I have a secret to tell you. I’ve never told anyone this before. I really enjoy beer. I know. Shocking. But I wasn’t always a beer drinker. In my early years I was surrounded by the likes of Genesee and Natural Light so on nights out I would usually opt for a Jack and Coke even though I wasn’t a huge fan of pop (as we called soda in the Midwest). But hey, I had to drink SOMETHING. Then I moved to Arizona and my life changed. In many positive ways. But in the category of alcohol consumption for the purpose of this article. I was first turned on to craft beer which I quickly feel in love with. My love affair with quality spirits was a much longer courtship.
The first taste of Scotch I even had was a 15 year Highland Park that my father in law bought to share with a group of us for Christmas. There were about 8 of us and we each got a pour to taste, contemplate and discuss. The first sip immediately triggered my inner dialogue to respond with “Spit it out! Now! You have just ingested some sort of handcrafted black-market Mongolian cleaning solvent!”. Luckily I had the self-control to NOT spit it out on the table and avoid embarrassment despite my strong desire to do exactly that. Now my mind was racing (“This sip was less than 10% of the total volume of liquid still left in my glass. I can’t keep this up. What do I do?!?!” So I did what I have done for years to get out of anything that I HAD to do: I closed my eyes, said 3 Hail Mary’s and threw it back like an old-school Slick Rick album. Damn, that wasn’t so bad. And now it’s over. But then they get to me in the roundtable discussion.
Them: “So what do you think?”
Me: “Of what?”
Them: “Of the Scotch”
Me: “Oh. Yeah. It was good. REAL good”
Them: “WAS?!? You drank it already?!?!”
At this point I had no choice but to confess I drank my portion of this $90/bottle Scotch in less than 2 seconds like it was a $3 Flaming Dr. Pepper to get amped up for the Limp Bizkit concern. Needless to say they gave me flack for that for a long time. But they also never gave up on me. Every time we all got together someone would buy a bottle of good whiskey and we’d all taste it. And my palate developed quite nicely. Now there are times where I enjoy a good whiskey more than a beer. Not often. But occasionally. Why? You got some of the good stuff?
So anyways, since starting this podcast I have ventured off the beer path a few times to check out some of the awesome spirits being made in this great state with my visit to Hamilton Distillers and Arizona Distilling Company. Not too long ago Chase from Adventurous Stills reached out and invited us over to check out their place in Tempe. I had heard some great things about their products before going there so was excited to check it out but was even more blown away once we go there. The fact that pretty much everything they use is hand made is amazing in itself but their spirits were REALLY good.
In this episode I sit down with 2 of the 3 owners, Chase and Kelly, to talk about the challenges they face selling top-shelf spirits and how the water is Tempe is perfect for making spirits. Enjoy the show!
Adventurous Stills is located at 31 S Robson Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85210
Adventurous Stills on Facebook
Adventurous Stills on Instagram
Video Production done by Aaron Markus from 8 AM Films
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some feedback!
Publish Date: 11/13/2017
I have a secret to tell you. I’ve never told anyone this before. I really enjoy beer. I know. Shocking. But I wasn’t always a beer drinker. In my early years I was surrounded by the likes of Genesee and Natural Light so on nights out I would usually opt for a Jack and Coke even though I wasn’t a huge fan of pop (as we called soda in the Midwest). But hey, I had to drink SOMETHING. Then I moved to Arizona and my life changed. In many positive ways. But in the category of alcohol consumption for the purpose of this article. I was first turned on to craft beer which I quickly feel in love with. My love affair with quality spirits was a much longer courtship.
The first taste of Scotch I even had was a 15 year Highland Park that my father in law bought to share with a group of us for Christmas. There were about 8 of us and we each got a pour to taste, contemplate and discuss. The first sip immediately triggered my inner dialogue to respond with “Spit it out! Now! You have just ingested some sort of handcrafted black-market Mongolian cleaning solvent!”. Luckily I had the self-control to NOT spit it out on the table and avoid embarrassment despite my strong desire to do exactly that. Now my mind was racing (“This sip was less than 10% of the total volume of liquid still left in my glass. I can’t keep this up. What do I do?!?!” So I did what I have done for years to get out of anything that I HAD to do: I closed my eyes, said 3 Hail Mary’s and threw it back like an old-school Slick Rick album. Damn, that wasn’t so bad. And now it’s over. But then they get to me in the roundtable discussion.
Them: “So what do you think?”
Me: “Of what?”
Them: “Of the Scotch”
Me: “Oh. Yeah. It was good. REAL good”
Them: “WAS?!? You drank it already?!?!”
At this point I had no choice but to confess I drank my portion of this $90/bottle Scotch in less than 2 seconds like it was a $3 Flaming Dr. Pepper to get amped up for the Limp Bizkit concern. Needless to say they gave me flack for that for a long time. But they also never gave up on me. Every time we all got together someone would buy a bottle of good whiskey and we’d all taste it. And my palate developed quite nicely. Now there are times where I enjoy a good whiskey more than a beer. Not often. But occasionally. Why? You got some of the good stuff?
So anyways, since starting this podcast I have ventured off the beer path a few times to check out some of the awesome spirits being made in this great state with my visit to Hamilton Distillers and Arizona Distilling Company. Not too long ago Chase from Adventurous Stills reached out and invited us over to check out their place in Tempe. I had heard some great things about their products before going there so was excited to check it out but was even more blown away once we go there. The fact that pretty much everything they use is hand made is amazing in itself but their spirits were REALLY good.
In this episode I sit down with 2 of the 3 owners, Chase and Kelly, to talk about the challenges they face selling top-shelf spirits and how the water is Tempe is perfect for making spirits. Enjoy the show!
Adventurous Stills is located at 31 S Robson Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85210
Adventurous Stills on Facebook
Adventurous Stills on Instagram
Video Production done by Aaron Markus from 8 AM Films
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by the awesome local Arizona band Fayuca
Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some feedback!
Publish Date: 11/13/2017
When they opened up the first State 48 Brewery location in 2016, the Rana family had already run great family-owned spots for generations. Now, less than 6 years later the brewery has expanded to 6 locations (and soon to be 7…listen in to learn more) and has begun to get their great beer out to the AZ masses. Join in as we explore the journey and family behind one of Arizona’s fastest-growing breweries!
Publish Date: 8/26/2021
In this episode, beer reviewer Marcus Pina, aka Brewery 602, reviews 2 beers:
1) "Wizard of The West", a collaboration between THE Arizona pizza guy Wizard of AZ and The Shop Beer Co. in Tempe 2) "Boeing 717 India Pale Lager" by Flying Basset Brewing in Gilbert.
Shout out to The Hourglass Cats for the sweet tunes for this episode!
Enjoy!
Publish Date: 8/18/2021
In this series presented by The Arizona Beer Book, we will hear the story of over 2 dozen iconic Arizona beers. These conversations were recorded in 2019 during the creation of The Arizona Beer Book for the purpose of research and were never intended to be released. Spiciness of the heat type is not a commonly used term when describing beer. Enter Chiltepin Red from Button Brew House. A tasty red ale with a kick of heat thanks to the addition of Native Sonoran Chiltepin Pepper, this one is a must-try!
Publish Date: 7/30/2021
When Kings Beer & Wine was opened years ago by Mickey Salem it quickly became a destination for any fan of craft beer and solidified its place as a staple in the Arizona craft beer community. In 2020 Kings was purchased by Mark and Sarah Fogleman. Along with the Kings crew, the Foglemans have big dream for their spot located on Thomas & Central in Phoenix. Join in as Mark and resident beer expert Alec Johnson share the vision of Kings and its place in the Arizona beer community!
Publish Date: 7/23/2021
Sometimes having roommates sucks. But sometimes, it's pretty awesome. Borderlands Brewing and Firetruck Brewing in Tucson decided recently that a shared space could pay huge dividends on multiple levels. Thus, the creation of Voltron Brewing, a shared full production facility with a beautiful spacious accompanying taproom. The main purpose of the location is to allow both brands to keep up with the demand for their beers but the vision is much bigger and this team is one to keep an eye on. Enjoy the show!
Publish Date: 7/15/2021
In this episode, beer reviewer Marcus Pina, aka Brewery 602, reviews the "Rebuild The Guild IPA" from Wrenhouse Brewing in Phoenix & "No Trabajes Tanto Amber Lager" from Harbottle Brewing in Tucson.
Also, Tap That AZ Hazy IPA is back but with prickly pear this time! Listen to hear the details of that as well as a week-long 14-year anniversary party for the great folks at Ground Control in Litchfield Park.
Shout out to The Hourglass Cats for the sweet tunes for this episode!
Enjoy!
Publish Date: 7/12/2021
When I first met Josh Archuleta I could tell this dude is driven. We've kept in touch over the past few years and finally earlier this year we were able to work together on Haka Shakalaka Session Hazy IPA. The beer itself had a community element to it in that we gave a percentage of the proceeds to Smokin' Hope who is determined to feed as many hungry people as they can. For Josh and his wife Maria to start Mindful Militia to help bring awareness to mental health & mindfulness it's the perfect fit. Enjoy!
Publish Date: 7/9/2021
It's been too long since I've published an episode so wanted to let you know I'm still here and I will see you all in July. Life is great and I have a lot of great opportunities right now that need a little TLC. Listen in to hear the vision of the show upon return as well as the rest of the exciting stuff we have going on! See you in a few weeks!
Publish Date: 6/24/2021
A podcast that introduces you to all of the amazing people behind the surging Arizona craft beer scene.
