Press & Booking
Information for press, podcast hosts, and potential collaborators.
The Host
Shawn Spitaleri is the founder of The Alchemist's Bar and the host of Distillate — a narrative podcast about the history, culture, and science of drinks. His editorial lens is alchemy as proto-chemistry: transformation through material process, observed with precision.
He approaches the subject as a writer and researcher first. The interest is not in drinks as lifestyle objects but as historical artifacts — records of what people needed, feared, and were willing to do. The same rigor that goes into the podcast goes into every public appearance.
Quick Facts
For Podcast Hosts & Event Organizers
Shawn is available as a guest on podcasts, panels, and events covering drinks, food history, culture, and adjacent subjects. He speaks from research, not performance.
—Drink history and culture
—The chemistry of fermentation and distillation
—Narrative podcasting and editorial craft
—Independent publishing and brand building
To Book Shawn
Send an email with your show or event name, audience size, proposed topic, and preferred format. Response times vary — allow at least two weeks for scheduling inquiries.
Press & Booking Email
press@thealchemistsbar.com
For Distillers, Historians & Practitioners
Distillate is currently a solo narrative show. Guest appearances are a planned future phase once the show has established its voice and audience. Pitches are accepted now and reviewed when that phase opens.
Strong pitches come from people with a specific story to tell — not a general expertise, but a particular thing they know that most people don't.
Pitch Guidelines
—Who you are and what you do
—The specific story or subject you want to discuss
—Why that story is surprising, counterintuitive, or underreported
—Any previous podcast or public speaking experience
Guest Pitch Email
distillate@thealchemistsbar.com
Brand Press
The Alchemist's Bar is a publication and editorial voice exploring the history, culture, and science of drinks. It operates through four interconnected properties: the Distillate podcast, The Alchemist's Ledger newsletter, a book in development, and an Instagram presence.
Press inquiries about the brand — interviews, features, partnership inquiries — can be directed to the press email below. Please include your publication or outlet, the nature of the inquiry, and your deadline.
Coverage
Press coverage of Distillate and The Alchemist's Bar.
Ear Worthy
Frank Racioppi
"One of the best narrative podcasts to show up in podcast feeds in a while."