From Pears to Single Malt: Caitlin Bartlemay on Clear Creek's Distilling Legacy
In our latest episode of the Distillery Nation Podcast, we sit down with Caitlin Bartlemay, Master Distiller at Clear Creek Distillery, to explore one of America's most innovative craft distilling stories. From her early steps into the industry to mastering the art of fruit brandy production, Caitlin's journey reflects the passion and precision that have made Clear Creek a standout in American spirits. Clear Creek Distillery has been focused on brandy production since its founding, with a particular expertise in pear brandy that sets them apart from other American distilleries. Their famous pear-in-bottle offering represents more than just a novelty—it's a testament to the patience and craftsmanship required in fruit brandy production. Caitlin walks us through the meticulous process of growing pears inside bottles, a technique that requires timing the attachment of bottles to pear trees at just the right moment in the growing season.
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Beyond the Still: Creating a Destination Tasting Room for Your Distillery
In this month's solo episode of the Distillery Nation Podcast, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my journey creating our flagship tasting room in North Bend. I start with the practical foundation—my 16-page feasibility document that helped determine if this venture could actually succeed. I share how I worked with the economic development department to find the perfect property and leveraged ARC GIS data to understand consumer patterns in the area. You'll hear about the seven essential books that guided my tasting room development and my experiences with bar design—comparing Krowne and Glastender for UI mockups before ultimately partnering with a local restaurant supplier. This episode is packed with real-world advice, including how I found incredible deals on commercial equipment through Facebook Marketplace, like a nearly-new dishwasher that saved thousands. I also discuss the critical concept of "useful absurdity"—creating standout features that drive your marketing message tenfold, similar to a Texas bookstore that transformed an old fireplace into a photo-worthy book display that attracts customers daily.
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Heritage in a Glass: How Tomas Nava is Revolutionizing Mexican Whiskey with Heirloom Corn
In the evolving landscape of global spirits, one visionary stands at the forefront of a quiet revolution. Tomas Nava, owner and distiller at Gran Tunal Destilería, is redefining what Mexican whiskey can be through his passionate commitment to heritage and innovation. Nava's journey began behind the bar, where he pioneered his town's first mezcal establishment. This immersion in Mexico's traditional spirits sparked a curiosity that would later flourish into full-scale production. After exploring gin-making with a distinctive Prickly Pear base, Nava found his true calling in whiskey—but with a uniquely Mexican identity. "The soul of whiskey is in its grain," Nava often says, and this philosophy drives Gran Tunal's most ambitious project. While most distillers worldwide rely on commercial corn varieties, Nava has turned to Mexico's rich agricultural heritage, sourcing indigenous heirloom corn varieties that pre-date European contact. These ancient grains—each with distinct flavor profiles, colors, and cultural significance—provide the foundation for whiskeys unlike any other in the world. The result is not merely a Mexican interpretation of Scottish or American traditions, but something genuinely new: expressions that capture Mexico's terroir and agricultural legacy in every sip. The production process honors both whiskey-making traditions and Mexican cultural practices. By combining careful distillation with these exceptional base ingredients, Gran Tunal creates spirits that speak eloquently of place and history. Industry experts have taken notice. As Mexican whiskey emerges as a category in its own right, Nava's creations stand as benchmarks of quality and innovation, earning recognition in international competitions and among discerning connoisseurs. For Tomas Nava, each bottle represents more than just a fine spirit—it's a preservation of agricultural biodiversity, a celebration of Mexican heritage, and a bold step forward in the global spirits conversation.
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Crafting the Perfect Tasting Room: Insights from Bar Owner Chall Gray
In this month's episode of The Distillery Nation Podcast, we dive into the world of tasting rooms and hospitality with acclaimed bar owner and author Chall Gray. Known for his practical guidebook The Cocktail Bar: Notes for an Owner and Operator, Chall brings years of hands-on experience in creating exceptional guest experiences. For distillers looking to expand their brand presence through a tasting room, this conversation offers invaluable insights. Chall and I explore the critical importance of location selection—examining foot traffic patterns, neighborhood dynamics, and how your space should reflect your brand identity. We discuss how a thoughtfully designed tasting room can become your most powerful marketing tool, creating brand ambassadors with every visit.
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Building Million-Dollar Spirits Brands: Inside Top Shelf Ventures with Noah Friedman
In this episode of the Distillery Nation Podcast, we sit down with Noah Friedman, co-founder of Top Shelf Ventures, to explore the fascinating world of spirits investment and brand building. If you've ever wondered how certain spirits brands rise to prominence while others struggle to gain traction, this conversation offers some compelling answers. Noah shares the story behind Top Shelf Ventures and walks us through their approach to identifying promising alcohol brands. With the spirits industry facing new challenges and shifting consumer preferences, his insights on navigating these changes while building sustainable brands are particularly timely. During our chat, Noah breaks down what makes investors take notice of a spirits brand. He offers practical perspectives on brand building in today's market, mixing traditional industry wisdom with modern growth strategies. The conversation covers everything from initial brand positioning to scaling operations effectively. We also dive into the current media landscape around alcohol brands and how successful companies are adapting their strategies. Noah's experience provides valuable insights for both established distillers and newcomers to the industry, offering a realistic look at what it takes to succeed in today's competitive market. Whether you're running a craft distillery, planning to launch a spirits brand, or simply interested in the business of booze, this episode delivers practical insights and honest talk about building successful alcohol brands. Join us for a conversation that mixes industry expertise with real-world experience.
Distillery Nation is a podcast that takes you inside the story of starting a small craft distillery. Ilias Mastrogiannis talks about his own story on starting up a business. The struggles, regulations, cost and everything in between. In addition to real-world advice we interview some of your favorite craft distillers!
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