When covering beverages, it quickly becomes clear that the wine world and the cocktail/spirits world are two completely different beasts to deal with Robert Simonson, our guest today on The Speakeasy, chose the latter - and he couldn't be happier. Tune in as he and host Damon Boelte chat about the allure of the cocktail scene, the camaraderie of bartenders and mixologists working today and some of the emerging trends in the industry. Do trends deserve to die? What is the responsibility of a journalist? Find out on an informative and relaxed episode of The Speakeasy. This program was sponsored by Fairway Market. Music provided by Eula.

"Spirits and cocktail people are very different from wine people - and I decided I like the spirits and cocktail people more." [05:00]

"I worry about burning out good trends before they deserve to die." [21:00]

--Robert Simonson on The Speakeasy

It's time for another Cripple Creek! After two smashing nights at Lit Lounge in December of 2012, Cripple Creek is kicking off their first North American tour at Webster Hall, bringing with them their cutting edge cocktails and rock and roll stage show. Aaron Polsky, Damon Boelte, Mayur Subbarao, and Michael O'Rourke have come together to create some of the world's most hedonistic, expressive cocktails with, in their own words, "compelling flavors that everyone can relate to". Tune in for a special preview for the event as Damon chats with Aaron and Mayur about drinks, performance and rock & roll. This program was sponsored by Chefs Steps. Today's break music provided courtesy of Kntrlr.

"You don't go to a bar just to sit and have a particular drink. In reality, the setting and the context really matter. The major thing we get to do here is create our own setting and context in a way that keeps people actually focused and is much more like performance." [02:30]

--Mayur Subbarao on The Speakeasy

We're gearing up for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, and today we check in with bartender extraordinaire Jason Littrell of The Jaywalk and Analog. Jason has bartended at some of the best spots in NYC including Death & Co and Dram, and gives some insight into how he got started in the business and what he's working on now. Find out what's in store for his Single Malt Tour in Williamsburg and what advice he has for first-timers at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. This program was sponsored by Rt 11 Potato Chips.

"The reason I'm a bartender is because I was a sucky drummer" [2:45]

"The concept of complex being better is on its way out. People are focusing more and more on service rather than being obnoxiously creative." [7:45]

--Jason Littrell of The Jaywalk and Analog on HeritageRadioNetwork.org