Best Books N Beer Podcasts (2025)

1
What is ‘Amaro’ & Why is Bitter Better? Sennza Finne on a Spirit You Should Know 1:02:11

1h ago1:02:11

1:02:11

Amaro is bitter, complex, and a little mysterious — and most people have no idea what it actually is. So in this episode, Eli talks with the folks behind Sennza Finne, a Seattle-based amaro producer making small-batch, seasonal expressions. We get into what amaro is (and isn’t); how their experience as bartenders shaped their process; and why every…

1
Knives & Knifemaking w/ Jamison Chopp of Acre Forge 1:14:22

7d ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Jonathan talks knives and knife making with Jamison Chopp, a bladesmith who works with a group of individual knife makers at Acre Forge, in Portland, Oregon. We talk about what’s changed and what hasn’t about the way knives are made today; we dive into the details of blade shape, blade materials, and handles; we talk about what separates a great kn…

1
Fermentation, the Key to Most of the Things You Love (w/ Nile Zacherle, Eli Brown, & Jonathan Ellsworth) 1:13:15

16d ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Many of us love (and love talking about) coffee, wine, or beer, but few of us go around professing our love of fermentation. But after this conversation, you’ll see why maybe we should. Because fermentation isn’t merely a chemical process, it’s the key to many of those things we love. And for Nile Zacherle, the founder of Mad Fritz, it’s the common…

1
Craft N/A Cocktails & Why They Matter More Than You Think 57:20

21d ago57:20

57:20

Craft N/A Cocktails are on the rise, but there is still much that needs to change in this space — fundamental things like what we should and shouldn’t be calling this whole category, and why that matters. Today, Jonathan Ellsworth discusses these things with our CRAFTED co-host and professional mixologist Eli Brown, who sees the real-world importan…

1
The Madness of Nile Zacherle, Mad Fritz Brewing 1:23:05

28d ago1:23:05

1:23:05

Madness. That’s what you call it when a former sponsored skateboarder gets a Ph.D. in fermentation, then starts brewing super-premium beer in Napa Valley. In this conversation, Eli Brown talks with Nile Zacherle, the founder & master brewer of Mad Fritz. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Mad Fritz Brewing Mad Fritz Me…

1
Steve Matthiasson on Wine, Punk Rock, Bikes, & Fireworks 1:13:40

1M ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Steve Matthiasson is one of the most respected winemakers in Napa Valley, and together with his wife Jill, they make wines under the label of Matthiasson Wines that buck some of the most fashionable trends in Napa wine. Steve is also a passionate mountain biker and snowboarder, a teacher, and a wine consultant; today, we dive into all of these aspe…

1
America’s Founding Spirit & the Most Important Distillery You’ve Never Heard Of 1:03:09

1M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Brandy doesn’t get the love that it deserves, especially given that it was America’s founding spirit, and no category has a bigger folk hero tied to it (Johnny Appleseed, anyone?). At its core, it’s distilled fruit—wine’s fiery cousin—born from orchards and alchemy, and few do it better than Clear Creek Distillery. In this episode, we dig into what…

1
Amateur Hour: Blister reviewer, Zack Henderson, on Paella 50:07

2M ago50:07

50:07

Today on CRAFTED, Eli is joined by fellow Blister contributor Zack Henderson to talk all things paella. What started as a casual interest has turned into a full-blown culinary rabbit hole — and we dig into everything from technique to tradition, with some very unconventional twists. We also dive into the mysteries of the socarrat; explore a Pacific…

1
Reading Culture: Books, Reading, & Indie Bookstores Today w/ Arvin Ram, Owner of Townie Books 1:06:40

2M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Today Jonathan talks about books, book recommendations, the state of independent bookstores, the art of reading, and the craft of writing — and our guest is the perfect person to talk about it all. Arvin Ram is a writer, an avid reader, and the co-owner (along with his wife Danica) of the independent bookstore, Townie Books. Arvin is also the direc…

1
Amateur Hour: Tequila, with Simon Stewart, Eli Brown, & Troy Rarick 1:11:39

2M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

CRAFTED co-hosts Simon Stewart and Eli Brown talk with Troy Rarick, the founder of Over the Edge bike shops and the person who first got Simon into tequila, about why tequila might be the quintessential craft spirit; they discuss a fun history of tequila; the different variations of it; and Troy reminisces about filming a Tequila Talk Show. They sh…

1
Viticulture, Wine Making, & Karaoke w/ Field Recordings’ Andrew Jones 1:17:45

3M ago1:17:45

1:17:45

Andrew Jones didn’t set out to make wine. Instead, he spent decades planting vines for other people — some of the biggest names in California (e.g., Beckstoffer). But along the way, Andrew started stockpiling stories — and grapes — and what began as a side project turned into Field Recordings, a brand known for bending rules and bottling attitude. …

1
Amateur Hour: Blister reviewer, Kristin Sinnott, on Making Homemade Ice Cream 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

Jonathan talks with Blister reviewer & Blister Summit director, Kristin Sinnott, about her lifelong love of ice cream; what we should know about making ice cream at home; and why she always hunts for small-batch ice cream when she’s traveling. RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: How Kristin’…

1
Is This the ‘Top Gun’ for Bartenders? 1:11:09

3M ago1:11:09

1:11:09

We’re all familiar with ‘Top Gun’ — a school that separates the best of the best. But what if we told you there is an elite certification program designed to test the best bartenders in the business? Today, we’re discussing that program — Bar 5 Day — with Steve Olson and Doug Frost. RELATED LINKS: Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLI…

1
Tinctures, Traditions, & Taste: the Bitters Creation Process w/ Bennett Bitters 1:12:01

3M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

Bitters have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and in cocktails for centuries. But they receive far less attention than the spirits in our glass. So today we’re talking with the founders of a bitters company that has taken the craft cocktail scene by storm: Joseph Bennett & Yana Crow of Bennett Bitters. We discuss bitters in …

1
Pursuing Excellence in the Service of Others: Jeff Galli, Campione Roman Kitchen 1:10:40

4M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

We talk with Jeff Galli, the General Manager and co-owner of Campione, a roman kitchen that was named to the New York Time’s 50 Best Restaurants in the U.S. list in 2023, and was the first restaurant in the state to receive that sort of national attention. In this episode we explore the philosophy that underpins Jeff’s exceptional approach to hospi…

1
Mountain Life & Product Design: North Drinkware Co-Founder, Matt Capozzi 58:02

4M ago58:02

58:02

Matt Capozzi has always loved being in the mountains, but he’s also enjoyed an incredible career working in product design for brands like Burton, Nike, Nixon, and Smith. In 2015, Matt had a wild idea to help people ‘bring the mountains home,’ which led to the creation of North Drinkware, which produces beautiful, artisanal products — like handblow…

1
Hi-Fi Audio: Capturing the Heart & Soul of Music with Heaven 11's Itai Azerad 1:03:41

4M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

There are more ways to listen to music than ever these days, and cheap Bluetooth speakers are everywhere: hanging in your shower, sitting on your kitchen counter, and on tailgates at football games. Unfortunately, these kinds of speakers often cultivate an experience where the music very much takes a backseat to whatever else we're doing. In today'…

1
Lo-Fi Wine Making with Uffe Deichmann, Poppelvej Wines 1:13:05

4M ago1:13:05

1:13:05

Today’s guest is a sort of pioneer in Australian winemaking; his focus on 'lo-fi' production methods and non-traditional flavors has helped redefine what consumers expect from the land down under. Uffe Deichmann is a Dutch-born winemaker who found love at a music festival in Australia and never looked back — his winery, Poppelvej wines, now produce…

1
Eli Brown & Jonathan Ellsworth: Can We Change a White-Wine Hater’s Mind? 1:26:14

5M ago1:26:14

1:26:14

Jonathan Ellsworth’s preferences for red wines over white wines are well established. But in this conversation and wine tasting, we’re going to see if Eli can change Jonathan’s mind. This past weekend, Jonathan and Eli opened four bottles of white wines and hit the record button. We tried a few different white varietals and blends that Eli believes…

1
Gold Medal Gastronomy: Inside the High-Stakes World of the Culinary Olympics 1:06:08

5M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

Our guest today is Chef Paul Jensen, who is the executive chef of fine dining at Big Sky Resort, a former restaurant owner, seasoned culinary competitor, and a newly named member of the 2028 U.S. Culinary Olympic team. With over 30 years of competition experience, Paul has represented the U.S. on the global stage, honing his craft through more than…

1
Amateur Hour: Blister reviewer, Kara Williard, on Garlic, Growing Garlic, & Vampires 51:55

6M ago51:55

51:55

Jonathan talks with Kara Williard and Eli Brown about one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world: garlic. We discuss hardneck garlic vs softneck garlic; how to grow garlic; its medicinal properties; black garlic; garlic honey; and yes … vampires. RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Kara…

1
The Current State of Alcohol, with Eli Brown & Jonathan Ellsworth 1:09:28

6M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Jonathan Ellsworth talks about this very big topic with someone who is in quite a unique position to have this conversation with: Eli Brown, a 26-year-old sommelier who is also certified in mixology and distilled spirits, he has been named a Top 100 Bartender in the U.S., and he is currently working on a project involving N/A and low ABV beer and s…

1
The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman 1:22:03

6M ago1:22:03

1:22:03

Today, you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics of what we eat. Matt is a foodie, a father, a fellow in the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, and a philoso…

1
Our Reviewers' 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities 1:21:59

7M ago1:21:59

1:21:59

Happy New Year! Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025. And over on our Blister Podcast, you’ll also get to hear our team talk about the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned in 2024, plus their resol…

1
Scott Rao on Quality, Q Ratings, & Coffee 1:13:50

7M ago1:13:50

1:13:50

Scott Rao is one of the most influential people in the world of coffee, coffee roasting, and coffee brewing. Scott is also the owner of Prodigal Coffee (located in Boulder, Colorado), and in this conversation, we dive deep into specific coffee topics and discuss the pursuit of quality in general. RELATED LINKS: Prodigal Coffee Become a BLISTER+ Mem…

1
Studio Shed w/ Mike Koenig 1:00:49

8M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Studio Shed was started in the Boulder, Colorado backyard of their co-founder Jeremy Nova, a pro mountain biker and Olympian. Jeremy needed a place to store all his bikes and was uninspired by what was available, so he built his own. Today, Studio Sheds are still built in Colorado, and their portfolio now includes studios, accessory dwelling units …

1
NHL Legend Brian Propp Talks About His New Book 16:13

8M ago16:13

16:13

As a left winger for the Philadelphia Flyers, Brian Propp was constantly in motion, racking up goals and assists and amassing over one thousand points during 15 NHL seasons. In retirement, he scarely slowed down, chasing opportunities in business, broadcasting, and leadership. But his life was changed forever on September 3, 2015, when he suffered …

1
Yu Sasaki on Big-Mountain Skiing, Deep-Powder Skiing, & Running a Successful Food Truck 41:46

8M ago41:46

41:46

What are two of the best things in the world? Deep powder skiing and a great food truck. And today, we’re talking about both with professional skier, Yu Sasaki. We also talk about Yu’s beautiful short film, Home From Home; moving from Hokkaido, Japan, to Revelstoke; the ins-and-outs of running a food truck; and more. RELATED LINKS: Watch Yu’s Film:…

1
Diner Coffee, Sour Beers, Well-Done Steaks, Putting Greens, & Brand Building with Alex LeBlanc of Calibration Coffee Lab 1:00:00

9M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Last year, we talked with Alex LeBlanc about starting Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina (CRAFTED ep #26). Today, Alex is back to update us on how it’s going, what he’s been learning, how his thinking about coffee has evolved, and how he’s going about trying to build a brand that people will love. And if you’d like to check out Al…

1
Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins 43:40

9M ago43:40

43:40

Camper vans seem to be everywhere these days, and for good reason — the level of versatility and convenience they offer is hard to ignore. But starting down the road of ownership can be extremely overwhelming, so in today’s conversation, we sit down with Wayfarer Van’s Andy Mullins to answer some of the common questions people have, and to get an i…

1
Hanging With Blues Traveler 17:21

10M ago17:21

17:21

Blues Traveler is an American rock band that formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances, and could be considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s, spearheading the H.O.R.D.E. touring music festival. The group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popp…

1
Chef Mark Connell on Craft & Trust; Tasting Menus; & Olive Oil Candy (Part 2) 1:09:25

11M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Mark Connell is the executive chef at PARC Aspen, and he’s back to talk about fine dining and the importance of tasting menus; what he learned at Alinea; the specific tasting menu Jonathan recently had at PARC Aspen (including what Mark put on the plate & why); the difference between striving for consistency vs. striving to be consistently good; an…

1
Chef Mark Connell on Skiing & High-End Cuisine (Part 1) 1:46:10

11M ago1:46:10

1:46:10

“My whole goal in life was to be a ski bum and a chef.” For Mark Connell, the executive chef at PARC Aspen, we can definitely say: mission accomplished. Mark is a passionate skier and a culinary genius, and we discuss how Mark & Jonathan first met; Mark’s background and his time working at The French Laundry; what punk rock has to do with high-end …

1
Psychedelic Therapies & The Healing Power of Music 21:53

11M ago21:53

21:53

Through The Sage Collective, Jessica oversees strategic advisory for the application of psychedelic assisted psychotherapies (PAP), such as third party administrators offering workplace insurance coverage for PAT, health systems integrating PAT into their research and treatment protocols, outpatient ketamine clinics, as well as other initiatives fo…

1
Ben Vaughn Talks All Things Music 27:25

11M ago27:25

27:25

Born in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey, Vaughn grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey, outside Philadelphia.[2][3] At age 6, his uncle gave him a Duane Eddy record and forever changed his life. He started playing the drums in a garage band when he was 12, then transitioned to the guitar. After school, he would go to a local department store, where he would…

1
How to Design (and Own) a Well-Crafted, Affordable Home, with Zack Giffin 1:18:45

1y ago1:18:45

1:18:45

These days, owning a beautiful home is often prohibitively expensive, while “affordable” housing too often fails to include quality craftsmanship. But there is a solution, and today, Zack Giffin reminds us of this fact and discusses the craft of designing smaller structures that address our true needs. This is a conversation where design and philos…

1
The Vinyl Revival, Records, & Turntables w/ Michael Fremer 1:19:27

1y ago1:19:27

1:19:27

In this episode, we get a crash course on the vinyl revival and why spinning records on a turntable is a more engaging way of listening to music. Our guest, Michael Fremer, is regarded as one of the premier experts in the audio field, and he's extremely passionate about it. Michael and Simon get into how Led Zeppelin II was made, why Howard Stern h…

1
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa on Pizza Making & Big-Mountain Skiing 1:23:15

1y ago1:23:15

1:23:15

One of the greatest big-mountain skiers of all time is also seriously passionate about making great pizza. So what’s the story here, and what do pizza and skiing have in common? What has Sage learned about the art of making dough and sauce? And what do you need to know to start making great pizza yourself? We cover all of this, plus Sage’s most rec…

1
La Marzocco Product Designer, Stefano Della Pietra 39:46

1y ago39:46

39:46

La Marzocco is the most iconic espresso-machine maker in the world, and last month, Jonathan went to the La Marzocco Accademia to talk with their head product designer, Stefano Della Pietra, about the history and core principles of the company; how he became the head of product design there; and the task of taking La Marzocco into the future while …

1
Coffee Gear, Pt. 4: “Hero Espresso” & Jonathan’s Current Setup 1:27:29

1y ago1:27:29

1:27:29

After much deliberation, we’re revealing the machine that Jonathan ended up going with on his quest to create daily doses of “hero espresso” — a phrase coined at the end of this conversation. Simon Stewart joins Jonathan for all the glorious, dorky details, and they also discuss decaf coffee & N/A beer; the price of a thing vs. the amount of joy it…

1
JING Tea founder, Ed Eisler, on Tea, Trust, & the Art of Loving Anything 35:40

1y ago35:40

35:40

Jonathan Ellsworth was recently at JING Tea headquarters in London for another CRAFTED conversation with JING founder, Ed Eisler. After a proper tea tasting, they sat down to discuss all things tea (and skis); agriculture as art; and the qualities of a great tea. RELATED LINKS CRAFTED ep. 23 w/ JING’s Ed Eisler Check out the Blister Craft Collectiv…

1
Meating Meatloaf & Remembering CDNow 14:36

1+ y ago14:36

14:36

In this captivating episode, we delve into the profound connection between music and our emotional well-being with Kevin Perlmutter, a seasoned brand strategist with a passion for making things better. Kevin shares insights from his fascinating journey, drawing parallels between his experiences at CDnow, his encounters with Meatloaf, and the profou…

1
Cast-Iron Cookware w/ Blister reviewer, Simon Stewart 44:01

1+ y ago44:01

44:01

Today we are discussing a product that people get very passionate about — and even more opinionated about: cast-iron cookware. Jonathan is joined by Blister senior bike editor, Simon Stewart, who has been using cast-iron cookware for more than twenty years, but is now on a quest to see if the fancier, more expensive options out there are better tha…

1
WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, on the Benefits, Culture, & Craft of Saunas 58:36

1+ y ago58:36

58:36

WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, aka, the ‘Sauna Shaman’, talks about how Hoji kicked off his obsession with saunas; their numerous benefits; and lays out what it takes (and costs) to build your own sauna. (On our site, you can check out a bunch of photos of the sauna that Matt built. It’s sweet.) RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collec…

1
Our Reviewers’ 2023 Craft Obsessions & 2024 Curiosities 1:25:31

1+ y ago1:25:31

1:25:31

To wrap up the year, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated our Blister reviewers in 2023, and some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2024. This is a fun one, and it certainly fills out the picture of the people behind our reviews, videos, articles, podcasts, and Blister Summit events. And over on our Blis…

1
Shaking Up the Wine World: Revelshine founder, Jake Bilbro 1:10:47

1+ y ago1:10:47

1:10:47

Over 30 billion bottles of wine are consumed each year around the world, and today, we’re talking about why we need to — and can — move away from ‘business as usual’ in the wine world. Our guest is Revelshine founder, Jake Bilbro, and Jake lays out some fascinating, rarely discussed facts about the impacts of the wine industry; his mission to chang…

1
Amateur Hour: Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, on Arrows 1:09:24

1+ y ago1:09:24

1:09:24

Last year on CRAFTED, we talked with Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the art, ethics, and craftsmanship of traditional bows (episode #8). And this is the companion conversation to that episode, about the art of making arrows. TOPICS & TIMES: Kodiak Island (5:29) Only a Traditional Bow (11:10) Arrows: An Amateur's Take (14:42)r Relating Arrow'…

1
Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company 1:08:35

1+ y ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Based in Vermont — where they still make their products — Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to talk about cow udders, celebrity endorsements, and the countless uses of their products, and you’ll also get a great lesson on how to steward a company with …

1
From Ireland to New Jersey and The 561 Collective 17:36

1+ y ago17:36

17:36

Ciara O'Shea is a founder of 561 Collective and a communications and marketing associate at Irish Arts Center. She attended the University of Limerick in Ireland. She has played live music throughout Ireland and Europe. 561 Collective is a group founded by Collingswood, New Jersey locals dedicated to hosting live curated shows in and for the commun…

1
Dearborn Denim founder, Rob McMillan, on Building a Premium, Affordable, & Ethical Apparel Manufacturing Company in Chicago 1:00:09

2y ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Dearborn Denim founder, Rob McMillan is a thoughtful guy with some grand ambitions. He’s working on building a big apparel company that ethically manufactures premium products at an affordable price, right in Chicago. Impossible you say? This past Monday, Jonathan Ellsworth met up with Rob at Dearborn Denim’s factory in Chicago to tour the factory …

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