Bartender at Large

Join us for a conversation with Kim Grilc, bartender and co-founder of Kobe Japan's acclaimed tiki bar, The Kazan Room. As a three-time national finalist in prestigious competitions like the Tokyo International Bar Show and Diageo World Class, she is one of the only foreign-born women to compete at this level in Japan. We explore her journey of balancing high-level craft with Tiki's vibrant spirit, a style she shares globally as she travels with The Kazan Room for guest events. Kim also dives into her active role in the worldwide Tiki community, where she serves as a speaker, judge, and celebrated bartender at events like Tiki Oasis. Off the bar mat, she brings the same dedication to her parallel career as an ESL teacher, holding a Master's in Education. ____________________________________ 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 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

Ever wonder what professional whiskey tasters actually smell? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Edwin Cruz, West Coast American Whiskey Ambassador for the historic Beam Distilling Company, as he guides us through his acclaimed sensory class, Know Your Nose. Edwin pulls back the curtain on the science and art of spirits evaluation, teaching us how to move beyond simple tasting notes to truly understand and articulate the complex aromas in a glass of whiskey. He reveals how anyone can train their olfactory senses, unlocking a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every bottle. This episode is more than a whiskey chat; it's a masterclass in sensory awareness that will forever change the way you experience your next pour. Tune in to sharpen your senses, expand your whiskey vocabulary, and learn how to confidently navigate the aromatic world of fine spirits. Bourbon Serial Number Lookup: https://www.beamdistilling.com/bakers/single-barrel-journey Camp Runamok Application: https://www.camprunamok.org/campapplications ____________________________________ 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 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

Join us for a journey to the forefront of modern mixology with Craig Schoettler, the acclaimed Executive Director of Beverage for MGM Resorts International. We trace his remarkable path from pioneering the culinary cocktails at Chicago's famed Alinea and The Aviary to now shaping the global beverage vision for a Las Vegas hospitality empire. Schoettler pulls back the curtain on his most ambitious project yet: The Vault, a hidden bar inside Bellagio Las Vegas where guests can "drink history" from a menu of rare vintage spirits and historically reimagined cocktails. He reveals how his unique background allows him to merge precise culinary technique with deep spirits knowledge, creating a luxury experience that is as intellectually engaging as it is delicious. This conversation explores the evolution of cocktail culture and how pushing creative boundaries can redefine an entire industry's standards. ____________________________________ 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 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge      

Join us for a deep and surprisingly poignant dive into one of Chicago's most infamous cultural icons with award-winning journalist Josh Noel. As the author of "Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit," Noel unravels the complex history of the intensely bitter spirit that is both a local rite of passage and a national curiosity. He brings his signature depth as a longtime Chicago Tribune reporter to explore how a drink known for its challenging taste forged an unbreakable bond with a city's identity. This conversation goes beyond the memes and dare shots to examine Malort's Swedish roots, its tumultuous American journey, and its unlikely modern resurgence as a symbol of pride. Noel argues that this spirit's story is a profound reflection on taste, tradition, and what it means to belong. Listen in for a fascinating case study on how the most reviled drink in the bar became so deeply revered. Buy the book here: https://www.joshnoel.net/malort-book ____________________________________ 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 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Erick Castro: www.twitter.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.twitter.com/BartendAtLarge

Grab a seat and a cheap drink as we pull up a stool with San Francisco staple, Broke-Ass Stuart (aka Stuart Schuffman), to discuss his new book, The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart: 20 Years of Love, Death, & Dive Bars. For two decades, his writing has captured the city's soul—from protest marches and political campaigns to bleary-eyed mornings and heartbroken nights—with the wit and grit of a true working-class champion. This collection gathers his most iconic, infamous, and occasionally ill-advised stories, forming a raw and rowdy memoir of what it means to scrape by, speak up, and fall in and out of love with a place that doesn't always love you back. Stuart takes us behind the scenes of his wildest escapades—from running for mayor and hosting an IFC show to chronicling dive bars and drifting through the world—all told with the unflinching honesty that made his San Francisco Examiner column a cult classic. Perfect Puree Samples for Free: https://perfectpuree.com/foodservice/complimentary-samples/?utm_source=bartenderatlarge&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sampling202 Buy Stuart's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-worst-of-broke-ass-stuart-20-years-of-love-death-dive-bars-stuart-schuffman/88e4d7fbb98b9d0c?ean=9780999010853&next=t&next=t\ ____________________________________ 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