Crafted Conversations

In this episode I traveled to Cambridge, WI and had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Nick Maas - owner and operator of Dancing Goat Distillery! Nick's family story weaves through the halls of alcohol history from moonshining, creating RumChata, and all the way to Charlie Berens' Brandy and cementing themselves as one of Wisconsin's largest craft operations. I can't thank Nick and Dancing...

In this episode I traveled back to Milwaukee, WI and revisited my good friends at Central Standard Craft Distillery! Owner Evan Hughes and Chief Commercial Officer Jim Kanter sat down to catch up on all things Central Standard and showcased some of their newest product! I can't thank Evan and Jim enough for their warm welcome and willingness to sit down with me again, but this time on video! T...

In this episode I traveled to Pittston, PA and had a fantastic conversation with Fred Maier - owner and operator of Susquehanna Brewing Company! Honoring is family's heritage from Germany, 6 generations of beer makers later Fred is making some fantastic craft product just south of Scranton, PA. I'm grateful for his and SBC's warm hospitality and look forward to stopping in again! For more informat...

In this episode I traveled to Sheboygan, Wisconsin and had was welcomed by 3 Sheeps Brewing's own Grant Pauly! As owner and operator, Grant has created something special up in Sheboygan, WI with classic beer recipes alongside different experiments and a really unique barrel aging program! I'm incredibly grateful for his hospitality while onsite! For more information: Be sure to follow: @3sheepsbre...

In this episode I traveled to Fon du Lac, Wisconsin and had the pleasure of sitting down with Bryce Retzer, the head distiller of Ledgerock Distillery! The Retzer Family has been distilling since 2018 and farming for even longer! Ledgerock takes grain to glass very seriously and is making some fantastic products! For more information: Be sure to follow: @ledgerockdistillery Visit: ⁠https://www.led...

In this episode, I traveled to my hometown and beer capital of the world: Milwaukee, Wisconsin! I had the unique privilege of sitting down with Owner Russ Klisch and Brand Manager Michael Stodola to hear their individual stories of getting into craft beer and the story of Lakefront itself. This episode was recorded at the end of July and unfortunately Michael passed suddenly in October. With bless...

In this episode, I traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to learn the store of the only distillery in town: Sturgeon Spirits. Owner and distillery Karl Loewenstein graciously sat down with me to discuss all the things he's infusing, his small business, and his background as a Russian History Teacher! They have some fantastic products and I can't wait to visit Sturgeon Spirits again next time I'm in the a...

In this episode, I traveled to Dane, Wisconsin - just north of Madison - to learn all about J. Henry & Sons and their incredible family story. Master Blender Joe Z. Henry - the oldest of the Henry sons - sat down with me to discuss all things Bourbon and Rye centered around their family farm. They have some fantastic products and I can't wait to visit J. Henry & Sons again next time I'm in...

In this episode, I traveled to my hometown of West Allis, Wisconsin to learn all about the brewery that opened after I moved away! Co-owner Kyle Ciske and Brewer Cameron Patterson welcomed me to Ope! and shared their story, alongside a flight of beer of course! Enjoy the music in the beginning and ending? Cheers to Kyle - a musician himself - for sharing the jingles he produced for different brand...

In this episode I traveled back to my hometown of Milwaukee, WI and had the special privilege of speaking with Head Distiller Nate Newbrough and Bar Manager Brendan Cleary - at Great Lakes Distillery!! Back when we were still just doing audio, Great Lakes joined us on Episode 12 for what is still our most successful audio episode TO DATE! Now, we bring them to video! Sharing the story of Great Lak...

In this episode I traveled to Washington DC and had the pleasure of speaking with Jordan Cotton, co-founder and distiller at the Cotton & Reed Rum Distillery! I'm so thankful for Jordan's hospitality and look forward to visiting again when I'm in the area! For more information: Follow: @cottonandreed on Instagram Visit: https://www.cottonandreed.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really app...

In this episode I traveled to Baltimore, MD and had the honor of speaking with the great Max Lents and Eli Brietburg-Smith. Both are Co-founders and distillers at Baltimore Spirits Co! I'm so thankful for Max and Eli's hospitality and look forward to visiting again when I'm in the area! For more information: Follow Baltimore Spirits Co.: @baltspiritsco on Instagram Visit: https://baltimorespiritsc...

In this episode I traveled to Middleburg, VA - a small rural town just about an hour west of Washington D.C. - and had the honor of speaking with the head distiller at Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery: Peter Ahlf! I'm so thankful for Peter's hospitality and time and can't wait to visit again when I'm in the area! For more information: Follow Mt. Defiance: @mtdefiance on Instagram Visit: www.mt...

In this episode I traveled to Kearneysville, WV - a small town just 20 min NW of Harpers Ferry - and had the pleasure of speaking with owner and operator of Devil's Due Distillery: Wylie McDade. I'm so thankful for Wylie's hospitality and friendship and can't wait to visit again when I'm in the area! For more information: Follow Devil's Due: @devilsduedistillery on Instagram Visit: https://www.fac...

In this episode I traveled to Old Town Alexandria, VA - a beautiful historic town just minutes from Washington DC - and had the honor of speaking with Tom "Big T" Gale - the Director of Operations at one of the biggest bourbon bars and restaurants in the area, Virtue Feed & Grain! Tom is a Kentucky Colonel, Executive Bourbon Steward, king of one-liners, and named one of Alexandria's most inter...

In this episode I traveled to Norristown, PA - just outside of Philadelphia - and had the honor of speaking with John George - founder and distiller of Five Saints Distilling! I'm so thankful for John's hospitality and can't wait to visit again when I'm in the Philly area! "Growing up in the Upstate New York countryside provided a childhood of outdoor fun and adventure from nightly football on a n...

In this episode I traveled to Evanston, IL - just outside of Chicago - and had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Hletko - founder and distillery of FEW Spirits! I'm so thankful for Paul's hospitality and can't wait to visit again when I'm in the Chicagoland area! "PAUL HLETKO, FOUNDER & DISTILLER, SAW THE POWER OF PEOPLE FOLLOWING THEIR DREAMS. HE TURNED HIS SIGHTS TO MAKING SPIRITS.&nbs...

In this episode I traveled to Indiana, PA and had the joy of interviewing Zach Morrow - owner and operator of Noble Stein Brewing Co, and Brewmaster Garrett Joiner! "It all started in a garage. We had both homebrewed before. Then, one day we brought all of our ideas and recipes together. We started out using home brew kits in a simple five-gallon kettle, but our excitement and want for more g...

In this episode I traveled to Washington, PA and had the pleasure of speaking Jim Hough - owner and operator of Liberty Pole Spirits! Alongside his Wife and Sons, Jim honors the incredible history of Washington County, PA with one of the first American Industries: Whiskey! Liberty Pole Spirits celebrates the secret gathering in a meetinghouse near Mingo Creek where colonists vowed not to pay the 1...

In this episode I traveled to El Paso, TX and had the pleasure of speaking with Sean Isassi of Prospect Spirits! The distillery itself is a work in progress in an old pizza shop, and the work they've done so far is really impressive! Makers of Free Range Vodka and Brindle Bourbon - among other delicious offerings, Prospect Spirits owns the space in the heart of Five Points in El Paso. I appreciate...

In this episode I had the honor of sitting down with Steven Khoo - owner and operator of Static Line Brewing Co. in Sanford, North Carolina! Steven, alongside his wife Michelle, have only recently opened but already have a massive following and dedicate their space to the military community nearby at Fort Liberty (Bragg). Steven himself is retired from the US Army and has fully embraced his roots...

In this episode I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark McLaughlin to discuss his journey from Navy to Distillery and everything in-between at Old Line Spirits in Baltimore, Maryland! visit www.oldlinespirits.com Follow @oldlinespirits If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate a follow and share on social media, subscribe to our YouTube, and be sure to give us a rating and review on...

In this episode I traveled to Colorado Springs, CO on the heels of the 2024 American Craft Spirits Association Convention in Denver! I've admired Blackhat from afar and am so grateful for the opportunity to stop by and talk to their head distiller Kim Immel. Visit https://www.blackhatdistillery.com/ Follow @blackhatdistillery If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate a follow and share on...

In our first video episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike and Dolly - founders of The Bar Book! They've created something special with a brand new app that helps you discover flavor profiles in products that fit you and your preference! The app went live in March 2024, and has tons of steam and TLC behind it. Mike and Dolly welcomed my wife and I into their home and discussed what the a...

Our last audio only episode is here! I had an absolute blast talking to owner and operator, Jeff Harner, about his quaint and unique distillery in Hyattsville, Maryland. Sang•Froid Distilling is one of the smallest yet most impressive operations I've had the pleasure of visiting and I can't thank Jeff enough for having me! visit online at https://www.sangfroiddistilling.com/ follow @sangfroiddisti...