With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. In Part 1 of this tour-de-force of a conversation, we talk to John about his path to opening The Alchemist with his wife, Jen, in 2003; the business — and current landscape — of craft beer; his advice on opening a brewery; and what distinguishes great beer from mediocre beer.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Pittsburgh Steelers (2:42)
• John’s Beer Background (4:50)
• The Effects of Prohibition (18:52)
• Mediocre Beer (22:42)
• Current Landscape of Craft Beer (25:42)
• Being Fortunate vs Being Lucky (34:28)
• Opening The Alchemist (39:23)
• Why the name, ‘The Alchemist’ (44:59)
• Skiing / Snowboarding (51:45)
• Why Vermont? (52:55)
• Heady Topper & It’s Origins (55:39)
• Advice on Opening a Brewery? (1:03:13)
• Great Beer vs. Mediocre Beer (1:05:25)
• Bitterness vs. Astringency (1:11:44)
• Today’s Hazy IPAs (1:18:21)

RELATED LINKS

• Part 2: Our Conversation with The Alchemist's John Kimmich
• The Alchemist Brewery
• BLISTER’s Open Mic Series

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are talking with John Fellows, one of our favorite artists, whose signature style can be found across the outdoor industry. We discuss John’s background in art; the business of art & graphic design; the development of his trademark style; and we announce our new Blister Artist Series that we are kicking off with John.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• John’s background (4:37)
• Style (13:26)
• Consistency vs. Evolution of Style (19:14)
• The Business of Art (25:04)
• Dream Gigs & Your Typical Work Day (39:13)
• Ski Town Art (42:50)
• What other craft categories are you into? (50:23)
• Blister Artist Series (53:51)

RELATED LINKS

• John Fellows’ Website & Work
• BLISTER’s Open Mic Series

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is “Natural Wine”? Is it the same as organic wine, or raw wine? For answers, we talk with Danielle and Katie Nichols, the two amazing sisters behind CORK Restaurant & Natural Wine Shop. Danielle and Katie provide a fantastic introduction and overview of natural wine; explain how they got into it; and tell us about “Twinkie Wines” and “Breakfast Wines,” too.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Breakfast Wines (4:03)
• What is CORK? (6:14)
• Skiing & Sisters’ Backgrounds (12:55)
• Back to Stowe (16:04)
• Katie’s intro to Natural Wine (18:20)
• Organic Wine vs. Natural Wine (24:13)
• Twinkie Wines & Consistency (36:00)
• Such a Range - approachable (45:39)
• Wine Club (50:10)
• Wine represents so much more than the rating (56:44)
• Where to find them (1:02:22)

RELATED LINKS

• CORK’s Wine Club
• BLISTER’s Open Mic Series

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Offset Bier has quickly established itself as the best brewery in Park City, and one of the very best in the state, making it a must-stop for any true beer aficionado. But Offset is also establishing itself as a community hub for skiers, runners, and bikers. We talk with Offset co-founder, Conor Brown, about the name “Offset Bier”; approachability vs. complexity; brewing in a state with strict liquor laws; their “No Flights, No Whining” policy; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Ski-Industry Roots (4:16)
• Why the name Offset? (6:12)
• Origin story (12:35)
• Approachability & Complexity (21:23)
• Beer: DOPO: “Lie.P.A.” (24:32)
• Beer: Czech-Style Dark Lager (27:20)
• Foam (29:36)
• Utah’s liquor laws (34:13)
• “Death By a Thousand Cuts” (42:38)
• “No Flights, No Whining” (51:54)
• “Artisanal” (56:24)
• Beer: Stivot (1:00:46)
• Chemistry (1:06:54)
• Standing Out (1:13:28)
• Community Events (1:18:59)
• Name a brewery that’s inspired you? (1:21:00)
• Other craft category you keep an eye on? (1:25:16)

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First Ascent Coffee Roasters might be best known for their instant coffee. So in this conversation, FA owner and partner and coffee roaster, Sam Higby discusses the difference between very good and very bad instant coffee; light roasts vs. dark roast; the brewing process; brewing coffee at altitude; how to make great coffee on a budget; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Sam’s background (4:25)
• First Ascent Coffee (9:32)
• History of instant coffee & what makes it good or bad (10:13)
• Light Roasts vs Dark Roasts (22:17)
• The roasting process (30:52)
• Graders vs Sommeliers (34:22)
• Hot sauce, hops, & dark roasts (37:16)
• Brewing at altitude (42:13)
• Grinding & Grinders (46:03)
• Extraction / grind size (51:17)
• Different brewing methods (54:23)
• How to do good coffee on a budget (58:04)
• Whiskey Taste (1:09:34)

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’ve got the very first episode of our latest podcast, CRAFTED. On CRAFTED, we dive deep into the craft world to explore how things get made, and do so with the remarkable people who insist on making things well. 

We’re kicking off the podcast by talking with Brandon Capps, the founder and owner of New Image Brewing in the Denver area of Colorado. Brandon is not only part of the reason we launched CRAFTED, he’s also someone who is exceptionally good at — and passionate about — discussing the intricacies of brewing, growing a business, and doing things differently. We cover all of that and more, including what other breweries inspire him; coming up with 600+ beer recipes over the years; New Image’s constant production of new one-off beers vs. year-round options; and what truly makes a “Craft” company.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Jonathan & Brandon’s history (2:31)
• CRAFTED Kick Off (6:35)
• What is New Image Brewing? (8:15)
• Growing a brewing company (11:53)
• What we’re drinking (Fanny Pack) (14:51)
• How New Image does things differently (19:25)
• What makes a “Craft” company? (24:30)
• Brandon’s background in engineering (30:28)
• Brandon’s evolving personal preferences (36:08)
• Curveball: psychedelic revolution (40:55)
• ABV pop quiz (48:31)
• Future segment: How to Pour Beer (49:53)
• What other breweries inspire Brandon? (54:36)
• One-offs vs. year-round beers (1:01:35)
• Where is New Image beer found? (1:05:36)

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• GEAR:30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.