Smuggling Nun: Reviving Ireland's Bootleg Poitin Legacy

    Poitin, Ireland's ancient unaged barley spirit, was illegally bootlegged for 300+ years until 1997, predating whiskey and inspiring global moonshine culture.Maura Clare learned a secretive 20th-century recipe with molasses and beet sugar from a retired bootlegger, blending whiskey warmth, tequila aroma, gin complexity, and rum sweetness at 45% ABV.Named after her nun cousin who smuggled it in a holy water bottle, the Gothic-arch bottle ships to 40 states via smugglingnun.com, perfect for cocktails like Celtic sours or neat sips.


Publish Date: 5/12/2026




Recent Episodes

Beer foam isn’t waste — it’s a sign of proper brewing, protects aroma, and improves texture

Pizza-and-beer harmony comes from yeast, carbonation, and choosing the right style for the slice

New RTDs, wine tips, and Leslie Jesperson’s BFD TV round out this week’s highlights

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Publish Date: 7/14/2026


    We explore the competing origin stories of the Long Island Iced Tea and explain why the cocktail is enjoying a modern revival.Learn how beer was brewed before refrigeration, why lagers were stored in caves, and how seasonal brewing shaped beer history.Flavorful mid-strength beers are growing in popularity as craft breweries respond to consumers seeking moderation without sacrificing taste.


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Publish Date: 7/7/2026


Discover refreshing warm-weather wine styles that are perfect for summer meals and relaxing evenings.

Explore how the Lake Erie Ale Trail has become a premier craft beverage destination with 17 unique breweries.

Learn how local ingredients, seasonal brews, festivals, and brewery collaboration are helping drive tourism and regional pride.

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Publish Date: 7/3/2026


Dive bars remain cultural icons, valued for authenticity, community, and unpretentious atmosphere.

Brown beer bottles protect flavor by blocking light that can cause beer to become "skunked."

Several companies have launched pickle-flavored beers, reflecting growing consumer interest in bold, tangy flavors.

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Publish Date: 6/24/2026


    Prohibition failed to stop Americans from drinking, but it sparked the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and the cocktail culture we still enjoy today.The aftertaste of a beverage can significantly influence enjoyment, with bitterness affecting people differently based on genetics and taste perception.Modern canned cocktails combine convenience with quality, using refined spirits and craft-inspired recipes to deliver bar-quality drinks anywhere.


Publish Date: 6/17/2026


This episode of Beverage Chronicles explores the nostalgic origins of root beer, from its sassafras‑root beginnings to its clever rebranding by Charles Hires in the 1870s. It then shifts to the rise of flavored vodka and how it reshaped modern drinking culture, before closing with a surprising look at how everyday fruit juice can naturally ferment into low‑alcohol beverages. Together, the segments highlight how tradition, innovation, and chemistry all shape what we drink.


Publish Date: 6/8/2026


*Learn the best way to enjoy a beer flight by tasting from lighter to heavier styles.
*Discover how public relations helps beverage brands build trust, visibility, and sales opportunities.
*Get the latest on Starbucks Rewards changes and new research linking coffee consumption to lower dementia risk.


Publish Date: 6/7/2026


    Schlitz beer rose from Milwaukee brewing roots to become the world’s top-selling lager before collapsing in the 1970s after cost-cutting changes damaged quality and consumer trust.Founders All Day IPA helped redefine the “session IPA” category by offering full hop character with lower alcohol, making craft beer more approachable and widely drinkable.Starbucks’ new summer lineup uses colorful, layered drinks and experiential marketing to create premium, Instagram-ready beverages aimed at making customers feel the experience is worth the price.


Publish Date: 6/1/2026


The Show

Beverage Chronicles explores all types of beverages, with an emphasis on craft beer. We talk with the people who produce, distribute and sell these drinks.

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