The Jewish Drinking Show

Introduction
With the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards having taken place this summer, The Jewish Drinking Show's previous episode featured Maggie Kimberl, who not only led the judging, but also originated the idea for them. In this episode, Rabbi Drew Kaplan visits the owners and makers of the three best-in-show products of the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards in Israel, Michigan, & Virginia.

Time Stamps
0:00 Welcome
0:15 Introduction
0:56 Ruach Distillery's Ascent Single-Malt Whisky
7:11 Tekiah Kosher Spirits' Añejo Tequila
26:33 Catoctin Creek's Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
44:11 L'chaim

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Introduction
How did the world’s first kosher-certified spirits competition come to life? In the 194th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show, Maggie Kimberl, the head judge, as well as the person who created the idea, shares the story behind its creation, from the initial spark to assembling the judging process and evaluating an impressive range of kosher spirits at the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards, which took place this summer.

Biography of Guest
The featured guest to discuss this topic is Kentucky Colonel Maggie Kimberl, the Bourbon Women Association’s Spirits Journalist of the Year for 2024, a past President of the Bourbon Women Association, as well as the Chair of the World Whiskies Awards and the Content Editor of American Whiskey Magazine. She is a freelance spirits journalist, focusing on whiskey culture in the United States, though she considers herself to be “geographically blessed” to live in the epicenter of the Bourbon world, Louisville, Kentucky as a 9th generation Louisvillian. When she’s not covering the Bourbon beat, you can find her browsing through vintage vinyl with her kids or tending to her homegrown tomatoes. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. She previously appeared as the featured guest on episode 88 of The Jewish Drinking Show on Jews in American Distilling History.

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Introduction
A relatively new distillery that has begun producing spirits in the past year that is entirely kosher-certified and making such interesting spirits that four of them - their Gin, Amaro #4, Elderflower Liqueur, & Orange Liqueur - won silver medals at this summer's inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards is Song Dog Farm Distillery. Having caught the attention of not only judges at the Kosher Spirits Awards, but also The Jewish Drinking Show's host, he decided to invite the owners onto the 193rd episode of the show to discuss their distillery, products, and more.

Biographies of Guests
Megan Draheim is the co-owner and co-founder of Song Dog Farm Distillery, along with her husband David Harris. Previously she was a professor of practice at Virginia Tech's Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. A conservation ecologist by training, she focused on human-wildlife interactions. The name Song Dog comes from a nickname for coyotes, an incredibly adaptable and intelligent animal that Megan studied extensively. She hopes that the distillery will live up to its namesake!

Prior to founding Song Dog Spirits in 2015 with his wife Megan, David Harris spent 20 years in D.C.-based non-profit management and advocacy, leading several Jewish political and Israel-related organizations. After a decade of hard work and a pivot necessitated by the pandemic, they opened Song Dog Farm Distillery to the public in 2025. Megan and David both live in Washington, DC, with their daughter and two dogs.

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Introduction
Although we have previously explored how Beer Became Acceptable for Havdallah in the Bablyonian Talmud in episode #26 of The Jewish Drinking Show, the 192nd episode of The Jewish Drinking Show explores the broader Talmudic context for how beer was considered regarding both Kiddush HaYom and Havdallah.

Source Sheet
The source sheet for this episode is available here.

“Drinks and Discussion”-style Episodes
This episode is the 15th "Drinks and Discussion"-style episode of The Jewish Drinking Show on various topics led by Rabbi Drew:

• Beer for Kiddush & Havdallah in the Talmud - Episode #192 (This episode)
• Drunken Shema - Episode #168
• Drunken Birkat HaMazon - Episode #167
• Drunkenness in the Babylonian Talmud, Part 2 - Episode #166
• Drunkenness in the Babylonian Talmud, Part 1 - Episode #165
• Drunkenness in the Talmud Yerushalmi - Episode #164
• Drunkenness in Early Rabbinic Literature - Episode #163
• Dukhening Under the Influence - Episode #161
• Drinking Between Glasses of Wine at the Passover Seder - Episode #154
• The Purim Katan Episode – Episode #151
• Drinking During Mourning – Episode #150
• Drinking In/Out of Sukkot – Episode #142
• A Significant Rabbinic Discussion on Wine & Drinking: Eruvin 64-65 – Episode #47
• Drinking During the Ten Days of Repentance: An Introduction – Episode #44
• Drinking During the Nine Days – Episode #40

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Introduction
What happened to the Torah’s troubling case of the wayward and rebellious son once it entered the hands of the early rabbinic sages? Having previously discussed the rebellious and wayward son as described in Deuteronomy 21:18-21 on episode #149, this episode turns to the fascinating ways the rabbis interpreted, reshaped, and dramatically narrowed its application. how did the early rabbinic sages treat this matter? Joining the 191st episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to unpack the rabbinic treatment of the בן סורר ומורה (ben sorer u’moreh) is Rabbi Shmuel Hain.

Biography of Guest
Rabbi Shmuel Hain is a pulpit rabbi, educator, and community builder. Under his leadership since 2006, Young Israel Ohab Zedek of Riverdale/Yonkers has doubled the size of its membership, completed a major expansion project and transformed into a vibrant community synagogue. As Rosh Beit Midrash V'Torah Sheba'al Peh at SAR High School, he chairs the TSBP (Gemara) Department, mentors the Beit Midrash Fellows, and teaches advanced Judaic Studies classes. He is also on the leadership team of Machon Siach, SAR High School's research arm for educators. Rabbi Hain is also an adjunct faculty member at YCT Rabbinical School where he teaches Hilchot Aveilut. During the summer, he serves as Rav Machaneh (Camp Rabbi) of Camp Moshava-Indian Orchard. Rabbi Hain was also the recipient of a LEAP Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year at the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He has co-authored and edited several volumes of Torah and academic scholarship, including a volume in The Orthodox Forum series entitled The Next Generation of Modern Orthodoxy (Ktav: 2012). He also authored the essay "Ben Sorer Umoreh Never Was and Never Will Be”: Making Sense of Bavli Sanhedrin 71a".

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Introduction
Having previously explored the four cups of wine minimum at the Passover Seder in Rabbinic literature on episode #62 of The Jewish Drinking Show, there also exists in the Babylonian Talmud a text relating to the fifth cup of wine at the Passover Seder. This 190th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show explores this text with first-time guest, Dr. Leor Jacobi. A couple of further episodes that we reference within this episode are episode #25 (Demons and the Four Cups of Wine at the Passover Seder with Rabbi Alana Suskin) & episode #99 (Demons and the Four Cups of Wine at the Passover Seder [Redux] with Prof. Sara Ronis).

Brief Biography of the Guest
Dr. Leor Jacobi is a scholar of medieval Jewish art and visual culture affiliated with the Department of Jewish Art in the Faculty of Jewish Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He pursued early studies in cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley before dedicating years to advanced Talmudic learning in Jerusalem and later returning to academia. He completed his MA and PhD at Bar-Ilan University, where his doctoral research explored the intersection of art and rabbinic literature in medieval culture. Jacobi has held prestigious fellowships, including a Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, and has served in various academic roles, including lecturer and research fellow, while contributing to major scholarly projects and journals in Jewish studies and art history, one of which is his "The Fifth Passover Cup and Magical Pairs: Isaac Baer Levinsohn and the Babylonian Talmud", European Journal of Jewish Studies, vol. 15 (2021): 84-103. 

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Introduction
Looking to make plague-themed cocktails for your Passover seder, or even pre-seder enjoyment? A new book out by David Kedson provides not only recipes for making plague-themed cocktails for your Passover seder, but also tips, tricks, and advice for making them happen, he shares some of this with us on the 189th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show.

Brief Biography of the Guest
David Kedson graduated from Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, after which he bounced around the usual hodgepodge of dead-end occupations— litigation attorney, entrepreneur, CEO, computer programmer, independent stock trader, and stay-at-home parent (which was, by far, the most challenging and most rewarding), before he settled on being a writer.

David has written six published mysteries and thrillers (mostly under the name "DK Kedson"), along with his cocktail recipe book, The Ten Plagues of Cocktails. In the cocktail world, David is currently vying to be a contestant (having submitted both a cocktail and a mocktail) on a new TV reality show called "Recipe Philly". 

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l'chaim!

Introduction
How does a distillery in North Carolina begun by an Army veteran have most of their products become kosher-certified and go on to win many medals at spirits competitions? That's something we're going to explore on this 188th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show, featuring Bruce Tyler, Weldon Mills Distillery's co-owner and manager, along with Ari Cohen, Weldon Mills Distillery's operations and brand ambassador.

Biography of Guest
Along with his business partner, Michael Hinderliter, Bruce Tyler established Weldon Mills Distillery in January of 2019. Through their hard work and perseverance, they pushed through the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly turned the company into the most awarded distillery in North Carolina. Weldon Mills Distillery is rapidly growing, and currently has over 36 product lines including Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, and Tequila. Weldon Mills has added a second location in downtown Durham, NC, and is in the process of restoring a historic mansion as a Bed and Breakfast. Bruce has moved to distillery operations full-time and reluctantly practices law on limited occasions.

Prior to engaging in establishing the distillery, he is a retired 27-year U.S. Army Veteran who served as a Combat Arms Soldier, Military Police Officer, and a Judge Advocate General Officer. Bruce served a total of 27 Months in Afghanistan helping build a robust Rule of Law program and advising Commanders on all legal aspects of International Armed Conflict. He earned his undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in business administration at Campbell University. Bruce then earned his law degree at North Carolina Central University. After completing his law degree in 2005, Bruce was commissioned as a U. S. Army Judge Advocate General Officer and returned to active duty where he served in several positions until he left active duty in 2014. After leaving active duty, Bruce served as Senior Trial Defense Counsel in the NC National Guard and opened his law firm, the Center for Military Law, servicing military clients in all areas of law.

Disclosure
Review samples of Weldon Mills' products were provided to Jewish Drinking for review purposes. 

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Introduction
As we prepare to enter 2026, what are the kosher-certified vermouth products currently on the market? While I had previously published a list of kosher-certified vermouths, that was nearly four years ago, which has brought some changes in the market. Having spoken with the producers of Hajdu vermouth and Lovatelli vermouths at the past two Kosher Food and Wine Experiences, as well as the producer of Promised Land Beverage's vermouths for episode #96, what is currently available? To help guide us through the current offerings is Mendy Mark, who previously appeared on episode #74 and episode #78.

Biography of Guest
Mendy Mark is a New Jersey–based professional who has served as the manager for FillerUp Kosher Wines, one of the region’s leading kosher wine and spirits retailers, for the past 8 years. With years of experience in the beverage industry, he has developed a deep expertise in kosher wines, boutique producers, and the growing market for premium Israeli vintages. His work combines operational leadership with a passion for customer education, often guiding consumers toward thoughtful and halakhically sound selections. Mendy has played an instrumental role in helping FillerUp become a destination for both casual buyers and connoisseurs seeking quality kosher wines.

He is recognized for his personable approach and commitment to building relationships within New Jersey’s Jewish and culinary communities. Beyond his professional work, he actively supports events and tastings that celebrate Jewish culture and fine beverages. His leadership reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, blending respect for halakhic standards with contemporary tastes and trends. Through his efforts, Mendy Mark continues to elevate the profile of kosher wine appreciation across the tri-state area.

Time Stamps
0:00 Welcome
0:35 Introduction to guest
2:42 Introduction to topic
3:35 The end of Kedem vermouths
6:56 The expansion of options in the past 4-5 years in kosher-certified vermouths
9:35 Lovatelli vermouths
17:30 Considering vermouths for cocktails
20:30 Martini & Rossi special runs of kosher-certified vermouths
23:36 Hajdu vermouth & Dalton vermouth
27:01 Twin Suns vermouths
31:12 Yzaguirre vermouth
32:53 Further obituary for Kedem vermouths
33:27 Q&A
47:19 Wrapping-up
47:59 Thank you & L'chaim! 

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Introduction
Philo of Alexandria, an early first-century Jewish philosopher who blended Greek thought with Jewish tradition, offers a fascinating window into how Jews of the Second Temple period understood the moral and spiritual dimensions of everyday life. By exploring his interpretations of biblical narratives, we will gain insights into a Hellenistic-Jewish perspective on the role of drinking. Joining us for this journey on the 186th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to discuss Philo on drinking is Rabbi Dovid Campbell.

Biography of Guest
Rabbi Dovid Campbell is an independent researcher and writer whose work explores the history and future of Jewish philosophy, with a particular focus on the importance of a non-dogmatic and creative approach to Jewish thought. His articles have appeared in Tradition and Ḥakirah, as well as numerous Jewish content platforms, including his "Philo of Alexandria and the Soul of the Torah" at The Lehrhaus. He holds a degree in microbiology from the University of Arizona and resides in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, with his wife and children.

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l'chaim!