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Christopher Blandford

@krogerchrispicks

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4163

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Adult Beverage Expert
Lead Content Creator/ Experience Host @andbeyondfestival
Host @firkinpodcast
Contact for private tastings and event's
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I had an unbelievable four days at Bourbon & Beyond. 🙌 Working alongside a blend of the most incredible talent in the world, legendary master distillers and tasters, beloved bartenders, world-class chefs, artists, actors, and all the teams behind the scenes who make the magic happen.

I always try to grab pics, but being present matters more than staring at my phone. Thankfully, some friends captured a few moments here’s a look at the fun we had.

To everyone I had the chance to work with this week, thank you for letting me tag along. You’re the best kind of people, and it’s an honor to know you.

I love my city.
Cheers!

#bourbon #BourbonAndBeyond #Kentucky #Louisville #realife #music #chefs #culinary #food #cocktails #bartenders #festival #kentuckyproud taken in Bourbon and Beyond by @krogerchrispicks

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a year ago

The guy on the left35 was nearly, 300 lbs, wearing XXXL shirts and size 46 pants. He smoked 2 packs a day for over 20 years, struggled to walk up a single flight of stairs without feeling like he ran a marathon, and was on three different daily meds.

The guy on the right?41, He hasn’t touched a cigarette in over 6 years. He’s 228 lbs, rocking large shirts and size 34 pants. No daily meds. Works out 5 days a week. And is training to run his first-ever 5K.

Was it easy? Hell no.
Did I have setbacks? Constantly.
But real change takes time, grit, and consistency. You have to show up for yourself even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard.

Your future self is built by what you do today. Keep going.

#Transformation #FitnessJourney #QuitSmoking #HealthyLiving #5KTraining #ShowUpForYourself#feelinggood #wheightloss #motivation by @krogerchrispicks

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2 years ago

How cool is this?! Thank you so much! I love this City!

#louisville #kentuckyproud #kroger #keytothecity taken in Louisville, Kentucky by @krogerchrispicks

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4 years ago

Flying high at @andbeyondfestival 🎡

This has easily become my favorite weekend of the year where I get to combine work and fun in the most creative ways! From making cocktails on stage, to meeting culinary icons, to seeing my favorite bands- I simply cannot think of anything better!

As always, I am in awe of how many amazing humans I get to spend time with on this weekend.

I gotta give @jordandelewis and @noam_bilitzer their flowers for running a seamlessly perfect show in the back stage kitchen. @jeanna_withaj and @kissingthelipless keep us all together while @krogerchrispicks and @santoscooks make sure everyone looks good. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The strange crew, kitchen crew and all the Kroger volunteers come together so all us F&B nerds can share our art and ideas with an audience. I’m so incredibly blessed to apart of it.

Best weekend ever! 🙏 by @krogerchrispicks

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13 days ago

Three years of APW at @andbeyondfestival 🎸
Two editions of APW: The Search with Danny Wimmer 🥃
One hell of a week 🤘

Thanks to everyone who shared a swig so far. If you didn’t get a taste, The Search is available at asspocketwhiskey.com while it lasts. taken in Louisville, Kentucky by @krogerchrispicks

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18 days ago

Last night was pretty damn special.

A few years ago, I decided I needed to change my life. I started getting healthy, getting in shape…and for some crazy reason, I took up running. 😂

Around that same time, I saw my friend @dannywimmer had this exclusive group called the @rocknrolleroutdoorclub

And I decided: I’m getting one of those damn hats.

So I ran. And ran. For almost two years I kept telling myself that if that call ever came, I wanted to be ready.

Last weekend at Louder Than Life, at 11:30 PM and many drinks later, the call finally came:

“We’re running tomorrow morning.”

Six of the hardest miles I’ve ever run later…I made it.

Then last night, at the end of Bourbon & Beyond, Danny took me aside and handed me my hat.

And man…that one got me.

A few years ago I was almost 300 pounds, smoking two packs a day, on daily meds, and couldn’t run to the mailbox if I was being chased.

Today I’m 43. 218 pounds. I don’t smoke. No meds. I’m a half marathoner.

And I earned the damn hat. 🧢

Everything takes time. You have to learn to love the grind.

Danny, thank you for giving me something to chase and for taking the time on me. You’ve changed my life in more ways than you know.

This one means the world to me. 🤘❤️ by @krogerchrispicks

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19 days ago

Special thank you to Derek Trucks for taking time to talk with me @andbeyondfestival . It was a great discussion. Also, thank you for Lot 6 of @asspocketwhiskey . Look forward to putting out the podcast. Great follow up on stage with @krogerchrispicks ! Thanks to @stonemetzsteph for doing the camera work! taken in Louisville, Kentucky by @krogerchrispicks

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23 days ago

A conversation worth raising a glass to Derek Trucks and @krogerchrispicks went beyond the bottle to talk Ass Pocket Whiskey, timeless music and the craft that connects the two. 🤌

📸: @jordanpantojaphotography taken in Louisville, Kentucky by @krogerchrispicks

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23 days ago

Did you catch our faces on @cbssundaymorning? Our offer still stands @andybeshearky to come on the podcast to talk about some bourbon! Thanks everyone for all the texts and messages! by @krogerchrispicks

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a month ago

YOUR PALATE. YOUR VOTE. YOUR BARREL.

Think you can pick a better bourbon barrel than me? Well… here’s your chance. 😂

Come help choose Kroger’s next Elijah Craig Single Barrel! Taste FOUR samples, vote for your favorite, and help decide which barrel makes its way to our shelves.

We’re putting the pick in YOUR hands.
I’m just taking credit if it’s really good. 😉

Kroger Middletown • Louisville, KY
September 21
4–6 PM

Come taste. Cast your vote. Help pick a barrel you can brag about later!

21+ only. Please enjoy responsibly. by @krogerchrispicks

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a month ago

This week, I had the honor of giving the toast at the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame ceremony and co-hosting the live event with my buddies Kenny and Ryan from Bourbon Pursuit. Somebody trusted the three of us with microphones… and I respect that kind of courage. 😂🥃

But what made this moment extra special was getting to raise a glass to my friend and mentor, Fred Minnick, as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

I met Fred over 10 years ago when I was still green in the bourbon world. He took me under his wing, shared his knowledge, and opened doors that helped change my life.

To go from someone learning from him to standing there giving the toast as he received this honor… that’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Fred, I’m not sure you know just how much you’ve changed my life and how many others have a story like mine because you took the time to help them along the way.

I’m so proud of you. You’ve given us plenty of reasons to raise a glass, but this one was pretty damn special.

Love ya, brother! 🥃

Big thanks to @kybourboncrush for snapping this picture! by @krogerchrispicks

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a month ago

The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame live stream will start on the Bourbon Pursuit channels in 15 minutes. Start tuning in! taken in Marriott Louisville East by @krogerchrispicks

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a month ago