Craft Spirits, California Cheese Trail, Asian Cuisine

California distillers have become pretty crafty with their spirits in the last few years. With award-winning distilleries now dotting the state, you're likely to have the chance to try a sip wherever you go. On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson talks to Ryan Friesen, head distiller at the Blinking Owl distillery in Santa Ana. Friesen is also the vice president of the California Distiller's Guild and has no shortage of recommendations for the adventurous imbiber.

Johnson is next joined by California Cheese Trail founder Vivien Straus. This self-described “cheese girl” grew up on the West Coast's first organic dairy farm, and has a lot to say about the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of a California creamery. Finally, Johnson chats with Lucas Kwan Peterson, host of the Los Angeles Times’ new video series, Off Menu, which chronicles his culinary explorations of Southern California—particularly the rich Asian culinary scene he discovered there.

Guests

• Ryan Friesen, vice president of the California Artisanal Distillers Guild
• Vivien Straus, founder of the California Cheese Trail
• Lucas Kwan Peterson, host of video series Off Menu

Resources

Blinking Owl Distillery's Ryan Friesen has a distillery to visit in just about every corner of California.

• Blinking Owl Distillery
• California Artisanal Distiller's Guild
• Old Harbor Distilling Co.
• Malahat Spirits Co.
• Heneberry Spirits
• Seven Caves Distillery
• Oceanside Distillers
• Drift Distillery
• Lost Spirits Distillery
• Sespe Creek Distillery
• Re:Find distillery
• Wine Shine
• Venus Spirits
• 10th Street Distillery
• Osocalis Distillery
• St. George Spirits
• Napa Valley Distillery
• Hanson of Sonoma Distillery
• Spirit Works
• Shelter Distilling
• Owens Valley Distillery

California Cheese Trail founder Vivien Straus knows her curds—and she also knows the best creameries to visit.

• California Cheese Trail
• Ramini Mozzarella
• Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
• Cowgirl Creamery
• Tomales Farmstead Creamery
• Hilmar Cheese Company
• Oakdale Cheese & Specialties
• Fiscalini Cheese
• Rocky Oats Goat Creamery
• Jollity Farm Goat Dairy
• Long Dream Farm
• Orland Farmstead
• Gioia Cheese

The Los Angeles Times' Lucas Kwan Peterson, host of Off Menu, dishes on the best little-known eats in Southern California.

• Kato
• Huge Tree Pastry
• Little Saigon
• Bien Hen
• Banh Cuon Luu Luyen
• Mini Kabob
• Little Armenia

About the Host

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on radio station WNYC, moved from New York City to Davis, Calif., in 2016 and is just getting to know his surroundings. By combining his journalistic instincts with his personal curiosity, Johnson will use the California Now platform to develop a deeper understanding of his adopted home.