Fermented Adventure The Podcast

This episode features Kim Bard and Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery. It all started in 2005 when tom walked into Kim's race shop.  In 2006 they found themselves in Kentucky and decided to go to visit a distillery.  The chose to check out Maker's Mark.  They loved the tour and afterwards they were fueled by what they saw.  They couldn't stop talking about it,  The smells, the sights, the sounds and the people. They were not able to shake the idea.  In 2015 they took the plunge and purchased Tom's old school, creating The Bard Distillery, which opened in 2019.  We had a fantastic experience at the distillery.  We got to see the vision of what it all will become.  Their spirits are wonderful and creative.    Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. 5080 Highway 175 S, Graham, KY 42344 - (270) 338-6543 - www.thebarddistillery.c

This episode features Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach.   We met Tiffanie at CiderCon 2022 in Richmond Virginia. As you will discover, Tiffanie has amazing energy.  She has a vast knowledge of cocktails and cocktail history.  We discuss her beginnings as a bartender all the way to present day where she is dazzling internet audiences with her creative and flavorful concoctions.  Tiffanie is also incredibly knowledgeable on the spirit history and the role that Black Americans have played and impacted what we are drinking today.  I learn so much and wish to learn more each time that I talk with The Drinking Coach.  Make yourself a mixed drink of choice and enjoy our lively discussion.   Highlights From our Discussion: CiderCon One Flew South Mermaid Spirits Uncle Nearest Kindred Spirits Ten to One Rum Bees Knees Black Heath Meadery

In this episode we compare and contrast a bottle of Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey Small batch from 2018 to a new bottle from 2022.  We do a tasting at the distillery and offer our tasting notes and experiences from our visit.  The people at Bowman Brothers are welcoming, friendly and knowledgable about their whiskey.  We had a great time and look forward to visiting again.

In our first episode of 2022 we review OK Cider Company, Party Pic. A hopped cider from Oklahoma City.  We share our thoughts and observations from CiderCon 2022. This was held in Richmond Virginia. Highlights From our Discussion: Soul Taco The Drinking Coach Tiffanie Barriere Perly's Mama J's Northeast Barrel Company Liquid Alchemy Beverages Dressler Estate Ploughman Cider Beach Bee Meadery Tysen The Bard Distillery The Munchy Machine Food Truck A. Smith Bowman Distillery Buskey Cider Black Heath Meadery

This episode features Deep Kulkarni and Frank Schweitzer of Frankly-Deep Hot Sauce. These lifelong friends, who met at Penn State, began growing peppers roughly 10 years ago.  They grew lots of different kinds of peppers too.  It was about the time that the Carolina Reaper was growing in popularity.  That's where they transitioned into the hot sauce world.  Their passion for hot sauce comes from food.  They love to eat and they love to cook.  The ideas for different blends and different kinds of hot sauce came quickly.  They narrowed it down to the core five that they feature today.  There's a little bit of Frank and Deep in every bottle of Frankly-Deep.  We taste through the full line and you even get food pairing tips along the way. Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. www.frankly-deep.com - Facebook Highlights from our discus

This episode features Jennifer Wawrzyniak of Blake's Hard Cider. Blake's is cider with a story.  It began in 946 when Gerald came home from WW2 and decided that he no longer wanted to live in Detroit.  He and Lovely purchased 100 acres in Armada, MI.  Today it's a 1000 plus acre U-Pick Farm with wine, beer and cider.  In 2013 Andrew arrived back from college and saw an opportunity to expand into hard cider production.  The ciders base comes from a proprietary 5 apple blend.   Jennifer is a regional sales manager with Blake's.  In this episode she shares her experiences and also what she does best.  Introducing and creating new fans to Blake's.  Pick some up and enjoy while listening to this lively episode.   Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, MI 48005 - (586) 784-5343 - www.blakefarms.com

This episode features Kris Kwant and Sara Stier of Triple Sun Spirits Co. 20 years ago Kris was watching the TV program "How it's made", with his father.  The episode featured Sam Adams Brewing.  From watching the program, the home brewing bug took hold of him.  He and his dad purchased a kit and it actually turned out pretty good.  The next adventure was to make a Barley Wine.  The intention for this would be to share with his son when he turned 21.  Kris explains that "making good whiskey starts with making good beer".  In 2016 Kris embraced the craft spirits movement.  Triple Sun is a cocktail bar that moonlights as a distillery.  They are very hospitality focused.  Enjoy this lively episode where we  discuss history, beer and all things Triple Sun. Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. 518 Bank St, Emmaus, PA 18049

In this episode Jim Pappas of Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure joins us at 2SP Brewing Company. Jim was our guest on Episode 18.  Jim still eats cheesesteaks on his quest to review 1000.  Jim brought 2 cheesesteaks from On A Role in Media, PA.  2SP Brewing Company provided the venue and 5 incredible beers.    Highlights From our Discussion:  Goombas Pizzaria  Johnny Paisano's  West End Boat Club  English IPA  Charlies Roast Pork  Jim's Steaks 

This episode features Carmel and Jonathan Senatz of Duck Butts Meadery. It started like many other passions... with a home brew beer kit.  Which remained in the box, in the basement, for over 6 years.  Jonathan observed that the idea of home brewing beer presented as being very complicated.  This didn't appeal to him.  He and Carmel became inspired by a visit to Savannah Bee Company.  From there they began to dream about making mead.  The equipment in the kit would be perfect for what they needed to get started.  Covid provided an opportunity to begin experimenting.  Forced to stay home, they took the time to make their own mead.  They set off on their "maiden voyage".  We discuss where they are now with their hobby and passion.  We can't wait to see what the future has in store for this fledgling meadery.   Facebook Highlights From our Conversation: Pickering Valley Feed & Farm Store Les Brown Savannah Bee Company Exton Bee Company Dressler Esta

In this final episode of 2021 we review Mean Max Brew Works, All Fluffed Up. A peanut butter and fluff porter from Glens Falls, NY.  We share some of the highlights from the past year too.   Highlights From our Discussion: The Bard Distillery PA Farm Show Duck Butts Meadery Valley Forge Beer and Cider Festival George Washington's Mount Vernon Distillery West Overton Village American Whiskey Convention Puerto Rico Distillery Nelson's Greenbriar Distillery Old Line Spirits Painted Stave Distilling Chattanooga Whiskey Company Leiper's Fork Distillery Barr Hill Gin Christmas City Spirits Taconic Distillery Tennessee Hills Distillery   Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery - Cowboy Coffee

In 2014 Julie, Debbie and Gary dined at one of their favorite spots.  They were going to a show as they lamented that it would be nice to enjoy a cigar after dinner.  They longed for the summer and the opportunity to smoke on the back deck where they could savor a cigar or two.  It was December and there was snow on the ground.  They discussed the possibilities but there is nothing in the area.  "A cigar bar in the Media area, that's an interesting idea", proclaimed Julie.  As Debbie says, "the universe doesn't make mistakes".  On October 21, 2016 they opened the doors.  In that time they have created an anchor for the community.  A place for the seasoned cigar aficionado and the novice alike.  Enjoy a fine spirit and pair it with your favorite or something new.   

In this episode of date night Chronicles we review Lockhorn Cidery’s, Boar Sight Bittersweet. It was one of the ciders that came to us in our quarterly box from the Northwest cider club. We also share a bonus interview with Thomas Hooker Brewery. We conducted the interview at the Valley Forge Beer and Cider Festival.

This episode features our interviews with the Breweries and Cideries that were sharing their craft at the Valley Forge Beer and Cider Festival.  Over 40 venders got to introduce their products to 2300 plus guests that attended the event.

On November 7, 2021 we were present for a historic event at George Washington's Mount Vernon Distillery.  Keystone Rosen Rye was milled, fermented and distilled.

On November 7, 2021 we were present for a historic event at George Washington's Mount Vernon Distillery.  Keystone Rosen Rye was milled, fermented and distilled.  In part one we sit down with Robert and Sherri McDonald of Dancing Star Farm.  They grew the heirloom grain that went into the mash.  Next we discuss the development of the Rosen with Laura Fields of The Fields Foundation.  Erik Wolfe joins us to share his thoughts of the days events, as well as, the legacy and impact of Dick Stoll.  

This episode features Aleasha Monroe and Sam Komlenic of West Overton Distilling. Some familiar and many not so familiar faces filled the large room at West Overton Museum.  The sold out crowd of over 100 people showed up to talk, drink and learn about rye whiskey.  More specifically Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey was the focus and topic of conversation.  The distinguished panel included: David Wondrich who is widely hailed as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the history of the cocktail and one of the founders of the modern craft cocktail movement.   Lew Bryson who is currently a Senior Drinks Writer for The Daily Beast, and is also a columnist for Craft Spirits magazine. He is the author of Tasting Whiskey.  Steve Bashore who is the Director of Historic Trades and head distiller at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.  Sam Komlenic who has been the copy editor for Whisky Advocate magazine for 15 years, led and navigated the evening's discussion.  Old Overholt Bonded S

This episode features Dave Heller and Mary Heller of Olde Bedford Brewing Company. Mary purchased Dave a Mr. Beer Kit.  The first foray into home brewing was a success.  To Mary's surprise, it quickly developed from a hobby into an addiction to home brew.    She thought that this would entertain Dave for a couple of months and he would move on.  She had no idea that 7 years later that all of it would turn into a business.  Olde Bedford Brewing is their "retirement job".  They even grow their own hops on their ranch.  Quickly they developed followers of their beer and the brewery began to blossom from there.  Passion drives the grain to glass philosophy.  "Join the Whiskey Rebellion... drink beer" is their slogan.  We had a tremendous time sitting down with Dave and Mary on the podcast.  We learned so much about the history of Bedford, beer and the brewery.  Take a side trip off the PA Turnpike and go visit them.  You'll be glad that yo

This episode features Steve Wilson of Wilson's Secret Sauce. It all began with barbecue competitions that were sponsored by Gary Maddox of the Philadelphia Phillies.  The competition benefited Maddox's charity Compete 360. Steve took first place in chicken and second place in ribs.  Steve and Kelly met and they turned the BBQ passion into a thriving business.  Their little catering company started to get high praise.  As Steve puts it, "the secret to their sauce is love".  They characterize their style as Upper Darby Barbecue or UDBBQ.  They provide options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten free diets as well.  In this episode we talk whiskey and barbecue.  Steve has been working on a maple bourbon barbecue sauce which highlights local craft ingredients.  WARNING... this episode will make you hungry for what Wilson's is cooking up. Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at

This episode features Sam Nelis of Caledonia Spirits. We met Amy Casale at the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2019.  Dressed in a Bee costume, she introduced us to Barr Hill Gin and we immediately fell in love with the spirits.  We finally made it up to Montpelier, Vermont the home of the Barr Hill lineup.  The distillery was founded by a bee keeper, Todd Hardie.  He is passionate about the land and agriculture, as well as, what bees were bringing to the area.  Todd partnered with Ryan Christiansen who had a home-brew store.  In the beginning they came together and produced mead.  Soon, they began focusing their attention on gin which began winning awards.  The honey takes center stage and leads the way to make their special spirits amazing.  Bees, as Sam explains, are the Angels of Agriculture.  We had a fantastic time sitting down with Sam and discussing all things Caledonia Spirits.  This is most certainly a destination that you want to put on your travel

We are on the road for this episode of "Date Night Chronicles".  We come to you from Montpelier, VT where we share our latest adventures and taste 2 great ciders that the Northwest Cider Club provided... Free Water Cider Company - Opal Dry Cider - Barrel Aged and Woodinville Ciderworks - Red Flesh Hard Apple Cider Highlights from our discussion: West Overton Village and Distillery Valley Forge Beer and Cider Fest Caledonia Spirits Whistle Pig Whiskey Taconic Distillery The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze Foam Brewers Stowe Cider Citizen Cider Smugglers Notch Distillery Prohibition Pig Oaks & Evelyn Von Trapp Brewing Whole Foods Market Mad River Distillers Brewscuits is sponsoring this episode.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com  Type in "Fermented Adventure" at checkout to get 15% off your first order.