A Slight Pause

Hiya folks. I suppose you’re wondering why there’s not a podcast this week from us. Well, we want to address that. 

Let us start by saying the podcast isn’t going away. We are still going to produce them. However, we’re taking a short hiatus. Why? There are a couple of reasons for that. First, sadly, Derrick, Jordan’s stepson (to be) was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He’s only 16 years old. That’s a lot on a kid. Christina, Derrick’s mother, and Jordan want to make sure they’re there for him every step of the way for his surgeries, treatments and recovery.

First, sadly, Derrick, Jordan’s stepson (to be) was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He’s only 16 years old. That’s a lot on a kid. Christina, Derrick’s mother, and Jordan want to make sure they’re there for him every step of the way for his surgeries, treatments and recovery. So, we’re asking for positive vibes, happy/good thoughts and a little bit of time for them to get used to all of this.

Second, Jordan had just started his job as North Carolina Spirits Ambassador and with needing to be with Derrick, he’ll need all the work time he can get to push and peddle the fine spirits we have in this state. So, to help him get established, we felt the time off of the podcast was good.

Let us reiterate, we aren’t stopping the podcast. We have guests that we’re relining back up and we will be recommencing soon. We’re figuring about a month at this point. That could be extended as it is all about what is needed for Jordan to get all his affairs in order. So, we have a plethora of back episodes and The Less Desirables Network has four other shows that you can listen to in the mean time. There’s a lot of podcasts happening over here. Don’t give up on us… we’re not giving up on you.

Keep Derrick, Christina and Jordan in your thoughts and keep drinking those delicious NC libations! Slàinte mhath…

Tim and Jordan

ps… don’t forget to also eat at Spring House Restaurant and Quanto Basta!

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 32: Wise Man Brewing

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Oskar Blues, Crank Arm Brewing

Meet the Maker: Headbrewer, Sam Victory; Purveyor of Happiness, Scott McWhorter; Tap Room Manager, Harvey Williams all stop in to talk about the delightful brews from Wise Man Brewing. We taste several of their beers and they talk about their amazing facility.

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

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Party Boy

1½oz Kill Devil Pecan Honey Rum
3oz Raspberry Coconut Puree*
Top with Western Star Sour Ale from Mystery Brewing

*Raspberry Coconut Puree
½ pint Raspberry
4oz Cream of Coconut
8oz of Cranberry Juice
3 Mint Leaves
4 Lemon Balm Leaves

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 31: Shadow Springs Vineyard

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Southern Grace Distillery, SB155 gets through Committee in the House!

Meet the Maker: Owner Chuck Johnson and his main-most-dude, Dana Acker are in the studio to talk about Shadow Spring Vineyard‘s fantastic line of wines. From the Meritage to the Seyval Blanc, we try a wide variety of their vino. Tim flipped his stuff over the Dark Shadow chocolate infused wine. Very fine stuff indeed.

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

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Oh Oh Oh It’s Magic

2oz Belam Vodka
1 pint of Blueberries
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
8 mint leaves
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
2oz vanilla

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 30: Lassiter Distilling

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Nickel Point Brewing, Shelton Vineyards, Granite Falls Brewery, Tavern in Old Salem

Meet the Maker: Gentry Lassiter is in to talk about Lassiter Distilling‘s rums. Tim and Jordan try two rums – the Amber and NC traditional white rum. Gentry talks about the distillery’s history, why he got into it and where it’s going.

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

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Summer Refresher

3 oz Bedlam Vodka
4oz Cucumber Peppermint Lemonade*

Cucumber Peppermint Lemonade
4oz lemonade
2oz simple syrup
2oz cucumber water
Tsp basil oil
4 twinnings butter peppermint tea packages.
Submerge the tea into the mix for 3 hours.

 

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 29: Appalachian Mountain Brewing

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: RayLen Vineyards, Shelton Vineyards

Meet the Maker: Nathan Kelischek from Appalachian Mountain Brewing is in to talk about the history of the beer, the beer itself and all the great causes they support. They are truly a brewery that gives back and they have some pretty slammin’ stuff, too. 

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

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Aww, Sweet Christina
½ cup strawberries
½ cup raspberries
½ cup sugar water
½ oz key lime
1½ oz Queen Charlotte Reserve from Muddy River
Top with AMB’s Long Leaf IPA

Puree the berries, sugar water, key lime, strain. Top with rum and beer.

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

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

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

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

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