    On this episode, we recorded in front of a live audience! It was a private event hosted by Burger Social in Wheaton, IL in their amazing bar space on the second floor. The event was a huge success and we are so thankful that we have such a wonderful listening audience. The night was energetic and so fun, we can't wait to do it again. Thank you to our sponsors Hidden Hand Brew, Michters Whiskey and Burger Social for helping us out big time!

    #042 - Blaum Brothers Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 78:44


    On this episode we jam out with Matt Brown from Blaum Bros, he's fun. We also drank and reviewed a delicious Hazy IPA from Solemn Oath, thanks friends who made this!! Join us next time for more beer and whiskey shenanigans… Listen up and drink up!! Cheers!

    #041 - Old Pepper Distillery Single Barrel Rye & Noon Whistle Dub Dub

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 70:57


    In this episode we get to taste a single barrel rye from Old Pepper Distillery, to go along with Noon Whistle's Dub Dub freshie fresh from a crowler. The customer of the week was something, #togoqueen. Pour a good one, the episode starts out a little slow but for sure ramps up! Thanks for listening!

    #040 - Elijah Craig Single Barrel & Exile Brewing Company

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 73:06


    This episode we review some great stuff by Elijah Craig & Exile Brewing Company out of Des Moines, Iowa. We had a great time talking about interesting news in the restaurant industry, listed a few great places to check out downtown Chicago (if you have a vax card.... still) and told a great story about some recent customers at Burger Social in Wheaton, IL.

    #039 - Old Elk Wheated Bourbon & Transient Artisan Ales

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 65:03


    This week we got to sip on the Old Elk wheated bourbon store pick by Malloy's Liquors and Transient Artisan Ales Hazy Like A Fox IPA. Both were delicious. We also talked about new places popping up in the western suburbs of Chicago. We had a great time!

    #038 - Hop Butcher & Owner Jude La Rose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 73:54


    This week we try some fresh beers right off the canning line from Hop Butcher and also get to chat with the owner of the brewery, Jude La Rose. Jude and his business partner Jeremiah Zimmer stared their adventure in one day owning and operating their own brewery in 2012. Listen to how they they've become one of the most sought after makers of brew in the Chicago-land area.

    chicago owner larose hop butcher jeremiah zimmer
    #037 - Jack Waters & Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 74:01


    On this episode we have Jack Waters, one of the owners of Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group. We talk about how he became a partner in one of the most successful restaurant groups in the western suburbs.

    #036 - WGN Around Town Segment with Producer Jeff Hoover

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 62:36


    We just joined WGN Morning News Around Town. This is the aftermath and it's a little drinky. We reviewed a New Riff Single Barrel bourbon and Pipeworks NvU vs THE HAZE. We apologize for how many times the word penis was yelled into the mic. We promise the next podcast won't be so penisy.

    haze around town producer jeff jeff hoover
    #035 - Old Pepper Distillery Bourbon & Goose Island Bourbon County

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 78:00


    In episode 35 we would like to first apologize for the level of intoxication we achieved while recording. We reviewed the Old Pepper Distillery bourbon coming in at very high alcohol by volume and compared three different years of Goose Island Bourbon County. It's no wonder we ended-up slurring our words!

    pepper distilleries goose island bourbon county
    #034 - Surly Darkness Imperial Stout & Pinhook High Proof Rye

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021 64:31


    We're back together in the Underground Studio in the new recording room. We talk about some national restaurant news and we also give out some good gift ideas for the holiday. The beer review is Surly Darkness Imperial Stout, and the whiskey review is the new Pinhook High Proof Rye!! Listen up and drink up!! Cheers.

    #033 - Weller Antique 107 Single Barrel Pick & Hop Butcher's Neon Green Relish

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 54:10


    Last time we recorded we were remote and now we're back in the underground studio together. We're talking about the state of the restaurant industry and our experiences going out in the last year. The beer review is Hop Butcher's Neon Green Relish and the whiskey review is a Weller Antique 107 Single Barrel Pick from Doti's Liquors. Thanks Jude and George!! Listen up and drink up!!

    liquor relish single barrel weller antique hop butcher neon green
    #032 - Old Bardstown Bottled In Bond & Rodenbach Grand Cru Red Ale

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 56:46


    In this episode we review the BIB from Old Bardstown from the Willet's distillery in Kentucky and a Flanders Red Ale from Rodenbach. Rodenbach is a brewery in Roeselare, Belgium. We also chat about a special evening we had over zoom with co-workers from Keller Williams real estate company and also bad news for the restaurant industry, again.

    kentucky belgium keller williams bardstown bib willet bottled in bond red ale rodenbach roeselare rodenbach grand cru flanders red ale
    #031 - Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel & Good Beers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 69:10


    This week we try the 94 proof Toasted Barrel by Elijah Craig, Hop Rich by Riverlands Brewing and Sailor's Kush by Half Acre.

    #030 - Dovetail Brewery & Pinhook Rye Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 44:46


    After a long COVID hiatus, we are back together again. In this episode we review some beers from the Dovetail Brewery and try the 114 proof rye cask strength whiskey from Pinhook.

    #029 - Cody Road Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020 56:04


    In this long awaited episode, we talk to Sam from the Mississippi River Distilling Company out of Le Claire, Iowa. Sam brought us their Cody Road Bourbon line up for us to sample. We tasted the Cody Road Single Barrel Bourbon, Cody Road Rye Whiskey and the Cody Road X Experimental Series. Which one was our favorite? Listen up to find out!

    #028 - Phase Three Brewing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 39:58


    Today on the podcast we had the opportunity to meet (virtually) with 2 of the 3 owners of Phase Three Brewing out of Lake Zurich, Illinois. We discusses their startup story, the brewing industry and their stellar beers.

    illinois lake zurich phase three brewing
    #027 - Half Acre Daisy Cutter & Makers Mark Private Select Barrel Pick

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 43:20


    In this podcast we talk about Maize+Mash bottle sell off and making some cocktails at home. The beer we sipped on was Daisy Cutter from Half Acre Beer Company from Chicago, IL. The whiskey we featured in this podcast was the Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group barrel pick from Makers Mark.

    #026 - Coronavirus & The Restaurant Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2020 26:52


    In this podcast we talk about how the Coronavirus has impacted our local restaurant businesses. Mike did his part and did a remote podcast from his home office. It was a fun night.

    #025 - Bell's Hopslam Ale & Bardstown Bourbon Company's "The Prisoner"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 30:59


    In this podcast we got to try the illusive Bell's Hopslam Ale as well as Bardstown Bourbon Company's "The Prisoner". Bardstown partnered with The Prisoner Wine Company for a collaborative bourbon finished in red wine barrels.

    #024 - Revision Brewing Hazy IPA & Angels Envy Finished Rye

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 39:57


    In episode 24 we get to sip on Boogie Bus, a delicious Hazy IPA from Revision Brewing near Reno, Nevada. This weeks whiskey is Angels Envy Finished Rye, a tasty one finished 18 months in Caribbean rum barrels. Our customer of the week: tax season receipt collectors, get out of here. We also took a well deserved smoke break and talked about Ubers Eats, “I didn’t sign up for this”.

    #023 - Makers Mark & Master Distiller Denny Potter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 45:46


    In this episode we had the unique opportunity to interview Denny Potter, the master distiller at Makers Mark and Greg Butera, their midwest brand ambassador. We chatted about their new RC6 product, the unique production line at Makers Mark and their commitment to operating as an environmentally sustainable company.

    #022 - J. Henry & Sons Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2019 44:10


    In episode #022, we had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Joe Henry from J. Henry & Sons Bourbon Company. They exploded into the whisky world with their 5 year bourbon in 2015. Over the last 5 years they've won gold and double gold awards at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition. They are a farm to bottle operation, growing 90% of what goes into the bottle on their family farm in Dane, WI.

    #021 - Award Winning Beers & Makers Mark RC6 Wood Finishing Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 40:23


    In this podcast we talk about Mike and Garrett's trip down to the Bourbon Trail in Louisville Kentucky. They visited the Michter's, Makers Mark and Buffalo Trace distilleries as well as some tasty restaurants in the area. We tasted some award winning beers from Old Irving Brewing & Crystal Lake Brewing. Also, Garrett and Mike brought the Makers Mark RC6 Wood Finishing Series back from their trip to Kentucky for us to review.

    #020 - Bardstown Bourbon Company & Master Distiller Steve Nally

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 47:24


    In this podcast we had the incredible opportunity to interview Master Distiller Steve Nally from Bardstown Bourbon Company. Steve was on a marketing tour to promote his new line of bourbons, Fusion & Discovery Series along with a Collaboration Series with Copper & Kings, to the Chicagoland area. Listen to a legend talk about the bourbon industry as well as the great new products he’s produced.

    #019 - Bonus: FEW Spirits Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2019 15:31


    In this episode, we take the time to reflect on our experience at FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois. It was our first remote podcast and we learned a lot from it. We hope you enjoy this quick recap!

    #018 - FEW Spirits, Ownership & Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2019 39:52


    In this episode we focused on FEW ownership and their whiskey portfolio. The sipping social crew went on the the road for their very first remote podcast at the FEW rack house in Evanston, Illinois. The setting was in a massive, yet unassuming, red brick building built in the early 1900's for an ice distrubution company. We recorded with six thousand barrels of aging whiskey surrounding us and the sweet smell of whiskey nectar was in the air.

    #017 - FEW Spirits, Operations & Gin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2019 40:59


    In this very special two part series, the sipping social crew went on the the road to do their very first remote podcast at the FEW rack house in Evanston, Illinois. The setting was in a massive, yet unassuming, red brick building built in the early 1900's for an ice distrubution company. We recorded with six thousand barrels of aging whiskey surrounding us and the sweet smell of whiskey nectar was in the air. In this episode we focused on operations and FEW Spirits gin portfolio.

    #016 - Oktoberfest Beers & Old Rip Van Winkle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2019 38:21


    In this episode we review four different Oktoberfest beers, almost too much beer for one episode but we got through it. Garrett brings us another great whiskey, the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year! He also tells us about his greatest customer experience that involves a professional Chicago sports team. We tried to keep this one short as well but ended up having too much fun. Our next episode will be a two part remote podcast at the FEW distillery in Evanston, IL

    chicago oktoberfest evanston oktoberfest beers old rip van winkle
    #015 - JP Vander Veen, Solemn Oath & Woodinville Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 54:05


    This week we have the privilege of sipping on some delicious beers with the Production Manager at Solemn Oath, JP Vander Veen. JP has been in the beer business for most of his adult life and we are excited talk shop with him. This week amongst other industry news, we say goodbye to our old stomping ground, Muldoons Irish Pub that lasted in Wheaton, IL. for 17 years. Sit back, listen in and grab something to sip on with us.

    #014 - Half Acre Lunar Form & Mammoth Distilling

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2019 21:58


    We are gearing up for more interviews! So, this episode we kept it short with a tasting of Lunar Form by Half Acre Brewing and delicious rye whiskey from Mammoth Distilling. Next week we interview JP Vander Veen. JP is the head brewer at Solemn Oath in Naperville, IL. We hope you enjoy this quick listen!

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