BLISTER

CRAFTED

About the show

CRAFTED is the podcast from BLISTER that dives deep into the craft world of beer, coffee, whiskey, watches, wine, and more. Our guests are some of the very best and most passionate brewers, distillers, winemakers, coffee producers, retailers, and founders that launched craft companies when success was unlikely, but their passion and principles caused them to forge ahead anyway. CRAFTED explores how things get made, and does so with the remarkable people that insist on making things well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newest episodes

Coffee, Pizza, & Wine: Jonathan’s Trip Report from Italy & NYC

Nov 11, 2026 45 min

Jonathan & Eli discuss some of the best places he visited and biggest takeaways from his recent trip. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Coffee In Italy (2:40) Italian Wine (19:09) Pizza (23:25) Ceres Pizza (32:00) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

Making Truly Exceptional Chocolate w/ Askinosie Chocolate founder, Shawn Askinosie

Nov 4, 2026 1 hr 14 min

What separates ‘good’ chocolate from truly exceptional chocolate? Today, we’re talking with the founder of Askinosie Chocolate, Shawn Askinosie, to explore the difference. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: LiveMomentous.com - code: BLISTER RELATED LINKS: Askinosie Chocolate Shawn’s TEDx Talk Chocolate University Foundation Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Background in Criminal Defense (1:55) Life Advice & Guidance (9:07) Why Chocolate? (16:17) Working With Farmers (29:00) Chocolate Production & Flow State (34:01) Manufacturing Processes (37:26) All Things Tempering (47:09) Cocoa Growth Regions (54:33) Bean Fermentation (1:01:15) Chocolate University (1:06:19) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

Keeping American Textiles Alive for 160 Years w/ Faribault Mill

Oct 28, 2026 50 min

Why does a wool blanket cost $200? After touring Faribault Mill, most visitors ask a different question: why doesn't it cost more? In this episode, Faribault’s CEO, Ross Widmoyer, explains the remarkably involved process of turning raw wool into a finished blanket, and how Faribault blends generations of textile expertise, old machinery, and modern technology to keep one of America’s oldest manufacturing traditions alive. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Faribault Mill Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Faribault Mill’s History (3:11) Ross Widmoyer’s Path To Textiles (4:44) The Process of Textile Production (13:33) Craftsmanship & Quality Control (28:19) The Future of Textile Manufacturing (40:05) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

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All episodes

Coffee, Pizza, & Wine: Jonathan’s Trip Report from Italy & NYC

Nov 11, 2026 45 min

Making Truly Exceptional Chocolate w/ Askinosie Chocolate founder, Shawn Askinosie

Nov 4, 2026 1 hr 14 min

Keeping American Textiles Alive for 160 Years w/ Faribault Mill

Oct 28, 2026 50 min

From a Chicken Coop to the Patina Thunderdome: Inside Nicks Handmade Boots

Oct 21, 2026 1 hr 4 min

Nicks Handmade Boots makes a few hundred pairs a month, all by hand, and the number of possible boots on their website runs into the millions. For the customer, that means a boot built around your foot, your work, and your taste. For the shop floor, it means almost no two boots are built quite the same way. Today, Nick Jarrett and Lucas Grasberger walk Eli through how one of those boots actually gets made, from raw hide to finished pair. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Nicks Boots Glossary Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Nick & Lucas’ Introduction to Bootmaking (2:02) The History of Nicks Boots (5:33) How Boots Are Made (9:12) Leather Types & Sourcing (12:03) Boot Lasts, Fit, & Customization (30:34) Patina & the Thunderdome (46:33) New Designs & Leather Experiments (50:02) Expanding Into Leather Goods (55:53) The Delta Arch insole (58:07) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

Would Anthony Bourdain Hate the New Movie 'Tony'?

Oct 14, 2026 1 hr 27 min

‘Tony,’ A24's new film, follows a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain through his first summer in a Provincetown kitchen. It's charming, it's well reviewed, and it might be exactly the kind of tidy origin story Bourdain would have hated. Today, Eli’s friend and executive chef of Everett's 8800 at Big Sky Resort, Youssif El-Rakabawy, joins Eli to talk about ‘Tony’ and revisit Kitchen Confidential. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: livemomentous.com - code: Blister RELATED LINKS: Tony Roadrunner Kitchen Confidential Don't Eat Before Reading This Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: First Impressions of Tony (4:22) Bourdain’s Meaning to Restaurant Culture (11:13) Kitchen Confidential & Restaurant Realities (21:43) Bourdain’s Origin Story (37:49) What the Film Gets Right (58:16) Comparing Roadrunner and Tony (1:03:21) Bourdain’s Legacy (1:11:38)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

James Beard Awards VP, Dawn Padmore

Oct 7, 2026 46 min

In the American culinary world, winning a James Beard Award can change your life overnight. Today, Jonathan talks with the VP of the James Beard Awards, Dawn Padmore, about the origins & evolution of the awards; their current 'open call' season for submissions; and the impact of winning or being nominated for a James Beard Award. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: FactorMeals.com - code: BLISTERPOD50OFF BLISTER+ Get Covered Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: The James Beard Foundation (1:38) Evolution of the James Beard Awards (3:19) The 5 Award Categories (4:32) Dawn's Background (10:42) The James Beard Media Awards (14:26) Culinary Diversity (16:04) Coffee? (24:37) The Nominations Process (26:01) Where / How to Submit Your Nominations (43:13) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

The Roots of American Craft Distilling w/ St. George Spirits

Sep 30, 2026 1 hr 9 min

Lance Winters has one of the stranger paths to becoming a master distiller: nuclear engineering, the Navy, brewing, and eventually showing up at St. George Spirits with a bottle of homemade whiskey. Three decades later, Lance has helped shape St. George into one of America’s most influential craft distilleries. In this episode, Lance and Eli discuss St. George’s early days as one of the first American craft distilleries; what it means to create something new in established spirits categories; and the many methods and techniques St. George uses to achieve great distillation. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: St. George Spirits Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Lance’s Path to Distilling (2:05) Origins of St. George Spirits (7:40) Creating St. George’s Single Malt (21:28) Bringing Back Absinthe (35:37) Terroir Gin & Place-Driven Distilling (47:27) The Future of St. George (1:06:58) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

Slow Beer: Templin Family Brewing owner, Kevin Templin

Sep 23, 2026 49 min

How did Templin Family Brewing become one of the most respected breweries in the USA? Today, Eli talks to owner, Kevin Templin, about his approach to craft brewing, German brewing traditions, and what it takes to build a brewery where quality comes before speed. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister Factor: http://factormeals.com/BLISTERBIKES50OFF RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: From Skiing to Brewing (1:14) Regulations in Utah (5:15) German Beers (7:25) Sensory Evaluation (8:33) Starting a New Brewery (10:21) Fermentation (14:25) Smoked Beers (20:15) Wine vs. Beer (23:55) American Light Lager (31:46) The Art of Expanding (37:43) The Importance of Glassware (41:22) State of the Beer Industry (44:48) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Cinematic The Vault

Becoming a Master Bladesmith w/ Zack Jonas

Sep 16, 2026 1 hr 13 min

While most of us use knives every day without thinking much about them, Zack Jonas has spent his life thinking about almost nothing else. And today, the founder of Jonas Blade & Metalworks joins Eli to explain how a former philosophy major became one of just over 100 master bladesmiths in the mysterious world of Damascus steel. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: DraftKings.com - code: Blister RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Recent Knife Expo (1:42)"Make and Take" classes (9:43)The Path to Mastery (13:34)Journeyman Smith (15:21)Fit & Finish (25:11)Master Smith Test (25:11)Metal to Knife: Damascus (32:13)Variances & Functionality (40:40)Forging from Billets (45:07)Acid & Patterns (56:24)Edges & Sharpness (1:03:13) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast

The James Beard Foundation: Its Origins, Mission, & Current Work w/ JBF Vice President of Impact, Anne McBride

Sep 9, 2026 1 hr 1 min

If you love great food and great restaurants, then you’re probably familiar with the extremely prestigious James Beard Awards. But there is more to the James Beard Foundation, and today, you’ll learn more about its origins, its mission, its work today, and you’ll get a fantastic history of American culinary culture from the JBF’s Vice President of Impact, Anne McBride. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: FactorMeals - code: BLISTERPOD50OFF DraftKings.com - code: Blister RELATED LINKS: BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CRAFTED ep 115: James Beard Winner, Bucheron TOPICS & TIMES: What is the James Beard Foundation? (4:02) Origins of the Foundation (5:49) A History of ‘Fine Dining’ & American Culinary Culture (10:38) Anne’s Background: from Switzerland to Louisiana (15:50) How JBF Helps w/ the Business Side of Restaurants (27:54) More on the Mission & Principles of JBF (40:45) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED

Skier & Chef Mark Connell on Great Palates & Cheap Pizza

Sep 5, 2026 10 min

What does it actually mean to have a “great palate”? In this episode of the Vault, originally featured on CRAFTED, Jonathan talked to lifelong skier and PARC Aspen Chef, Mark Connell, about “supertasters,” and why some chefs can detect tiny changes in a dish while still loving Domino’s pizza. Note: We Want to Hear From You! We’d love for you to share with us the stories or topics you’d like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: info@blisterreview.com EPISODE SPONSORS: DraftKings.com - code: Blister Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways For the Full Episode: Crafted, Ep.48 CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30

Did Accountants Ruin Whiskey? With Leopold Bros founder, Todd Leopold

Sep 1, 2026 1 hr 29 min

What do rye whiskey, fruit brandy, and vinegar have in common? At one point, they were all made on the same kind of still. Todd Leopold, co-founder and owner of Leopold Bros, has spent years resurrecting that lost production method, including commissioning the first three-chamber still built since Prohibition. Today, Todd and Eli discuss what drew Todd to that forgotten technology, and why he believes the results are worth the inefficiencies. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: DraftKings.com - code: Blister Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister RELATED LINKS: Leopold Bros Get Leopold’s Vinegar Their Collab w/ Prisoner Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: The Peach Harvest (1:50) From Peaches to Spirits (9:23) Colorado Agriculture, Tradition, & Local Sourcing (14:02) The Three-Chamber Still (27:02) Doublers (47:41) Vinegar Production (53:38) Gin Botanicals & Vermouth (1:07:56) The Future of Distilling (1:24:21) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED

Why This Device Could Change the Way You Make Coffee

Aug 27, 2026 48 min

What exactly is ‘pressure-brewed’ coffee? (Hint: it’s not espresso.) Today, Presston founder Korey Dausz joins Simon Stewart to talk about designing and building a coffee maker that uses pressure to make great coffee, in a simple, plastic-free, sustainable way. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Korey’s Coffee Journey (2:20) It’s Possible to Have Great Coffee on the Road (6:08) What is ‘Pressure-Brewed’ Coffee? (8:01) Prototyping (11:01) Built to Last a Lifetime (16:52) Manufacturing in China (19:57) Presston vs. AeroPress (39:38) Pressure, Heat, or Time? (32:05) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast

High West’s Master Distiller, Isaac Winter, on the Most Misunderstood Word in Whiskey

Aug 19, 2026 56 min

Today we’re talking with the master distiller of one of the most prominent American whiskey producers of the past two decades, High West Whiskey. High West built much of its reputation through blending, which has long been a tradition in Scotch whisky but has often been treated with suspicion by American whiskey drinkers. In this episode, master distiller, Isaac Winter, joins us to investigate why blending has been so misunderstood. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS: High West Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Introduction to High West Distillery (0:00) Isaac Winter’s Journey (4:09) The Philosophy of High West (23:13) Creative Tension in Whiskey Blending (27:05) The Scotch Whisky Tradition (29:33) The Blending Process at High West (35:48) Collaboration with ‘The Prisoner’ Winery (51:59) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zerno Founder Vel Genov on Coffee Grinders, Burr Geometry, Particle Analysis, & More

Aug 12, 2026 1 hr 23 min

Zerno manufactures some of the best coffee grinders in the world, and last week, Jonathan Ellsworth returned to Zerno HQ to get into the weeds with founder, Vel Genov, about coffee grinder burrs, particle analysis, burr geometry, some big updates, and the future of Zerno. If you care about manufacturing in America, or uncompromising craftsmanship, or you love coffee, you need to know the Zerno story. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Our 1st CRAFTED podcast w/ Zerno Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Catch Up & Refresher on Zerno (5:00) Chasing Retention Reduction (21:00) Updates at Zerno (24:54) Burrs (31:07) Burrs & Price (40:09) How Flavor is Affected (41:07) Consistency in Burr Manufacturing (51:34) Swapping Burrs (57:55) The Z2 Grinder & Lessons Learned (1:02:13) Bikes! (1:16:02) The Future of Zerno (1:17:34) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cult of Mezcal w/ Pedro Jimenez

Aug 5, 2026 1 hr 21 min

There are more than 175 species of agave native to Mexico — so why is tequila made from just one? To answer that question, you have to understand centuries of tradition, industrialization, and the forces affecting Mexico's native spirits, and today, Pedro Jiménez, founder of Mezonte, joins me to unravel that history and explore one of the world's most fascinating spirits traditions. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister RELATED LINKS: Mezonte Viva Mezcal! Pare de Sufrir RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Pedro Jimenez’s Background (2:01) Pare de Sufrir (14:24) Creating Mesonte (15:35) Mezcal As Culture (15:54) Mezcal vs. Tequila (22:24) Commercialization & Standardization (31:34) Exploring Agave Spirits (56:17) The Mezcal Production Process (48:26) Critique of Denomination of Origin (1:01:47) The Role of Transparency (1:12:27) Viva Mezcal (1:17:55) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Problem with ‘Perfect’

Jul 29, 2026 1 hr 5 min

“That’s smooth!” That’s often the first thing someone will say after trying a new drink. But what if that’s a sign that we don’t actually know how to evaluate -- and appreciate -- the thing in the glass we’re holding? In this episode, Nicolas Palazzi, founder of PM Spirits, joins Eli to discuss how artisanal producers think about the difference between perfection and excellence. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS: PM Spirits Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Introduction to PM Spirits (1:53) Mr. X & Inspiration (3:04) All Things Cognac (5:49) Building the Business from Scratch (19:16) Expanding Beyond Cognac (31:43) Why Brandy Struggles in the U.S. (38:10) Terroir, Palate, & “Smooth” (43:14) Market Adaptation (52:16) The Street Pumas Project (59:41) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hot Sauce, Human History, & Some Big Existential Questions

Jul 22, 2026 1 hr 8 min

Hot sauce — many of us love it, but few of us know how & why it came to be; how it works; how it could kill you and how it might save you; and why exploring these topics actually leads into some big questions about the evolution of humankind itself. Jonathan Ellsworth & Eli Brown discuss. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Introduction to Hot Sauce (1:35) Jonathan’s Hot Sauce Journey (4:12) What Counts as Hot Sauce? (7:55) The Data: Global Hot Sauce Consumption (21:25) The History of Tabasco & Cholula (27:00) The History of Chiles (39:09) How Does Hot Sauce Work? (50:37) The Future of Hot Sauce (1:00:50) Craft Hot Sauce Brands (1:03:06) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is “Post-Natural” Wine?

Jul 15, 2026 1 hr 0 min

According to all the headlines, the wine industry is in trouble — sales are plummeting, major producers are shrinking their portfolios, and the natural wine movement has become a punchline. But what if wine isn't actually in crisis at all? Louis Schofield, founder of World Apart Wines, joins us to argue that the industry is simply returning to reality after years of unsustainable growth. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Craft Collective (1:15) Louis’ Background (2:38) White Burgundy (7:06) Working In Retail (9:46) Top 50 Restaurants (13:05) Dogma vs. Drinkability (17:47) Regression to the Mean (22:22) The Influence of Taras Ochota (25:03) Wine Making (30:07) The Art of Winemaking (33:11) Post-Natural Wine Making (38:23) Problems w/ Natural Wine (47:03) Off-grid Wine Making (51:11) EPISODE SPONSOR: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS: World Apart Wines Vine Street Imports Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Tiki

Jul 8, 2026 1 hr 12 min

Tiki is easy to dismiss: themed mugs, carved idols, Hawaiian shirts, and over-the-top cocktails. But the real history is far more interesting. After nearly disappearing in the 1970s, tiki is being revived and redefined by a passionate group of bartenders. Today’s guest, Sam Miller, is one of the people leading the charge, breathing new life into a style of drinks we almost lost. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Utah’s Peak Seasons (2:31) Samson & Water Witch (3:06) Learning to Bartend In Utah (9:53) Salt Lake City’s Bar Scene (14:36) Iron Chef & Hawaii (18:07) All Things Rum (22:47) The History of Tiki (25:07) Hawaiian Localism (47:26) Returning to Salt Lake City (57:29) Remora Bar (1:05:38) RELATED LINKS: The Donn of Tiki Remora Bar B4 Change Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saving Tequila w/ David Suro

Jul 1, 2026 1 hr 21 min

What happens when a category's success leads to its demise? Tequila is the fastest-growing spirit in the world, yet its popularity has put it on a path to extinction. In this episode, David Suro joins us to discuss the world of agave spirits, from smuggling tequila into the U.S. for tastings in the 1980s to the rise of industrialized production methods that he believes have put the entire category at risk of disappearing overnight. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Founding ‘Tequilas’ (3:34) Americanized Mexican Cuisine (10:27) The Low Cabinet: Secret Bottles (15:19) Origins of Agave Spirits (21:01) Tequilas Boom and Bust (30:50) Mescal vs Tequila (41:32) Tequila’s Monoculture (47:32) Process vs Aging (1:07:35) Transparency in Tequila (1:16:46) RELATED LINKS: Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals Siembra Spirits Tequilas Casa Mexicana The Tequila Inerchange Project Siembra Suro Foundation Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who Decides What We Drink?

Jun 24, 2026 1 hr 8 min

Who decides which wines make it to wine shop shelves and restaurant lists? For decades, importers like Ronnie Sanders have quietly helped shape the way we drink wine. As the founder of Vine Street Imports, Ronnie has spent the last two decades building a reputation for finding overlooked winemakers long before the rest of the industry. In this episode, Ronnie and Eli dig into emerging wine trends, his take on ‘the death of wine’, and explore what actually makes a bottle worth drinking. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Vine Street Imports Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Ronnie’s Australian Connection (3:37) Getting Into Wine (6:11) Bordeaux and Ronnie’s Father (17:34) Sourcing Australian Wine (22:20) The Jakarta Story (30:44) What's Hot In Wine (45:00) Australian Pinot Noir And Chardonnay (48:49) What is Value? (49:59) Emerging Wine Trends (58:49) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Build the Best New Restaurant in America: Bûcheron owners, Jeanie & Adam Ritter

Jun 17, 2026 1 hr 8 min

Bûcheron (French for “lumberjack”) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, won the James Beard Foundation award for Best New Restaurant in America in 2025. Last month, Jonathan Ellsworth had the opportunity to attend a Bûcheron dinner, and today, he talks with owners Jeanie and Adam Ritter about their unconventional backgrounds; how they and their team created a restaurant that earned one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary world; and what life has been like since. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: What is Bucheron? (3:18) Minnesota French (5:05) Jeanie’s Background (7:41) Adam’s Background (14:47) Michelin & James Beard (25:10) Travel & Learning (29:24) Boucheron's Methodology (31:09) Cooking in Unfamiliar Places (36:41) Opening Bucheron (42:58) Winning the James Beard Award (46:51) Advice for Success (51:54) Minneapolis and ICE (56:19) The Bear (1:03:02) Eating at Home (1:05:07) RELATED LINKS: Bucheron Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Case Against Imitation: Brianne Day, Founder of Day Wines

Jun 10, 2026 57 min

For decades, Oregon’s winemakers have looked to France as the standard setter for what constitutes great wine. Brianne Day, founder of Day Wines, thinks it's time to stop doing that. Brianne has spent her career exploring what makes Oregon's vineyards unique. Today, we discuss her winemaking philosophy, biodynamic farming practices, and why Oregon's most exciting wines are the ones that aren’t trying to be from somewhere else. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Origin Story & 1,500 Wines (4:28) Wine Exploration (15:07) Wine Making Regions (16:30) American Terroir (27:45) Creating & Managing Expectations (13:32) Natural Wine (36:22) Amaro (49:44) RELATED LINKS: Day Wines SennzaFinne Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cocktails in the Desert? Scott Gardner of Water Witch

Jun 3, 2026 1 hr 2 min

Salt Lake City shouldn’t be home to one of America’s best cocktail bars. And yet, despite Utah’s strange liquor laws and its distance from traditional cocktail meccas, that’s exactly what makes Water Witch so interesting. After the Blister team stumbled across Water Witch on a recent trip, Eli wanted to find out how owner / operator Scott Gardner built something so special in such an unlikely environment. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: About Scott (2:54) Alcohol Laws & Culinary Deserts (7:18) James Beard Award (13:16) Changes in Cocktail Competitions (17:51) Finding Mentors (21:12) Building Water Witch (24:11) Defining the Concept (31:06) Operations Management (39:14) Control State Woes (47:04) The Future of Utah’s Bars (53:14) Why Stay In Salt Lake? (57:10) RELATED LINKS: Water Witch Bar Nohm Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our CRAFTED Trip Report: Washington DC & Manhattan

May 27, 2026 1 hr 25 min

Jonathan just got back from an incredible 12-day trip to Washington DC and Manhattan, and had a ton of notable ‘CRAFTED’ experiences. So he and Eli Brown talk about a bunch of them, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on some of the places we mention — or some additional places you think we need to check out next time we’re in DC / NYC. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Washington DC (2:04) - The Dabney (6:08) - Death & Co DC (7:25) - Filter & Dua DC (16:54) - Karma Modern Indian Cuisine (24:01) Manhattan (26:32) - James Beard Foundation Platform Dinner: Bûcheron (31:54) - Frozen Margaritas (37:00) Coffee Spots: (41:07) - Coffee Project & Hovin He (41:07) - Hi-Collar & La Cabra (44:41) - Arcane Estate Coffee (47:09) - Park at Kim’s (48:37) - BAZU! by Superwow Coffee (49:25) - L’Industrie & Scarr’s Pizza (53:30) - Bar Contra (58:05) - Linden’s Overnight Oats (1:05:45) Theater (1:10:33) - Dog Day Afternoon (1:12:39) - Proof (1:13:32) - The Fear of 13 (1:16:32) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Good is Good Enough? Craft Pursuits & Diminishing Returns

May 20, 2026 1 hr 11 min

How good is good enough? For those of us obsessed with any craft category (e.g., coffee, watches, wine, knives, audio gear, etc), we can find ourselves crossing the line of ‘diminishing returns,’ where we keep chasing some notion or ideal of perfection. So why do we do this? Today, our CRAFTED co-hosts, Eli Brown, Jonathan Ellsworth, & Simon Stewart discuss. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: JE's Manifesto (1:54) Eli's Categories For Spending (11:14) MOMA NYC (16:38) Status As Return? (20:48) Rabbit Holes (26:58) Wine Price Points (30:09) Craft As Experience (35:45) Audio Space: Diminishing Returns (37:25) Headphones (41:12) Contentment and Curiosity (46:22) Hario V60 (53:16) Watches (56:12) Paying Scarcity (1:04:17) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Chubbuck of Murray’s Cheese on Quality, Value, & the Virtue of Inefficiency

May 6, 2026 1 hr 0 min

Cheese can cost $12 a pound, or upwards of $100 for a wheel of the same size. So what is actually driving that difference in price, and is the most expensive option really worth it? Today, Elizabeth Chubbuck of Murray’s Cheese breaks down how to think about value in cheese, from commodity cheddar to cave-aged, small-batch wheels. Along the way, Elizabeth and Eli also get into the history of Murray’s, their unique cave aging program, and explore why inefficiency is often exactly what makes something great. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Murrays Cheese (2:48) Flagship Cheeses (5:44) The History of Craft Cheese (7:05) Elizabeth’s Journey (13:41) Wholesale (18:00) Cheese Education (26:38) Cheese Caves in New York (37:14) Classes (42:45) Price Point Differentiation (48:00) Cheese Clubs (57:52) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our CRAFTED Trip Report: Blister Summit & Salt Lake City

Apr 29, 2026 1 hr 32 min

We just wrapped up our Blister Summit at Snowbird, then Jonathan Ellsworth, Sascha Anastas, and Eli Brown spent a pretty amazing 24 hours in Salt Lake City, where we discovered some fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and bakeries. So today, we’re reporting on what we ate, drank, and saw. Give it a listen, then let us know your thoughts! We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Summit / Snowbird: Fernet (2:41) Fry Sauce? (12:19) Realm, ‘The Bard’ (2023) (17:26) Rice Krispy Treats (19:35) Tram Club Spicy Fries (25:23) Salt Lake City: Bar: Lake Effect (30:55) Bar: Post Office Place (32:36) Dinner: Junah (34:33) Bar: Water Witch (52:16) New York Sours (55:54) Underberg (1:03:36) Breakfast: Central 9th Market (1:06:16) Three Pines Coffee (1:08:08) Mono Tape Club (1:12:49) Eva’s Bakery (1:19:18) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Unified Theory of Cocktails with Dr. Kevin Peterson, Part 3

Apr 8, 2026 1 hr 6 min

The neighborhood bar is one of the last places untouched by AI, big tech, and all their algorithms. But what if that’s actually holding each us back from finding our “perfect” drink? In Part 1 and 2 of this series, we explored Dr. Kevin Peterson’s Cocktail Theory. And in this episode, we turn to his latest project, which aims to decode your taste and guide you to the drinks you didn’t know you were looking for. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Castalia’s Tasting Menu (5:43) Consumer Preferences (12:20) Recommendation Algorithms (17:47) Data Analysis (22:09) Drinks Based On Data (31:33) The Role Of Key Words (42:22) The Applebees Rule (48:41) Operating Rules (56:52) Bartending as Craft or Science (1:00:01) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Frost on the Most Elite Certifications in the Wine World — and Why They Matter

Apr 1, 2026 1 hr 3 min

Top mountain guide certifications (like AMGA and IFMGA) have a pass rate of around 70%. But what if we told you that in the wine world, the most rigorous certifications have a pass rate that’s only about 8% — and it’s often lower than that. The certifications of ‘Master Sommelier’ and ‘Master of Wine’ are two of the most demanding in any field. And our guest today, Doug Frost, is one of only three people in the world to hold both. So Doug and Eli dig into what makes these courses so challenging; the differences between the two; and, most importantly, why they matter. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Doug Frost’s Background (2:11) Becoming a Sommelier(8:15) Outdoor Industry & Wine Industry (11:56) Certifying Organizations (13:25) Benefits of Low Pass Rates (30:17) Exams (32:15) Trick Questions (35:30) BUSA (40:18) Echolands (48:42) Visiting The Winery (1:00:28) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Floreo: How to Make Great Coffee at Home + Elevating American Cafe Culture

Mar 25, 2026 1 hr 24 min

Americans love coffee — there are well over 40,000 coffee shops in the USA — but it’s easy to argue that many other countries are doing coffee better. Why is that, and what can be done to elevate American coffee culture to the level it most definitely deserves? Floreo Coffee founder, Sebastian Skokan, has dedicated himself to this cause, and today, he’s sharing his answers with Jonathan Ellsworth & Eli Brown. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Floreo Coffee Co Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Sebastian’s Background (3:00) Finding the Best Coffee Scene (8:37) Coffee Education (10:29) Sensory Science (12:31) The Floreo Cafe (17:45) Quality vs Speed (21:00) Weber Grinder (25:28) Coffee Presentation & Preparation (28:25) Coffee Expressions (33:06) Coffee Economics (39:57) Grinding, Roast Quality, & Shot Timing (48:43) Advection & Diffusion (53:12) Brew Ratios (59:02) Tips & Tricks (1:04:26) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amateur Hour: The Hi-Fi Audio Rabbit Hole w/ Simon Stewart & Jonathan Ellsworth

Mar 18, 2026 1 hr 14 min

Jonathan started falling down the rabbit hole of hi-fi audio gear, and he says it’s all Simon’s fault. So in this conversation, Simon talks to Jonathan about his audio journey; why he’s singled out the world of hi-fi headphones as a place to begin; why he’s become a believer in “EQ”; and why it feels almost inevitable that he’ll end up exploring the world of loudspeakers, too. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Craft Collective (1:18) Why Headphones Make Sense (5:53) Is Beethoven the Original Heavy Metal? (12:25) Headphones vs Speakers (15:57) Jonathan’s First Hi-Fi Headphones (29:19) Why You Should ‘EQ’ (35:07) The Qudelix-5k DAC/AMP + Equalizer (36:20) Dedicated Headphone Amp vs Integrated Amp (40:49) The JDS Labs Headphone AMP+DAC (44:10) Active vs Passive Speakers (1:01:18) Where To Go From Here? (1:06:35) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wildflour: The Most Beloved Bakery in the Ski World

Mar 11, 2026 52 min

Located at the base of Palisades Tahoe, Wildflour Baking Company is probably the most beloved bakery in skiing, and it definitely has the most accomplished customer base in the ski world. So Jonathan sat down with Wildflour owner, Susan Lopez, to talk about it all, and learn some of the secrets to Wildflour’s success. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Susan's Background & Cookie Monster Suits (2:20) Establishing Wildflour in 1983 (6:25) Changes in the Palisades Community (9:12) Wildflour’s Offerings & Em Bombs (11:33) Taking Care of People (13:17) Wildflour’s Ski Royalty Fan Base (17:12) Aimie Engerbretsen (21:44) Cody Townsend (24:09) Shane Mcconkey (27:45) Noah Gaffney & Connery Lundin (29:47) Life-Time Cookie Pass (33:28) New vs Staple Offerings (36:56) Susan’s Off-Season Hobbies (39:37) Susan’s Rule re: Chocolate on Faces (41:47) What's the Best Question I Haven't Asked You? (43:53) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Unified Theory of Cocktails with Dr. Kevin Peterson (Part 2)

Mar 4, 2026 51 min

What if everything you thought you knew about taste was wrong? Although we like to think flavor lives on the tongue, the truth is far more interesting; more than 80 percent of what we taste is actually smell. That revelation sits at the heart of Dr. Kevin Peterson’s groundbreaking book, Cocktail Theory, which is transforming the way bartenders, chefs, and curious drinkers think about their craft. In Part 1 of this series, we explored the foundations of his thinking, but we also left plenty of questions on the table. In this conversation, Kevin is back to tie up those loose ends. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Closing Castalia (2:01) Upcoming Projects (9:19) Cocktail Families (18:02) The Bloody Mary (23:20) Pre-Batching (27:59) Scent as Music (35:49) Algorithmic Recommendations (47:21) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast ENTER OUR WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS: Enter Our Free Weekly Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitters, Ghost Towns, & Botanical Sodas w/ Shae Whitney of Dram

Feb 25, 2026 46 min

How do you grow a national beverage brand without investors, trend-chasing, or artificial ingredients? Dram began as an all natural cocktail bitters producer, and (unintentionally) went on to become the leader in the ‘functional beverage’ space. Today, Eli talks with Dram founder, Shae Whitney, about Dram’s unlikely origin story; what led her to start making bitters with real botanicals; building a business in a Colorado ghost town; the strange history of their original production space; and how Dram navigated the rise of functional beverages without chasing trends. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: What is Dram (2:16) First Flavor Profiles (5:05) Crafting Bitters (7:06) Production in Silver Plume (10:56) Moving to Salida (27:20) Botanical Seltzers (33:20) Most Popular Expressions (37:15) N/A Bitters (38:48) The Functional Beverage Category (39:48) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buchardt Audio Founder, Mads Buchardt, on Handcrafting Speakers & Achieving High-End Sound

Feb 18, 2026 59 min

Mads Buchardt founded Buchardt Audio with a vision of offering high-end sound and Scandinavian design at the best possible price. Known for “big sound in compact designs,” many of Buchardt’s speakers are handcrafted in their woodshop in Denmark using the finest Danish oak, and their loudspeakers exemplify the minimalist aesthetic that is a hallmark of Scandinavian design. Simon talks with Mads about how Buchardt Audio is delivering on its vision by offering speakers that sound incredible, are visually stunning, and a great value. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Heaven 11 Floreo Coffee Co Buchardt Audio TOPICS & TIMES: Growing up with Music (6:03) Getting into Hi-Fi (8:04) Founding Buchardt Audio (9:42) Mads’ First Speakers (12:08) What are Passive Radiators? (12:55) Staying Small & Running Lean (16:53) Early Challenges (18:53) Big Sound in a Compact Design (22:22) Manufacturing in Silkeborg (25:30) Buchardt’s Masterpiece: the E50 (27:14) Active Speakers (43:57) What's Next for Buchardt Audio (55:36) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Unified Theory of Cocktails with Dr. Kevin Peterson (Part 1)

Feb 11, 2026 59 min

For years, the “Mr. Potato Head” theory of drinks was accepted by bartenders to create new cocktails and memorize recipes. But until the release of Cocktail Theory, by Dr. Kevin Petersen, no one had taken the time to prove it, and now, Cocktail Theory is reshaping how bartenders are designing drinks. Today, Eli talks with Kevin about his diverse background and how it informs cocktail creation; the Mr. Potato Head theory of cocktails; the core concepts of the book; and much more. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. TOPICS & TIMES: Kevin’s Background in Food (3:39) Kevin’s Introduction to Cocktails (9:48) Pairing Food, Scents, & Cocktails (11:40) Opening a Bar vs. a Restaurant (17:33) Cocktail Families (26:06) Pitch for Cocktail Theory (29:43) Alternate Theories for Cocktail Creation (32:02) The Engineer’s Perspective (34:05) Scent & Taste Cohesion (44:03) Turning Theory Into Practice (50:10) A Sensory Approach to Drinks (54:52) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Pursuit of the Perfect Coffee Grinder: Zerno founder, Vel Genov

Feb 4, 2026 1 hr 23 min

ACAST Zerno is one of the hottest brands in the world of specialty coffee, and for good reasons. So Jonathan recently met up with Zerno’s founder, Vel Genov, at their brand-new manufacturing center in Chicago, and today, you’ll get to hear their follow-up conversation, where they discuss what led Vel to design & manufacture coffee grinders in Chicago; Vel’s obsession with quality, functionality, and aesthetics (rather than price); burr sizes and why they matter; product design, iteration, and manufacturing; comparisons between the Zerno Z1 and the new Z2; and more. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Craft Collective (2:22) Intro / What Vel Drank this Morning (3:10) How Fast is Fast for Pulling Shots? (8:00) How Did He Start Making Coffee Grinders (10:15) Aesthetics & Machining (21:31) Value of Building Products that Last (29:13) History of Making the Grinders: Trial & Concept (35:43) Burr Size & Why It Matters for Clarity (44:04) Listening to Customers & Users (1:03:15) Z2 Update & High-Tolerance Manufacturing (1:04:05) Made in Chicago (1:10:34) Future of Zerno (1:17:03) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zero Gravity Beer: 20 Years of Independent, Craft Brewing in Vermont

Jan 29, 2026 52 min

While the overall category of craft beer is currently experiencing a decline, the Burlington, Vermont craft beer maker, Zero Gravity Beer, is thriving. How? To find out, Eli talked with Zero Gravity’s Christopher Costello about the keys to Zero Gravity Beers’ success; what has evolved and what’s stayed the same for them over these 20 years; the current state of New England brewing; and more. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Zero Gravity Beer Zero Gravity Community TOPICS & TIMES: Zero Gravity Background (1:50) Farm House Model (11:52) Production Facility (14:22) Adapting to High Growth (19:26) State of the Union: East Coast Beer (25:04) Terroir & Beer (30:34) 3rd Place Space & Community (34:44) The Hummingbird Logo & ‘Listers’ (38:33) Caribbean Beer Dinner (41:06) The N/A Category (44:12) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Science - and Politics - of ‘Functional Beverages’ w/ Fabric founder, Tom Eddleston

Jan 14, 2026 1 hr 13 min

Few craft categories have experienced the meteoric rise of ‘functional beverages,’ and specifically, THC-infused drinks. But despite their popularity, what goes into making these drinks remains a secret, and not all THC-beverages are created equal. So today, Eli talks with Fabric founder, Tom Eddleston, about what goes into crafting functional beverages with real intention. From cannabinoids to flavor-profile development, this conversation demystifies a category that is shrouded in misinformation. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Fabric Fabric Blog Fabric x POW Farm Bill Brief BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: An Introduction To Colorado Sober (2:17) History of Fabric (6:43) Definitions and Offerings (11:30) Ingredients (24:53) The Importance of Education First (32:02) Mental Health Advocacy (37:48) Mental Health & the Outdoors (42:38) Market Viability and Restrictions (45:36) Lobbying Efforts for Regulation (54:31) Cultural Significance of Inebriation (58:42) Zebra Striping (1:02:49) Distribution (1:05:40) Get Involved (1:10:03) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Reviewers' 2025 Craft Obsessions & 2026 Curiosities (Part 2)

Jan 7, 2026 54 min

Jonathan talks with Blister managing editor Luke Koppa, reviewer Paul Forward, and our bike editor, David Golay, about the craft categories that most captivated them this past year, and some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2026. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Heaven 11 BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Luke Koppa (3:40) Paul Forward (18:45) David Golay (45:17) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Reviewers' 2025 Craft Obsessions & 2026 Curiosities (Part 1)

Dec 31, 2025 1 hr 2 min

As we wrap up 2025, we are once again sharing the craft categories that most captivated our Blister reviewers this past year, and we’re revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2026. We kick things off with Simon Stewart, Jonathan Ellsworth, Kristin Sinnott, and Eli Brown. Please enjoy, and Happy New Year! We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Simon Stewart (2:14) Jonathan Ellsworth (9:55) Kristin Sinnott (31:44) Eli Brown (51:05) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Distilling: Big Macs, Meme Spirits & 16th-Century Recipes w/ Jesse Wilson of ‘Chase the Craft’

Dec 24, 2025 1 hr 28 min

Distillation has been a common topic here on Crafted as of late, and we have had the pleasure of speaking with some of the most important names in the American spirits industry. Yet, commercial distillation inevitably limits creativity and innovation. That is not the case for this week’s guest, Jesse Wilson, the founder of a pair of companies focused on home distillation, Still It and Chase the Craft. What began as a video series based around a man learning to distill has grown into an exploration of all things spirits innovation - Jesse has now distilled everything from Big Macs to 300 year old absinthe recipes. In this conversation we dive into the history of both companies, the science of distillation, the magic of aging, and the unique insights Jesse has gained from his exploration of supremely small batch spirits production. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Chase the Craft Still It 18th-Century Absinthe Distilling Big Macs Potato Vodka BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: How Eli Discovered ‘Still It’ (3:58) Distillation Adventures & YouTube (7:15) Jesse’s First Still (21:03) Chase The Craft (27:41) Absinthe (34:04) Head, Hearts, & Tails (51:10) Charring Barrels (1:04:48) Big Mac Distillation & Meme Spirits (1:09:23) Who Should Try Home Distilling (1:16:30) The Future of Home Distilling (1:21:29) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amateur Hour: Camera Gear w/ Jonathan Ellsworth and Justin Bobb

Dec 17, 2025 59 min

Recently, Jonathan has been going deep down the rabbit hole of camera gear and lighting, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb has been his spiritual guide. So today, we’re broaching these topics with all of you, and you’ll get to hear JE apologize profusely to Luke Koppa for basically forcing him to drink terrible coffee over the years. (You’ll see.) We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Why J Bobb Needs to Block JE (2:37) Origins of J Bobb's Interest in Cameras (4:22) Digital vs Analog (6:51) 35mm and Beyond: Megapixels (10:00) Planned Releases (13:22) Light (15:33) Analogies: Coffee & Camera Gear? (19:33) Sony A6700 (23:42) Camera Hand Feel (29:08) Camera Brands (30:44) Ecosystems & Who’s Best at What? (38:29) Which is Easier to Learn: Filming or Snowboarding? (49:42) Shiny-New-Object Syndrome (51:38) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda Thomson on How Noughty AF Wine is Achieving the Seemingly Impossible

Dec 10, 2025 56 min

Amanda Thomson loved enjoying a glass of wine to wind down the evening, but she also needed to be high-functioning first thing in the morning. That craving led to the 2019 release of Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay, Thomson’s award-winning attempt to fill a massive gap in the industry. Eli sat down with Amanda to discuss what makes Noughty “wine, just better”; the differences between the American and European markets; and some of the most challenging aspects of creating a product line that has come to define quality N/A wine. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: SennzaFinne Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Noughty Wine BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: A Brief History of Noughty Wine (3:54) Champagne (11:12) The difference Between European & American Drinking Culture(14:52) Defining NA Wine (20:35) Reds (25:03) Challenges Making Sparkling White (34:57) NA State of the Union (35:46) Being the OG Brand Everyone is Chasing (42:13) New Products (47:00) Hard Work Pays Off (50:33) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Does a Small Craft Brand Break Out? SennzaFinne Shares Their BluePrint

Dec 3, 2025 53 min

In a spirits landscape full of massive brands and mega marketing budgets, what differentiates a craft producer? SennzaFinne, the Seattle based amaro producer founded by former bartenders, has found creative ways to make their mark. This week Eli checked back in with Gillian and Joey to learn about their approach to guerilla marketing at the world’s premier beverage conference (it involves a custom backpack), and they also dove into the company’s recent experiments with ingredient recycling. From brewery collaborations to botanical seltzers, there is a lot happening over at SennzaFinne, and they get into a little bit of all things ‘bitter’ in this conversation. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Heaven 11 Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member SennzaFinne Recipes Gift Box BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Tasting at Tales (5:14) Partnerships with Breweries (12:56) Distillation Collaboration with Old Log Cabin (23:28) Ready-To-Drink Options (30:11) Pop Up Bars (40:12) SennzaFinne’s Lineup (44:00) Last Leaf & Mezcal (47:09) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caviar 101 with Black River Caviar

Nov 26, 2025 1 hr 4 min

Caviar. Is there any word — or food — that more quickly conjures up associations of luxury and opulence? But caviar isn’t just a thing to serve on the yacht you don’t own, caviar has a rich history. Once a snack only for Russian oligarchs, today it is found in more places and likely on potato chips. Eli talks with Sarah Mayo for a deep dive into the history of global caviar production; the ways in which the modern market is shaping consumption; and the endangered status of the fish responsible for this exotic dish. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Black River Caviar BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: History of Caviar (2:53) The Production Process (14:30) The Market for Caviar (17:57) Soviet Caviar (24:58) China's Influence (30:38) Sturgeon, Illegal Fishing, & Hybrid Products (32:13) Lifecycle of the Sturgeon (39:53) Grading Structure (49:51) Caviar & Wine (52:48) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Whiskey that Set a Land Speed Record: Montgomery Distilling

Nov 19, 2025 1 hr 15 min

Not every distillery owner has a land speed record to their name, but Ryan Montgomery of Montgomery Distilling does. So Eli talked with him about all things spirits, from the Montana-grown grain that helped power that land speed record, to the world’s first bourbon-based amaro. They also discuss the similarities between aquavit and gin; the labor of love known as kirschwasser; and the inspirational effect of Merle Haggard and the Grateful Dead. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Heaven 11 Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member Montgomery Distilling Lords of Dirt Spirits and Spokes TOPICS & TIMES: Farm to Bottle (3:49) Farming & Ranching (5:07) From Home Brewing to Distilling (6:39) Whiskey School & Stills (9:23) Starting a Whiskey Business (12:55) Single Malt & Special Releases (16:06) What Does He Like to Drink (20:43) “Mama Tried” Bourbon (24:12) Aquavit (26:01) Aged Aquavit (33:19) Aging in Montana (37:10) State of Distilling in the US & Montana (49:41) Liquor Licensing (57:30) B'Amaro (1:02:39) Motorcycle Fuel, Lords of Dirt, Spirit in the Spokes (1:09:25) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HiFi Audio, Aesthetics, & Design w/ Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad

Nov 12, 2025 55 min

A famous philosopher once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” We agree. And while music is all around us, it’s easier and easier to take it for granted, or to have a very diluted experience of it. So, how do you elevate your everyday music listening experience? Today, Simon catches up with Itai Azerad, founder of Heaven 11, to talk about how their new Billie Amp MK3 does just that. Heaven 11’s goal is to restore the connection between the listener and music, and bring back the ritual of listening. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. RELATED LINKS: Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Check out the New Billie Amp at Capitol Audiofest (2:16) Billie Amp MK3’s Modular Design (3:52) Choosing Between Amplifier Modules (7:01) Future Proofing in Audio Products (12:26) Incorporating User Feedback (14:06) Bringing Back Your Father’s Hifi System (20:42) Rediscovering New Details in Music (30:24) Aesthetics Matter (41:31) An Emotional Connection to Music (47:00) SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast BLISTER NEWSLETTER: Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Podcast details

Created by: BLISTER
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 11, 2026
Episodes: 138
Release period: Weekly
Avg. episode length: 1 hr 5 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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