This episode features an interview with Lucy Devlin, Naked Wines' vice president of wine. Naked Wines operates as a marketplace connecting independent winemakers directly to consumers, bypassing traditional distribution systems. We discuss the company's business model, challenges in navigating US alcohol regulations across different states, and the current state of the wine industry, including the rise of non-alcoholic options. Finally, we touch upon the winemakers' passion and Naked Wine's unique customer engagement model.

If you love rye whiskey you are going to want to check out Rye Revival www.ryerevivalmd.com

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Episode 379 features Steve McIntyre, the founder and owner of RAK Brewing Company, and Branden Roth, the head brewer, to discuss their journey in the craft beer industry and the first year at RAK. We discussed the unique challenges and opportunities of opening a brewery in a competitive market and the importance of adapting to evolving consumer preferences.

Finally we talked about the upcoming expansion set to open in February and their 1 year anniversary party taking place on December 14th.

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This week's episode is with Jessee Johnson from Brewery Fire, we talked about all of the exciting changes happening at the brewery. It's been a few years since we last chatted, and a lot has happened. Dave, the previous partner, has moved on, and Jesse brought on a new partner, Deep, who has a strong business background. They're also in the process of rebranding with a new logo designed by a friend of Jesse’s, and they’re looking at new properties to expand.

We talked about a bunch of Brewery Fire’s beers, including their core beers, the new Mexican hot chocolate stout aged in single malt whiskey barrels, and their rye lager.

We talked about the importance of having a good food truck, and Jesse mentioned that they are working on getting a food truck full time at their current location. He also mentioned that they are hoping to increase their social media presence but need to find someone to manage it for them.

Of course, we also had a little fun with my stupid questions. I learned that Jesse's go-to gas station is owned by one of his best friends, and that he wishes he was better at playing guitar. It was great catching up with Jesse, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Brewery Fire.

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Episode 377 features Paul Hester and AJ Johnston of First State Brewing Company in Middletown, Delaware. The conversation centers around the brewery's founding and growth, including their experience navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to start distributing earlier than anticipated. The discussion also touches on the importance of the brewery's food program in creating a positive customer experience. They discuss their commitment to quality, experimentation with unique beers, and their plans for a second location that will focus on mixed fermentation and barrel-aged beers. The interview concludes with a series of lighthearted questions about the brewers' preferences, including a discussion of gas station snacks, ideal desert island beers, and potential NASCAR sponsors.

This episode was recorded on June 28th.

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This week we talked to Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs about his whiskey brand Knobel Spirits.

Huge thank you to Frederick Wine House for setting this up!

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In the episode we talk to Chris Spear, a personal chef and entrepreneur, who discusses his journey into the food industry. Chris details his experience working in large-scale kitchens, his decision to launch his own personal chef business called Perfect Little Bites, and his passion for creating unique and flavorful dishes. The episode also explores his podcast, Chefs Without Restaurants, a platform dedicated to supporting aspiring food entrepreneurs. Chris shares insights into running his business, navigating the challenges of the restaurant industry, and his perspective on food criticism.

Check him out at www.christopheraspear.com

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In this episode we talk to Keith Marcoux from Olde Mother Brewing Company to talk about our shared anniversaries. We are celebrating 8 years of Uncapped and 9 years of Olde Mother. We also talked about an upcoming Halloween party they are hosting with McClintock Distilling, two events being held in support of fallen first responders, and a distillery that Keith has planned. There was also a lot of random babbling.

Monster Mash tickets — > https://bit.ly/FredMonsterMash

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In this episode we talk to Nick Markoff (owner) and Paul Brubacher (Director of Operations) from Markoff's Haunted Forest, a popular haunted attraction in Maryland. We discuss the history of the haunted forest, from its humble beginnings as a mobile haunt in a converted school bus to its current sprawling operation. Also discussed was the challenges of running a seasonal, outdoor attraction, including weather, permitting, staffing, and the immense amount of work required to create a truly memorable experience. We also touched on the success of the haunted forest, its strong sense of community, and the annual tradition it has created for many. Throughout the conversation, Nick and Paul emphasize the importance of creativity, collaboration, and the dedication of their team, which they affectionately refer to as their "October family." Nick and Paul also express excitement about the expansion of Markoff's Haunted Forest, including the addition of a full-sized Russian biplane, and the launch of a new holiday attraction, Calleva Christmas, a family-friendly Christmas light display.

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In this episode we talk to Chris Jaccobs from Beer Zombies. He tells us about the journey from starting an Instagram account to opening a production brewery in 10 years. Along the way their were numerous collabs, bottle shops, merch drops, and contract brewing. The episode ends with stupid questions that were recorded the night before at the brewer's party for Kill the Lights. Corey Campbel (@marylandmob) from RAR joined in for the stupid questions.

Note: This episode was recorded last year during the Kill The Light beer festival at Xul Beer Company. Tickets for this year's festival are currently on sale at https://xulbeer.com/event/kill-the-lights-2024-10-26/

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In this episode,we speak with Jennifer and Justin Stiefel, co-founders of Heritage Distilling Company, about their journey in the craft distilling industry. We discuss the challenges and innovations in starting a distillery, the importance of regulatory navigation, and their commitment to community and military support through their Salute Series. They highlight their unique business model, product development strategies, and the evolving landscape of craft spirits. Jennifer and Justin Stiefel share their journey of establishing Heritage Distilling, highlighting their passion for distilling, the challenges they faced, and their commitment to partnering with tribal communities. They discuss the legal hurdles they overcame to distill on tribal land, the economic opportunities this creates for tribes, and their vision for a network of tribal distillers. The Stiefels also reveal their plans to go public, reflecting on their entrepreneurial journey and the importance of community engagement.

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