Tara Wright is the head bartender at 21 Club, the historical speakeasy located on 52nd street in New York City. During our time speaking with Tara, she explained to us the special cocktails she created inspired by the upcoming movie, The Great Gatsby and why they are representative of that time period and that movie specifically. Tara also gave us the historical backstory to the historical establishment that was opened on December 31, 1929. She tells us the creative way in which they were able to conceal the cases and cases of alcohol, using a 5,000 pound brick door and a dip switch.

"It [gin] was popular with F. Scott Fitzgerald because he believed that you couldn't smell it on his breath so it was an ideal drink". [7:30]

--Tara Wright on The Speakeasy

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) Jimmy kicks off Craft Beer Week with Sam Barbieri of Waterfront Ale House, Kirk Struble of 4th Avenue Pub, John Holl of Beer Briefing, as well Beer Session's regular Dave Brodrick. Sam talks about being one of the first beer pubs in Brooklyn back in the 80s while Dave talks about his recent harvest. Tune in to hear about John's recent trip to Chile to moderate at the Copa Cervezas de America 2011, Latin America's most important beer competition and learn about new and emerging international beer scenes. This episode is sponsored by GreatBrewers.com.

Heavy Seas Beer and Peekskill Brewery are the stars of today's Beer Sessions Radio! Jimmy Carbone is live at Jimmy's No. 43 with Hugh Sisson and Ken Zuckerman of Heavy Seas Beer in Baltimore, Maryland. Tune in to hear how Hugh got involved in the bar business after theater school. Hugh talks about beer and food pairings, and why Heavy Seas focuses on beers that go well with food. Hugh also talks about his love for cask conditioning, and how he learned to drink cask ales in London. Learn about Hugh's "caskerator", and how it keeps cask beer drinkable for up to ten days! Later, Jimmy talks with Jeff O'Neill of Peekskill Brewery at New York City Beer Week's Brewer's Choice. Tune in to hear Jimmy, Jeff, and Tim Stendahl (Union Beer) talk about some of the best beer events at New York City Beer Week! Learn why Jeff started brewing sour beers, and how Peekskill uses a coolship to make extremely clean beers! This episode has been brought to you by GreatBrewers.com.

"Too many IPAs are focused on the bitterness. If an IPA doesn't want to you have another beer, than it's not a good proposition." [3:20]

"Cask beer is the finest possible expression of draft beer." [10:25]

-- Hugh Sisson on Beer Sessions Radio