Arts
This episode of Fat Drunk N Happy showcases Brian and Robin Christenson, two trailblazers in the Orange County food and beverage scene. They are the heart and soul behind Blinking Owl Distillery, the OC’s first and only distillery. Based a few blocks from the historic environs of Downtown Santa Ana, the created a unique and revered space in a rough and tumble industrial space next to the legendary Logan Barrio - one of the most heartfelt spots in the region. They touch on the construction, architect and permitting challenges they faced.Along with Head Distiller Ryan Friesen the explore the complexities and challenges of operating a one-off distillery with all it’s legal and financial hurdles. It is and interesting spot to be in with a lot of regulatory vagueness and mixed signals from the city, county and state. In their case they have a very unique permit structure, a type 74 license, which has a lot of gray area to it and recently landed them on the wrong side of the powers that be, including the state board of Alcoholic Beverage Control. They have been shut down for 25 days due to heavy-handed tactics from regulatory agencies and a few otherwise innocuous misunderstandings about the nature of their tasting room. The the recent shuttering of The OC Weekly they are mourning the loss of a cultural icon but also a trusted ally.Flying the flag of the great American Whiskey Rebellion of 1791, they believe that distillers should get the same rights as breweries and wineries. They preach their message of “from grain to glass” while producing unquestionably one of the finest orange vodkas anywhere. And their aquavit isn’t too bad either.Tune in for this special podcast to take in the heart and soul of distilling, small business and what it takes to get it done. Cheers!