Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 28: McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: JOLO Winery and Vineyards, Raylen Vineyards, Childress Vineyards, Mystery Brewing, Old Nick Spirits

Meet the Maker: Sean McRitchie is in the studio to talk about his delicious McRitchie’s winery, their wines, their cidery and their cider. Tim & Jordan fought over who was taking what leftovers home. They were both bruised. It was delicious stuff and we were glad to have Sean in the studio.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Sweet Summer Luv Luv
2oz Conniption Navy Strength Gin
¾oz Saint Germain Elderflower
3oz Cucumber Water*

*Cucumber Water
2 cups water
1 large cuke
2oz lemon
3oz simple syrup
2 chamomile tea bags

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 27: Fainting Goat Spirits

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News:  Heist Brewery, Fullsteam Brewery, Westbend Winery and Brewery

Meet the Maker: Bill and Andrew Norman of Fainting Goat Spirits, along with Niels and Patrick from Tap Hopper Tours are in to talk about Emulsion Gin and Tiny Cat Vodka from Fainting Goat. Tap Hopper Tours is the premier tour company in the Triad when it comes to local breweries and distilleries.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Summer Night Red Dream
2oz Tiny Cat Vodka
4 large strawberries
2oz Hibiscus Flowers
4oz Water

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 26: Birdsong Brewing

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Three Spirits Brewery, Skull Camp Brewing, Old Nick Spirits, CraftFreedom.org.

Meet the Maker: Chris Goulet is in the studio to talk about the delicious brews from Birdsong Brewing. We tried 4 distinctly different brews and had a fantastic time doing so. The origin of the name is also a funny story. Listen to find out where it comes from.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Magician
2oz beet vodka*
4oz strawberry ginger syrup**

*Beet Vodka
6oz Covington Sweet Potato Vodka
2oz Beet tips
Let set one week.

**Strawberry Ginger Syrup
5 Strawberries
1 Cup Simple Syrup
1½oz lemon juice
3 sage leaves
1oz candied ginger
Puree and strain

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 25: Mystery Brewing

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Full Steam Brewing, Westbend Winery and Brewery, Mystery Brewing, CraftFreedom.org

Meet the Maker: Eric Lars Myers of Mystery Brewing is in the studio and talks with us about their delicious brews and the fantastic packaging and can art provided by artists local to Hillsborough.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Summer Garden

2½oz Lovage-infused Tiny Cat Vodka*
3oz Basil Water**

*Lovage-infused Vodka
6oz Tiny Cat Vodka
6 Lovage leaves
Infuse for 1 week

**Basil Water
2 cups water
6 Basil leaves
2oz Honey
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Puree basil and water

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 24: Westbend Winery & Brewery

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Burial Beer Company, Old Nick Williams Spirits, Homebrewers’ Clubhouse, CraftFreedom.org

Meet the Maker: It wasn’t that long ago that Westbend Winery & Brewery was closing up their winery and brewery. But, they’re now back with a vengeance and we have Ethan Brown, the wine master and head brewer of the new-and-improved company. We tasted two of their beers and a bottle of wine.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Widowmaker

2½oz Covington Vodka
4oz Cranberry Puree*
Rim glass with Cabernet Molasses**

*Cranberry Puree
1½ Cups Dried Cranberries
¼ Cup Black Peppercorns
1 tbsp Thyme
1 qt Water
Reduce for 30 minutes
Puree and Strain Mix

**Cabernet Molasses
2½ Cups Cabernet Red Wine
1 Cup Sugar
Reduce for 10-15 minutes

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 23: Sutler’s Spirits

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Full Steam Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Sweet Summer Luv Luv, Spring House, CraftFreedom.org, Niki’s Pickles

Meet the Maker: Scot Sandborn and gin maker Tim Nolan of Sutler’s Spirits are in to talk about the history of Sutler’s Spirits, their name, their gin, their future products and with some awfully big news. You’ll have to listen to find out what the big news is. We sip on the delicious gin.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Sutler’s Experiment

2oz Lavender-infused Sutler’s Gin*
4oz fig-blackberry reduction**

*Lavendar-infused Gin
6oz Sutler’s Gin
1oz honey comb
1oz lavender
½oz lemongrass
3oz lemon zest
Let this sit for 1 week

**Fig-Blackberry Reduction
5qts water
2C of sugar
4oz dried fig
10 blackberries
3oz dried lavender
1 lemon zested

 

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 22: Raffaldini Vineyards

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Highland Brewing, Gizmo Brew Works, Swan Creek Wine Trail

Meet the Maker: J. Raffaldini, Thomas Salley and J’s nephew Ryan are all in the studio to let us taste some of Raffaldini Vineyards‘ fantastic wines. They brought a few for us to taste and Tim drank a good bit of red wines and he’s not really a red drinker, although that’s starting to change, especially with the wineries that are in this state. J. talks about the winery itself, the beautiful villa that sits on the property and why he does what he does.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Drop Kick

2oz Sutlers Gin
3oz Beet-Lavender Syrup*
½oz key lime juice

*Beet Lavender Syrup
4oz Beet Juice
4oz Simple Syrup
1oz Lavender
1oz Sassafras Root

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 21: Mayberry Spirits

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Childress Vineyards, Triple C Brewing Company, Unknown Brewery, Laurel Gray Vineyards, Shadow Springs Winery, Raffaldini Vineyards

Meet the Maker: Vann McCoy brings in a few of Mayberry Spirits‘ delicious whiskeys and talks about his prior life as a monk, his family’s history of distilling and the history of the distillery. That’s great stuff.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Barney Fife
4oz Strawberry Cream*
2oz Mayberry Spirits’ Vanilla Flavored Premium Whiskey

*Strawberry Cream
8oz sweetened condensed milk
6oz milk
2 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
4 strawberries blended
3-4 basil leaves

Blend strawberries and milk, add condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon.
Strain and chill with 4 basil leaves for 24 hours.

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Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 20: Ponysaurus Brewing

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Full Steam Brewing, Unknown Brewing Company, Great Grapes Wine and Food Festival, Sawtooth’s Arts & Craft Beer Event.

Meet the Maker: Kiel Jansen of Ponysaurus Brewing Company is in the studio to talk about his fantastic brews. We taste four of his beers and discuss the name, the brewery’s history and events. Also, Meghan Parsons of Sawtooth School of Visual Art is in to talk about the Arts & Craft Beer event happening on April 28 (that’s next Friday!).

Food for Drinkin’: Chef Tim delivers Korean Bulgogi with Saffron Rice from Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Meghan’s Sweet City Punch
2oz Outer Banks Distilling’s Pecan Honey Rum
3oz Vanilla Apple Syrup*

*Vanilla Apple Syrup
1oz apple butter
1oz maple syrup
1oz vanilla extract
2oz simply syrup
½oz lemon juice
Pinch of chili powder
8oz pineapple juice

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Win TOPO Goodness!

Hello, Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking listeners! It’s time for another libation
giveaway. This time we’re giving away a fantastic package from TOPO Distillery. We’re giving away a gift certificate for a TOPO Distillery Tour for Four ($80 value) in addition to a coupon for $100 to be used for food, beverage or merchandise at the TOPO Distillery. That is $180 worth of a TOPO experience that we’re giving away.

But, it’s not just giving something away. We need something from you in return. What you ask? Well, it’s not too difficult.

In episode #17 of the podcast, who does proprietor Scott Maitland say is the “Spirit Guide” of TOPO Distillery?

Do NOT post your response/guess here. Send us a message. Send it, via email, to tim@sippingnc.ws

We will draw from the correct answers NEXT Thursday April 20. You must be 21 to enter and you cannot have won anything from the TLDPodNetwork in the last 30 days. When you send the email, please include a cellphone picture of your ID to verify you’re of legal drinking age.

Also note that the $100 certificate for food, beverage or merchandise does NOT include tip. Please tip separately and please tip according to how much your check would be were you paying cash.