Send a text

What do a sneaky T. rex, a furious curling debate, and a sherry-finished bourbon have in common? They all say something about what we notice, what we value, and what we pour when the mics go hot. We kick things off with Winter Olympics highs and heartbreaks—stone-cold faces at silver, a wild bobsled mishap, and the kind of curling controversy that makes you rethink how rules get enforced when no review exists. Sports drama turns out to be a perfect runway to talk about taste, memory, and why some moments stick harder than others.

From there, we open two bottles that punch above their weight. Redemption Weeded Bourbon shows off a soft, approachable profile with winter wheat smoothing the corners. Legent, a Kentucky straight bourbon partially finished in wine and sherry casks, brings layered red fruit, subtle prune, and a long, elegant finish that fans of Basil Hayden Dark Rye will recognize. We compare notes, play with ice, and figure out when each bottle earns a permanent spot on the shelf. Along the way, we debate whether big, oily American profiles have ruined us for lighter Irish styles—or whether triple-cask Irish still holds a seat at the table when you want honeyed grain and easy conversation.

Then we share a Michigan insider tip that will change how you shop. Thanks to a state-approved, location-specific price reduction process, some stores can legally mark select bottles down by 50% for a short window—if they publicly post the list and accept an ordering ban. Translation: real deals on real bottles, not just flavored outliers. We explain how to find the posted sheet in the aisle, why stock counts matter, and how to build a smarter home bar by grabbing the right clearance at the right time.

If you love Olympic storylines, blind tasting war stories, and practical bourbon hunting strategy, you’ll feel right at home here. Pour something good, hit play, then tell us what you found on your local clearance list. And if you’re enjoying the show, follow, share with a friend, and drop a review—your notes shape what we open next.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send a text

A bowling alley debrief turns into a full‑on flavor expedition as we line up four grappas—two store‑bought and two homemade, barrel‑aged bottles from an Italian cousin—and see what happens when whiskey palates meet pomace brandy. We set the scene with Detroit’s spring drinking season (Pączki Day, St. Patrick’s parades, and Opening Day) and then dive into what grappa really is, why it can smell volatile, and how a good barrel can turn rough edges into something honeyed, floral, and unexpectedly smooth.

We start with two clear bottles at 80 proof and get our first lesson fast: nose isn’t destiny. One shows a minty finish and light texture; the other wafts acetone but drinks like white grape juice with more charm than you’d guess. Then the homemade, barrel‑aged pair arrives, and everything changes. The aroma softens, the heat recedes, and we find notes that drift toward mead and stone fruit, though not everyone is convinced. That disagreement is the point. Palate is part memory and part map—shaped by bad scotch holidays, beloved bourbons, and the drinks your grandparents swore by.

Between sips, we chase Olympic obsessions (curling scuffles, Super‑G chaos, judged sports drama) and take stock of Detroit bar news, including a beloved tiki spot closing and what that says about glassware costs, flaming garnishes, and $23 cocktails in a post‑covidian world. If you’re Italy‑bound, we share practical moves: try grappa as an ammazzacaffè after espresso, consider caffè corretto if you like a spike, and don’t be shocked if a small family bottle outperforms the label you know.

By the final toast, we’ve built a compact guide to tasting grappa like a pro: understand the pomace origin, respect the heads‑and‑tails reality, taste past the first whiff, and appreciate how cask time can coax out rounder flavors. Not every sip will be your forever pour, but curiosity pays off when a glass carries a place, a family, and a story. If you’re a whiskey fan eyeing new terrain—or just grappa‑curious—this ride is for you.

Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a new after‑dinner ritual.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send a text

A brewery table, a fresh blueberry wheat, and a glass of crystal-clear history—this session brings together live tasting and cocktail alchemy in the best way. We kick off with Blue Mitten, a wheat beer bursting with blueberry aroma and crisp grain, then pivot to the star of the night: a clarified milk punch that looks like water but drinks like velvet. Built on bourbon, black tea, fresh lemon, and a heavy simple syrup, the punch goes full science mode as citrus hits milk, curds form, and rough edges drop out. What’s left is satin-smooth, shelf-stable, and far too easy to sip.

We trace the lineage back to 17th‑century England and Benjamin Franklin’s own notes, then test how the method holds up today—on ice, with a lime squeeze, and under brewery lights. An accidental double dose of bourbon turns from panic to proof-of-concept as the tea’s tannin, lemon’s lift, and syrup’s body pull everything into balance. Along the way, we compare filtration tricks, from fine-mesh pre-strains to paper stages, and explain why Brita filters can strip flavor. If you’ve ever wondered how curds and whey can lead to clarity, this is your backstage pass.

Curiosity drives the rest. We map out spirit swaps—dark rum for molasses depth, brandy for orchard fruit, spiced rum for warmth—and tea and citrus riffs that change the nose without losing structure. The goal is a template you can take home: precise acid-to-milk ratios, patient settling, clean filtering, and a bottle that pours like a bartender’s secret menu. Stick around for the banter, brewery love, and a teaser for our upcoming Grand Rapids bourbon guest. If you’re into craft beer, classic cocktails, home infusions, or the satisfying click of a good process, you’ll leave ready to make your own batch.

If this gave you ideas, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves a project, and drop a review with your dream milk punch combo—we might build it next time.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com