Bartender at Large

This week we are joined by Chris Lowder, co-founder of Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality, two-time Tales of the Cocktail nominee for Best Global Bar Mentor, and one of Drinks International's 100 Most Influential Figures in the Global Bar Industry. After leading World's 50 Best-recognized bars across China, Chris co-founded LTH, now a team of 18 spanning New York, Miami, and Bangkok, with his latest work on display at Miami Beach's Shelborne by Proper. So tune in as we discuss why sustainable operations and financial literacy beat chasing accolades, his years bartending in Korea and China, and the hidden challenges of hotel F&B development.
Get your free samples:  https:perfectpuree.com/bal
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Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge
WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:
Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender
Bartender at Large: https://www.tiktok.com/@bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

Not too long ago, the idea of a truly great cocktail coming out of a can seemed like a contradiction in terms, but this week's guest has been on a mission to change that. We are joined by Neal Cohen, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Atlanta-based Tip Top Proper Cocktails. Before launching the brand in 2018 with childhood friend Yoni Reisman, Neal spent years in radio and as Marketing Director for Superfly, producing large-scale events like Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, where he noticed something was missing from the market: bar-quality classic cocktails you could actually enjoy at a concert, a tailgate, or on your own couch. So tune in as Neal shares how they enlisted eight-time James Beard Award nominee Miles Macquarrie (Kimball House) to develop the recipes, how a background in music and brand-building shaped the company, and what it takes to pioneer an entire category. In addition, we discuss the growing lineup of Tip Top classics, from the Old Fashioned and Negroni to the Paper Plane and Penicillin, and where the prepared cocktail space is headed next.
Get your free samples:  https:perfectpuree.com/bal

 ____________________________________

Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge
WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:
Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender
Bartender at Large: https://www.tiktok.com/@bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

Have you ever worked a shift behind a bar that seemed like it was designed by someone who has never made a drink in their life? Wells in all the wrong places, no room for a trash can, and a setup that leaves your back aching by last call. This week we are joined by six-time international bartending champion and founder of Studio Bar Magic, Tobin Ellis, who has spent over two decades fighting to fix exactly that. So tune in as we discuss his theory of "zero-step bartending," why the bar is the true engine of any restaurant, and how getting real bartenders involved in the design process can save your body, your guests, and your bottom line. In addition, we chat about his new book, Bar Design Essentials, which offers practical guidance for everyone from barbacks to architects.

Dungeons of Highball: https://moverandshakerco.com/collections/dungeons-of-highball
Get Tobin's Book: https://www.barmagic.com/book
Learn More: barmagic.com

 ____________________________________

Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge
WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:
Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender
Bartender at Large: https://www.tiktok.com/@bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

This week we are joined by Marko Karakasevich, 13th generation master distiller and owner of Charbay Distillery. Since his parents founded the distillery back in 1983, Charbay has been quietly pushing the boundaries of American spirits, from hop-flavored whiskeys distilled from actual beer, to vodkas infused with fresh-picked fruit, to the highly anticipated gin he plans to launch in 2026. So tune in as Marko walks us through his one-of-a-kind approach to distillation, including his 32-fraction method, why he extracts with both water and alcohol, and the crucial roles that bottle shock and time play in developing flavor. In addition, we discuss the evolution of American whiskey innovation and how Charbay's experimental spirit may have paved the way for some of the bigger distilleries out there today.
Learn More: https://charbay.com
 ____________________________________

Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge
WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:
Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender
Bartender at Large: https://www.tiktok.com/@bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

For too many bartenders, sake remains one of the most intimidating sections of the back bar, with confusing labels and endless categories making it hard to know where to even begin. Luckily, this week we are joined by Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori, co-founders of the beloved Japanese beverage shop Umami Mart and authors of Everyday Sake: The Go-To Guide for Choosing, Pairing, and Serving. Together they have made it their mission to demystify sake and make it approachable for everyone, from curious first-timers to seasoned industry pros. So tune in as they break down how to navigate the category with confidence, from choosing the right bottle to pairing it with food and serving it in both modern and traditional settings.

Umami Mart: https://umamimart.com/
Get the book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/769406/everyday-sake-by-yoko-kumano-and-kayoko-akabori/


____________________________________
Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge

WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender
Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:
Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1
Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge