Fermented Adventure The Podcast

This episode features Luke Goucher and Carson Souza of Obscurity Mead Hall & Cidery.

Obscurity started with friends getting together and having a passion for beer.  Carson had already been in the brewing industry for 10 years as a commercial brewer at a vegan brewery.  Luke and Carson decided to get a little wild and play with mead as well.  A adventure was born in the cornfields of the far west suburbs of Chicago.  Mead was a challenge for Carson so he jumped right in.  Luke and Carson flew around the country to check out some of the best mead makers and learn from their successes.  This episode is a master class on brewing, fermenting and business.  Obscurity is creating many tremendous expressions.  Enjoy as we sample through their story.  

21 S Main St, Elburn, IL 60119 - 630-320-2255 - www.drinkobscurity.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Meadcon 2022

Braggot

Viking Braggot Company

Rabbits Foot Meadery

B. Nektar Meadery

National Honey Board

Charm City Meadworks

This episode features Dave Schmier of Proof and Wood Ventures.

Dave co-founded Redemption Rye in 2010.  In 2015 he sold the company and within a short time he started Proof and Wood.  Presently he doesn't distill, however, he does source some incredible whiskey and barrel aged spirits.  A huge part of what they do is blending of whiskey.  The have recently added rum to the mix.  Dave's been developing boutique craft brands for over 20 years.  The Proof and Wood library includes international whisky too.   Dave's experience in the beverage industry and working in bars shines through on the expressions that he has created.   

www.ProofandWood.com - Instagram

Highlights from our discussion:

Redemption Rye Whiskey

MGP

Seagram's Distillery

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Widow Jane

Sidney Frank

Leopold Bros Distillery

Dad's Hat Rye

American Craft Spirits Association

Indie Spirits Expo

This episode features Lauren Patz of Redwood Empire Whiskey.

The story begins not with whiskey but, with wine.  Derek Benham started a wine company over 20 years ago.  He built the brand and sold it in 2013.  He then set his sights on starting a distillery.  White spirits flowed from the still and they began laying down barrels in 2015.  Redwood Empire is located in the heart of Sonoma, California.  Lauren grew up in a wine making family.  Her journey into distilling started with the study of history (Not the history of spirits)  and she learned how to make candy while in Japan.  It was when she was pairing chocolate and spirits that it opened her world to spirits.  Learn more about the amazing whiskeys that Redwood is producing and we are certain that you're sure to become a huge fan too.  It will be love at first sip.  

www.RedwoodEmpireWhiskey.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Trees For The Future

Adams Grain

Admiral Maltings

Spirit Works Distillery

Chuao Chocolatier

Benham's Gin

Mark West Wines

Bar Convent Brooklyn

In this episode we speak with Michael Juergens of Bhutan Wine Company.

Michael grew up in Southern California.  He was a punk rock skateboard kid.  His origins were not in wine.  His dad came home from a business trip to Italy with a bottle of wine.  He suggested that they drink the wine and smoke cigars.  At his mothers insistence, off to the garage they went.  The first sip flipped a switch.  This led him to being interested and curious about wine.  That was 30 years ago.  Our discussion of wine and Michael's experiences was fascinating and entertaining.  You will learn about the "worlds leading wine influencer".  Discover how The Bhutan Wind Company, SoCal Rum Company and Drinking & Knowing Things, got their start.  Plus, so much more.

www.BhutanWine.com - Instagram

Highlights From our Discussion:

Silver Oak

Somm

Drinking & Knowing Things

JCB Wines

SoCal Rum Company

San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Sip Awards

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Master Sommelier

Master of Wine

In this episode we speak with Anthony Packwood of Ovo Vodka.

Anthony and John Dunnington are from Liverpool.  Their studies in grad school were around the alcohol industry.  They focused on the branding and marketing.  The more that they saw others creating, they began to get curious on making their own product.  It was important for them to have a cause conscious mission from the start.  Why Vodka?  They like it!  In 2019 they partnered with Clear Blue Sea to help clean the oceans.  Listen and learn about the fascinating story of this wonderful vodka.

 www.ovo.vodka - Facebook

Highlights From our Discussion:

Misunderstood Whiskey

Tito's

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Liberty State Park

Micha McFarlane

In this episode we speak with Jackie Williams of RX Global about Bar Convent Brooklyn 2022.  

In 2018 BCB was launched.  In 2022 BCB celebrated it's new Brooklyn home at Industry City.  

Bar Convent Brooklyn took place on June 14th and 15th.  Over 3,700 attended the event over a 2 day span.  The event provided an amazing opportunity for the bartending and spirits industry to come together and network, see new products, and discover the latest trends.  136 booths offered something for everyone.  Featuring... spirits, liquors, aperitifs, ready to drink cocktails, barware and mixers.  The education offerings highlighted over 3 dozen classes that provided a wide variety of information.   Jackie and I recap the event and discuss what you can look forward to at 2023's 5th anniversary extravaganza.  www.barconventbrooklyn.com - Facebook

Highlights From our Discussion:

Industry City

Barr Hill Gin

Chilled 100 Spirits Awards

Bar Convent Berlin

This episode features Barb McDonald and Crystal Barrios of Laws Whiskey House.

Laws is a local distillery in Denver, Colorado.  They began distilling in 2011 and sold their first drop of whiskey in 2014.  Their focus from the beginning was to make, age and sell their own juice.  For Al and Mary Ann Laws, whiskey is the passion and whiskey is the goal.  Since day one... Whiskey Above All!  Today, everything that goes into the bottle represents Colorado terroir.  Barb and Crystal take us through the fascinating world of Laws Whiskey House.  We learn about how the grain makes it to the glass.  We have the pleasure of tasting and discussing 2 of their amazing expressions.  Enjoy the episode and try this whiskey for yourself.  It will quickly become a favorite pour.  Laws is craft at its finest and it is destined to only get better.  

 1420 S Acoma St, Denver, CO 80223 - (720) 570-1420 - www.LawsWhiskeyHouse.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Independent Stave Company

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Thomas Kinkade

San Luis Valley

This episode features Brenden Raulerson  of Glen Moray.

Glen Moray Distillery has been in operation, off and on, since 1897.  The distillery originated out of the Elgin West Brewery in the heart of Speyside. In the early 1900's they were "mellowing" whisky in Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc barrels.  The philosophy of experimenting with cask finishes still exists today.  120 plus years of experience resonates in the amazing whisky that is being produced.  This Speyside style whisky provides a depth of flavor and character.  Brenden shares the rich history of Glen Moray.  He takes us on a tasting journey and shares his insight and knowledge of the expressions that we had the pleasure to enjoy.  

www.GlenMoray.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Porto Cruz

The Presbyterian

Bar Convent Brooklyn

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 - [email protected] - www.absinthia.com - Facebook

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

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.  

Producers That we met:

The Washington Winery

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka Distillery 

Excise Distillery

Old Overholt

Crooked Creek Distillery

Whiskey Smash

Quantum Spirits