Still Talking

Recorded during the industry shutdown, we dive into the ever-struggling spirits world with our signature blend of grim reality and far-too-optimistic chatter. From why sour moods are the new normal to the weird optimism that refuses to die, the crew tries to pull useful insights out of this years shutdown chaos — kinda. Expect a bit of useful info, a lot of complaining, and the usual detours into...

We’re joined by Alan Greene and Phil Morgan from Haskell to talk all things process engineering. From the promise and limits of heat pumps in distilling to the realities of industrial automation, this episode is packed with technical insight, humidity-induced suffering, and more than one questionable fashion choice. Expect a sweaty dive into sustainable system design, why your fermenter hates you,...

We attempt, and fail, to get Chris Swonger to use more vulgar language on air. Unfortunately, his professionalism wins out. Luckily we have a great conversation on the state of tariffs related to the spirits industry, DTC, and other what the future holds.

Johnny proves he does manual labor, Sam gives a brutal opinion on distilling conferences, we learn about Southern Distilling Company, and Pete mocks Brian’s befeathered studio.

Johnny, Colton, and Brian catch up after convention season and discuss how ACSA, Beam Institute, and DISCUS held up this year. We also BS about cooperages, microbial science, and the Heritage Grain Project.

The Wallstreet Journal talks to Rob, the shocking drop in aged barrel value, and glimmers of hope for the future of spirits

Join Colton, Brian, and our lovely guest Tyler Derheim as we chat about the new TTB rules for standards of fill, how the new administration may be impacting the TTB, Colton’s dreams for a 5 gallon jug of whiskey, and the Surgeon General’s newest alcohol warning.

Rob Masters (who is still alive), and Johnny Jeffery (mostly alive) join the Still Talking boys to chat about risk averse consumers, GLP-1’s impact on the spirits industry, and a unifying message in dark times.

Zeno hilariously spirals after the election, Brian poorly reads depressing distilling news, and Colton desperately attempts to keep us on the rails.

Colton, Brian, and Zeno have a bawdy conversation with Matt Jasnoff of Bulk Spirits to discuss spirits pricing, shipping woes, and more gas station sushi.

A somber episode where the fellas interview Stephen Gould of Golden Moon Distillery. We hear the story of a distilleries slow death while learning valuable lessons from a seasoned distiller who is more than willing to help an industry learn from his struggles. We also make fun of Matt Strickland’s large head.

We discuss hot-sweaty distilling, argue about the best value brands on the market, laugh at Zeno’s dirty drinking water, and try not to incur the wraith of Heaven Hill and the Smashing Pumpkins.

Learn about the fine art of beard grooming, big wood in CA, disruptive distilling, and many many jokes at the expense of our lovely sponsor.

Amazing distiller, and incredible human, Caitlin Bartlemay joins us to talk about how to move an entire distillery from Portland to Hood River without missing a single day of production, the magic of PNW fruit, and Zeno’s futile attempt to polish turds.

The Still Talking crew is joined by Jeff Rasmussen of Still Dragon to debate three-chamber stills, discuss the collapse of alcoholic seltzers, celebrate the return of “final-thoughts,” and Zeno attempts to properly read the O-I sponsorship plug an uncomfortable number of times.

Yah you missed us. Join Colton, Brian, and Zeno as they catch up in 2024 and chat about distilling business, Liberty Pole, secret projects, selling out, and introducing an honest to god Still Talking sponsor.

The fellas talk with Mark Vierthaler of Wiskey Del Bac about the joys of distilling under the Arizona heat dome, American Single Malt, the state of distilling, the beer battles, and so much more.

We talk about upcoming distilling conferences (which of course have now come and gone), recap Tales of the Cocktail, Zeno giggles, and we discuss two movies that none of us actually saw and were topical 2 months ago..

The Still talking crew celebrates their single handed destruction of brewing. We also cover distribution headaches, Bud Light’s marketing nightmare, further debate the efficacy of Zeno as an AI, and continue to throw shade at bad science and politics.

Colton finally has barrels, Zeno boasts that he knows how to ride a bike, Brian bums everyone out with the news, and we all agree on the delectability of animal faces. Also, the brewing battle between beer and spirits, economies of scale, and a short recap of the DISCUS conference in Chicagoland.

The most interesting man in distilling, Timo Marshall of Spirit Works Distillery, joins us to discus Dungeons and Distillers, Sloe Gin, Spirits competitions, and the fellas education Timo on what the hell a Turkey Trot is all about.

At long last the elusive Johnny Jeffery joins the Still Talking team to chat about the rise and sale of Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, the art of co-founding distilling groups, Chat GPT, the AI takeover, and Dad Jokes.

It’s an early Festivus Day Miracle! Zeno is back with Colton and Brian to update the gang on rum production, fatherhood, and why Pittsburg is the heart of human culture and innovation.

Colton and Brian are back from Hiatus and introducing the Society of Spirit! Reade Huddleston joins to chat about the industry, the new Society group, and the brisk business of black market kidney sales.

In this update episode Colton and Zeno are joined by Brian’s hologram to discuss some happenings in the industry.  The hologram elaborates on some of Mr. Elon Musk’s personal services and the three discuss Diageo deciding to move on from a relationship.   StillTalking aims to please listener; so this news is immensely topical and highly speculatory.