Adventures in HomeBrewing, Distilling, & Coffee Roasting + the Launch of Calibration Coffee Lab

Adventures in HomeBrewing, Distilling, & Coffee Roasting + the Launch of Calibration Coffee Lab

Author: BLISTER May 24, 2023 Duration: 1:05:52

Before Alex LeBlanc started Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina, he was a mechanical engineer by trade, a home brewer, a home distiller, and a home coffee roaster. So what led him to leave the world of engineering to start Calibration Coffee Lab, and roast beans for a living? And how did he go about doing it? This conversation is about the process of turning your passion into a business, and the process of creating some very good roasts, too.

Want to try some Calibration coffee? Check out the following deals:

  • Use the code Blister for 15% off your first order
  • Use the code COFFEELOVE to get $10 off of your first subscription
  • Sign up for their email list to get 15% off of your first order of non-subscription coffee.

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Wave Coffee (2:44)
  • Home Brewing (6:15)
  • Home Roasting (18:44)
  • Alex’s Engineering Background (22:13)
  • Roasting Preferences (28:31)
  • The Engineering & the Art of Roasting (30:10)
  • Why Start a Roasting Company? (34:42)
  • Beans & Blends (51:23)
  • Farmers Markets & Where to Purchase (1:01:04)

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

CRAFTED
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