I wanted your first note of the year to come from the hot sauce part of your life. Happy New Year! I hope you’re in good health and I’m counting on 2022 being a great year ahead.

I’m here to share a recent conversation I had, which is now on the Craft Hot Sauce Podcast. Sometimes when I write this newsletter or market a hot sauce, it’s not my most natural channel of communication. The podcast has grown to be my favorite way of connecting with the wider craft hot sauce community and sharing those experiences with you. 

Tim Myers of Hot Heads, is self-described as a go-doer. We talk through early lessons growing peppers, how to scale a farm and hot sauce operation simultaneously, and the breakdown of some unique hot sauces like their chocolate reaper mole sauce.

Hi there, We got some big news! Craft Hot Sauce is shifting its focus to craft wine! Over the years, we've burned off most of our taste buds, tried all the hot sauces worth trying, and are now moving onto something more sophisticated. Vino 🍷 Our first review, Barefoot Wine's Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019.

What's been your go-to hot sauce recently? It’s the height of summer cooking, so I’ve been using lots of verde and ghost pepper sauces. I put together two collections of my favorite verde and ghost pepper sauces. We share the story of a NFL veteran starting a spicy food line.

Wow, what an emotional last few months. These feelings have been difficult to put into words, but we must embrace our loved ones and speak out against hate. 

Upon reflection, there have been too many times in my life where I have been quiet on the sidelines, disagreeing with actions but not standing up for the victims right then when they needed it most. I promise that the next time I see someone in need, I will stand up for them, and I also urge you to take action towards creating a more inclusive world, free of racism.