Whiskey Writer, Steve Coomes, Named Editor of Bourbon & Banter

Whiskey-centric website starts 11^th year with veteran restaurant and spirits journalist overseeing its editorial and content strategy.

ST LOUIS (Jan. 25, 2022)—Patrick “Pops” Garrett, founder of Bourbon & Banter, has appointed Steve Coomes editor for BourbonBanter.com. The global top 10 whiskey-centric website includes a podcast and virtual bourbon club for its nationwide membership.

In his 31-year career, Coomes, an award-winning journalist, has authored multiple books about food, drink and whiskey tourism and penned thousands of articles for consumer and trade magazines. For the past several years, he has written spirits reviews, commentary and sponsored content for BourbonBanter.com.

“When I created this company in 2011, the vision was pretty simple: engage others who enjoyed bourbon and wanted to have a place online to talk about it. I really didn’t see it becoming the business it has,” said Garrett. “The growth that Bourbon & Banter has experienced in the decade since made me examine how to maintain that momentum. Hiring outside help was the only answer, and Steve, who I’ve known for many years, was a logical choice.”

Prior to becoming a reporter in 1991, Coomes spent 11 years in the restaurant industry as a chef and a server. His deep experience led him to editor-in-chief posts at multiple trade magazines such as Pizza Today, and freelance work for dozens of consumer and restaurant trade magazines including Southern Living, Delta Sky, Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News. He is a contributing writer for Bourbon Plus magazine and a ghostwriter for distilling industry clients.

“My fine-dining-restaurant background meant most of what I drank for decades was wine, craft beer and gin cocktails,” Coomes said. “When bourbon finally won me over, I also got hooked the subject—which should have been natural all along for a lifelong Kentuckian. Writing about this industry’s remarkable people and the consumers who enjoy their products have made the past several years some of the best in my career.”

In his role as editor, Coomes will work with Garrett to broaden media options on BourbonBanter.com. Already delivering news, reviews and opinions to more than 3 million whiskey fans annually, Garrett envisions extending the site’s whiskey coverage and attracting a broader and larger audience of readers and listeners through the creation of new content offerings and services.

“I’m always amazed at the demand for news about American whiskeys—and beyond, really,” Garrett said. “Our motto at Bourbon & Banter is to ‘Drink Curious,’ and the job of the site and its social presence is to broaden drinkers’ horizons not only across the whiskey spectrum, but to other spirits as well. Hiring Steve is just the first step I have planned for accomplishing that.”

Bourbon & Banter is a St. Louis-based media company founded by Patrick “Pops” Garrett in 2011. It provides whiskey reviews, news, commentary and a private social community reaching 3 million users annually. Its Drink Curious subsidiary hosts hundreds of online and in-person spirits and cocktail tastings each year. For more information, email pops@bourbonbanter.com.