craft distillery – Page 2 – Fermented Adventure

Episode 102 – Absinthia Vermut – Absinthia

This episode features Absinthia Vermut of Absinthia.

It all began in 1996 when Absinthia attended a San Francisco Cacophony Society party. There was a crystal bowl on the table with a green liquid. At that very moment absinthe was still illegal. She tried absinthe for the very first time. To her it was delicious. She was drawn to it so much that she decided to produce it. The first night that she served her neon green absinthe her friends started calling her Absinthia. Of course the name stuck. Our conversation is fascinating and full of absinthe education. You most certainly want to pick up her absinthe and special cocktail mixers.

4200 Park Blvd #513 Oakland, CA 94610 – info@absinthia.com – www.absinthia.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/e9MRd-ne

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eHBgFtxy

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eMFexk-z

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/eg8G_b6c
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Holy Ghost Distillery

Burning Man

Womens Cocktail Collective

Absinthe Murders

Industry City

Bar Convent Berlin

Kentucky Peerless Distilling

Tails of the Cocktail

Jared Hirsch

World Honey Exchange

Meadcon

Episode 101 – The Whiskey Rebellion Festival

This episode features a brief history about the Whiskey Rebellion. On July 8th we took part in the Whiskey Walk festivities. Spirit producers were set up throughout the town of Washington, PA. We got to sample and speak with them as they introduced their products to the masses. On July 9th we got to witness the amazing retelling of the rebellion. The actors that portrayed the key principles were sensational. There were food trucks, activities for the kids and craft vendors. This was an opportunity to taste what it was like for settlers back in the late 1700’s. The parade in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. The tarring and feathering is always a crowed favorite. The entire festival is is a chance to be immersed in a major historic event that most of us have never heard of. Oh yeah, and you get to enjoy some wonderful spirits and tasty food. Put this event on the calendar for 2023.

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/g6YTzyKm

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/g-9FABw4

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/gDM24Zbs

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/gsiGBAZu
and more…

Producers That we met:

The Washington Winery

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka Distillery

Excise Distillery

Old Overholt

Crooked Creek Distillery

Whiskey Smash

Quantum Spirits

Episode 100 – Holy Ghost Distillery – John and Janice Sepcoski

This episode features John Sepcoski and Janice Sepcoski of Holy Ghost Distillery.

Janice and John enjoyed visiting distilleries, breweries and wineries. After visiting a distillery 7 years ago John said, “I can do better then this”. This led them to looking for land and a building to host their vision. What they’ve set out to create is a total experience. Not just buy a bottle or purchase a cocktail, but the experience to make new friends over a cocktail. They have left their full time careers to live out a dream. As Janice puts it, “Now I do Bourbon”. We had a wonderful time experiencing their chocolate and bourbon pairing. The final part of our podcast journey was the absinthe extravaganza. It was all a fitting tribute to celebrate our 100th episode.

990 State Route 940, White Haven, PA 18661 – (570) 990-2673 – wwwholyghostdistillery.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/e5wipXFc

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eNZsaWyZ

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eBi64m3t

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/ewjt7Zvu
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Stave and Thief Society

Episode 99 – Revel Spirits – Micah McFarlane and Juan Carlos Gordillo

This episode features Micah McFarlane and Juan Carlos Gordillo of the Revel Spirits.

Ten years ago, Micah was helping out Matt Hector Ruiz, who was starting a tequila company. The went to Morelos, Mexico where Micah began bringing back the juice and sharing it. His role became helping to bring the agave spirits to the United States. The next step was to create a business plan and raise funds. There is so much to the rich history of distilling in Morelos. The connection to the technology goes back generations. It’s a family product. What they produce is not tequila and it’s not mezcal. They create Avila. This episode is an amazing education and discovery of agave spirits and what makes Revel special.

www.revelspirits.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/enmTK9eR

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/ea-6SbN7

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eWfVQ59t

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/ewjt7Zvu
and more…

Highlights From our Discussion:

Justin Hartley

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Episode 95 – Iron Clad Distillery – Owen King

This episode features Owen King of Iron Clad Distillery.

Stephen King purchased the building, a dry goods warehouse built in 1913, approximately 15 years ago. To best utilize the space, the decision was made to try to store bourbon barrels. This led to acquiring a 26 gallon still. From there, they began to get more serious and bought 5 more 26 gallon stills. This expansion gave them the opportunity to fill one 53 gallon barrel a week. This slow process encouraged Stephen and Owen to seek advice from other distillers in the industry. Conversations and experiences brought them to their next step which was to upgrade the entire operation to a 500 gallon still. Now they had the keys to their own system of producing high quality bourbon in larger batches. Owen shares that the vision has been to use Virginia based grains. Their base is a 4 grain mash bill. The King’s have always been big fans and lovers of bourbon. So, opening a distillery made sense that this was the direction that the family was headed. You will hear and understand how the bourbon gene is a part of the families history. Acknowledging history is in the forefront of how they communicate the Iron Clad story. Today they make history with their many expressions. They plant their own flag by creating unique and one of a kind bourbons. Also, paying homage to the well established distilleries out there too.

124 23rd St, Newport News, VA 23607 – (757) 245-1996 – www.ironcladdistillery.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/gjtTU8eF

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/gR4reJFD

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/ghkQfSmM

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/gsRPUGRd
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Affordable Distilling Equipment

Kings County Distillery

Delilah’s

Bardstown Bourbon Company

Evan Williams Bourbon

Wild Turkey

Ferm Solutions

Four Roses Bourbon

Neeley Family Distillery

Stoll and Wolfe Distillery

Episode 94 – Deep Creek Distilling – Royal Ferguson and Dave Emmons

This episode features Royall Ferguson and Dave Emmons of Deep Creek Distilling.

Dave and Royall have known each other for 20 plus years. The discussion of distilling came up at a Greek festival in Norfolk. They began step by step to understand the whole process. “Doing it the old fashioned way”, as Royall puts it. Grind the local grain, make the mash and then ferment it. A lot of their early experience came from trial and error. They refined and honed their spirits to what have become the amazing products that they offer today. They are the first licensed legal distillery in the Chesapeake since prohibition.

801 Butler St Unit 12, Chesapeake, VA 23323 – (757)675-3250 – www.deepcreekdistilling.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/gMy488Xb

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/gxdC6ycX

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/gDThJdQX

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/gw7pnMYk
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Deep Creek of the Chesapeake

Ketel One Vodka

Tito’s Vodka

Episode 83 – Kim and Tom Bard – The Bard Distillery

This episode features Kim Bard and Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery.

It all started in 2005 when tom walked into Kim’s race shop. In 2006 they found themselves in Kentucky and decided to go to visit a distillery. The chose to check out Maker’s Mark. They loved the tour and afterwards they were fueled by what they saw. They couldn’t stop talking about it, The smells, the sights, the sounds and the people. They were not able to shake the idea. In 2015 they took the plunge and purchased Tom’s old school, creating The Bard Distillery, which opened in 2019. We had a fantastic experience at the distillery. We got to see the vision of what it all will become. Their spirits are wonderful and creative.

Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast. Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com. Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

5080 Highway 175 S, Graham, KY 42344 – (270) 338-6543 – www.thebarddistillery.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/d3e7RqNN

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/dHZwZHzS

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/dDZzmQRu

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/dj3Qg7y9
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

John Barleycorn Awards

Neeley Family Distillery

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery

The Drinking Coach

Whiskey Business Grand Rapids

Muhlenberg Music Mission

Harvest Host

Episode 79 – Triple Sun Spirits – Kris Kwant

This episode features Kris Kwant and Sara Stier of Triple Sun Spirits Co.

20 years ago Kris was watching the TV program “How it’s made”, with his father. The episode featured Sam Adams Brewing. From watching the program, the home brewing bug took hold of him. He and his dad purchased a kit and it actually turned out pretty good. The next adventure was to make a Barley Wine. The intention for this would be to share with his son when he turned 21. Kris explains that “making good whiskey starts with making good beer”. In 2016 Kris embraced the craft spirits movement. Triple Sun is a cocktail bar that moonlights as a distillery. They are very hospitality focused. Enjoy this lively episode where we discuss history, beer and all things Triple Sun.

Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast. Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com. Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

518 Bank St, Emmaus, PA 18049 – (610) 904-8082 – www.triplesunspirits.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/d_2sW7xW

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/emNBxAY

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/dThwXQcy

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/dePFZ8WH
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Bicardi

Jack Daniels

Fetish Brewing Company

Kelvin Cooperage

Whiskey Advocate

Discover Lehigh Valley

Funk Brewing

Monkey 47

Mike Rowe

Distilling Rosen Rye at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery

This was a crisp fall Sunday morning. You could barely see the fog of your breath after sipping the hotel cup of coffee. A few of the collaborators had mustered for breakfast. Grabbing bagels, pieces of fruit and whatever else would travel quick and light. Fueling up for the long days journey that lie ahead. Some had barely gotten more than 4 hours sleep from the previous days activities. The sun began illuminating the golden leaves that still clung to their branches. There was an electricity that filled the atmosphere. Anticipation consumed the one mile trek up the winding hill to where the old mill and the distillery stand. It was difficult to adhere to the posted speed limit. Speedily pulling into the parking lot. Hurrying to get out of the car. Gear in hand. We have been here before. But, this time the beast began to come to life.

The walk was familiar. The same familiar pathway. Familiar faces greeted us as we entered the dimly lit distillery. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery still runs on natural light. Sunlight beamed through every window to reveal the magic that was taking place. Sounds of buckets being filled. Wood being stacked neatly next to the stills. Five in all. Named after queens. There was a hive of well orchestrated activity. Mash tons being emptied into buckets. Stills being filled being filled with fermented Keystone Rosen Rye and heirloom corn. Fires being lit. Steam rising from the tubs. Fresh water being diverted from the mill to be used to cool the hot distillate. More wood being carted in. An empty mash tun being turned onto its side and rolled out the door to be cleaned and prepared for the next ferment. The crackle of the fire and the smoke from the wood was a distinct education of how whiskey was made back in the 1700’s. Everyone there was playing a role and focused intently on making history and history come alive.

Steve Bashore drove a big box truck up to Imler, PA. Robert and Sherri McDonald of Dancing Star Farm had 11,000 pounds of grain waiting to be picked up and milled for distilling. The catalyst for this historic event took place between a conversation with Steve and Laura Fields of The Delaware Valley Fields Foundation. Laura loves whiskey, history and promoting heirloom grains and the farmers that grow them. She asked if GWMV would want to run Rosen Rye. Of course Steve was more than happy to make that happen.

Steve got to work planning, organizing and assembling an all-star team to put it all together, people of like mind who love history and distilling. They all came together to create whiskey and retell the story and produce a new one. The sense of camaraderie came through. Of course, having a game plan was helpful. Everyone worked together with a sense of pride. Thomas and Kim Bard came all of the way from Graham, KY, leaving The Bard Distillery for a few days to assist in distilling. Erik and Jim Wolfe, who are no strangers to Rosen, brought their experience and expertise. Stoll and Wolfe Distillery distilled Rosen just 2 years earlier. Lisa Roper Wicker, of Widow Jane, focused on the process as the stills began to offer their sweet and fruity distillate. Lisa has been a familiar face at GWMV since the very beginning. Aleasha Monroe is the head distiller at West Overton. They just released a Monongahela Style Rye and she brought her knowledge and skill. The Mount Vernon team brought it all together.

The Rosen is being distilled with Orange Creole and Bloody Butcher Corn. Time will tell if the juice will be bottled separately or together. It will rest in barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, Speyside Cooperage in Virgina, and a very special barrel made from a 240 year oak tree that fell at Mount Vernon 3 years ago. There is great anticipation for some bottles of the white spirit to be offered. This will provide a prelude of things to come. Whiskey and history lovers alike have so much to look forward to. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery is moving into the future while retaining the roots of the past.

Listen to our interviews as we reflect on this historic event.

Part 1:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/ehhfbhqc

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/emNBxAY

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/edu9vqpd

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/eCduAGTV

Part 2:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/dVDtwJje

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/dtgr-eAf

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/d2EPM3YQ

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/d4XtTGe7

Road Trip – “Christmas City, USA” – Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is easy to get to from all points. Just follow the North Star, or if you prefer, you’re GPS. It’s so easy to fall in love with this historical picturesque town. It is not what it once was when Bethlehem Steel shuttered its doors over 20 years ago. The city is experiencing a rebirth. Pick anytime to go, however, Christmas is when “Christmas City, USA” shines the most brightest. This is a Fermented Adventure paradise.

The Lehigh River divides the town. We began the day on the South Side at the Christkindlmarkt. If you’re looking for holiday gifts and crafts this is the place to begin. There is something for just about everyone on your list. For us it provided an opportunity to revisit and stock up on the libations being offered by many of the local craft providers. Eight Oaks greeted us first. Most recently they have released their Barrel Finished Old Tom Gin. Have you ever tried mead? Colony Meadery is a great place to start. As you wind your way through you will discover some nice sweet treat options. Stroopies, Groffs and Ye Old Toffee Shoppe enticed us to give our sweet tooth some attention. Social Still is one of our go tos for their exceptional craft spirits. They are also right across the free parking lot, within walking distance. Grab a cocktail before or after shopping. Do check the website for a complete list of the vendors and when they will be there. Buy your tickets ahead of time and skip the line.

Now that we got some shopping out of the way, it was time to head to the North Side. Where, even more shopping was waiting. There are local crafts being offered in huts along the E Market Street. There is plenty on this short block to experience. We set our sights on some local beer flavor. We quenched our thirst for Sours and Stouts at Lost Tavern Brewing. Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works has an array of beers as well and we settled on the Pumpkin/Yam Beer, The Steelworkers Oatmeal Stout, along with the Steelgaarden Wit. Along the street we discovered one amazing chocolatier. You will want to get one of everything at The Chocolate Lab. We certainly did our best to practice restraint. There is a new coffee shop at the far East end of the street. Don’t go to Bitty & Beau’s for just the coffee. You will meet the most incredible people there who are making your visit special and impactful. We wandered in and out of the shoppes, watched a real live metal work demonstration and were overwhelmed with all of the history. As the sun began to set, the street became electrified.

Bethlehem offers so many places to get cocktails. Don’t miss the Tavern at The Sun Inn where you can enjoy hand crafted distilled spirits featuring Christmas City Spirits. We landed at the McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar. The atmosphere was lively with conversation. The bartenders are knowledgable about their whiskey and make tantalizing drinks. Our meals were outstanding and full of flavor, everything that you would expect to get at an Irish Pub. While enjoying our last dram we took in the evenings live music with Regina Sayles, shared a fresh baked scone and made some new friends.