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.    - www.highpointkombucha.com - 724-503-4014 -  On Facebook 

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

This episode features Ed and Judy Belfoure of Red Pump Spirits.   Ed and Judy get to make people happy.  Ed's background in chemistry was the perfect transition into creating distilled spirits.  There is a rich history of amateur wine making in Ed's family and he likes getting his hands dirty.  This couple makes a fantastic team and is producing some first rate wonderful spirits.  We could have talked for hours.  They were a delight to have on the podcast.

32 N. Main Street, Washington, PA 15301 - [email protected] - 724-503-4014 -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Whiskey Rebellion Festival

Zig Ziglar

Leopold Bros

Maryland Style Rye Whiskey

Monongahela Rye

Five Saints Distilling

Step Mash Process

Liberty Pole Spirits

Whiskey Smash

Phil Bourque

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

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

This episode features Ethan Smith.  Ethan has a passion and curiosity for the old Bomberger's Distillery which was more recently Michter's in Pennsylvania.    The seed for Ethan's hunger to discover Michter's was planted in him when he was a kid.  Originating in a brochure rack.   It reappeared in an antiques store and since that fateful day he has been consumed with the Michter's legacy.  Even turning his home into a makeshift Michter's museum to preserve the famous history.  Michter's closed on Valentine's Day 1990 but, Ethan helps to keep the story alive.

[email protected]. -  The Ethan Smith Blog

Highlights from our discussion:

Bomberger's Distillery

Michter's Distillery

Dick Stoll

Stoll & Wolfe Distillery

Schaefferstown, PA

Susquehanna River Valley

WGAL

Evan Williams

Jack Daniels

Rosen Rye

American Whiskey Convention

Tom's Foolery Distillery

Continental Distilling Corporation

Michter's Decanters List

This episode features Jason Harris of Stone & Key Cellars.   Jason and I discuss the experience of building Keystone Homebrew supply back in 1992.  At the time he was on the cutting edge of the homebrew industry.  We talk about the development of their amazing ciders and the growth of Stone & Key Cellars. 

435 Doylestown Rd, Montgomeryville, PA 18936   215-855-4567  - www.stoneandkeycellars.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Spotted Lantern Fly

Coronavirus

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing

Charlie Papazian

How to Brew

John J. Palmer

University of Vermont

Delaware Vally University

Keystone Homebrew Supply

Farnum Hill Ciders

Solebury Orchards

This episode features Matt Check and Brian Crew of Stone & Key Cellars.   Matt and Brian share their journeys on how they arrived at Stone and Key.  They discuss the process for creating their amazing wines.  

435 Doylestown Rd, Montgomeryville, PA 18936   215-855-4567  - www.stoneandkeycellars.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Spotted Lantern Fly

Coronavirus

Wine School of Philadelphia

Keith Wallace

Yakima Valley

Washington Wine Country

Lake County California

Bad Mother Shuckers

Keystone Homebrew Supply

Finger Lakes International Wine and Spirits Competition

This episode features Canyon Shayer of Philadelphia Distilling.   Canyon shares the history of Philadelphia Distilling and we discuss the amazing rise to success of Bluecoat Gin.  They are leading the craft spirit revolution.  Canyon is one of the original bartenders at Philadelphia Distilling's current location.  He has an amazing knowledge and passion for cocktails and spirits.  He is now brand ambassador for Samson & Surrey.

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123   215-671-0346  - www.philadelphiadistilling.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Andrew Auwerda

Robert Cassell

Aaron Selya

Fishtown

Forsyth Stills

Pete Venuto

Charlie Was a Sinner

Groundswell Design Group

Smokin Tacos Food Truck

Few Spirits

Brenne

Widow Jane

Mezcal Vago                     

Tequila Ocho

This episode features Bob Piano of Gallows Hill Spirits.   Bob's fascination of distilled spirits began when he was a kid.  He took an old pressure cooker and distilled a 6 pack of Budweiser.  Flash forward to today where the distillery is not just about spirits... It's about the connection to the Salem Witch Trials.  Gallows Hill is a gathering place for people to learn, laugh and enjoy some amazing craft distilled spirits.  

2208 South 12th Street, Allentown, PA 18103 - (610) 628-9445  - www.gallowshillspirits.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

The Complete Joy of Home Brewing

Charlie Papazian

Lehigh Valley Homebrewers

Home Distiller.org

Salem Witch Trials 

Ancestory.com

King Edward 1st

Salem Massachusetts 

Old Tom Gin

Bartender Spirit Awards

Liquor Control Board

This episode features Chris Flowers of Reading Distilling Guild.  Chris got his start in the back of the house as a chef and soon realized that the front of the house was where he was supposed to be.  He bartended at lots of restaurants and on many beaches to hone his craft.  He knocked it out of the park winning a bronze medal for his White Rum on the first run they ever produced.  Today, Chris and Kate Flowers are on the forefront and leading the resurgence of Reading.  

503 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601 - (484) 222-3601  - www.rdgspirits.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Le Cordon Bleu Institute Of Culinary Arts

Johnson & Wales University

Cocktail

Coughlin's Law

Grant Cardone

Undercover Boss

This episode features Risa McKenzie and Kerry McKenzie of Hale & True Cider Company.  The Cider company got it's start from a love of all things fermented.  Risa and Kerry fell in love with the science behind fermentation and the process.  Once they tried a local hard cider it changed the trajectory of their lives and they have not looked back.  

613 S 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 - 267-639-4334  - www.haleandtrue.com -  On Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Frecon Farms

Cornel University

Weavers Orchard

Philly Foodworks

Enartis Yeast

Cidercon

Kurant Brew & Brew

Bella Vista

South Street

Okey Dokie Donuts