Behind every great craft beer is a story of grit, debt, and stubby bottles that wouldn’t stay gone. When Matt Phillips ran out of shrink wrap, he nearly shut down his brewery. This is the messy, human story of how Phillips Brewing was built—one stubborn, high-interest decision at a time.
On a perfect August afternoon at Durrance Lake, I spotted strangers in trouble—thirty meters out, one already lost beneath the surface. In muddy water, a voice urged me: Go deeper. What followed was a desperate, minute-long dive, a rescue, and a reminder that God works through willing hands.
Tachilek doesn’t want to be found, but once you’re there, it’s unforgettable—hot, raw, and riddled with discomfort. A place where wild dogs roam and red spit stains the streets from locals chewing betel nut. It’s where hope meets despair, and survival is a grim dance played out daily.
In 2019, Pai wasn’t even on my radar. It was a whisper, the kind of place travelers speak of with reverence, like a secret worth protecting. A friend’s words stuck with me: “Josh, if you’re in Northern Thailand, you have to check out Pai.” It felt like something out of The Beach—a hidden haven promising... Continue Reading →
Josh Nash 