CRAFTED

In Search of the ‘Best’ Coffee Gear, Pt 1 (Ep.19)

In Search of the 'Best' Coffee Gear (& Ski Boots), Pt. 2 (Ep.20)

Drinking Gold: Coffee Gear, Pt. 3, with ON3P Skis’ founder, Scott Andrus (Ep.25)

Coffee Gear, Pt. 4: “Hero Espresso” & Jonathan’s Current Setup (Ep.43)

TOPICS & TIMES:

The Significance of Coffee Gear (1:14)

Espresso Techniques and Preferences (4:19)

Exploring Coffee Beans and Roasts (8:33)

Adjusting Techniques for Optimal Flavor (17:23)

Consistency in Coffee Preparation (21:40)

Decaf Discoveries and Coffee Preferences (30:28)

Espresso Pressure: The Great Debate (30:28)

Personal Taste vs. Internet Trends (33:00)

Reflections on Coffee Gear Purchases (38:59)

The Importance of Quality in Coffee Gear (47:02)

The Importance of Precision in Espresso Making (51:32)

The Role of Milk in Coffee Drinks (56:30)

Exploring New Coffee Techniques and Equipment (59:43)

Finding Happiness in Coffee Rituals (1:02:00)

Return on Investment in Coffee Equipment (1:04:02)

The Impact of Coffee Chains on Quality (1:08:33)

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The Cast Iron Comeback: Field Company Co-Founder, Stephen Muscarella Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Fact: Cast iron is having a moment. And that’s true even while the cast-iron skillet has never lost its standing as one of the most iconic of culinary tools. So today, Eli talks with Field Company co-founder, Stephen Muscarella, about how a vintage pan sparked a journey to reimagine cast iron from the ground up. They get into what makes cast iron so special — and so misunderstood; the small design choices that lead to better cooking; and what, exactly, Field is doing to bring back the use of cast iron in modern cooking.

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Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

Field Company

Recipe Guide

TOPICS & TIMES:

Introduction to Field Company (2:16)

A History of Cooking Techniques (5:11)

Origins of Field Company (12:32)

Sand Casting (19:52)

Thermophysical Properties of Iron Castings (28:06)

The State of Cast Iron (33:32)

Three Types of Metal (38:09)

Enamel Coatings(43:12)

The Dark Art of Seasoning (46:13)

The Future of Field Company (55:26)

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Ghia’s Journey from ‘Shark Tank’ to the Mainstream Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Ghia is a drink brand that isn’t trying to be beer, wine, or spirits — and definitely not a “mocktail.” It’s bitter, bold, and built for people who want a drink that doesn’t play it safe.

Today, Eli talks with Ghia founder Mélanie Masarin about building a culinary inspired non-alcoholic option that’s not about sobriety, but about choice, occasion, and great flavors. They get into what makes Ghia different, how Mélanie’s multinational upbringing shaped the philosophy of the brand, and why she walked away from a Shark Tank deal without blinking.

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

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Ghia

Recipe Guide

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Introduction and Background (1:48)

The Birth of Gia: A Personal Journey (2:43)

Crafting the First Iteration of Gia (6:14)

Understanding the Non-Alcoholic Movement (11:04)

The Importance of Context in Enjoying Gia (17:12)

Elusiveness and Brand Identity (21:43)

Paving a New Path in the Beverage Industry (28:00)

Defining Success in the Non-Alcoholic Space (29:24)

Cultural Perspectives on Drinking: Europe vs. America (30:44)

The Evolution of Non-Alcoholic Menus (32:42)

The Unique Approach to Non-Alcoholic Beverages (36:21)

Cultural Influences on Drinking Habits (37:48)

Marketing Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Children (39:55)

The Impact of Shark Tank on Business Growth (47:16)

Transitioning from Bottles to Cans: A Strategic Move (51:14)

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OUR GUY WON! Celebrating CRAFTED co-host, Eli Brown, on His Grant Award + What's Next for His Project Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

On CRAFTED ep. 75 we told you a bit about the proposal Eli submitted re: N/A cocktails. Welp, Eli was awardedthe very competitive ‘Raise the Bar’ grant, so Jonathan talks with him about why this is a big deal, and Eli shares more details about his project. Congrats, Eli!

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

CRAFTED ep 75: N/A Cocktails

BLISTER NEWSLETTER:

TOPICS & TIMES:

Eli Got the Grant! (1:46)

Competition for the Grant (2:57)

Uncle Nearest (6:15)

The Project: Proof of Concept (9:05)

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What is ‘Amaro’ & Why is Bitter Better? Sennza Finne on a Spirit You Should Know Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Amaro is bitter, complex, and a little mysterious — and most people have no idea what it actually is. So in this episode, Eli talks with the folks behind Sennza Finne, a Seattle-based amaro producer making small-batch, seasonal expressions. We get into what amaro is (and isn’t); how their experience asbartenders shaped their process; and why every bottle they make is designed to reflect a specific season — not just its flavors. So whether you’re amaro-curious or already a bitter believer, this one’s for you.

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

Sennza Finne

What is Amaro?

Recipes

TOPICS & TIMES:

What Is Amaro / Sennza Finne Amaro Line (3:43)

Why Produce Amaro? (7:11)

Origins of Sennza Finne (19:58)

Seasonality (22:03)

Amaro for Cocktails (29:27)

The Naming Process (36:17)

Production Methods (47:40)

Bottle Design (55:40)

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Knives & Knifemaking w/ Jamison Chopp of Acre Forge Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Jonathan talks knives and knife making with Jamison Chopp, a bladesmith who works with a group of individual knife makers at Acre Forge, in Portland, Oregon.

We talk about what’s changed and what hasn’t about the way knives are made today; we dive into the details of blade shape, blade materials, and handles; we talk about what separates a great knife from a mediocre one; and more.

If you’re interested in culinary knives but somehow haven’t come across Jamison or Acre, you’re going to really enjoy this episode. And for those of you who haven’t invested in a really quality knife, well, fair warning, this conversation might change that.

RELATED LINKS:

Mad Fritz

Mad Fritz Coffee

David Arthur Vineyards

Winemakers Review

TOPICS & TIMES:

Skis? (3:53)

Getting into Knifemaking (9:37)

Is there a more conventional path? (16:29)

Current State of Bladesmithing (17:43)

The Acre ‘Collective’ (23:23)

Knife Maintenance (27:11)

Metallurgy (30:07)

Carbon Steel (32:52)

Materials (36:00)

Acre Macrum Knife vs ‘Signature’ Knives (43:08)

Hand-Forged vs Machine-Made (46:52)

Styles: Japanese vs Western Knives (53:44)

Acre vs ‘Big Box Store’ Knives (56:21)

Acre vs Other High-Performance Makers (1:00:54)

Sharpening (1:05:21)

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Fermentation, the Key to Most of the Things You Love (w/ Nile Zacherle, Eli Brown, & Jonathan Ellsworth) Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Many of us love (and love talking about) coffee, wine, or beer, but few of us go around professing our love of fermentation. But after this conversation, you’ll see why maybe we should.

Because fermentation isn’t merely a chemical process, it’s the key to many of those things we love. And for Nile Zacherle, the founder of Mad Fritz, it’s the common thread to everything he makes: barrel-aged beer, Napa Valley wine, and meticulously roasted coffee. And today, Nile is back on CRAFTED to talk about it all with Eli Brown & Jonathan Ellsworth.

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

Mad Fritz

Mad Fritz Coffee

David Arthur Vineyards

Winemakers Review

TOPICS & TIMES:

What’s in Nile’s Glass? (2:32)

Nile’s Winemaking Background (5:04)

Why Study Fermentation? (11:20)

What is Fermentation? (16:49)

How Theory Impacts Reality (31:34)

Reevaluation of All Values (36:50)

Aging (46:41)

Aging Coffee (56:38)

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Craft N/A Cocktails & Why They Matter More Than You Think Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Craft N/A Cocktails are on the rise, but there is still much that needs to change in this space — fundamental things like what we should and shouldn’t be calling this whole category, and why that matters. Today, Jonathan Ellsworth discusses these things with our CRAFTED co-host and professional mixologist Eli Brown, who sees the real-world importance of these things every day. You’ll hear about the project Eli’s working on to create change, and you’ll learn why one of the fastest-growing whiskey companies in the world, Uncle Nearest, is so interested in the N/A space.

RELATED LINKS:

CRAFTED ep 66: Eli w/ Bar 5

Raise the Bar program

TOPICS & TIMES:

Eli’s ‘Raise The Bar’ Project (1:46)

Zebra Striping & Other Consumer Behavior (7:51)

Current Stats in N/A (12:09)

Defining a Category By What it Isn't (16:24)

Ice Cream Analogy (21:05)

Inclusivity (36:37)

More on Conventions & Terminology (40:03)

Cocktail Creation (45:42)

Uncle Nearest & Historical N/A Ties (49:51)

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The Madness of Nile Zacherle, Mad Fritz Brewing Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Madness. That’s what you call it when a former sponsored skateboarder gets a Ph.D. in fermentation, then starts brewing super-premium beer in Napa Valley. In this conversation, Eli Brown talks with Nile Zacherle, the founder & master brewer of Mad Fritz.

RELATED LINKS:

Mad Fritz Brewing

Mad Fritz Membership

Winemaker’s Review (Nile’s Podcast)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Origins of Mad Fritz (5:31)

Nile’s Background (10:08)

Hawaiian Beer: Culture & Challenges (16:07)

Skateboarding (25:08)

Winemaking (27:27)

Transition Back to Brewing (35:34)

Diving into Mad Fritz (42:00)

Jupiter & Camel (44:41)

Brewing System (47:13)

Barrel Aging (1:03:32)

Where to Find the Beer (1:11:09)

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Steve Matthiasson on Wine, Punk Rock, Bikes, & Fireworks Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Steve Matthiasson is one of the most respected winemakers in Napa Valley, and together with his wife Jill, they make wines under the label of Matthiasson Wines that buck some of the most fashionable trends in Napa wine. Steve is also a passionate mountain biker and snowboarder, a teacher, and a wine consultant; today, we dive into all of these aspects.

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