Exclusively Craft | Selling the Story, Not Just the Bottle

Exclusively Craft | Selling the Story, Not Just the Bottle

Author: Allan Cogan April 9, 2026 Duration: 28:31

Beth Hurwitz spent 15 years selling bottles to distillers. She knew the product, she knew the people, and she knew the problem — the three-tier system was leaving incredible craft spirits with nowhere to go and no one to champion them at the retail level.

Her answer was Craft Spirits Social in Bonita Springs, Florida — a one-of-a-kind venue with over 400 curated craft spirits, a cocktail bar, regular tastings, distiller-in-residence weekends, and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. Exclusively craft. No compromises.

In this conversation, Beth tells the story behind the concept, what it took to build it, and why she thinks the industry's biggest problem is also its biggest opportunity.

Thank you to our sponsors! The Bar Book — https://thebarbook.app Bridgetown Brew Systems — https://www.bridgetownbrew.com

Support Crafted Conversations Everything you see and hear on this show — including travel — is funded out of pocket. If you believe in our mission of spotlighting the people and stories behind small businesses, support the show at: buymeacoffee.com/craftedconvos

One-time or monthly — every dollar goes directly into creating more episodes and giving breweries, distilleries, and makers the spotlight they deserve.

Stay Connected Website: www.craftedconvos.com Follow: @craftedconvospod YouTube: @craftedconvospod Questions: coganconvo@gmail.com

Produced by Allan Cogan, Grant Brown, Nick Post, and Andrew Sindall Crafted Conversations Media LLC

Full video available on YouTube and Spotify. Music provided by Artlist.io. This episode features conversations about alcohol.

Please drink responsibly.


There's a story in every bottle, a history in every glass, and a person behind every label. Crafted Conversations is a journey into the world of whiskey that goes far beyond tasting notes. Host Allan Cogan travels from historic Scottish distilleries to innovative urban bars, sitting down with the individuals whose lives are intertwined with this craft. You'll hear directly from Master Distillers about the alchemy of aging, from distillery owners about the risks and rewards of a family legacy, and from mixologists who treat whiskey as a living ingredient. This podcast digs into the personal journals of its guests, uncovering the passion, tradition, and sometimes sheer stubbornness that defines their work. It’s less about the technical specs and more about the human spirit-the late nights, the failed experiments, and the moments of triumph. Each episode feels like pulling up a stool for a deep, meandering talk with someone who has dedicated their life to their art. Through these genuine dialogues, the culture and society surrounding whiskey come into sharp focus, revealing how a simple spirit can connect people across continents. Tune in for a series of intimate portraits that just happen to be set against a backdrop of oak barrels and copper stills.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 77

Crafted Conversations
Podcast Episodes
#24 - Painted Stave Distilling w/ Michael Rassmusen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:42
In this episode, I traveled to Smyrna, Delaware to visit Painted Stave Distilling and speak to one of their owners - Michael Rassmusen. The most unique thing about this craft distillery is the building's history! It was…
#23 - Tenth Ward Distilling Co. w/ Daniel Morello [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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#22 - Manncave Distillery w/ Stephen & Kelly Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:52
In this episode I traveled to Weston, West Virginia to visit the MannCave Distillery and had the pleasure of speaking to the family behind it all! Father and Daughter duo Stephen and Kelly Mann joined me for a conversati…
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Duration: 40:17
In this episode I traveled to Culpeper, Virginia to visit the Belmont Farm Distillery and speak with famous moonshiner, Chuck Miller! The word legend isn’t enough to describe Chuck’s influence on the craft spirits indust…
#20 - KO Distilling w/ Peter Mowery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
In this episode I traveled to Manassas, Virginia to visit KO Distilling and had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Mowery, the distillery’s Director of Sales. "Upon retiring early, the question became, “what next?”…
#19 - Ironclad Distillery Co. w/ Owen King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
In this Episode, Allan sits down with Owen King from Ironclad Distillery Co. located in Newport News, Virginia. Ironclad is a family run craft distillery reveling in the rich Civil War history of the area.In 1862, one ye…
#18 - Murlarkey Distilled Spirits w/ Jim Larkin & Kevin Szady [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:02
In this episode, Allan sits down with Co-Founder Jim Larkin and Head Distiller Kevin Szady from Murlarkey Distilled Spirits, located in Bristow, VirginiaJim and Kevin discuss their proud support for local farms and showc…
#17 - Falls Church Distillers w/ Michael & Lorenzo Paluzzi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:38
In this episode Allan sits down with Michael & Lorenzo Paluzzi of Falls Church Distillers - located in Falls Church, Virginia! A father and son team, taking on the challenge of craft spirits and making uniquely delicious…
#16 - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. w/ Becky Harris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
In this episode, Allan had the pleasure of sitting down with Becky Harris, Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek Distilling located in Purcellville, Virginia. She and her husband Scott opened with the intent of celebrating V…