September 2024
Building
Derek and our future head distiller, Callie, have carefully dismantled the former electrical service. It was designed for a seed plant and feed mill so was overpowered and outdated for what we’ll need. We’ll put in a 200amp 120/208 three-phase service which will run various agitator motors and pump motors in the distilling process as well as lights, refrigeration, etc.
Because we are lowering the floor to street grade, the difference in height means all of the posts in the manufacturing area will need concrete footings. Callie and Derek have started to erect temporary bracing, allowing them to carefully take down each post, pour a specially-designed footing, and then replace the post.
Business / Community
We officially have received our federal Basic Permit! This allows us to manufacture spirits as an approved Distilled Spirits Plant. Obviously, we won’t be ready to produce and sell before local building, health, and fire inspections, but it feels great to have the federal permit in place.
Our second appearance this fall at the Dillon Farmer’s Market was a lot of fun. Great conversations all around and many people got to meet Callie. There were quite a few locals who brought back their 16oz yowler for a refill of ginger beer – we are as excited as you are to have it available consistently when our walk-up window opens.
Distillery
We chose our bottle design. It echoes the yowler shape and they look pretty sharp next to each other. Now, we’re working with Lindsay Jaeger to ensure the labels are proportional and informational. There are specific requirements for what must be on the front label (ex. brand name) and what needs to be somewhere on the bottle (ex. health warning statement). For those of you with a few whiskey bottles in your liquor cabinet, take them out and see how they describe the distillation and age of the spirit (the approved formats are on page 3 of the Checklist of Mandatory Label Information: Distilled Spirits). A lot can be learned from labels, both from what is included and what is left out.
In shrub news, Katrina wants to share that the nectarine apple spice shrub she made a few weeks ago is downright delicious. The nectarine flavor shines and is complimented by fresh-ground cloves and cinnamon. Tasty with some rum or some apple cider.
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