The Speakeasy

When Steve Jackson stopped drinking in 2023 he noticed something odd. As much as non-alc drinks have improved over the past twenty years no one was making a zero proof alternative in the premium wine space. He set out to fix that with Society de la Rassi, which offers a high-end drinking and aesthetic experience at 0.5% ABV. Steve sits down with Greg to talk about positioning his product in the market, the process by which the wine is created, and the ongoing discourse around mocktails and low and no alcohol drinks. Why ARE people drinking less anyway? They put their heads together to get to the bottom of it. Plus, major news out of the northeast! Greg breaks down the impact of a shocking development and the effects it could have on society writ large Follow Society de la Rassi at @societydelarassi [https://www.instagram.com/societydelarassi/] For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ [http://nouswithoutyou.la/] and @thenycalliance [https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/?hl=en] The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast [http://youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast] Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond [http://patreon.com/BottledinBond] Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com [http://quioteimports.com/] and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout. Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com [http://kingfloyds.com/] Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.  🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts our business.  FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte [https://www.instagram.com/damonboelte/?hl=en] Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk/?hl=en] Greg Benson @100ProofGreg [https://www.instagram.com/100proofgreg/?hl=en] Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/speakeasypodcast/] FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://twitter.com/creativedrunk?lang=en] SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio [https://twitter.com/speakeasyradio?lang=] Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member [http://heritageradionetwork.org/donate]! The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast [http://simplecast.com/].

Marcelo Chasi has led a lot of lives: bartender, soldier, fight club enthusiast, salsa dancer (yes, really). And now he’s sitting down with Greg and Damon to talk about the launch of Herradura’s new blanco tequila. They discuss the thinking behind releasing a new clear tequila expression in 2025, what makes this particular flavor distinct, and cocktail trends in New York City and beyond. Plus, Damon and Greg recap their BCB experiences since they last saw one another, and the aftermath. Turns out everyone survived… this time. Follow Marcelo at @boozysoldier Follow Herradura at  @herradurateq For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ [http://nouswithoutyou.la/] and @thenycalliance [https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/?hl=en] The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast [http://youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast] Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond [http://patreon.com/BottledinBond] Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com [http://quioteimports.com/] and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout. Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com [http://kingfloyds.com/] Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.  🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts our business.  FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte [https://www.instagram.com/damonboelte/?hl=en] Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk/?hl=en] Greg Benson @100ProofGreg [https://www.instagram.com/100proofgreg/?hl=en] Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/speakeasypodcast/] FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://twitter.com/creativedrunk?lang=en] SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio [https://twitter.com/speakeasyradio?lang=] Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member [http://heritageradionetwork.org/donate]! The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast [http://simplecast.com/].

Wow, the last fourteen years just flew by didn’t they? Greg, Sother and Damon sit down together at Fort Hamilton Distillery in Brooklyn’s Industry City during BCB 2025 to talk about the state of the union when it comes to microdistilling, how NYC bartending has changed over the years and the history of Rye Whiskey in America. They’re joined by Alex Clark, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fort Hamilton who delves into his origin story as a bartender for Sasha Petraske at Milk & Honey and his past life as a DJ. Plus, it turns out getting cocktails dropped off in front of you while you’re podcasting is pretty nice. Maybe we’ll do our next 600 episodes like that… Follow Fort Hamilton at @fort.hamilton.distillery The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast [http://youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast] Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond [http://patreon.com/BottledinBond] Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com [http://quioteimports.com/] and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout. Get your hands on some Buddha’s Hand Bitters at kingfloyds.com [http://kingfloyds.com/] Don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can.  🔥🔥Join us each week as industry leaders, Damon Boelte and Sother Teague, sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts our business.  FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Damon Boelte @DamonBoelte [https://www.instagram.com/damonboelte/?hl=en] Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk/?hl=en] Greg Benson @100ProofGreg [https://www.instagram.com/100proofgreg/?hl=en] Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/speakeasypodcast/] FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk [https://twitter.com/creativedrunk?lang=en] SpeakeasyRadio @SpeakeasyRadio [https://twitter.com/speakeasyradio?lang=] Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Speakeasy by becoming a member [http://heritageradionetwork.org/donate]! The Speakeasy is Powered by Simplecast [http://simplecast.com/].

Greg continues his trek across Savannah's riverfront, venturing into Baobab Lounge. Built inside of a former power plant, Baobab's food and beverage program echo its founder's deep appreciation for African culture, while their Kenyan sous chef brings a taste of her family recipes to the menu. GM Vonnie Ciesla walks Greg through their story, their drinks, the neighborhood, and the tale of a very weird crocodile as Greg tries to pin down the ever elusive vibe of Savannah, GA. Our 600th Episode Extravaganza is happening live during BCB on June 10th at Ft. Hamilton Distilling in Industry City! Get your tickets here to see Greg, Sother, Damon and of course, their special celebrity guest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1345657631199?aff=oddtdtcreator Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond

In the second Boomerang! installment from Savannah Greg ventures to the riverfront district to talk with Brittany, aka Bugsy of the Bootlegger bar. They unpack the responsibilities that come with running a bar that is several centuries old and how to make the best Old Fashioned in town. Greg might even come around to smoked cocktails! Listen now. Follow Bootlegger at @thebootleggersavannah Our 600th Episode Extravaganza is happening live during BCB on June 10th at Ft. Hamilton Distilling in Industry City! Get your tickets here to see Greg, Sother, Damon and of course, their special celebrity guest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1345657631199?aff=oddtdtcreator Love The Speakeasy but wish there was more? Check out Bottled in Bond, our new Patreon podcast exclusively for you, our best regulars! Join now for sponsor-free listening, drink recipes from all our guests, and free kits every month from our friends at Shaker & Spoon. Higher proof and aged to perfection, check it out now at patreon.com/BottledinBond