064 Aging Gracefully: Charlie Stanley on Whiskey, Wine, and the Art of Maturation Today, on Consuming the Craft, we delved deep into the sophisticated art of aging fine spirits with esteemed guest Charlie Stanley. Throughout our conversation, Charlie imparted his extensive knowledge of how the character of wines and spirits evolves with time and the role of aging in defining the complexity of their flavor profiles. He shared insights on the meticulous craft of blending and aging whiskey and how global market forces impact the economics of barrel acquisition within the industry. Charlie Stanle ..read more

Today, on Consuming the Craft, I had an insightful conversation with the head brewer of Yeehaw Brewing Company, Dan Rowe. We walked through his journey in the brewing industry, from his time at Dogfish Head to Heavy Seas to Yeehaw Brewing. Dan detailed their practical challenges, particularly with cold storage during peak months, and how they're adapting through innovation and expansion. We chewed over the craft of whiskey tasting and the physicality of brewery work. We delved into the mental health challenges within the industry, discussing initiatives such as beer festivals aimed at raising ..read more

Today on Consuming the Craft, I enjoyed sitting down with Karis Roberts from the Asheville Brewers Alliance. We explore the ever-expanding world of craft beverages, delving into the diversification of offerings, including hard seltzers, non-alcoholic options, natural wines, meads, and hop waters. Karis Roberts has been involved with the Asheville Brewers Alliance for about a year and has hit the ground running in her role. She is passionate about promoting creativity and collaboration within the craft beverage industry in Asheville and Western North Carolina. With her background in education ..read more

Today, on Consuming the Craft, I was absolutely thrilled to chat with the innovative Sara Stender Delaney, who shook up the beverage scene with her inspiring caffeine-free spritzers. We navigated the complexities of marketing a new niche in the drink aisle and unraveled how her creations cater to an evolving demographic seeking health-conscious alternatives to soda and alcohol. Sara's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to consumer education left an impression, especially as we considered the challenges of product placement and the diverse palates of today's conscientious shoppers. "Market ..read more

Today, on Consuming the Craft, I was absolutely thrilled to chat with the innovative Sara Stender Delaney, who shook up the beverage scene with her inspiring caffeine-free spritzers. We navigated the complexities of marketing a new niche in the drink aisle and unraveled how her creations cater to an evolving demographic seeking health-conscious alternatives to soda and alcohol. Sara's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to consumer education left an impression, especially as we considered the challenges of product placement and the diverse palates of today's conscientious shoppers. "Marketi ..read more

  In today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the CEO of Inbox Beverage Company, Mr. Max Fann. We delved into the exciting world of container breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries. Max shared his vision and success stories of transforming shipping containers into functional and stylish beverage establishments. They have already deployed some of these containers, including a 20-foot cold box for a brewery in Charlotte and a dog-friendly bar in South Asheville.   Max surprised me with a taste of their imported tequila, which was smooth, subtly smoky, and had ..read more

  Everyone has filtration problems, so it’s a blessing that folks like Stephen Daniels and the people of FILTROX innovate filtration technologies for the beverage industry. Stephen currently serves as the Business Development and Sales Manager at FILTROX, where he has been working since 2014. He began his career at FILTROX as a sales manager, then later served as a senior application engineer before accepting his current post. Stephen attended Appalachian State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of North Carolina at Ch ..read more

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, Brodie Levadnuk from ZolaTerra. Brodie is the creator of the ZolaTerra product line, which offers plant-based, biodegradable, and safe-to-use cleaning solutions. With a passion for cleanliness and a keen eye for detail, Brodie is here to discuss some common pet peeves when it comes to glassware and how ZolaTerra's innovative product, the Smudge Eraser, can solve these issues. Get ready to learn how to keep your glasses spotless and enjoy a conversation filled with insights and practical solutions. One of the biggest pet peeves that Puff ..read more

  In a competitive space like the liquor and spirits industry, it’s almost impossible to come up with a name for your business. So, Michael McGeary—who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Colorado College—drew inspiration from the ideals he aspires to: he looked at Aristotle and his eudaimonia, the principle of living well and finding meaning in life. Thus, Euda Wine was born. Alongside his wife, Abi, Michael runs Euda Wine in Old Fort, North Carolina and is focused on crafting transparent, authentic, and minimal-intervention wines.   In this episode, Mike and I discuss the ..read more

  Many philosophers are linked to wine, but Michael McGeary isn’t simply “linked” to wine—he’s a winemaker extraordinaire and the owner of Euda Wine, where he crafts minimal intervention wines. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Colorado College, Michael moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he found his love of wine while working in restaurants. He further pursued his passion for winemaking by getting a post-bachelor education at Napa Valley College and later receiving a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology at the University of Applied Science and Arts of Wes ..read more