Capt. Keith Colburn (left) stands Bluewater Organic Distilling owner John Lundin and his wife, Jessica, beside the barrel of akvavit that rode on the F/V Wizard during the crabbing season in the Bering Sea.

Capt. Keith Colburn (left) stands Bluewater Organic Distilling owner John Lundin and his wife, Jessica, beside the barrel of akvavit that rode on the F/V Wizard during the crabbing season in the Bering Sea.

‘Deadliest Catch’ star returns with a Wizard’s brew

  • By Jim Davis The Herald Business Journal
  • Thursday, May 26, 2016 2:00pm
  • Business

EVERETT — Call it The Return of the Wizard.

The crab boat helmed by Capt. Keith Colburn of “The Deadliest Catch” reality television show arrived in Seattle this month with a special cargo: a barrel of a traditional Scandinavian spirit.

Bluewater Organic Distilling owner John Lundin was on hand to greet Colburn and take possession of the barrel, which contains a batch of akvavit.

Lundin crafted the akvavit at his distillery on the Everett waterfront before sending it to sea to age aboard the F/V Wizard. Barrel-aging in the hold of ships is the traditional way to make the spirit.

Sampling the akavit on its return to port, Lundin said it was fabulous.

“When we sent the barrel up there, I was uncertain how it would turn out or even if the barrel would survive,” Lundin said. “The fact it’s back and the first tasting has proven so exquisite, it’s really exciting for us.”

Lundin’s planning a special bottle release for Sept. 3: “That gives us a little longer for the oak barrel to impart its flavor on the spirit,” he said.

Lundin plans to present bottles of the spirit to Colburn and the crew of the F/V Wizard at the Fisheman’s Fall Festival on Sept. 24 at Fishermen’s Terminal in Ballard.

Lundin expects to be able to get about 250 bottles out of the barrel. He’s still determining how to sell the spirit and expects to make an announcement on his website, www.bluewaterdistilling.com, or through Bluewater’s newsletter, which can be signed up for at the site.

Lundin also hasn’t set a price, but he thinks it will be around $200 a bottle. He and Colburn will sign each bottle and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Fund, which raises money for safety education as well as a college fund for children of fishermen lost at sea.

“It’s a unique project and a lot goes into it and it’s definitely a collector’s item,” Lundin said.

Akvavit is a spirit infused with caraway and other spices, rooted in Nordic culture and often broken out during festive gatherings. The spirit is crafted and then sent to sea. The rocking motion of the boat as well as the weather help the booze obtain its unique flavor. The spirit will not only gain flavors from the spices, but also from the charred-oak barrel.

Lundin, whose family hails from Sweden, has always wanted to brew a batch of akvavit. When he met Colburn last year, they got to talking about the drink. Colburn agreed to carry the barrel on the F/V Wizard as it crabbed off Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

The barrel was held in place by a steel cage, but both barrel and cage “bear the mark of an extreme adventure,” Lundin said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Ben Paul walks through QFC with Nala on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
QFC to close Mill Creek location, part a plan to close similar stores across the nation

A state layoff and closure notice says 76 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Garbage strike over for now in Lynnwood, Edmonds and Snohomish

Union leaders say strike could return if “fair” negotiations do not happen.

Richard Wong, center, the 777-X wing engineering senior manager, cheers as the first hole is drilled in the 777-8 Freighter wing spar on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing starts production of first 777X Freighter

The drilling of a hole in Everett starts a new chapter at Boeing.

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

The livery on a Boeing plane. (Christopher Pike / Bloomberg)
Former Lockheed Martin CFO joins Boeing as top financial officer

Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer is being replaced by a former CFO at… Continue reading

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

Skylar Maldonado, 2, runs through the water at Pacific Rim Plaza’s Splash Fountain, one of the newer features add to the Port of Everett waterfront on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
CEO: Port of Everett pushes forward, despite looming challenges from tariffs

CEO Lisa Lefeber made the remarks during the annual port report Wednesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.