Hardware Hunting

Hardware Hunting

Episode 16: Hardware Hunting Welcome back to The Happy Hour Playbook! Chris and Wes have officially scrubbed out of the OR and traded their sterile gowns for the mics. Championship season is here, and we've got an absolutely stacked show breaking down the biggest matchups in the sports world. Grab a glass and join us! This Week's Happy Hour Pour We are kicking things off with some Texas grit, sipping on Four Sixes Quahadi Tribute Whiskey. Bottled by the Sazerac Company and inspired by the historic Texas ranch, this highly approachable blend delivers sweet notes of caramel, butterscotch, and warm baking spices. Find out why this heavy-duty malt earned our First Round Exit 🏆 rating. NBA Finals Preview: A 1999 Time Capsule The basketball gods have spoken! We are breaking down the epic clash between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. It's the arrival of the Victor Wembanyama era against a Knicks squad on an absolute historic tear. We discuss the key matchups, from Stephon Castle guarding Jalen Brunson to the physical toll New York's frontcourt might take on Wemby. The Quest for the Stanley Cup It’s an unstoppable force versus an immovable object as the Eastern Conference Champion Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Vegas Golden Knights. We look at Frederik Andersen's brick-wall performance in the crease, Mitch Marner's offensive clinic, and Rod Brind'Amour's chance to lift the Cup as a coach 20 years after doing it as Carolina's captain. MLB Standings Check-In We step up to the plate to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Wes airs his grievances about his Texas Rangers' recent grind, we check the pulse of the AL West, and we marvel at the sheer dominance and massive run differentials of the Braves and Dodgers in the National League. NCAA Diamond Chaos We wrap up the show looking at the pure drama and electric atmosphere of the Men's College Baseball Regionals and the elite talent on display at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Connect with the Playbook: Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, drop us a five-star rating, and share the playbook with a friend! Keep it real and keep it rolling.

Last Call for the Conference Finals & Pouring Up the Finals!

Episode 15: Last Call for the Conference Finals & Pouring Up the Finals! Grab a glass and settle in for Memorial Day Weekend! Chris and Wes are back to break down an absolutely chaotic slate of playoff action. Whether it’s a dogfight out West or a potential massacre in the East, this weekend’s games are going to give your heart a workout. Here is what’s on tap for this week’s episode of The Happy Hour Playbook: The Happy Hour Pour: JT Meleck Single Barrel Cask Strength We’re kicking things off with a heavy-hitter: JT Meleck Cask Strength Single Barrel American Rice Whiskey. This 100% rice distillate drinks like a heavily-wheated bourbon with an exceptionally silky mouthfeel and a long, sweet, and fruity finish. * Nose: Vanilla, white chocolate, caramel, and warm baking spices. * Palate: Rich nougat, sweet cream, baked stone fruit, and subtle citrus. * Price: $75 – $90 The Verdict: Did it earn Playoff Worthy 🏆, First Round Exit ❌, or Practice Squad 🚫 honors? Tune in to hear why both Chris and Wes are keeping this one on the top shelf. NBA Conference Finals: Heavyweights & Heartbreak The West (Thunder vs. Spurs): Tied series 2-2 as they head into Game 5 tonight. Can the Thunder's depth continue to weather the storm, or is Victor Wembanyama about to completely take over with his back against the wall? The East (Knicks vs. Cavs): New York is up 3-0, and Cleveland is unraveling. After handling the Pistons so cleanly last round, is there any pride left for the Cavs tomorrow night, or are the Knicks already packing their bags for the Finals? NHL Conference Finals: Ice in the Desert & Stealing Momentum The West (Golden Knights vs. Avalanche): Vegas is up 3-0 and heading home for Game 4. We discuss Colorado's struggles without Cale Makar anchoring the blue line, and if the Avs have any real chance to steal one tonight. The East (Hurricanes vs. Canadiens): Carolina snatched a massive Game 2 OT win to tie the series 1-1. Now they have to carry that momentum into a hostile Montreal environment for Game 3. The WNBA's Billion-Dollar Era The WNBA is tipping off its 30th season, and the momentum is unreal. We break down the league's massive growth, including: The groundbreaking 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal with NBC and Peacock. The surging $250M expansion fees and the arrival of the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire this season, plus a look ahead to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philly (2030). Why the Dallas Wings—featuring All-Star Arike Ogunbowale and newcomer Paige Bueckers—are the team to watch in our own backyard. Movie Reviews: The 2026 Blockbuster Slate We close out the show with our thoughts on the latest theater drops. We are talking about the newly released Mortal Kombat II, the massive premiere of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, what to expect from the upcoming Masters of the Universe reboot, and the rumored extra scenes in this fall's Avengers: Endgame theatrical re-release. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and let us know what we should pour up next week! Connect with the Playbook: * Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook * TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook * Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook * YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook * Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Keep it real and keep it rolling.

Playoff Worthy Pours, Grail Cards And MVP Showdowns

EPISODE 14 Grab a glass and pull up a chair because Episode 14 of the Happy Hour Playbook is officially unlocked, and the playoff tension is running at an all-time high! Hosts Chris and Wes are breaking down a massive week in sports, high-stakes sports card flips, and premium whiskey. Here is what’s on the menu for today's playbook: * The Happy Hour Pour : We kick things off by cracking open Four Roses Small Batch Select. Clocking in at 104 proof, non-chill filtered, and utilizing a complex blend of the distillery's unique recipes, this $60 bottle is built for the big stage. Does it earn our coveted Playoff Worthy status, or is it headed for a First Round Exit? * NBA Playoffs — WCF Clash of the Titans : The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs in what many are calling the real NBA Finals. Game 1 tips off just as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is crowned back-to-back league MVP over Victor Wembanyama. Can Wemby warp court geometry enough to counter OKC's perfect 8-0 postseason run? * NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 : It's a winner-take-all, gritty showdown at Little Caesars Arena as the Cleveland Cavaliers invade Motor City to battle the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. We break down the FanDuel odds (+158 underdogs vs. -190 favorites), track the sharp betting data on the 205.5 point total, and debate how Duncan Robinson’s back injury will impact Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell's clash. Plus, our official Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals predictions! * NHL Playoffs — Western Conference Finals : The ice is heating up as the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche take on the Pacific Division champion Vegas Golden Knights. We discuss the unbelievable postseason run of Mitch Marner (18 points in 12 games!) alongside Jack Eichel, the wall that is Carter Hart in the crease, and whether Nathan MacKinnon's runaway train of an offense can be stopped. * The Looming Boss & NHL Chaos : The perfect 8-0 Carolina Hurricanes are resting and waiting. Will they face the high-octane offense of Rasmus Dahlin and the Buffalo Sabres, or the resilient, youth-catalyzed Montreal Canadiens after their wild Game 7? We lay out every potential Stanley Cup Final matchup and predict who hoists the Cup. * The Dallas Card Show : We wrap up the show with a trip to the card show! Chris hunts down some pristine PSA 10 graded Pokémon grails, while Wes puts on an absolute clinic—flipping 5 sports cards from his collection to walk out with a cool $2,000 profit. CONNECT WITH THE PLAYBOOK: * Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://instagram.com/HappyHourPlaybook] * TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://tiktok.com/%40HappyHourPlaybook] * Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://facebook.com/HappyHourPlaybook] * YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/HappyHourPlaybook] LISTEN ON: * Spotify [https://spotify.com] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com] Enjoying the show? Make sure to hit that follow button, subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share the playbook with a friend! Keep it real and keep it rolling.

Round 2: The Grind

EPISODE 13: "Round 2: The Grind" The postseason pressure is mounting, the ice is thinning, and the lottery balls have finally stopped rolling. This week on the Happy Hour Playbook, Chris and Wes break down a massive slate of sports news—from the Wizards hitting the jackpot to the NHL and NBA "Grind" of the second round. We also take a moment to toast a Vikings legend and look ahead to the NFL schedule release. Segment 1: Happy Hour Pour Featured Spirit: K. Luke 100 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey We’re cracking open a bottle from Kevin and Luke Neighbors. This "blender’s brand" is all about the art of the profile. * The Vibe: Bold, high-character, and non-chill filtered for a rich, "chewy" mouthfeel. * The Specs: 100 Proof (50% ABV), Small Batch Straight Bourbon. * The Verdict: Both Chris and Wes give it a Playoff Worthy 🏆 rating. It’s a premium pour that belongs on the big stage. Segment 2: NHL Playoffs Update We are deep in the second round, and the bracket is a battlefield. * Western Conference: Colorado leads Minnesota 2-1 (Game 4 tonight!), while Vegas and Anaheim are deadlocked at 2-2.  * Eastern Conference: The Carolina Hurricanes have officially punched their ticket to the Finals with a 4-0 sweep of the Flyers. Meanwhile, Montreal holds a 2-1 lead over top-seeded Buffalo.  Segment 3: NBA Playoffs & The Draft Lottery * The Grind: OKC is on the verge of a sweep against the Lakers (up 3-0), while the Wolves and Spurs are in a 2-2 dogfight. In the East, the Knicks are already through (4-0), waiting for the winner of Cavs/Pistons.  * The Jackpot: The Washington Wizards have secured the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft! We discuss why AJ Dybantsa (BYU) is the consensus prize and look back at the Wizards' hit-or-miss history with the top pick (John Wall vs. Kwame Brown).  Segment 4: NFL Offseason & Milestone Moves * All Day in the Ring: The Vikings announce Adrian Peterson will be inducted into the Ring of Honor. We revisit the staggering stats of the last non-QB to win MVP. * Market Shifts: Chris Boswell becomes the joint-highest-paid kicker, David Njoku heads to the Chargers, and Breece Hall signs a massive 3-year extension ($45.75M) with the Jets.  * Schedule Watch: The full 2026 NFL schedule drops this Thursday, May 14th!  Segment 5: Happy Hour Locks We close out the show with our best bets for tonight’s NBA and NHL action. Will the Thunder finish the sweep? Can the Wild even the series on home ice? "From the lottery luck in DC to the grit on the ice, the grind never stops. Keep it real and keep it rolling." Connect with the Playbook: * Socials: @HappyHourPlaybook (IG, TikTok, FB, YouTube) * Listen: Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Pucks, Play-Ins, and the Good Old Days: Part 2

EPISODE 12: “Pucks, Play-Ins, and the Good Old Days” Part 2 Welcome back to the Happy Hour Playbook! In Episode 12, Chris and Wes are breaking down one of the wildest weeks in playoff sports and pouring up a premium bottle before taking a massive trip down memory lane. The Happy Hour Pour We’re kicking things off with a heavy-hitter—the Tomintoul Cigar Malt. It's an Oloroso Sherry cask-matured Speyside single malt built for the long haul. Does this dense, rich pour earn a “Playoff Worthy” rating, or is it a “First Round Exit”? NHL Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview The first round delivered overtime thrillers, historic rivalries, and massive upsets. We break down the Ducks shocking the Oilers, the Flyers' gritty Game 6 OT win in the Battle of Pennsylvania, and the current Game 7 madness. Plus, we preview the Round 2 matchups, looking at whether Anaheim can keep their "team of destiny" run alive against Vegas and how Tortorella's Flyers stack up against the Hurricanes. NBA Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview The West saw a changing of the guard with the Thunder and Spurs asserting dominance, while the East gave us absolute chaos. We talk the 76ers’ historic 1-3 comeback against the Celtics, preview the upcoming Knicks vs. Sixers bloodbath at Madison Square Garden, and look ahead to LeBron preparing for his 299th career playoff game against OKC. The Good Old Days (Part 2) Grab a Surge and a Lunchable, because we’re heading straight back to the 90s. We talk the ultimate weekend ecosystem (malls, skating rinks, and arcades), peak after-school snacks, the undisputed danger of the backyard Slip 'N Slide, and the defunct restaurants, retail stores, and iconic commercials we’ll never forget. Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Connect with the Playbook: * Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook * TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook * Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook * YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook * Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Keep it real and keep it rolling.