Creative Distillation Episode 73 - Dry Land Distillers with Ashley Taylor Tillman and Alicia Sepulveda
Looking for the perfect mix of holiday cheer, craft spirits, and entrepreneurial inspiration? The latest Creative Distillation episode has it all! Recorded on location at a Colorado gem known for its legendary eggnog and annual Nog Off competition, this festive special dives into what makes the holidays (and innovation) truly remarkable.
Hosts Jeff York and Brad Werner from the University of Colorado Boulder are joined by Nels Wroe, founder of Dry Land Distillers, who shares the story of how a friendly competition
among friends turned into a full-blown community event. Last year alone, they sold an astonishing 30 gallons of eggnog in just two and a half hours! With notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and aged rum, this eggnog is as refined as it is festive, setting the perfect stage for the episode.
But this isn’t just about holiday drinks. The episode brings together some of CU Boulder’s brightest minds, including , Director of CU’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, and, Assistant Director of Research at CU Boulder’s Rad Lab. Together, they explore how CU is fostering a culture of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurship across its campuses, aiming to empower students and faculty to solve real-world problems.
The hosts and guests dig into the importance of sustainable agriculture and the big vision behind regenerative distilling: creating a fully integrated, certified organic supply chain.
As the eggnog tasting continues, so do the heartwarming and humorous holiday stories. From ski shops in Illinois to Santa pub crawls, the team shares personal anecdotes that make the episode feel like a gathering of old friends. Add in a bit of AI-generated Christmas music and Jeff’s musings about technology solving world problems, and you’ve got a holiday special that’s both insightful and entertaining.
So, whether you’re sipping your own eggnog or gearing up for the holiday season, don’t miss this episode of Creative Distillation. Tune in to hear how Dry Land Distillers, CU Boulder’s innovation leaders, and a little holiday magic are shaping the future, one glass (and idea) at a time.