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Jacob Grier

@jacobgrier.bsky.social
4.2K followers 545 following 2.2K posts

I make books, drinks, and magic in Portland, Oregon. Founder at Seabird: seabirdreader.com Read my books: www.jacobgrier.com/blog/books-by-ja…

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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18h
And that's how @blueskybeth.bsky.social surprised me with this one of a kind new wallet for Christmas a couple years ago. It's perfect, and now I have one to use for shows... or for backup if I really do get mugged.
The leather card wallet, now in red.The leather card wallet, now in red.The leather card wallet, now in red.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18h
She took this as a challenge. Unbeknownst to me, she reached out to the Bucks about getting me a new wallet. They confirmed the wallets were no longer made, but put her in touch with the leather maker who produced them, Alstad Goods. If they were up to make another, the Bucks gave it their approval.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18h
They stopped making them a long time ago. Other magicians would ask me where to get one, and I told them they were unfortunately long gone. I casually joked with @blueskybeth.bsky.social that if I were ever mugged I would have a really hard time giving up this irreplaceable wallet.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18h
Many years ago, magicians Dan and Dave Buck, who eventually opened Art of Play, sold these fantastic wallets designed to hold a deck of cards. I bought one and have carried it for years, to the point of replacing the snap with it finally broke.
A blue leather card wallet holding a deck of cardsA blue leather card wallet holding a deck of cards, open to display the deck
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18h
Since Art of Play is in the news for an online feud with Kelly Clarkson over an animatronic bird(?), a quick nice story about the owners and their magic props, but mostly about my wonderful girlfriend... www.nytimes.com/2026/10/12/s...
nytimes.com
Kelly Clarkson’s Feud With Art of Play: What to Know
In an episode involving a famous singer and a purveyor of esoteric toys, everyone has an opinion about who made the big mistake. Big. Huge!
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Andrew Bohrer @andrewbohrer.bsky.social · 21h
Looking forward to the talk with @jacobgrier.bsky.social at the Book Larder on his new tome even if for no reason other than the subtitle: a guide to curating spirits. “Curating spirits” something very important for bars both professional and home.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 21h
Admittedly not the precise way I expected my writing to become irrelevant.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
For martini Bluesky, one of the cocktails you'll find in our book out on Tuesday is the Green Room's 7-ingredient freezer martini that isn't super practical but requires neither shaking nor stirring. www.chroniclebooks.com/products/bar...
chroniclebooks.com
The Bartender's Library
The ultimate guide to whiskey, brandy, rum, agave spirits, gin, vodka, and more—and how best to drink them. From Portland's Multnomah Whiskey Library spirits educators and authors of Raising the Bar.Here is the ultimate guide to curating your spirits and building your home bar. Knowing the process of making spirits, fr
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
On the topic of governments incentivizing illicit markets: Starting this month, only 6 manufacturers will be legally permitted to sell e-cigarettes in Pennsylvania. www.inquirer.com/news/pennsyl...
inquirer.com
Most nicotine vape products will be banned in Pennsylvania by mid-October
Only six manufacturers’ products, like Juul and Vuse, are allowed to be sold in Pennsylvania.
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Andrew Bohrer @andrewbohrer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I AM BECOME MODERATOR DISTILLER OF ANECDOTES
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Our Seattle event will be moderated by longtime friend @andrewbohrer.bsky.social, though really I should be the one asking him questions about scotch. Come see us at the Book Larder: booklarder.com/products/aut...
booklarder.com
Author Talk: Brett Adams and Jacob Grier, The Bartender's Library
We are thrilled to welcome Portland’s Multnomah Whiskey Library spirits educators and co-authors Brett Adams and Jacob Grier to the shop on Wednesday, October 21st, for an author talk, Q&A, and bo...
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Got a bit of a book tour planned for the next couple months for the release of The Bartender's Library. Events in Portland, Seattle, Austin, and Lockhart. (When you're invited to promote your book in the barbecue capital of Texas, the answer is obviously yes!) www.jacobgrier.com/blog/2026/10...
jacobgrier.com
The Bartender’s Library book tour – Liquidity Preference
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Coincidentally, today is exactly one week from publication day for The Bartender's Library. Order it now for free shipping from @bookshop.org! bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org
The Bartender's Library: A Guide to Curating Spirits and Creating Cocktails--From the Multnomah Whiskey Library
The ultimate guide to whiskey, brandy, rum, agave spirits, gin, vodka, and more--and how best to drink them. From Portland's Multnomah Whiskey Library spirits educators and authors of Raising the Bar....
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Update: thehill.com/homenews/hou...
thehill.com
Blue Dog Democrat drops ‘Zyn’ from campaign nicotine pouch can
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) dropped the word “Zyn” from a piece of campaign merchandise inspired by the popular nicotine pouch brand’s packaging after its parent compan…
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David Wondrich @davidwondrich.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
That’s a really good one. And if you’ve never fumbled a nutmeg you haven’t made nearly enough punch.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
ODoherty's Arrack Punch for camp's Indonesian night. Recipe from @davidwondrich.bsky.social's excellent punch book. Is that a cherry on the bottom or did I fumble an entire nutmeg into the glass? I'll never tell.
A wine glass of punch
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Seabird @seabirdreader.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Good morning! It's Tidings Friday. Enjoy this week's roundup of recommended links. seabird.kit.com/posts/tiding...
seabird.kit.com
TIDINGS: You are cordially invited to Seabird
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Pizza posting: made some strange pies after sundown, but started with a solid margherita.
Photo from above a margherita pizza with charred edges on a wooden cutting board
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Jason Kuznicki @jkuznicki.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The thing that people saying this don't appreciate is how badly so many of us have been burned and/or repulsed by conservatives. We're not doing this for them.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Also shout out to Alan Adler who invented not only the Aeropress but also the Aerobie flying ring, two things I've enjoyed greatly over the years.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I've lately moved away from my Aeropress out of caution about brewing with hot water over plastic. I'm also not in the market for a $250 brewer right now. But damn, this wood, glass, metal, and silicon Aeropress looks pretty sweet. aeropress.com/products/aer...
aeropress.com
AeroPress Coffee Maker - Premium Walnut
Discover the AeroPress Premium Walnut Coffee Maker, crafted with double-wall glass, walnut and stainless steel for a rich, smooth cup of coffee every time.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Delighted that my article makes a cameo in this claim that @liberalism.org is a conservative op. Yep, that's exactly why I left DC think tanks to spend nearly the past two decades in Portland, Oregon. Playing the long game.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Almost makes one nostalgic for Romney's 47% remarks.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
For those of you running websites and publications, you can also search by URL. Seabird users may be saying nice things about your work!
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A little late in the season, but fresh hop beers in a hop field is still a top Oregon experience.
Two pints of beer on a wooden table in a field with a dried hop in front. The glass says "Top Wire Hop Project"
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Decided it was time to finish off this vintage bottle of Galliano, so it felt right to pick a recipe from this old Galliano cocktail booklet. Roulette: Galliano, gin, egg white, crème de Violette, orange flower water. Actually pretty enjoyable!
Photo of an old bottle of Galliano next to a fluffy cocktail in a coupe glass and a vintage Galliano cocktail booklet.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
If you'd like to hear my friend and coauthor talk about our new book and his enviable job as curator of the Multnomah Whiskey Library, tune into today's episode of The Speakeasy podcast. open.spotify.com/episode/5H2r...
open.spotify.com
A Book and a Library with Brett Adams
The Speakeasy · Episode
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
And Weld all but endorsed Clinton leading up to the election.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
That... sounds like some bullshit? Your coffee grounds are about to get soaked by near boiling water and are roasted at temperatures way above that, so I find it hard to imagine that the heat generated by running a grinder for a few cups worth of coffee is going to make an appreciable difference.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sympathies to my cubicle neighbors the one year I worked an office job and started every morning cranking a loud electric burr grinder at my desk. But at least I shared the coffee.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I wouldn't judge a job applicant for their iced coffee but I would absolutely judge a prospective employer for their on-site coffee setup.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Well not really, if you're gonna call me out on it!
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Seabird @seabirdreader.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Roaming reindeer, vagrant birds, and much more in this week's Tidings. seabird.kit.com/posts/tiding...
seabird.kit.com
TIDINGS: No comment
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Declaring today the official start of corduroy season.
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Adam Gurri @adamgurri.liberalcurrents.com · 24/09/2026
We're drawing down our print copies of The Reconstruction Papers; definitely recommend redeeming our current deal to get one plus reserve next year's issue (among other subscriber benefits) www.liberalcurrents.com/less-than-35...
liberalcurrents.com
Less Than 350 Copies of The Reconstruction Papers Remain. Get Yours Today and Reserve Next Year's Issue
Support a publication that is really committed to liberal values and to triumphing over fascism.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Gift link below for the curious. Sounds like generally positive changes. Current FDA policy on authorizing e-cigarettes and other products is completely dysfunctional.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Yes, thank you!
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
You don't gotta hand it to Republicans but the evidence of Democrats just wanting sensible vaping regulations is unfortunately sorely lacking. They are genuinely terrible on this issue (and I say this as someone committed to voting for them).
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Bluesky gonna Bluesky but making it easier to legally sell genuinely safer nicotine products is good, and it's a disservice to lump this in with the rest of the MAHA agenda. Wrote about this in May: www.theunpopulist.net/p/corruption... (I don't subscribe to WSJ so don't know the full details here.)
theunpopulist.net
Corruption Clouds the Administration’s Vaping Deregulation Push
Democrats should criticize not the policy but the motives behind it
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Andrew Bohrer @andrewbohrer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Happy #negroniweek to all those who celebrate
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Related: non-alcoholic beer getting actually good!
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
My hometown baseball stadium will forever be Enron Field in my heart.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We may have gone a bit over our contracted word count.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Checking in on Australia's illicit tobacco situation: there are so many firebombings of tobacco shops that even neighboring businesses are being denied insurance. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
As tobacconist firebombings intensify in Melbourne, nearby stores are being denied insurance
Arson attacks related to illegal tobacco trade are also causing revenue and reputation problems for neighbouring businesses
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Ken Jennings @kenjennings.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I don’t usually meddle on the writing side of Jeopardy!, but tonight I called in a favor for our Bluesky viewers.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Between this and one of today's contestants being one of my friends from college, I've never been more interested in an episode of Jeopardy.
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Seabird @seabirdreader.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
An abundance of creatures and Canada in this week's Tidings newsletter. seabird.kit.com/posts/tiding...
seabird.kit.com
TIDINGS: Far from shore
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Thanks! Maybe I'll save it for the holidays then.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
What'd you think of this one? Got it on my to-read stack.
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Jacob Grier @jacobgrier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Obligatory plug for my increasingly less hyperbolically titled book on the subject: www.amazon.com/New-Prohibit...
Photo of my book The New Prohibition
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