We Celebrate All Things Craft Alcohol
From the people, to the art and science of the craft itself, to unique approaches and industry innovations, to that delicious liquid in the bottle — if it’s related to craft alcohol and there’s an interesting story behind it, we’re celebrating it and sharing it with all of you.
We Storytell Because We Believe People Connect with People and Their Stories
People don’t connect with products, they connect with people and stories. We’re here to tell the stories, introduce you to the people, draw you in, and get you excited about visiting or trying whatever it is that we’re sharing. We do this to inspire you to travel and explore this amazing world through craft spirits, cider, wine, beer, and more. We want you to have a true taste of place, wherever you are. As we always say…drink craft, drink the world!
We Support Makers of Craft Spirits, Wine, Beer, Cider and More
You know how that whole “eat local & artisan” trend got so big? Well, we’re big believers in the “drink local & craft” movement as well.
Our mission is to support the craft alcohol community wherever we happen to be, so amazing, small producers can have sustainable, even thriving, businesses without having to sell out to Big Booze. Join us in becoming a part of our beloved Tippler Nation who votes with their hearts and dollars by supporting craft alcohol with every sip they take.
We’re a Passionate Team of Craft Spirits, Beer, Wine, and Cider Enthusiasts and Professionals
Evan
Sommelier, Certified Cider Professional & Bespoke Tour Guide
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Evan has spent 10 years bringing craft alcohol enthusiasts, like you, to wineries, distilleries, cider houses, and breweries on tours with Max Napa Tours. As a certified sommelier and cider professional, he has a deep knowledge that he is passionate about sharing in a way that is engaging, approachable, and fun. He resides in San Francisco and enjoys travel, cooking, whitewater rafting, and live music.
Check out some of Evan’s favorite craft makers: Jax Vineyards, The Terraces, Porter Creek Vineyards, AZ Wilderness Brewing, One Eight Distilling, Spirit Works Distillery, Tilted Shed Ciderworks & Ethic Cider
Jena
Virtual Craft Beer Tasting & Craft Cocktails Event Host
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Jena is an award-winning bartender, cocktail educator, and Cicerone Certified Beer Server based in NYC. She has been bartending and working in the craft beer world in NY for the last fifteen years with recipes appearing on menus at Manhattan restaurant/bars & in multiple publications, such as Liquor.com. She is the 2019 Nikka Perfect Serve Global Runner Up and a 2020 Cognac Connection winner.
Check out some of Jena’s favorite craft makers: Big Alice Brewing, Single Cut Brewing, Grey Sail Brewing, Kas Spirits, NY Distilling Company, Amass Dry Gin, PM Spirits, Croteaux Vineyards, Gersing Cellars
Stefan
Contributing Writer & Virtual Craft Wine Tasting Host
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Stefan is passionate about wine and music. He is a devoted teacher serving as a professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as well as a Wine Educator for WSET through The Grape Experience in San Francisco. Besides teaching you can find him composing music, playing with his band and holding wine tastings for friends and wine lovers. “Wine is the only artwork you can drink” – Luis Fernando Oliverri.
Check out some of Stefan’s favorite craft makers: Truchard Vineyards, Gary Farrell Winery, Robert Young Estate Winery, Irvine and Roberts Vineyard, Edenvale Winery and Orchards, Hotaling and Co. Distillery
Jen
Virtual Craft Beer, Whiskey, Wine, & Cocktails Event Host
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Jen has spent the last 13 years bartending around the country, including the beaches of Florida, wilderness of Alaska, ocean of Hawaii, and mountains of Montana. As an Executive Bourbon Steward, Cicerone Certified Beer Server, Level 1 Sommelier, and having passed the Patron Masterclass as a member of the United States Bartenders Guild, Jen loves exploring the intricacies of all different kinds of beverages. Her favorite things to do when she isn’t serving or creating cocktails are going to concerts, traveling, and exploring new (to her) beers, wines, and cocktails.
Check out some of Jen’s favorite craft makers: Bozeman Spirits, Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room, Rabbit Hole Distillery, Death & Co., Lakefront Brewery, Revolution Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing, Kona Brewing, Warpigs, Malmo Brewing Co, O’Brien Estate, L’Enoteca Wine Bar, Coquette
Kate
Executive Assistant
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Kate is an executive assistant with over 16 years of experience in administrative and hospitality industries. As Suzanne’s right hand at The Crafty Cask, Kate focuses on process improvements, client communication, and virtual events among other things. She has a strong passion for customer service and loves nothing more than providing a smooth and enjoyable experience for all of our makers, drinkers, and clients. Born and raised in Florida, Kate is now a proud Austin Texas resident. She enjoys cheering on the Texas Longhorns and spending time outside with her two daughters, husband Jacob, and dog Roger.
Check out some of Kate’s favorite craft makers: Jester King Brewery, Celis Brewery, Times Ten Cellars, Kooper Family Whiskey
Danika
Marketing Pro & Social Media Maven
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Danika is a social media and marketing professional who focuses her work on small businesses and startups. After working with a local author to design and publish a book, and a non-profit to develop a brand and website, she comes to The Crafty Cask to amplify our engagement with drinkers, makers, clients and the whole craft alcohol community. She has spent the last three years getting to know Kansas City one brewery patio at time and enjoys time outside in the sunshine playing tennis, cornhole, or taking walks with her dog, Piper.
Check out some of Danika’s favorite craft makers: Lifted Spirits Distillery, Lost Evenings Brewing, Mean Mule Distilling Co., KC Wine Co., International Tap House, Border Brewing Co.
Contributors
Freelance writers, videographers, mixologists, and more.
Learn more
We have a wide range of fabulous contributing freelance writers, videographers, mixologists, and more. If you’re passionate and knowledgeable about craft alcohol and interested in contributing to The Crafty Cask please reach out. We’d love to hear from you and see if we can find a good fit to help you explore your passion, grow your portfolio, and be a valuable member of The Crafty Cask team.
Hi, I’m Suzanne!
I’m the founder of The Crafty Cask and I thought it might be nice to get to know each other a bit now that you’ve met our lean, mean, tippling team!
By trade, I’m a market researcher and storyteller. Most core to my soul, however, I’m an explorer. I live life with the sole purpose of feeding my curiosity, meeting new people, and discovering new experiences.
There’s a whole lot of history behind why that is, and if you’re interested you can read a bit more about me and our origin story here but the short of it is this: I am obsessed with trying something new, learning something new and sharing what I find and love with others. Which ties in rather nicely with our mission here at The Crafty Cask of celebrating and supporting craft alcohol. Coincidence? I think not!
Having worked in California wine country and then in Corporate America marketing for over 12 years, The Crafty Cask is my way of bringing a deep passion for the people, products and stories of craft alcohol together with expertise in marketing and storytelling.
Why? To help tell the world about all of the amazing craft alcohol makers and products that we discover and love!
You see, the beauty of craft is that it’s often small, artisanal, and hands on. These makers are pouring their hearts and souls into that sip you’re taking! The downside of that is that sometimes those great sips can be pretty hard to hear about and find…and it can be even harder to weed through the crap to find the gold. Which sucks, because the good stuff out there is soooo good! So if I can help even a few of you out there discover new craft spirits, cider, beer, wine or any other alcohol that you love, I will be thrilled.
And if, in turn, that extra support from all of you helps more great craft makers create profitable business so they can stick around for the long haul, then my vision has been achieved.
Your support, by reading, sharing, commenting, and engaging with us and all of our crazy shenanigans, helps The Crafty Cask achieve that vision. I can’t begin to explain how much that means to me.
So thank you for being here…and thank you for choosing craft for your tippling fun.
Cheers!
Check out some of Suzanne’s favorite craft makers: Charbay Distillery, Silver Tree Beer & Spirits, Boston Harbor Distillery, Eden Ciders, Hemly Ciders, Live Oak Brewing Company, OEC Brewing, Crooked Stave, Kivelstadt Cellars, The Donum Estate
Join Our Team
We love hearing from passionate like-minded people who might have a skill set we need! Currently we’re looking for the following skills:
- More sassy, tippling freelance writers & photographers around the world with deep research & interview skills, a strong voice, and clear POV.
- Mixologists who have a deep dedication and appreciation for using craft ingredients (and take beautiful photos of them!) to contribute to our craft cocktail collection that we share with Tippler Nation.
- A bad-ass, think-outside-the-box, roll-up your sleeves marketing expert with a deep skill set in digital marketing to help us grow and keep up with client demand
Keep Exploring the Craft
Attend an Event
Make a Cocktail
