Hollie Stephens, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Kanpai! How Sake Is Segueing into Craft Beer

3 weeks ago | craftbeer.com | Hollie Stephens

Jason Cooper’s fascination with Japanese food and drink began when he lived in Kyoto, Japan while going to language school. “It’s been a 20-year rabbit hole for me,” he says. After initially focusing on Japanese cuisine with a food truck called Wabi Sabi Kitchen, Cooper decided to open a sake brewery at home in Pennsylvania. Sango Kura opened in Delaware Water Gap in July 2018 and Cooper poured the first sake the following November.
Hollie Stephens

3 weeks ago | craftbeer.com | Hollie Stephens

Full Pour Craft sake brewers are bridging the gap between beer and sake by creating hybrid products, drawing in curious craft drinkers with innovative, approachable takes on traditional Japanese brewing. Read More
Microdistilling for Maximum Flavor Differentiation

3 weeks ago | spiritsanddistilling.com | Hollie Stephens

For distillers making gin and naturally flavored vodka, using unique infusions of local or novel raw ingredients can be a valuable differentiator. Some nano distillers, meanwhile, choose to stay small, so they don’t have to make any compromises. “I often get asked if I’ll expand, why don’t I produce more bottles,” says Justine Schroder, owner of Mt Fyffe Distillery in Kaikōura, New Zealand.
Closed loops may help boost US food-grade PCR supply

1 month ago | packagingdive.com | Hollie Stephens

This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Postconsumer recycled content that can be used in new food and beverage packaging still faces obstacles to widespread use. Companies like Nova Chemicals and Atlantic Packaging are trying to leverage B2B closed loops to increase supply. Some states have also passed laws mandating minimum levels of recycled content in certain types of packaging.
Aquatically Aged Spirits: A Taste of the Past (with Modern Legal Hurdles)

2 months ago | spiritsanddistilling.com | Hollie Stephens

In years gone by, when barrels of spirits such as rum and whiskey were transported between continents by boat, the combination of agitation and time led to a nicely matured product that tasted much better on the shores of the destination than it would have upon leaving the origin point. Today, some producers are reviving that historic tradition of aging spirits on the water. However, it’s an endeavor that comes with challenges.
10 Old-Timey Sweets for Your Valentine

Jan 28, 2025 | mentalfloss.com | Hollie Stephens

From love cake to candied violets, these old-fashioned Valentine’s Day sweets rival any prepackaged box of chocolates. There’s no doubt about it: On February 14, the bar for romantic gestures is higher than on any other day. If the special person in your life has a discerning sweet tooth—and especially if they’re a history buff—consider recreating a dessert or cake from days gone by. Here are 10 old-timey examples of sugary nibbles that could score you some major brownie points.
Boosting the Retail Sales of Spirits with Kits and Gifts

Nov 27, 2024 | spiritsanddistilling.com | Hollie Stephens

Margins can be tight for spirits producers, and making great liquid isn’t always enough to keep a distillery viable. Beyond experience-driven add-ons such as tours and tastings, some smaller, independent distilleries are expanding their retail offerings—for example, with kits for making cocktails at home, sampler sets, or premium, ready-to-serve cocktails that just need ice. From the distilleries that are doing it, here are some insights on how it can work.
10 Olde-Timey Thanksgiving Recipes We Should Bring Back

Nov 12, 2024 | msn.com | Hollie Stephens

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Making Seasonal Gins for Cooler Weather

Oct 31, 2024 | spiritsanddistilling.com | Hollie Stephens

The traditional gin profile is one that often evokes thoughts of sun, bright citrus, and a refreshing gin and tonic, so it’s no surprise that distillers can slot such spirits into a summer theme. On the other hand, positioning gin as an autumnal or wintery choice might seem like more of a conceptual challenge. However, with seasonally themed releases, some craft distilleries are doing just that.
The Wider World of Agave Spirits

Sep 29, 2024 | spiritsanddistilling.com | Hollie Stephens

Over the past couple of decades, the popularity of Mexico’s agave spirits has surged. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, volumes grew nearly 300 percent over a 20-year period. However, while most drinkers associate agave spirits with Mexico, that could be set to change. In semiarid places around the world, producers are growing, harvesting, and distilling agave.