Explore every episode of the podcast Stein Club Podcast

For the first time, Chris and Ashley talk pretty much about everything and nothing at the same time. We’ve taught you almost everything you need to know to get your bar open, so now you get to listen to us babble about all sorts of topics… Car Show, Soccer, Volkswagen, Brad Pitt, Ozempic, Orcas, and so much more!

TVs are almost always a part of a good bar. Not required, but they sure do add some entertainment, distraction, and comradery. Chris and Ashley are joined by Prost! Phinney Ridge regular and good friend, Amy, as we talk about the boob tube (aka TV) dynamics at any bar, but especially at Prost! Phinney Ridge. What do we play late at night? What do we play when there’s a sports draught? How do we choose what to play? And yes, we talk about how bartenders never seem to know anything about sports. Prost!

TJ and Missy are Chris’ business partners and operators in Boise, where we have three bars/restaurants: Prost! Boise, Matlack’s, and North End Pizza. Missy used to beertend at Prost! Phinney over 10 years ago and that’s where she fell in love over a half liter, with TJ. Listen how they met, how they left Seattle and Prost!, how they came back to Chris to partner with him in Boise, and how things are going in Boise and why you should visit (if you haven’t yet). Recorded LIVE in the bar at Prost! Boise!

Chris grew up in German bars. Ashley grew up in her grandparents’ diners. Now, let’s hear from the next generation. Chris’ nephew, Zach, joins us while we talk about all the times he drank ginger beer as a kid while his “DrUnkle” got drunk at Prost! And, all the times he helps build stuff for the bars… the free labor lives on! Haha

We also talk about how much the show Cheers means to us and how much we miss George Wendt (aka Norm). Of course, Zach hasn’t seen or heard of the show, so listen while we try to convince him how important this show was and is to our lives. Prost!

You never know what the expect when you flip that open sign… Is it gonna be busy? Slow? Sometimes you never know, but you better be ready for it! Busy or slow, it’s all in the preparation. Chris and Ashley break down some stories and situations that have helped them and some that have haunted them over the years.

Ray Franco joins Chris and Ashley as they talk all things regarding this crazy industry we’ve all chosen to be a part of. Ray has worked EVERYWHERE, including for Chris for over 10 years. Ray has a lot to say about what he’s learned over the years. So many fun and crazy stories. Prost!

Chris and Ashley recently went to Germany to brew a bier for our pubs with Benediktiner and the rest of the Prost! family. What’s it like to drink bier with monks, sing American songs with Germans in small pubs, and attempt to cross a scary-ass suspension bridge in Austria? Well, you’ll have to take a listen to find out!

Chris and Ashley cover Chris' time at his alma matter, Cal Poly. We've talked about this before, but we're really diving into the university's motto, "learn by doing." We've all observed something or someone to "learn by doing," but we really talk about all the advances and hurdles we've overcome as we learned a trade BY DOING, rather than going to school to learn how to do something. Take a listen. You'll see what we mean. Prost!

Carrie joins Chris and Ashley as they break down the history behind doppelbock, which Paulaner Brauerei pioneered back in the 1600s. The monks at the monastery needed sustenance during Lent, when they were fasting…. Needless to say, we hypothesize what they must’ve gotten up to while getting plastered on strong bier. We also learn a whole lot about Carrie’s past and history leading her to where she’s at now and how our relationship came to be!

Ryan joins Chris and Ashley as they talk about and reminisce about display (or open) kitchens. Chris' dreams came true when he hired Ryan almost 20 years ago to be the pretty face behind the curtain... errr... in this case, there was no curtain. Feierabend was an open kitchen and we cover all the pros and cons and funny stories along the way.

Chris drinks a lot of Bitburger. He knows what it tastes like with his eyes closed. Or does he? Follow along as Ashley and Chris talk about some pilsner history and different types of pilsners from all over the world. Ashley facilitates a blind tasting for Chris where he doesn’t know if he’s drinking Bitburger Pils, or some other pilsner curveballs from around the world. How well do you think he does? You’ll have to listen/watch to find out. It’s entertaining, to say the least. Prost!

The Stein Club Podcast went on a break and now we're back! Take a listen to all the fun shenanigans Chris got up to, while Ashley held down the fort at Prost! We also built out our new studio, so we're all fancy and legit now!

What do bars and restaurants do when it's slow? Some have trivia nights, karaoke, open mic, game nights, all day happy hour, industry nights... the list goes on! We've tried almost all of them and we have a lot to say about them. Also, what do bartenders do when it happens to be a slow shift? IYKYK.... order dinner... deep cleaning project... phase someone... They're all sure to get the place filled to the gills! Chris and Ashley dive deep and talk in circles when it comes to drumming up business.

The barter system is alive and well at the Stein Club Podcast. Listen and learn how Chris got to know his future architect, Stacy Smedley, and how she agreed to design a lot of places for Chris, all in exchange for FREE BIER!

We asked the patrons of Prost to submit questions about Chris, Ashley, Prost! and the Podcast. 47 questions asked....47 questions answered! Listen and learn, 10's of 12's!!

Join Chris, Ashley and special guest, German Tom as we fire up a Feuerzangenbowle (and maybe a joint or two) and talk about how German Tom became a fixture at Prost, the many German Christmas traditions, and how air traffic controller, Tom, talks stoned pilot, Da Chrisser how to land a plane!

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Everyone knows the saying about "location location location"....Turns out it is pretty much true in the bar and restaurant industry. But if you really want to succeed in this tough industry...you need to pick the hot spot while its still mildly warm!

Megan Tufano has been kicking ass in the beer industry for 20 years. Hear her story...and a lot of other funny stories...including xanax, anxiety, dentists and bathroom horror stories!

It has been an exhausting month for us with all the Oktoberfest celebrations, so Ashley and Chris needed a pick me up, so we did an episode on the SNUFF CANNON!

Learn about how Chris came into possession of the Snuff Cannon...and all the glory it brings. Ashley's oktoberfest hangover. Chris starts a new band....and takes a trip to LA to see the best punk band, NOFX, to see their last show ever!

The definition of "success in the restaurant business" is ever changing. Hear Joe and Rachel's stories and their definition of success during their time running their places, Rupee, Manolin and Old Salt. These two have been in the biz for a while and know their shit. Hear how they are "selbst gebaut"!

The biggest party ever is held in Munich the last week of September to the first week of Oktober. Listen and learn about the history of O-fest, what to expect at Oktoberfest and Ashley and Chris' drunken experiences at the World's greatest party...ever!

Joe and Ashley join Chris and Ashley to tell how they met and how they opened up their amazing neighborhood bar, Russell's. Hear some of their horror stories and a lot of success stories and how their dream of running their own place came true!!

Finally get Mike Baker on the mic talking everything German Bier, punk rock and Underberg!

This episode is Ashley's first attempt at editing some interviews together...

You've heard us talk about the Bitburger Challenge in June 2024 down in Portland. This episode features 3 interviews that Chris conducted during the festivities that weekend down at Prost Portland: Dan, Ted, and Jan. You definitely cannot miss these, as Chris interviews solo for the first time and asks some "questionable" questions, to say the least. Prost!

Part two of our COVID episodes. Join Chris and Ashley as they discussed how they pivoted and made the best out of a bad situation. Business MUST go on!!

Join Chris and Ashley as the reminisce on the wonderful days that we COVID. Part one of two, they talk about the first days of the closure and how it affected over 300 of Chris' employees and how the pubs had to pivot to make it work and survive.

Rule #4 of the bar business…expect costs that you had no idea were involved. Join Ashley and Chris as they go down memory lane and uncover all the costs that Chris expected…and the many many more that he had no idea existed!

Join Chris and Ashley, and their special guest, German Gregg as they discuss how it is always important to give the customers what they want, even if it is putting soccer on! It has been widely known that Chris isn't the biggest fan of soccer...and Gregg sure is. Listen in as Gregg tries to validate fussball as a real sport! And yes...we do mention the "magic spray"!

Welcome to Episode 5!! Hope you have all enjoyed listening to these podcasts as much as we have had making them. Today you meet Angela, Chris' first ever employee. Angela helped Chris a bunch and taught him a thing or two about this crazy business! Chris finally had a professional behind that bar...and he needed it!

Enjoy! and if you do, please share with your pals on the social media's, @steinclubpodcast on IG.

Guess we should do an episode about the namesake of this Podcast. Join Ashley and Chris as they describe the hows and whys of the Stein Club...drink bier and earn prizes, including a Prost tattoo!

Ashley and Chris are joined with their first guest...Brettooooo!! Enter the time machine as Brett and Chris head back to Cal Poly and reminisce on what they learned at all the bars in San Luis Obispo in order to construct the first bar, Phishita's!

Join Chris and Ashley as they talk a little about Ashley's background and she became an important part of the team...and drank all the Kool Aid!!

Learn a bit more about Chris and how his time in Germany taught him work ethic and a. appreciation for bier and the "neighborhood pub".

Join us to learn about what the Stein Club Podcast will be all about!