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

Picks, Pitches, and Packs

Episode 20: Picks, Pitches, and Packs Welcome back to Episode 20 of The Happy Hour Playbook! This week, the sports world is completely off its axis, and Chris and Wes have the perfect pour to help you digest all the chaos. From an earth-shattering blockbuster trade in the NBA to historic underdog stories on the world's biggest soccer stage, we are breaking it all down. Grab a glass, pull up a chair, and let’s get into it. The Happy Hour Pour We’re kicking things off with a heavy hitter: Nikka Whisky From The Barrel. Bottled at a bold 51.4% ABV, this award-winning Japanese blend marries over 100 batches of malt and grain whiskies. We walk through the rich, complex tasting notes and give it our official rating: Is it Playoff Worthy 🏆, a First Round Exit ❌, or headed to the Practice Squad 🚫? 2026 NBA Draft & A South Beach Blockbuster The 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center was an absolute blur of trades and strategy. We cover: The Top 10: AJ Dybantsa going #1 to Washington and Utah upgrading their backcourt. Draft Day Chaos: The Grizzlies hoarding second-round picks like currency and the Wolverines making Michigan school history with three top-12 selections. Draft Grades: Breaking down the Dallas Mavericks' solid B+ class. The Nuclear Bomb: Reacting to the historic blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for a massive haul of players and picks. World Cup Group Stage Madness The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup format is delivering pure drama and heartbreak. We recap the biggest shocks of the Group Stage: The Underdogs: Cape Verde’s magical debut run and Ecuador’s stunning 2-1 upset over four-time champion Germany. The Heartbreak: Uruguay’s shocking early exit and Iran getting knocked out in the 96th minute by a match they weren't even playing in. Round of 32 Preview: Looking ahead at the gauntlet of knockout matches, including a must-watch Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina showdown. Ripping Cards Live Sticking with the pitch, we wrap up the episode by tearing into a fresh box of Panini soccer cards to see what we can pull live on air. Connect with The Playbook: Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Listen to full episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Next Week: We're cracking open a new bottle and diving into fresh topics. Don't miss it. "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

The Winner-Take-All, NBA Draft, and World Cup Fever

EPISODE 19: The Winner-Take-All, NBA Draft, and World Cup Fever Welcome back to another round of The Happy Hour Playbook! Pour yourself something strong because we are diving headfirst into a massive week of championship baseball, high-stakes NBA draft lottery fallout, and early dominance on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup. The Happy Hour Pour We kick things off in the glass with a certified classic: Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon. This Bottled-in-Bond, 100-proof staple from Buffalo Trace brings an incredibly syrupy mouthfeel packed with dark cherries, butterscotch, and baking spice. Is it worth the hunt? Tune in to find out why it earned our official Playoff Worthy 🏆 rating. MCWS Finals – Winner Take All! The 2026 Men's College World Series has come down to one final, dramatic game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma Sooners. We break down how we got to a 1-1 deadlock: Game 1: Oklahoma’s explosive 9-3 statement win. Game 2: UNC fires back with a gutsy 6-2 victory, powered by freshman Caden Glauber's ice-cold relief. The Finale: Who takes home the national championship tonight? NBA Draft Lottery & Prospect Breakdown The ping-pong balls have settled, and the Washington Wizards have secured the No. 1 overall pick! We map out the top of the draft board: Why AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are undeniable, franchise-altering talents. How the Clippers cashing in at No. 5 (via Indiana) completely accelerates their rebuild. Our projected Top 10 mock draft, featuring a massive run on elite guard talent. 2026 World Cup Group Stage Heat The world's biggest tournament is officially underway. We check the temperature of the group stage, including the USA, Mexico, and Germany punching their tickets to the Round of 32 with flawless 6-point starts, plus a preview of the massive Argentina vs. Austria clash. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the 'Follow' button and leave us a 5-star rating! Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Connect with the Playbook: Follow us on Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Dont forget to listen on: Spotify and Apple Podcast Next Week: We're cracking open a new bottle and diving in some new topics. Don't miss it. "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

A 53-Year Drought Ends & A Texas-Sized Pour

Episode 18: A 53-Year Drought Ends & A Texas-Sized Pour Welcome back to The Happy Hour Playbook! Grab your glasses because Chris and Wes are pouring a high-octane Texas bourbon to get things started before breaking down a massive, history-making week in the sports world. It’s a packed playbook today, so let's pour a drink and get right into it! In This Episode: * The Happy Hour Pour: We kick things off with Devils River Whiskey Barrel Strength. It is a bold, high-rye Texas bourbon packing a fiery 117-proof punch. Find out if this value-priced bottle earns a Playoff Worthy 🏆 rating or gets cut to the Practice Squad 🚫. * NBA Finals: The 53-year drought is finally over! The New York Knicks are officially NBA Champions after an absolute thriller of a series. We discuss their gritty comeback run, Jalen Brunson’s 45-point MVP masterclass, and what the future holds for Victor Wembanyama's young Spurs squad. * NHL Stanley Cup Final: The Carolina Hurricanes are hoisting the Cup for the first time since 2006. We break down how they rallied from an early deficit to win the series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights. * Men's College World Series: The action at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha is already electric. We recap the opening weekend fireworks, including huge statements from Oklahoma and Georgia, and preview the high-stakes elimination games. * World Cup Action: The USMNT makes a dominant opening statement against Paraguay on home soil. Plus, we cover early tournament shockers (looking at you, Brazil and Australia) and preview today’s Matchday 4 slate, featuring games right here in our backyard in Texas. Connect with The Playbook: Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! * Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook * YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook * TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook * Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook * Listen On: Spotify & Apple Podcasts Keep it real and keep it rolling. See you next week with a new bottle and new topics!

Bottoms Up & Back-to-Backs

Episode 17 of The Happy Hour Playbook is officially open for business! Chris and Wes return to break down an absolutely loaded sports calendar packed with historic playoff runs, jaw-dropping underdog chaos, and a top-shelf pour to tie it all together. Here is what’s on tap for this episode: The Happy Hour Pour: The guys travel to Jarnac, France, to crack open a bottle of Courvoisier VS Cognac. Find out if this vibrant, fruity blend is Playoff Worthy, a First Round Exit, or headed straight to the Practice Squad. WCWS Dynasty in Texas: The Texas Longhorns pull off the ultimate resilience story, battling back from a bracket-opening loss to go back-to-back as NCAA National Champions in a sweep over Texas Tech. NCAA Baseball Super Regionals: Pure underdog chaos. With top seeds UCLA and Georgia Tech sent packing early, West Virginia, Troy, and Ole Miss punch their tickets to Omaha while the Sunday slate sets up high-stakes drama. Stanley Cup Finals Heart Attacks: The Vegas Golden Knights grab a 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes after a double-overtime thriller in Game 3. Plus, breaking down Mitch Marner’s historic, record-shattering hat trick. The Knicks Take Texas: The New York Knicks shock San Antonio, riding a 13-game playoff win streak to steal a 2-0 series lead on the road. Can Wembanyama and the Spurs fight back as the series shifts to a rocking Madison Square Garden? Pop Culture Preview: A quick-hit look at highly anticipated movie projects, including Masters of the Universe, Supergirl, Odyssey, and Spider-Man. Connect with the Playbook: Instagram & TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook Facebook & YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Enjoying the show? Hit that subscribe button, drop us a five-star rating, and share the playbook with a friend!

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.