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 bottle they make is designed to reflect a specific season — not just its flavors. So whether you’re amaro-curious or already a bitter believer, this...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 78
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 knife from a mediocre one; and more. If you’re interested in culinary knives but somehow haven’t come across Jamison or Acre, you’re going to really e...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 77
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 thread to everything he makes: barrel-aged beer, Napa Valley wine, and meticulously roasted coffee. And today, Nile is back on CRAFTED to talk about...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 76
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 importance of these things every day. You’ll hear about the project Eli’s working on to create change, and you’ll learn why one of the fastest-growing whiskey...
Jun 25, 2025•57 min•Ep. 75
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 Membership Winemaker’s Review (Nile’s Podcast) TOPICS & TIMES: Origins of Mad Fritz (5:31) Nile’s Background (10:08) Hawaiian Beer: Culture &am...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 74
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 aspects. RELATED LINKS: Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Sherry (1:58) Orange Wine & White Grapes (...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 73
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 brandy really is, why it nearly vanished from American drinking culture, and how Clear Creek is helping it make a long-overdue comeback. We also cov...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 72
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 Northwest take on the dish; and brainstorm potential flavor combinations (some more plausible than others). Along the way, we talk table beer, saffr...
May 28, 2025•50 min•Ep. 71
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 director of the Mountain Words Festival here in Crested Butte, and we also discuss the mix of mountain culture and book culture. RELATED LINKS Blister Cra...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 70
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 share some current favorite tequilas; plus advice on how to choose a good bottle; and more. RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become ...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 69
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. The brand has since been featured in Wine Enthusiast, on Vinepair, and in the New York Times, growing into one of the most talked-about labels in the ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 68
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’s ice Cream Habit Started (2:36) Being Picky about Food (8:36) Getting into Making Ice Cream (14:45) Ice Cream vs Coffee (18:42) Cookbooks for...
Apr 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 67
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 BLISTER+ Member BAR 5 Day BAR Documentary TOPICS & TIMES: Their Background (2:27) Bar 5 Origin Story (5:47) Mentorship (21:34) Mescal and Decision Po...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 66
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 general; the complex process they use to produce some of the best bitters currently on the market; the inspiration behind Bennett Bitters; how th...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 65
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 hospitality; his background in food and beverage; and the founding of Campione Roman Kitchen, We also discuss restrooms, tile floors, and the yellow bitter...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 64
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 handblown glassware — made in Oregon. Today I talk with Matt about how a life spent designing everything from snowboarding bindings, to wearable fitness tech...
Mar 26, 2025•58 min•Ep. 63
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's conversation, Heaven 11 Audio’s Itai Azerad offers a different perspective, one that puts a premium on really listening to music and feeling an emot...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 62
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 produces bottlings that are standard on some of the more groundbreaking menus across the U.S. In this episode we dive deep into the history of the winery, Uf...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 61
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 may appeal to those staunchly in the red-wine camp to see if we can get Jonathan more interested in what certain white wines have to offer. We’ve als...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 60
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 100 contests. His dedication to food, mentorship, and the art of receiving feedback has shaped his journey, culminating in his spot on the Olympic te...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 59
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's Farming Background (4:34) Sunny Sage Farm (6:53) Eli's Love of Garlic (9:20) Medicinal Value of Garlic (11:37) Types of Garlic (15:45) Egyptian...
Jan 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 58
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 spirits and wine. Jonathan Ellsworth and Eli Brown delve into the changing landscape of alcohol consumption among younger generations; the trends — and...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 57
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 philosophy professor at Calvin University (he received his PhD in philosophy at Notre Dame). Matt is also a brilliant writer, and among other things we’re ta...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 56
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 resolutions for 2025. RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Luke Koppa (1:21) Kristin Sinnott ...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 55
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+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Scott’s Entry into Coffee (2:43) Quality (8:30) Coffee, Wine, & Tea (16:42) Rating Systems (21:26) How to Store Coffee (26...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 54
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 (ADUs), and commercial spaces. Jeremy built that first shed back in 2008, yet today, many of Studio Shed’s designs still look just like the original. ...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 53
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: Home From Home Become a BLISTER+ Member Check out the Blister Craft Collective TOPICS & TIMES: New Film (2:52) Japan Origins (5:49) Food and Ca...
Nov 06, 2024•42 min•Ep. 52
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 Alex’s coffee, CRAFTED listeners can get 15% off by using the code BLISTER at calibrationcoffeelab.com RELATED LINKS: Become a BLISTER+ Member Check o...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 51
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 inside look at Wayfarer Van’s unique approach to building camper vans. RELATED LINKS: Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member W...
Oct 16, 2024•44 min•Ep. 50
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; and more. RELATED LINKS Check out the Blister Craft Collective Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Fine Dining & Tasting Menus (1:58) ...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 49
