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Fermented Adventure

MeadCon

Episode 39 – Ben Wenk – Ploughman Cider

This episode features Ben Wenk of Ploughman Cider   “Greetings From Adams County”.  Ben’s family has been farming the land here since the 1820’s.  After selling produce at a farmers market in Philadelphia, Ben decided to try a Strongbow.  It was different.  Not sticky sweet like other ciders.  He went home and tried making his first batch of cider.  From there he was hooked.  Adams County is considered Apple Capital USA.  On this episode Ben and I discuss cider, apples and fruit tree farming.  “Cider is not a value added product”, Ben explains.  We enjoyed this fascinating look into Ben’s families heritage and his passion for cider making.     

1606 Bendersville-Wenksville Road, Aspers, PA 17304 – www.ploughmancider.com – (717) 677-7186 – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/dP6KjrJ

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/d5itc6r

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/dW-fR4y

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/dCH6zWp
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Strongbow Cider

Luckyleaf

Musselman’s

Dornick

VinoShipper

Three Springs Fruit Farm

Ploughshares Cider Club

John Bunker

Big Hill Ciderworks

Jack’s Hard Cider

Reid’s Cider House

Gettysburg Farmers Market

Ploughman Cider Taproom

Pour The Core

Pennsylvania Cider Guild

Philly Cider Week

The Botany of Desire

Farnum Hill Ciders

Episode #33 – High Point Kombucha – Laura Valasakos

🎙This episode features Laura Valasakos of High Point Kombucha. Laura shares her journey of discovering Kombucha. We learn about Kobucha production and the vast array of all natural flavors that are being produced at High point. Laura teaches us to “admire nature for what it is and feel small in the face of it. We’re going to be better off.” There is passion and dedication to the craft of creating this first class Kombucha.

Check out the website to find out where you can get these amazing creations.  – highpointkombucha.com – 724-503-4014 – On Facebook 
Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/d9rF_5y

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/dqWRzJt

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/dqS6tdv

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/dGZ2Txi
and more…

Highlights from our discussion: 

County Seat Spirits 

Wild Yeast 

Open Fermentation 

Upstart Kombucha

 Lion Heart Kombucha 

Peakbagger 

Benchmark Hunting 

Trexlertown Farmers Market 

Saucon Valley Farmer’s Market 

Back Mountain Farmers Market 

Radish Republic 

HiJinx Brewing

Episode 31 – Liberty Pole Spirits – Jim Hough

This episode features Jim Hough of Liberty Pole Spirits.   Jim started it all on his back deck as a “hobby distiller”.  Jim made whiskey and experimented with different grains and recipes.  These have become the foundation of what goes into the barrels today.  Jim, Ellen and the entire family have come together to produce some incredible and creative whiskey.  They demonstrate the Whiskey Rebellion Spirit that put the small town of Washington on the map.   68 West Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301[email protected]724-503-4014 –  On Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eHGd_eh

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/ekethe5

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/e7-KspC

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

Highlights from our discussion:

Whiskey Rebellion Festival

Mingo Creek Society

Liberty Poles

Alexander Hamilton

Dad’s Hat

Wiggle

Red Pump Spirits

Barrel 21 Distillery

Thistle Finch

David Bradford House

Monongahela Rye

Whiskey Advocate

Maggie’s Farm Rum

Cheers!!!

Episode # 23 – Bimber Distillery – Matt McKay

This episode features Matt McKay of Bimber Distillery.  Matt is responsible for public relations and marketing, as well as, helping out with production. Dariusz Plazewski and Ewelina Chruszczyk co-founded Bimber in North-West London in 2015.  This Micro-Distillery is quickly making a mark in the Whiskey community being recognized by Whisky Magazine as Craft Producer of the Year 2020. 

We took the Tube out of London. It was about a 40 minute ride to West London. It was a rainy chilly morning but the excitement of the interview made the day feel warmer. It was about a 10 minute walk from the Tube Station. Past a cemetery and through an industrial area. Then we found it. The main door was open and the team was loading whisky into van for a tasting later that day. Dawn and I were greeted with a delicious simple old fashioned. It wasn’t long before Matt and I began talking and we were learning how this amazing distillery got started. Then to take a tour of the operation. They are true craftsman here in every sense of the word. The tasting was mind blowing. WOW!!! We had a blast and look forward to all of the great spirits to follow from Bimber.

56-58 Sunbeam Road, London, NW10 6JQ – +44 20 3602 9980  – www.bimberdistillery.co.uk –  On Facebook   

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/exuD-r6

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/ezPddeQ

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eZtn5UG

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/e8k8uP6

and more…

 Highlights from our discussion:

Bimber

Fordham & Allen

Warminster Maltings

Solera

The Dramble

Cheers!!!

Episode #22 – Bubbles and Brews Philly – J’nelle Lawrence

Having Fun With Bubbles and Brews Philly!!!

We had a fabulous time talking with J’nelle Lawrence of Bubbles and Brews Philly.  For J’nelle and her husband Ty it all began with their wedding day.  Since that day they have not looked back.  They are taking the mobile bar scene by storm.  email:  [email protected]    phone:  484-437-5955 .  www.getcozybars.com

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/etRka5r

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/eAXfQhp

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eNVpW6B

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/e5v6UAv

and more…


Highlights from our discussion:

Valley Forge Casino

All Star Craft Beer Festival

Thomas + Main

Cheers!!!

Episode # 20 – Eight Oaks Farm Distillery – Caitlin Bagenstose

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery visits the Podcast.

This episode features Caitlin Bagenstose of Eight Oaks Farm Distillery.  Caitlin is the Production Planner and a Distiller . The distillery owned by Chad Butters is Veteran Owned, Family Run and Farm Grown.  What comes out of our discussion is that family and community are important.  They are a very creative group that highlights the farmland and surrounding Lehigh Valley Area.   

7189 Route 309, New Tripoli, Pa 18066

Phone: (484)387-5287  – www.eightoaksdistillery.com –  On Facebook                          8

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eEHrEUn

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/eZSNuam

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eZSNuam

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/ed7Kr6g

and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Tails of Valor

Farmer Veteran Coalition

Cancer Support Community

Reading Terminal Market

Cheers!!!

On the Set of Fermented Adventure The Show on RVNTV.TV

City of Ciderly-Love

In 1775, John Adams complained about the quality of Philadelphia alcohols in a letter to his wife Abigail. He was homesick for her cider. If John Adams were around Philly today he would be texting Abigail about the amazing hard cider that is being produced. It is the apple that was one of the first crops grown in America. Apples made the voyage over on the Mayflower. In Colonial America, fermented beverages were an important source of safe drinking water. Cider was the way that many started the day. An average of 35 gallons of hard cider, per person, was being consumed each year by the mid 1700’s. Prohibition nearly eradicated hard cider. The only apples that remained were eating apples. Many cider orchards were burned to the ground by die-hard temperance advocates. Fast forward to today. Cider has not only made a comeback, it is thriving. The Philadelphia Cider scene is fresh, vibrant and creative. Pennsylvania orchards are once again supplying delicious varieties that are perfect for pressing. Here are 5 cideries in Philadelphia that you need to check out and go back to again.

COMMONWEALTH CIDER

2440 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
[email protected]

Website: www.commonwealthciders.com

Make the trip out to Kensington where you will enjoy all natural and gluten free-hard cider in the Peacock Room. This place boasts a lively neighborhood atmosphere and an outside beer garden. The line up includes a Traditional Dry cider, Gregarious Ginger, Black Cherry and a Razzberet Tart. They put out a delicious seasonal cider as well. Plan to stay a while because they are brewing up some sensational beer here too.

HALE & TRUE CIDER COMPANY

613 S. 7th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 [email protected]

Website: www.haleandtrue.com

This chic taproom is located just a short walk off of South Street in the Bella Vista section of Philly. You will most likely find Kerry and Risa McKenzie sharing their passion for cider and cider production. The cider menu features The Standard, Hail To The Hop and Lil’ Sunshine. They are always creating a seasonal cider and you may discover a small batch release or two.

Kurant Brew & Brew CLOSED

436 E Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125

Website: www.kurantbrewandbrew.com

In the heart of Fishtown you will find Joe Getz creating crisp, clean and honest to goodness delicious cider. Cans are waiting and ready for you to bring home your favorites. We would agree that their ciders have more similarities with white wine than with American ciders. Enjoy: Earth, Bees and Viejo with their “Exploration Series” in the taproom.

Original 13 Ciderworks

1526 N American St Philadelphia, PA 19122

Website: www.original-13.com

Kensington is the home of Original 13 Ciderworks is helping to lead the renaissance of a once industrious area. Here you will discover founder John Kowchak’s creation. Housed in a railroad shed it is an atmosphere for fun, conversation and first rate food. Sir Charles Hard Cider is named after John’s cider making grandfather. On tap you will find: Semi-Dry, Deep Blue Berry Sea and Strawberry Valkyrie. Seasonal’s are ready and waiting to quench your cider thirst.

Young America Hard Cider

6350 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144

Website: www.youngamericancider.com

Young American are the new “old” kids on the block. They have been producing cider for years. Selling at farmers markets and festivals. They opened a quaint tasting room in the historic Germantown-Mount Airy section of Philly. There is a nice outdoor area with fire pits for when the weather turns cold. They are offering some well made, finely crafted ciders: Traditional, Tart Cherry, Bourbon & Bitters, Blue Ginger, Blood Orange and Hopped. Come hungry because they are making some tasty hand made food as well. The Savory hand pies are a spectacular compliment to their cider.

Episode #19 – Anthony Brichta and Ryan Everett – County Seat Spirits

Anthony Brichta and Ryan Everett of County Seat Spirits

This episode features Anthony Brichta and Ryan Everett of County Seat Spirits.  Anthony Brichta and John Rowe are the founders and owners of County Seat Spirits.   The main distillery and tasting room is located in Allentown, PA . The Easton location features a craft cocktail bar and tasting room.   – www.countyseatspirits.com –  On Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eDf-AcS

🎧 Anchor https://lnkd.in/eB-DqnG

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/e2gdkPt

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/egKK2cZ

And more…

Highlights from our discussion:

King County Distillery

Dad’s Hat Rye

Hewn Spirits

Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery 

Thistle Finch

Colony Meadery

Lehigh University

HiJinx Brewing Company

Ambler Beer Company

Social Still

Gallows Hill Spirits

Eight Oaks Distillery

Triple Sun Spirits

Barley Creek Brewing

Böser Geist Brewing

Separatist Beer

The Aviary NYC

Cheers!!!

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