Small Lake City

Bookish Event Tickets: https://www.bookishslc.com/event-details-registration/bookish-mountain-west-cider

Stickers (Buy 3 Get 1 Free): https://www.smalllakepod.com/merchandise

Ready for your Tuesday update from Small Lake City? Exciting things are brewing in our podcast community this week!

Have you heard the remarkable story of Dendrick Estate yet? Our latest episode features founders Carly and Brendan Coyle, who've created something truly special in our local cider scene. From growing their own fruit to fermenting and bottling - all in Camas - they've built an authentic, farm-to-glass operation that stands out in Utah's craft beverage landscape. Their journey from dream to reality showcases the innovative spirit thriving in our community.

For those looking to show some Small Lake City pride, our merchandise store has officially launched with stickers featuring iconic designs: Julia Reagan, funeral potatoes, whales, and dirty soda! With our buy-three-get-one-free deal, you can treat yourself and share with friends or family. These visual tokens of our shared conversations make perfect gifts for anyone connected to our Salt Lake City community.

Mark your calendars for August 19th! We're collaborating with Bookish for a unique reading party at Mountain West Cider. Grab your current read, sip on local cider, and connect with fellow book lovers in a relaxed setting. I'll be there too, and can't wait to meet you in person - just follow the link in our bio to secure your spot before tickets sell out.

This weekend's episode features the inspiring Michelle DeCastro, who followed a sign from Fort Lauderdale to Salt Lake City in 2019. When 2020's challenges hit, Michelle created something beautiful - the Unity Block Party - inspired by neighborhood traditions from her Florida upbringing. We discuss what drew her to Utah, her favorite Small Lake City moments, and how she's building bridges through her annual community gathering at Liberty Square.

Subscribe now so you don't miss Michelle's story dropping this weekend! Leave a review to help more Salt Lake City residents discover these local stories that make our community special.

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Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

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When master distiller Brendan Coyle stepped away from his global role at Constellation Brands, he wasn't retreating – he was pursuing a vision that had been quietly taking shape for years. Together with his wife Carly, he's crafted something extraordinary in Utah's Camas Valley: Dendric Estate, a high-elevation cidery producing sophisticated, wine-style ciders from their meticulously cultivated orchard.

Their story begins at High West Distillery, where Brendan served as head distiller and Carly handled operations and finance. Though their careers flourished separately – Brendan eventually overseeing spirits production globally and Carly moving to the outdoor industry – they missed working together and dreamed of building something truly their own.

The couple's six-year journey to their first bottle release reveals the patience required when agriculture meets artisanal beverage production. They've pioneered methods for growing cider apples at 7,000 feet, researching similar climate regions and enduring years of trial and error to develop what Brendan calls their "playbook" for high-elevation orcharding.

What makes Dendric Estate truly distinctive is their approach to cider itself. Rather than producing the sweet, simple ciders that dominate the American market, they're creating bone-dry sparkling ciders using traditional winemaking methods. Their debut release features zero residual sugar, bright acidity, and mineral notes that have led visiting sommeliers to compare it to Sauvignon Blanc.

"In some ways, America has done the cider industry a disservice over the past 100 years," Brendan explains, contrasting commercial offerings with the fine cider traditions of Spain and the UK. The Coyles aim to showcase cider's sophistication while keeping it approachable – creating a product that's equally at home at backyard gatherings or fine dining establishments.

Looking ahead, they're planning a tasting room for 2027 where visitors can experience their cider amid the very orchards that produced it. It's all part of their vision to deepen connections to the Camas Valley community while introducing people to cider as they believe it should be: complex, terroir-driven, and utterly delicious.

Experience Dendric Estate at select restaurants in Park City and Salt Lake City, or visit their property on Fridays and Saturdays to taste what happens when world-class beverage expertise meets Utah's spectacular mountain landscape.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Get your tickets to Strada Saturdays on Oct. 10th here

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

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Donate Here: https://acscan.donordrive.com/participants/3216

Fork Cancer Tickets Here: https://utah.acscanforkcancer.org/food-drink-entertainment-2/ (Tastemaker Erik Nilsson at checkout)

Susan Gatrell and Brook Carlisle from the American Cancer Society pull back the curtain on what this 112-year-old organization actually does beyond its familiar name recognition. Their passionate insights reveal how ACS serves as the essential but often invisible scaffolding supporting both cancer patients and the healthcare system itself.

Did you know the American Cancer Society conducted the groundbreaking research that established the connection between smoking and cancer? This revelation sparked worldwide policy changes that have saved countless lives – from banning smoking on airplanes to creating smoke-free restaurants. It's just one example of how ACS operates at multiple levels simultaneously to create lasting change.

The conversation brings to light Utah's Hope Lodge, celebrating its tenth anniversary as the second busiest such facility in the nation. This sanctuary provides free lodging for patients traveling more than 40 miles for treatment, creating not just a place to stay but a community where patients and caregivers find understanding among others walking the same difficult path. At just $70 per night in operating costs, donations directly translate to tangible support for patients at their most vulnerable moments.

Against a backdrop of threatened research funding and alarming increases in cancer diagnoses among younger populations, the urgency of ACS's mission becomes clear. With over 80% of donations directly impacting patients through research, advocacy, prevention programs, and direct services, ACS touches approximately 55 million people annually. From gas cards for transportation to patient navigators guiding the newly diagnosed, these services extend far beyond what most people realize.

The upcoming Fort Cancer event represents an innovative approach to fundraising – creating an experience people would enjoy regardless of the cause while supporting critical advocacy work. With unlimited food and drinks from local vendors, this community gathering transforms giving into a celebration.

Join us next Friday at the Gallivan Center for Fort Cancer, where your ticket directly supports ACS's mission to reduce suffering and death from cancer – a disease that may not discriminate, but an organization determined to meet it with equal force through research, advocacy, and compassion.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Get your tickets to Strada Saturdays on Oct. 10th here

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
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Ready to dive into all things Utah this Pioneer Day? We've packed this Tuesday update with everything you need to know about celebrating the holiday in style, whether you prefer the traditional approach or the more spirited "Pie and Beer Day" alternative.

Tomorrow's the big day! Join us at Kiito's Brewing for our Pie and Beer Day celebration featuring sweet treats from Pie Fight and savory options from Bum Bakes. Beyond the delicious pies and craft beer, we're giving away some serious concert swag. Scan a QR code and you could win seated tickets (not grass passes!) to see Russ and Big Sean at Utah First Amphitheater on August 8th. We're also giving away tickets to catch Two Friends, Surf Mesa, Lavern, and Salt Lake's own Goyk performing live. The podcast merch collection is growing too—check out our website for new Julia Reagan stickers sized perfectly for water bottles and laptops.

Looking for more Pioneer Day festivities? The Days of 47 Parade kicks off at 9am from South Temple and State Street, This is the Place Heritage Park hosts special events from 10:30am to 5pm, and both the Salt Lake Bees and Real Salt Lake will cap their games with fireworks displays. But I'm most excited about this weekend's upcoming episode featuring Brendan and Carly Coyle of Dendrick Estate, Utah's newest cidery. I recorded on their beautiful property in Camas where they grow all the fruits for their craft ciders and are building what promises to be an exceptional tasting room experience. Enable notifications on your podcast app now so you don't miss this fascinating look at Utah's growing craft beverage scene when it drops this weekend!

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
TikTok: @smalllakepod

Dive into Utah's vibrant craft beverage scene with host Eric Nilsson as he connects the dots between fascinating local makers revolutionizing what we drink in the Beehive State.

The podcast recently featured Marcio Buflo, Mountain West Cider's innovative head brewmaster, whose journey from studying in Brazil to creating beloved shade sours (think pecan pie and even spaghetti dinner flavors!) showcases the international influences enriching Salt Lake's craft beverage landscape. Mountain West Cider has become more than just a place for drinks – it's a community hub in the Marmalade District where locals gather for live music, food, and connection.

Looking ahead, Eric announces several exciting events, including the cleverly-named "Pie and Beer Day" celebrations at Keto's Brewing (a playful twist on Utah's Pioneer Day). This pre-holiday gathering will feature craft beers paired with delicious pies from Pie Fight. Additionally, the Fork Cancer fundraiser on August 8th at the Galvin Center demonstrates how the local beverage community supports important causes, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society's research and patient support programs.

The upcoming episode spotlights Carly and Brendan Coyle, founders of Dendrick Estate – Utah's newest cidery with a distinctive farm-to-glass approach. What sets them apart? They grow all their apples on-site before transforming them into exceptional ciders. Their recent product launch represents an exciting new chapter in Utah's evolving craft beverage story, one where quality, sustainability, and local sourcing take center stage.

Join the conversation about Utah's craft beverage innovators by listening to new episodes every Saturday, and connect with the community at upcoming events. Your support helps tell these important local stories!

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
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When Marcio Buffolo arrived in Salt Lake City from Brazil, a career making alcohol wasn't part of his plan. With a master's degree in cell biology, he followed his scientist wife to Utah where he worked in university research. But a chance opportunity to solve contamination problems at Shades Brewing changed everything. Marcio's scientific background proved invaluable as he built a quality control lab, identified bacterial culprits, and eventually took over as head brewer when his predecessor unexpectedly departed.

The pandemic transformed Marcio's brewing approach. With taprooms closed and distribution channels disrupted, he pioneered an ambitious strategy: creating a new beer flavor every single week for eighteen months straight. From pie-inspired concoctions to savory experiments like jalapeno popper and spaghetti dinner beers, this creative explosion earned Shades three World Beer Cup medals—the pinnacle of brewing recognition.

Despite this success, Marcio found himself yearning for change. Industry pressures, inflation concerns, and shifting consumer preferences left him questioning his future. That's when Mountain West Cider entered the picture. Though initially unfamiliar with craft cider (despite unknowingly drinking it during Brazilian Christmas celebrations), Marcio discovered a beverage category that perfectly balanced his scientific mindset with creative possibilities.

Now as head cidermaker at Mountain West, he's applying his experimental approach to a new medium—crafting everything from traditional single-varietal ciders aged for months to playful innovations like Bloody Mary cider. He recently earned his Pommelier certification (cider's equivalent to a sommelier) and delights in educating visitors about cider's surprising complexity and diverse styles.

Ready to experience Marcio's craft firsthand? Visit Mountain West's garden in the Marmalade District, where you'll find live music, events, and newly added food options alongside an impressive range of craft beverages. As Mountain West celebrates its 10th anniversary, there's never been a better time to discover how science and creativity converge in every glass.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Get your tickets to Strada Saturdays on Oct. 10th here

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
TikTok: @smalllakepod

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
TikTok: @smalllakepod

Food has an extraordinary power to connect us across cultures, create community, and transform cities—a truth Lorin Warner discovered during his years traveling the world as a consultant. After meeting his wife abroad and experiencing diverse food cultures, the couple recognized something essential missing from Salt Lake City's culinary landscape.

This episode revisits my fascinating conversation with Lorin, the visionary founder behind Honest Eatery, who shares how his global experiences directly shaped the creation of this beloved local establishment. His story weaves together international influences, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep belief that authentic food experiences can bring people together in meaningful ways. Lauren's journey from world traveler to local food pioneer offers a compelling lens through which to understand how global perspectives can transform local communities.

Since our original conversation, Honest Eatery has continued to thrive and expand, recently opening their newest location in South Jordan—a testament to how powerfully their vision of health-focused, community-oriented dining resonates with Salt Lake residents. Whether you're craving a smoothie, an açaí bowl, or simply a welcoming space to connect, Lauren's creation offers something special. If you haven't experienced Honest Eatery yet, consider this your invitation to discover one of Salt Lake's most authentic food destinations. Listen to discover how one entrepreneur's global journey created a local culinary landmark that continues to nourish our community.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
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Summer has arrived in Salt Lake City, bringing an exciting lineup of events, festivals, and cultural celebrations worth marking on your calendar. 

Just released is our conversation with Manoli Katsanevas, founder of the beloved Manoli's and Perea restaurants. This deep dive explores his culinary journey and significant contributions to Salt Lake's food scene, while highlighting the upcoming Greek Festival that promises authentic cuisine, vibrant performances, and cultural traditions whether you're attending for the first or twentieth time.

The city is buzzing with activity as concert season hits its peak – from Halsey and Kesha to local performances, music lovers have plenty to celebrate. Wine enthusiasts won't want to miss our Wine Wednesday event at Nona Bistro featuring Jimmy Santangelo of Wine Academy of Utah, promising an evening of exceptional tastings and knowledge. Meanwhile, foodies should clear their schedules for July 9th when the Food Truck Cheese Fest takes over Mill Creek Common from 5-8pm, offering a family-friendly opportunity to indulge in creative, cheese-filled creations from local vendors.

With both July 4th and Pioneer Day (July 24th) approaching, Salt Lake City will transform with parades, fireworks, rodeos, and community gatherings. Our Thursday newsletter will feature comprehensive guides to these celebrations, ensuring you don't miss the festivities around our beautiful city. Whether you're celebrating Independence Day traditionally or embracing the uniquely Utah "Pie and Beer Day" alternative to Pioneer Day, there's something for everyone.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter at smalllakepod.com to receive these updates directly. Be sure to follow Small Lake City on your favorite podcast platform so you'll always have our latest episodes ready when you need some local inspiration or entertainment.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
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Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving business from scratch? Ethan Cisneros, founder of Thirst Drinks, reveals the raw, unfiltered journey behind creating one of Utah's most beloved soda empires.

Ethan's entrepreneurial spirit ignited early when he started a lawn mowing business at age 11, leaving personalized notes for customers after each service. This fundamental lesson – that exceptional customer experiences drive business success – became the cornerstone of his future ventures. By 16, he had launched Olympus Ice, recognizing that snow cone shacks weren't just selling frozen treats but creating social hubs for teens.

When Ethan founded Thirst Drinks in 2016, success was anything but guaranteed. After an exciting grand opening, daily sales plummeted to just $100. With no outside funding and rapidly depleting resources, Ethan worked every shift for two years while relentlessly marketing on Instagram, personally messaging countless locals to invite them for free drinks. There was no overnight success – just persistent, brick-by-brick growth fueled by genuine connections and unwavering determination.

A breakthrough came when Ethan secured a vendor spot in the Vivint Arena (now Delta Center) through sheer persistence and relationship-building. Today, Thirst operates six locations across Utah, plus venue spots and a production bakery with 200 employees. Yet Ethan remains committed to authenticity, documenting his entrepreneurial journey through social media and his podcast "Learning by Doing."

What makes this story particularly compelling is Ethan's current challenge: transitioning from hands-on operator to leader while maintaining the brand's standards and experience. His philosophy of "nail it before you scale it" emphasizes perfecting operations before pursuing aggressive expansion – a refreshing perspective in today's growth-at-all-costs business culture.

Want to follow Ethan's entrepreneurial journey? Find him on Instagram @ethanfromthirst, check out his podcast, or watch his weekly YouTube vlogs where he continues to share the real, unvarnished truth about building a business from the ground up.

50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY

Get your tickets to Strada Saturdays on Oct. 10th here

Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time 

Support the show

Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK

Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod

Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
TikTok: @smalllakepod