We’re sitting here in Sven’s living room right this minute watching the crew film the first “webisode” of the Zeno Supper Club and it’s all pretty exciting, I gotta admit it.

 The theme for tonight, as you know, is beer. It seemed like a natural fit then, for us to host a clan of some of the hottest action sports athletes on the planet, and we mean that literally. On set are: pro snowboarders Tara Dakides and Chanel Sladics, longboard surfing Malibu legend Kassia Meador and fellow pro shortboarder, all the way from Australia, Claire Bevilacqua (who is on set cooking in her bikini, btw).

We’ve also got Stone Brewing Company CEO Greg Koch (just as an aside, Greg is much younger and much thinner than you might imagine), Wahoo’s Fish Tacos Founder Wing Lam, and our lovely hosts, Danielle Uhlarik and Louise Leonard. And of course there’s the star of our show, Lee Anne Wong.

The exciting thing about tonight, and about the Zeno Supper Club show (and concept) in general is the people it’s already brought together in this room. The chemistry can be felt and the interaction is as natural as if there were no cameras around. That was the vision, and there is nothing better than seeing your vision come to fruition. Goosebump City.

Without giving away too much (watch it on youtube.com, premiere date TBA) here are some of the Behind-the-Scenes highlights:

Greg Koch made a point to say good beer should be drunk from a glass. He said beer from a bottle is not good beer and therefore is not worth drinking. He also said, “The word ‘beer’ and ‘light’ do not belong in the same sentence.” The guy is like a walking quote machine. We now love him as much as we love his beer.

 A few other interesting notes about Stone Brewing Company: they’ve never done an ad campaign, they’ve never discounted their beer, and they’re the fastest growing brewery in the country.

Lee Anne’s dish for the demo was Smoked Porter Braised Mole Short Ribs, a dish that features a mole negro made with dried fruits, veggies, chocolate, chillis and cinnamon and braised with Stone Porter. Because the Porter has many of the same characteristics as the mole, it’s a natural pairing.

She also made a Beer Vinaigrette dressing, combining flavors like grapefruit with Levitation Ale. “This beer is big on citrus, hoppiness and carmelization,” said Koch. 

While the cameras are rolling, “Hot, Shirtless Sven” is spotted primping in his bathroom, which pretty much entails throwing on some deodorant (but still no shirt). We only tell you that because want you to know how truly grassroots this is. We really are in his living room, like, totally invading his space but he is such a rad guy with a great attitude (and a killer six pack). Thank you, Sven!

 “I want that on a salad,” Lee Anne says of the Grapefruit Vinaigrette.

“I want that on my chest,” Bevilacqua replied. Just for the record, we were forewarned Claire being sassy on account of having an Italian father and an Aussie mum. But we figured, the sassier, the better.

When Wing Lam, Founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos came onset for the Beer Battered fish taco demo, he was given a standing applause and a big cheer of “Wahoooooooo!” with glasses raised. Wing started his fish taco empire with a little surf shack in the sand on Newport Beach where he sold fish tacos and Mexican beer. Wing’s got a Santa Claus-like warmth. You just want to jump in his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas. He’s such a sweet, nice guy he’d probably give it to you if you were naughty or nice.

The first glass of the night was broken on set at 7:40 p.m. “It’s not a party without a party foul!” screamed Dakides.

The crew did seem a little buzzed by the time we wrapped. But that, too was our goal. Good times with friends and good food is what ZSC is all about.

And remember our moto: Any time is a good time for a party!

Stay tuned for recipes, interviews and photos from tonight’s festivities!Special thanks to Santa Monica Seafood for the beautiful shrimp and mahi!