Show De Vie Podcast W/mike G

Hopefully the headaches are at a minimum on this post- San Antonio Cocktail Conference Monday. A book nerd Cape-Cod-ian, Killian Oliver, manages the beautiful Whiskey Cake bar space at La Cantera San Antonio. With a massive respect for studiousness and cost management, there is no ceiling to Killian's impressive career. But as it often goes in this industry, one's personal relationships become challenging while living the vampire 9-5. We chat agave, scotch, and how picking up a few books now and again can give you a much needed mental advantage.

It's San Antonio Cocktail Conference week at SDV! This installment is an homage to Chihuahua and its beautiful native spirit Sotol. Ricardo Pico, a true diplomat of the state and fellow Sotol teammate, is the international brand ambassador for Hacienda de Chihuahua. He's an articulate, business minded, gentleman who shares his tales of growing up in Mexico and how a few short lived business ventures turned into a great partnership with Hacienda. It's an agave love fest in this chat and if you're attending the conference this weekend, please see Ricardo's panel "Discovering Sotol" JANUARY 16, 2016 | 1:30PM - 2:45PM, Baker Room at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. We also sample the new Rustico from Hacienda, which is one of the most robust expressions of Sotol to hit the US. Salud.

It's San Antonio Cocktail Conference week at Show de Vie! The premier booze event of Texas rolls into another year this upcoming weekend January 14th-17th. With many great SACC partners to detail, this time we chat with Director of Marketing at Twin Liquors, Sandra Spalding. A textbook go-getter with musical chops, Sandra is a So-Cal ingenue that loves to reflect on the halcyon days of 90's rock. From the Pixies to Pitbull, her love of music and hospitality sees no bounds. Moving to Austin on a whim, a serendipitous trip to Twin Liquors changed the trajectory of Sandra's career. 15 years later, she finds herself the brains behind Twin Liquors marketing division and a highly influential personality in the Austin booze industry. We salute the wonderful support of Twin Liquors and lament the saturation of modern music in this fruitful chat.

A student of both spirits and academia, Austin's newly appointed USBG president Katie Clas has been a great influence on the culture since she arrived nearly 2 years ago. From dog fostering to Malort shooting, this ex-Chicagoan moved to Austin for a large brand ambassador position that was suddenly dissolved shortly thereafter. Left with few leads, Katie chose to advance her education and ultimately accepted a role with the Phillips Distilling Company. These various opportunities converged proving that Katie is the ultimate survivor. Whether demonstrating her marketing shrewdness, or her midwestern down-to-earthness, nothing can keep a good Chicagoan down.

Like a Scorsese screenplay, Larry's childhood started with explosions and evading organized crime. Traveling around the US like an army brat, Larry ultimately settled outside of Austin, Texas. Despite his love of generous Texans, we chat about the different varieties of racism and the unique covert flavor that Texas has to offer. From his days in the trenches at The Belmont in early Austin to his more auteur experiences at Peché, Larry has worked in all areas of the food industry. Most recently, Larry's notoriety as Angel's Envy's bourbon boss has introduced him to a whole new aspect of the industry and the opportunities seem limitless. 

Small Texas town gentleman turned political weapon, Revolution Spirit's founder Mark Shilling never expected that his days of lobbying would ignite a passion for distilling. It was one sip of quality moonshine that set Mark into the craft distilling stratosphere. Now, coming up on their first anniversary, Mark reflects on lessons learned and shares what Revolution Spirits is working on next. With a current product portfolio that spans from Gin to Coffee Liqueur, where does Revolution Spirits go from here and how does the term "craft" sometimes get in the way. Mark and I sip some fine bourbon and regale each other with tales of Gin escapades. 

Hailing from the West Coast and inspired by a punk rock state of mind, Troy Kooper's early foray into graphics and design were the foundation that introduced him to whiskey. An early sip of scotch triggered all of the pleasure centers that ultimately led Troy into a love affair with Rye whiskey. Kooper Family Rye is the first rye out of Dripping Springs, but this floral, 80 proof, wonderfully balanced spirit won't be the only thing coming out of the Kooper Family. Enjoy this lovely chat about Detroit, fatherhood, wars, and how Rye is Troy's most beloved. Rye or die, as they say. 

The quintessential spirits enthusiast, Jessica Tantillo Barnard is there to help us with all of our liquor ordering and educational needs. As an amazing asset to Twin Liquor in Austin, TX, Jessica's friendliness, worldliness, and penchant for good music inspires us all to live a great story. From humble beginnings in Tomball,TX, to traveling the world in search of culinary adventure, Jessica has seen all sectors of the booze industry and is a wonderful ally to the Austin cocktail culture. We reminisce karaoke, mezcal, and how once you find that one true love, it's all just a bit simpler.  

Austin's dubbed, "Tiki-Trey" is a film student turned Rum fanatic. Both understated and pensive, Trey Jenkins has worked his way through many of the Austin cocktail landmarks, including: Peché and the tiki-centric Isla. A latent imbiber, and dedicated cocktail academic, Trey is through and through an artist. While balancing color and textures in celluloid, and parlaying his cocktail expertise into a chief mixologist position at RNDC, he has created an amazing amount of clout in a short amount of time. We dip into the Havana club this time around and have a fruitful chat. 

The Texas cocktail movement would have never been the same without the behind-the- scenes brilliance of John Garrett. A recovering songwriter who happens to love the art of spirits and has dedicated his career to educating the industry with an unparalleled approachability. John has revitalized the excitement around Sherry, Mezcal, and Vermouth in the lone star state. And now with his most ambitious distribution gig to date, John heads Victory distribution with a new strategy and focus. We chat agave, becoming irrelevant, and how guitar is a great vehicle for what ails ya. It's an eye opening chat with a jet-setting unsung hero of the industry. 

Inspired cook, admirable father, and shrewd businessman, Josh Loving is a man to be rivaled. He turned skillful weaving of esoteric ingredients at the now defunct cocktail incubator Fino into a successful stint in the world of consulting. This culinary journey not only created a Josh Loving brand of 5 spice bitters, but positioned him as one of the go to experts of cocktails in Austin. Starting in food, then transitioning to wine, Josh is now entering the next phase of his adventure, bar ownership. His new venture, Small Victory- 108 E. 7th Austin, Texas, opens very soon and the whole city is waiting in anticipation. We have a great chat ranging from post-college antics to the importance of being a present father. He's been there and done that, so let's drink some calvados and do this.  

Being goth and Italian in Waco, Texas isn't the cakewalk you would expect. The multi-talented Becca King has established a name for herself in the entertainment, fashion (Waxed Black), and service industries (Drink.Well., East Side Showroom). This trinity of talents has taken her many places, and although ending up in Austin, Becca still pines over the hustling Los Angeles frenzy. We chat ex-spouses, new love, therapy, and Marilyn Manson in this 90's themed conversation.

An auteur of writing, sipping, and alcohol academics, Austin's Matt McGinnis has an interesting journey. Born in the midwest, and adventuring his way ultimately to Austin, Matt has dated models, borrowed the best wine bottles, and developed quite the thirst for spirits production in the process. Part prankster, part gentleman, we have a great conversation while sipping some fine 1960's bourbon; that's what we're drinking. And the conversation begs the question: What are You Drinking? (also Matt's blog)

An apple and PR infused power couple, Wes and Mary discuss their genesis and how working together becomes a challenging task at times. With a beautiful balance of reason and creativity, they share some great stories about Arkansas and how Wes' musical career peaked whilst opening for a premier harmonica player. We discuss how Argus became Argus and how Strange Fruit became the newly reborn Resplendent firm. Listen to the love and enjoy some cider in this great chat.

Tipsy Texan might be the most influential rock group to hit Texas mixology culture....ever. With a novel, string of mind altering classes, and a thorough disambiguation of cocktail concepts in the books. What's next for Tipsy Texan? This conversation with Joe Eifler might just reveal the answers. Growing up Catholic and shy, Joe details his love of plants and the formidable David Alan. From Mezcal to Rock'n'rye, Joe has helped guide the every shrewd step of the Tipsy Texan empire. Sit back and enjoy karaoke tales and misplaced song artists as Joe and I detail novice singing careers while educating the masses on the value of great cocktail ingredients. 

Happy Thanksgiving! In the conclusion to our wonderful interview, Shid talks about his military service in Somalia and how a notorious shot of Bourbon catapulted him into the next chapter of his life. From Peché to the world renowned Half Step bar, each chapter has been an interesting one for Shid. We talk the perfect bar and how his living room might just be the best prototype for the next big cocktail concept. Enjoy the chat, and spend some time knowing that you have to enjoy each challenge and each triumph because we all die sometime. 

In part 1 of an extensive chat about life, love, death, and spirits, Shid demonstrates the power of positivity and allowing things to be what they'll be. An army brat constantly challenged with defining his sense of self, Shid has worked through countless hurdles to end up detailing his great American novel of a life in an amazing interview. A pop culture lover, and an 80's child with a love of movies, Shid has lived twice the lives most of us have. Sit back and enjoy this riveting tale about a guy doing what his does and doing it well.

UT grad turned industry personality, Justin Elliott has the jokes and cocktail chops to entertain anyone. This composer, playwright, and self proclaimed "sad bastard" has traveled the world and ended up at the amazing Townsend Bar in Austin, TX. We chat Metaxa, Old Granddad, and about everything in between. It's a whole different story once you own part of a bar, and the tensions mounts every night as Justin's life takes a great turn for the future. Sit back, think of facial hair, and enjoy this episode in your favorite 1920's vest.

Is it Travis or is it Tober? We discuss the crucial difference between the outspoken, friendly hooligan Tober and the pensive, career driven Travis. A Buffalo, NY native, Travis shares a winding tale of behind the bar experiences and how sometimes your love life just has to be secondary. Leading the lovely Vox Table, Travis wears many hats as he also moonlights as one of the brand ambassadors for Aviation Gin. The warm Gin shots are flowing and so is this great conversation. 

The agrarian brainiac, Andy is a modern renaissance man pairing good taste with great knowledge of ingredients. Currently bartending at the lauded Olamaie, he shares his home gardening tips and advice on keeping expertise an earned privilege. We share bourbon and biscuit recipes to the tune of life's cruel mistress, moderation.