TALES FAILS and ALES Crush Craft Cider Company Co-Founders Eric Thorn and Jared Thorn with Kai Restaurant Chef Ryan Swanson
Join Jennifer Burwell and Kyle McIntosh for the monthly rendition of Tales, Fails & Ales . . . where we drink ales and tell tales about fails. We represent MAC6, a company dedicated to the success of entrepreneurs and sharing their stories. Our hope is by forcing these leaders to share their biggest fuck ups, that we can realize our greatness is always just on the other side of adversity. Tune in monthly and enjoy hearing from the latest fuck ups, and be inspired by their tenacity to push through and make it happen.
Crush Craft Cider Company was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 2017 out of a love for hard cider and a frustration over the lack of quality craft cider available in US markets. In response, Crush 
Craft Cider has devoted itself to making complex craft ciders from pure, natural ingredients. Employing traditional and modern techniques, we produce in small batches several styles of hard cider. Our mission is to offer a variety of products that raise the standard for craft cider, to redefine what cider means in the craft beer and wine communities, and establish ourselves as a staple of the southwest regional beverage landscape.
Eric Thorn, a passionate hobbyist for the last 10 years, has traveled extensively to discover the ancient secrets of cidermaking lore. Several years ago, with the help of his brother and cousin, he turned his hobby into a thriving business.
A background in academia, event production, and business management, he brings a unique perspective to the cidermaking process.
Jared Thorn is our crazy cider-centric cidermaker! After working in the cider industry under the tutelage of Bishop Cider Company, he’s brought home his vision for cidermaking to the Valley of the Sun.
Armed with more than a few crazy ciders, he’s back to share his passion for the craft and his favorite ways to crush it.
Follow Crush Craft Cider on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Kai is the only AAA Five-Diamond/Forbes 5-Star restaurant in Arizona. Their cuisine is in
influenced by the Native American Pima and Maricopa tribes (Kai means “seed” in the Pima language).
Chef Swanson has 17 years in the fine dining and hospitality industry. His current role as Chef of Kai is to lead all creative processes for the restaurant in an effort to continue pushing the envelope for Pima and Maricopa cuisine.
For more from Chef Swanson, connect with him at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Facebook, Instagram or via email.
ABOUT TALES FAILS and ALES
Tales, Fails, & Ales is brought to you by MAC6, Conscious Capitalism Arizona, Phoenix Business Radio X, Crush Craft Cider, and Lyft. Remember to keep your fuck ups in the board room and not on the road.
ABOUT YOUR CO-HOSTS
With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.
Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6. Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space. The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.
Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.
Jennifer Burwell, joined MAC6 in 2013. Jennifer is their VP and Director of Programs. She uses her experience in real estate, team development and management to seamlessly integrate each of the MAC6 business units to assure they are all focused on the long-term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior.
As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, she uses her knowledge to facilitate culture focused leadership programs with organizations of all sizes to integrate the company’s values and create higher performing teams.
To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook and Twitter.
