Distilling The Success Of Craft Distilleries

Enlarge this image toggle caption ULISES RUIZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES ULISES RUIZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

This month, we've been marking this centennial by re-airing some of our most thought-provoking shows on drinking, sobriety, and everything in-between.

Today we wrapped up our series "The American Spirit" with a new look at craft distilleries.

The number of American craft distilleries has skyrocketed in the last decade — from roughly 200 to 2,000.

But this industry has unique challenges, from high startup costs to safety and legal hurdles. It's enough to drive you to drink unless your business is booming, and in many places it is.

To learn more about the world of craft distilling, we spoke to Brian Christensen, the editor of Artisan Spirit Magazine; Courtney McKee, is the founder and owner at Headframe Spirits in Butte, Montana; Margie Lehrman, the CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association. And 1A's Avery Kleinman visited a distiller here in Washington, called Republic Restoratives.

Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online.