Shots Of History

On this episode I’m talking with Justin Cross, co-founder of Earn Your Booze. Justin’s story ranges from his military service, leaving a more conventional 9 to 5 job, home brewing, and of course working out and staying in shape. I hope that you enjoy, cheers folks. Justin’s IG: @_alpha_ale Earn Your Booze IG: @earnyourbooze Earn Your Booze Website: https://earnyourbooze.com/   Shots of History IG: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

For this episode I had a chance to speak with Karl Steuck. I found out about Karl towards the end of last year when he was working for Loft and Bear, a vodka that’s made locally here in LA. While he recently left that position he’s still doing a bunch of interesting work, some of which we dive into. We also discuss how he got started in the industry, moving to LA, consulting and how those opportunities have come about, a few other things that I don’t want to spoil. I hope that you all enjoy, cheers folks. Karl’s Instagram: @spiritandspoon Karl’s Website: http://spiritandspoon.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

For this episode I had a chance to speak with Ashley Rose of Craft and Cocktails. Ashley is currently based out of San Francisco, but we had a chance to talk about where she’s originally from and her transition to the West Coast. We also talked about her book, The Art of the Bar Cart. Ashley book deal process was a bit of an unusually one, but there’s still a lot of interesting insights that she has for anyone who’s interested in publishing a book. We also spoke about photography and Instagram, connecting with people in the industry, and what she has coming up. I hope you all enjoy, cheers. Craft and Cocktails Website: http://craftandcocktails.co/ Craft and Cocktails Instagram: @craftandcocktails The Art of the Bar Cart: HERE Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode we’re looking at the story of the White House wine cellar, where it came from, who originally built it, and its current size. This is also a story about Thomas Jefferson, his passion for wine & the original cellar that he built. I also talk a bit about his life and his accomplishments, just to give some context for his story. I hope you all enjoy, cheers. Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

For this episode I had chance to talk with Kurtis Bosley, who is currently working as a group beverage manager. We talk about surfing, the differences between the cocktail culture in the US and Australia, architecture and the challenges that come with staffing a bar. I hope that you all enjoy, cheers folks! Kurtis’ Instagram: @cocktailsbykurtis Public House Management Group: https://www.phmg.com.au/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I had a chance to speak with Aaron Polsky, current bar manager of Harvard and Stone. Aaron’s been in LA for a few years now, and in addition to talking about his transition from New York City to Los Angeles, we also talked about how he got started in the industry, working hard, and the transition he had from fine dining to a more casual atmosphere, while still putting out some kickass cocktails. Cheers folks, enjoy. Aaron’s Instagram: @aaronpolsky Harvard and Stone Instagram: @harvardandstone Harvard and Stone Website: http://harvardandstone.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/  

This episode is with Mike and Anna of Shaker and Spoon, which is a monthly cocktail subscription box. The cocktails are being created by bartenders all over the country. In the box you get enough to make 3 different cocktails 4 times, for 12 drinks total. Mike and Anna got started back in 2015 and they’ve been at it ever since then. I had a great time getting hear about how Shaker and Spoon came to be, how they got it off the ground, and where it’s headed. Hope you all enjoy, cheers.   Shaker and Spoon Website: https://www.shakerandspoon.com/ Shaker and Spoon Instagram: @shakerandspoon Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast

Robert Parker is the founder of the Wine Advocate, a newsletter that got started in August of 1978, when newsletter were more prominent then they are today. There’s a lot that you can say about the newsletter itself and the impact that it had on the wine industry. You can find people that talk about the good Parker did for raising awareness about wine in the US, and you can find plenty of people who will criticizes him, and I’ll talk about some of those criticisms. But I wanted to look at this more from a business perspective about what Robert Parker was able to pull off. Because in a pre-internet, pre-Instagram, pre-blogging era, before all of that, Parker pulled off what in today’s terms I think most people would call a side hustle. And he turned this side project into a full time career. I don’t care if it’s 1970, 2018, or 2100, if you can find a way to get paid, to do what you want, what you love to do, that pretty awesome. And that’s the part of Parker’s story that I want to look at. Image of Alsace, Fra

On this episode I’m joined by Stacey Swenson of Dante at Genuine.   Stacey’s Instagram: @steakbonestacey Dante’s at Genuine Website: http://www.dante-nyc.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I’m talking about taking a break from high school class to grab a beer, calling your Mom to say that you’re leaving a 9 to 5 job, garnishes, glassware, and more with Josue Romero. You can find Josue @the_garnishguy, and he also works at Odd Birds down in St. Augustine, Florida. Hope you all enjoy, cheers folks. Josue’s IG: @the_garnishguy Odd Birds Website: https://www.oddbirdsbar.com/   Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I’m speaking with Hannah Chamberlain, who runs a blog called Spirited LA. During our conversation we cover everything from her time at Buzzfeed, moving out to California, historical drinkers like Peter the Great, photography, film, and I show how big of a nerd I am. You can check out Hannah on Instagram @spiritedla. I hope you all enjoy, cheers. Hannah’s IG: @spiritedla Hannah’s Website: https://spiritedla.com/   Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I’m speaking with Jason Yu, who is a bartender in Southern California. I started seeing Jason pop up on Instagram, and he’s done a few projects with characters like Josh Suchan and Richard Allison, both of whom have been on the show, and I wanted to learn a bit more about his story. We discuss how he got started as a bartender and his first job at a restaurant, photography, archery, and I got a new outlook on golf. Hope you enjoy folks, cheers. Jason’s Instagram: @jasonfyu Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

An update on Shot #58. You'd be surprised how much as change in one month, I certainly was. Cheers folks. Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

For this episode I had a chance to speak with Maggie Hoffman, who is the new author of “The One Bottle Cocktail: More than 80 recipes with fresh ingredients and a single spirit.” If you have a moment, Maggie and I would greatly appreciate you leaving an Amazon review. I’ve linked to the book below. As for the interview itself, Maggie and I talked about her time growing up in Portland, why she choose to go to Princeton, which is probably not something that you’d guess, her first job out of college, and the process of writing a book, which for this one, only took her 12 weeks. I hope you all enjoy, cheers folks. The One Bottle Cocktail link HERE Maggie’s Instagram: @maggiejhoffman Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/  

You might know Tanner from his Instagram account, @thebarologist. I first found out about Tanner when he was on Tipsy Bartender, which I’ve linked to in the description below. Tanner is currently the head bartender at Watertable in Huntington Beach, CA, and we started out talking about his original plan to be a chef, how he got started bartending, wine certifications and a whole bunch of other stuff. I hope that you folks enjoy, cheers. Tipsy Bartender video 1: Snow White’s Poison Apple Tipsy Bartender video 2: More Life Tanner’s Instagram: @thebarologist Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I’m speaking with April Wachtel, former bartender and brand ambassador, and currently the the owner of Swig and Swallow, and we get into that business and what she’s currently working on.   There’s a bit of a technical issue towards the end of the interview, just in the last couple minutes, but before you get to that, you’re going to hear about April’s 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry, starting with her very first job in the industry, working as a brand ambassador, bartending at Lahi Kia, attending Tales of the Cocktail, and more. One final note, if you’re familiar with apartment bartender, aka Elliot Clark’s story, he talked on this podcast about being in New York and attending a class on spirits and cocktails. That class, which is what first got him interested in cocktails, was taught by none other than April. It was great to see things come full circle.   April’s Instagram: @aprilwachtel Movers and Shakers Instagram: @moverssshakers Swig and Swallow Website: https://www.sw

Explaining what the hell I've been up to for the last month or so, what's changed in that time, and what's coming up next for me and the podcast. Appreciate everyone being patience during this time, cheers folks. Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/

On this episode I’m talking with a man who is a founding partner at Polite Provisions in San Diego, host of the YouTube series and podcast Bartender at Large, filmmaker of the Bartender at Large movie, and genuinely great person, Erick Castro.   We covered a ton, from growing up, to reading and book recommendations, which I have linked to below, being a brand ambassador, R&D of cocktails, hiring for a bar, how to help yourself become more ambidextrous, and more. This is a crash course on bartending, the art of hospitality, and how to work your ass off. Erick has a ton of great info to share, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Hope you all enjoy, cheers folks.   BOOKS: Creativity Inc. - Ed Catmull The Bar Book - Jeffrey Morgenthaler The E-Myth - Michael Gerber   Erick’s Instagram: @hungrybartender Bartender at Large Instagram: @bartenderatlarge Bartender at Large Movie: http://www.bartenderatlarge.com/ Polite Provisions: http://www.politeprovisions.com/   Shots of History Instagram: @shotso

On this episode I’m speaking with Katie from the Garnish blog. Fun fact, Katie is actually the first doctor that been on the show. She has a PhD in evolutionary biology and focused on ornithology, the study of birds, and she's conducted research in New Guinea. Super cool, I know! I also got her take on some of the top cocktail bars in Boston, enjoying mocktails, and how she ended up starting Garnish. Hope you all enjoy, cheers folks! Garnish Blog: http://www.garnishblog.com/ Garnish Instagram: @garnish_girl Mocktails Recipes: http://www.garnishblog.com/search/label/Mocktails   Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast

Kevin Diedrich is currently the General Manager and a Partner at Pacific Cocktail Haven, or PCH, in San Francisco. Prior to PCH he worked for hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, as well as bars like PDT and Clover Club in Manhattan. I could have gone on for a long time with Kevin, but in this round we talked about Kevin’s start in IT and how he got his first job as a bartender, his first time drinking, the different between working in a hotel and working at a restaurant or cocktail bar, opening up PCH, how PCH got its name, hiring and staffing a bar, and motivation. Enjoy folks, cheers! PCH Website: http://www.pacificcocktailsf.com/ PCH Instagram: @pch580 Kevin Diedrich Instagram: @therealdiedrich   Shots of History Website: http://shotsofhistory.com/ Shots of History Instagram: @shotsofhistorypodcast