Happy Hour Playbook

DBE Network

Work. Life. Sports. Music. Bets. Drinks. Happy Hour Playbook is unfiltered conversation for people who grind all day and unwind hard. We talk wins, losses, good music, workplace chaos, and everything in between — always honest, sometimes reckless, and best enjoyed with a drink. No gurus. No fake motivation. Just real talk after hours.

  1. 3d ago

    Baby Blue, Preseason Debuts & The Memphis Heat

    Football is officially back! In Episode 24, Chris and Wes pour a trailblazing Texas whisky to break in a brand-new rating system before tackling a jam-packed weekend of sports. From NFL Preseason Week 1 overreactions and backup battles to the scorching playoff heat in Memphis, pour yourself a dram, settle in, and let's get into the playbook. The Happy Hour Pour We are breaking in our new five-tier rating system with Balcones Baby Blue, the first legal Texas whisky released since Prohibition. Crafted from 100% roasted Hopi blue corn and bottled at 92 proof, this pour brings vibrant, oily qualities to the table without heavy wood tannins. Nose: Roasted corn, buttered popcorn, candy corn, brown sugar, and light baking spices with undertones of tropical fruit. Palate: Oily and viscous with sweet corn, toasted grain, vanilla, and caramel. Finish: Medium length with lingering sweet corn, pepper, and warm oak spice. The Official Playbook Rating System: 🐐 First Ballot: The absolute best; flawless 🏆 Playoff Worthy: Great, but maybe missing that one elite piece ❌ First Round Exit: Average; perfectly fine but nothing special 🚫 Practice Squad: Below average; needs serious improvement 🗑️ Draft Bust: Total letdown; avoid at all costs NFL Preseason Week 1 Recap The gridiron action has returned. We break down all the notable player stats, surprise performances, and roster battles from the first week of the preseason. PGA FedEx St. Jude Championship We head down to the 100-degree heat of Memphis for a massive playoff opener at TPC Southwind. The Pace Setter: Scottie Scheffler sits at -13, seizing control in Round 2 with a blistering, course-record-tying 61. He is looking to break a streak of five runner-up finishes this season. The Chasers: Sam Burns (-11) fired a spectacular bogey-free 62 to surge into the final pairing alongside his close friend Scheffler. Sungjae Im (-11) remains firmly in the mix. 📱 Connect with the Playbook Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Next week, we're cracking open a new bottle and diving into some new topics. Don't miss it. Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

    Baby Blue, Preseason Debuts & The Memphis Heat
  2. Aug 10

    The Dodger Heist, Million-Dollar Bounties, & Pendleton Pours

    Episode 23: The Dodger Heist, Million-Dollar Bounties, & Pendleton Pours Welcome back to the Happy Hour Playbook! This week, we are officially rolling out our brand-new 5-Tier Rating System and putting it to the test with a pour of the 10-year-old Pendleton 1910 Bourbon. Grab a glass because we need a stiff drink to process a wild week in sports and pop culture. We are breaking down the Los Angeles Dodgers' masterclass in exploiting financial loopholes to land Tarik Skubal, the return of NFL football, and the absolute chaos erupting in the trading card hobby over the Cooper Flagg 1-of-1 patch. Plus, we hit the summer box office and welcome Wes back from the Alaskan wilderness. Let’s pour 'em up and get into it! The Happy Hour Pour: We debut our new 5-Tier Rating System (From First Ballot to Draft Bust) and review the smooth, 90-proof Pendleton 1910 Bourbon. MLB Trade Deadline & The Dodger Heist: How LA secured Tigers ace Tarik Skubal without gutting their farm system. We dive deep into the bankruptcy carve-outs and deferral loopholes fueling their empire, track the rest of the league's desperation moves, and discuss the looming threat of a 2027 MLB lockout. NFL HOF Game & Blockbuster Extensions: Football is back! We recap the Carolina Panthers' thrilling walk-off win against the Cardinals and break down the massive, market-resetting summer extensions for stars like Darnell Wright, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jalen Carter. Topps Chrome NBA & The Great Bounty Wars: The 2025-26 Topps Chrome Update is here, and the hunt for the Cooper Flagg Debut Patch Auto has broken the internet. We debate the million-dollar cash bounties versus the Dallas Mavericks' unprecedented "1 of 1 for 32" season ticket and VIP package. The Summer Box Office: Wes gives his solo review of Christopher Nolan’s sprawling IMAX epic The Odyssey, before the guys team up to discuss Destin Daniel Cretton’s take on Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Wes’s Alaskan Adventure: Glaciers, wildlife, and cruise ship cuisine. Wes recaps his Royal Caribbean getaway and compares his freezing excursions to surviving Disney World in the summer. Connect with the Playbook:Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Available everywhere you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. "Keep it real and keep it rolling." Episode Breakdown:

    The Dodger Heist, Million-Dollar Bounties, & Pendleton Pours
  3. Jul 21

    The Spanish Buzzsaw & Summer Gridiron

    Episode Overview In Episode 22 of The Happy Hour Playbook, Chris and Wes break down a massive week in sports and spirits. We pour a glass of critically acclaimed Texas-Kentucky-Tennessee whiskey, dissect Spain’s historic World Cup run, recap Ryan Fox’s thrilling major victory at Royal Birkdale, and look ahead to NFL training camps and NBA Summer League action. * Happy Hour Pour: Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon * The Pour: A 94-proof blend marrying 2- to 3-year-old Texas bourbon, 3- to 4-year-old Kentucky bourbon, and 10-to-11-year-old Tennessee whiskey ($45–$50). * Profile: Creamy and delicate with sweet vanilla, buttercream, honey, toffee, dark cherries, and a peppery oak finish. * Verdict: Playoff Worthy 🏆 — A versatile, beautifully blended daily drinker that punches well above its age. * The World Cup Finale * Semi-Finals: Spain blanks France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium, while Argentina pulls off a dramatic 2-1 comeback over England in Atlanta behind late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez. * The Final: Spain claims their second men's World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time thanks to a 106th-minute strike by Ferran Torres. Spain caps off an unbeaten run by setting a record—conceding only one goal across eight matches. * The Open Championship * The Champion: 39-year-old New Zealander Ryan Fox fires a third-round 62 and birdies four of his final six holes on Sunday to finish at 10-under-par, capturing the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale by a single stroke over Cameron Young. * Notables: Cameron Young surges with a brilliant 64 to take second, while 54-hole leader Sam Burns slips to solo third at 8-under. Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood tie for fourth at 7-under. * NFL Update * Training Camps: Rookies report and veterans prepare to hit the field ahead of the August 6 Hall of Fame Game between the Cardinals and Panthers. * Rumors & News: Aaron Donald trade-retirement buzz swirls around Los Angeles following the Rams' acquisition of Myles Garrett; Patrick Mahomes aims for a Week 1 return; Alvin Kamara restructures with New Orleans. * NBA Update * Summer League: The Golden State Warriors defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 in the Las Vegas championship game, led by 21 points and 10 rebounds from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. * Transactions: Free agency moratorium lifts, locking in Trae Young's four-year deal with Washington and Austin Reaves' maximum extension with the Lakers. * Movie Review & Watchlist * Review: Obsession & Odyssey * Want to See: Avengers: Doomsday & Spider-Man Connect with the Playbook Follow us on Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Dont forget to listen on: Spotify and Apple Podcast Next Week: We're cracking open a new bottle and diving in some new topics. Don't miss it. "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

    The Spanish Buzzsaw & Summer Gridiron
  4. Jul 15

    World Cup, Summer Hoops & Cinema Scoops

    Welcome back to Episode 21 of The Happy Hour Playbook! Grab a glass and pull up a chair as we dive into a massive week of international sports, summer league standouts, massive home runs, and the latest drops at the box office. Here is what we are getting into this week: The Happy Hour Pour: We are pouring up Yellowstone Small Batch Aged 6 Years. This 107-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon packs a bold punch with heavy notes of cherry, caramel, and a warm rye spice. Tune in to find out if this bottle earns a "Playoff Worthy" 🏆 rating, or if it's getting relegated to the "Practice Squad" 🚫. World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Recap: Extra-time thrillers and global powerhouses! We break down England and Argentina's nail-biting finishes and look ahead to the highly anticipated semi-final matchups: France vs. Spain and a historic clash between England and Argentina. NBA Summer League Check-In: The 2026 rookie class is lighting up Las Vegas. We recap the top picks and highlight massive scoring performances from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, and Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 MLB Home Run Derby: Jordan Walker makes St. Louis Cardinals history! We recap the dramatic final round at Citizens Bank Park where Walker out-slugged Kyle Schwarber to take the crown. Disney World Vacation: We take a quick detour from the sports world to share some stories and tips from a recent trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Cinema Scoops: We hit the theater to review a packed slate of recent releases, including Scary Movie 6, Obsession, Evil Dead Burn, Masters of the Universe, Backrooms, and Faces of Death. Connect with the Playbook!Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Listen to us anywhere you get your audio, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We'll see you next week when we crack open a new bottle and dive into some new topics. Don't miss it! "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

    World Cup, Summer Hoops & Cinema Scoops
  5. Jun 29

    Picks, Pitches, and Packs

    Episode 20: Picks, Pitches, and Packs Welcome back to Episode 20 of The Happy Hour Playbook! This week, the sports world is completely off its axis, and Chris and Wes have the perfect pour to help you digest all the chaos. From an earth-shattering blockbuster trade in the NBA to historic underdog stories on the world's biggest soccer stage, we are breaking it all down. Grab a glass, pull up a chair, and let’s get into it. The Happy Hour Pour We’re kicking things off with a heavy hitter: Nikka Whisky From The Barrel. Bottled at a bold 51.4% ABV, this award-winning Japanese blend marries over 100 batches of malt and grain whiskies. We walk through the rich, complex tasting notes and give it our official rating: Is it Playoff Worthy 🏆, a First Round Exit ❌, or headed to the Practice Squad 🚫? 2026 NBA Draft & A South Beach Blockbuster The 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center was an absolute blur of trades and strategy. We cover: The Top 10: AJ Dybantsa going #1 to Washington and Utah upgrading their backcourt. Draft Day Chaos: The Grizzlies hoarding second-round picks like currency and the Wolverines making Michigan school history with three top-12 selections. Draft Grades: Breaking down the Dallas Mavericks' solid B+ class. The Nuclear Bomb: Reacting to the historic blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for a massive haul of players and picks. World Cup Group Stage Madness The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup format is delivering pure drama and heartbreak. We recap the biggest shocks of the Group Stage: The Underdogs: Cape Verde’s magical debut run and Ecuador’s stunning 2-1 upset over four-time champion Germany. The Heartbreak: Uruguay’s shocking early exit and Iran getting knocked out in the 96th minute by a match they weren't even playing in. Round of 32 Preview: Looking ahead at the gauntlet of knockout matches, including a must-watch Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina showdown. Ripping Cards Live Sticking with the pitch, we wrap up the episode by tearing into a fresh box of Panini soccer cards to see what we can pull live on air. Connect with The Playbook: Enjoying the show? Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Instagram: @HappyHourPlaybook TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Listen to full episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Next Week: We're cracking open a new bottle and diving into fresh topics. Don't miss it. "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

    Picks, Pitches, and Packs
  6. Jun 23

    The Winner-Take-All, NBA Draft, and World Cup Fever

    EPISODE 19: The Winner-Take-All, NBA Draft, and World Cup Fever Welcome back to another round of The Happy Hour Playbook! Pour yourself something strong because we are diving headfirst into a massive week of championship baseball, high-stakes NBA draft lottery fallout, and early dominance on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup. The Happy Hour Pour We kick things off in the glass with a certified classic: Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon. This Bottled-in-Bond, 100-proof staple from Buffalo Trace brings an incredibly syrupy mouthfeel packed with dark cherries, butterscotch, and baking spice. Is it worth the hunt? Tune in to find out why it earned our official Playoff Worthy 🏆 rating. MCWS Finals – Winner Take All! The 2026 Men's College World Series has come down to one final, dramatic game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma Sooners. We break down how we got to a 1-1 deadlock: Game 1: Oklahoma’s explosive 9-3 statement win. Game 2: UNC fires back with a gutsy 6-2 victory, powered by freshman Caden Glauber's ice-cold relief. The Finale: Who takes home the national championship tonight? NBA Draft Lottery & Prospect Breakdown The ping-pong balls have settled, and the Washington Wizards have secured the No. 1 overall pick! We map out the top of the draft board: Why AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are undeniable, franchise-altering talents. How the Clippers cashing in at No. 5 (via Indiana) completely accelerates their rebuild. Our projected Top 10 mock draft, featuring a massive run on elite guard talent. 2026 World Cup Group Stage Heat The world's biggest tournament is officially underway. We check the temperature of the group stage, including the USA, Mexico, and Germany punching their tickets to the Round of 32 with flawless 6-point starts, plus a preview of the massive Argentina vs. Austria clash. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the 'Follow' button and leave us a 5-star rating! Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! Connect with the Playbook: Follow us on Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook Dont forget to listen on: Spotify and Apple Podcast Next Week: We're cracking open a new bottle and diving in some new topics. Don't miss it. "Keep it real and keep it rolling."

    The Winner-Take-All, NBA Draft, and World Cup Fever
  7. Jun 16

    A 53-Year Drought Ends & A Texas-Sized Pour

    Episode 18: A 53-Year Drought Ends & A Texas-Sized Pour Welcome back to The Happy Hour Playbook! Grab your glasses because Chris and Wes are pouring a high-octane Texas bourbon to get things started before breaking down a massive, history-making week in the sports world. It’s a packed playbook today, so let's pour a drink and get right into it! In This Episode: * The Happy Hour Pour: We kick things off with Devils River Whiskey Barrel Strength. It is a bold, high-rye Texas bourbon packing a fiery 117-proof punch. Find out if this value-priced bottle earns a Playoff Worthy 🏆 rating or gets cut to the Practice Squad 🚫. * NBA Finals: The 53-year drought is finally over! The New York Knicks are officially NBA Champions after an absolute thriller of a series. We discuss their gritty comeback run, Jalen Brunson’s 45-point MVP masterclass, and what the future holds for Victor Wembanyama's young Spurs squad. * NHL Stanley Cup Final: The Carolina Hurricanes are hoisting the Cup for the first time since 2006. We break down how they rallied from an early deficit to win the series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights. * Men's College World Series: The action at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha is already electric. We recap the opening weekend fireworks, including huge statements from Oklahoma and Georgia, and preview the high-stakes elimination games. * World Cup Action: The USMNT makes a dominant opening statement against Paraguay on home soil. Plus, we cover early tournament shockers (looking at you, Brazil and Australia) and preview today’s Matchday 4 slate, featuring games right here in our backyard in Texas. Connect with The Playbook: Make sure to follow, subscribe, and share the playbook with a friend! * Instagram: @Happy Hour Playbook * YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook * TikTok: Happy Hour Playbook * Facebook: Happy Hour Playbook * Listen On: Spotify & Apple Podcasts Keep it real and keep it rolling. See you next week with a new bottle and new topics!

    A 53-Year Drought Ends & A Texas-Sized Pour
  8. Jun 9

    Bottoms Up & Back-to-Backs

    Episode 17 of The Happy Hour Playbook is officially open for business! Chris and Wes return to break down an absolutely loaded sports calendar packed with historic playoff runs, jaw-dropping underdog chaos, and a top-shelf pour to tie it all together. Here is what’s on tap for this episode: The Happy Hour Pour: The guys travel to Jarnac, France, to crack open a bottle of Courvoisier VS Cognac. Find out if this vibrant, fruity blend is Playoff Worthy, a First Round Exit, or headed straight to the Practice Squad. WCWS Dynasty in Texas: The Texas Longhorns pull off the ultimate resilience story, battling back from a bracket-opening loss to go back-to-back as NCAA National Champions in a sweep over Texas Tech. NCAA Baseball Super Regionals: Pure underdog chaos. With top seeds UCLA and Georgia Tech sent packing early, West Virginia, Troy, and Ole Miss punch their tickets to Omaha while the Sunday slate sets up high-stakes drama. Stanley Cup Finals Heart Attacks: The Vegas Golden Knights grab a 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes after a double-overtime thriller in Game 3. Plus, breaking down Mitch Marner’s historic, record-shattering hat trick. The Knicks Take Texas: The New York Knicks shock San Antonio, riding a 13-game playoff win streak to steal a 2-0 series lead on the road. Can Wembanyama and the Spurs fight back as the series shifts to a rocking Madison Square Garden? Pop Culture Preview: A quick-hit look at highly anticipated movie projects, including Masters of the Universe, Supergirl, Odyssey, and Spider-Man. Connect with the Playbook: Instagram & TikTok: @HappyHourPlaybook Facebook & YouTube: Happy Hour Playbook Listen On: Spotify and Apple Podcasts Enjoying the show? Hit that subscribe button, drop us a five-star rating, and share the playbook with a friend!

    Bottoms Up & Back-to-Backs

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Work. Life. Sports. Music. Bets. Drinks. Happy Hour Playbook is unfiltered conversation for people who grind all day and unwind hard. We talk wins, losses, good music, workplace chaos, and everything in between — always honest, sometimes reckless, and best enjoyed with a drink. No gurus. No fake motivation. Just real talk after hours.