Craft Distilling - An Emerging Movement

This year at SBN's Green Chic Living and the Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival held at Hildene we noticed something new. We noticed that artisan distillers were becoming more visible and popular. These artisans carefully craft their small batches of spirits using fine local ingredients and much care and attention. If you like vodka, gin, absinthe or maple syrup - yes maple syrup then you should check out these interesting craft distillers. If you want to read some interesting stories and see how some local businesses are focusing on quality products and sustainable operations you will also be interested in their unique American made stories.

Philadelphia Distilling is the first craft distillery in Pennsylvania since Prohibition and is the micro-distller of the award winning Bluecoat American Dry Gin. Philadelphia Distilling is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through using innovative engineering and techniques to lower power usage. The grain that is used is from local Pennsylvania farms. The spent grains are exchanged with local farmers who use the grain as farm feed and fertilizer. Also, the bottles are made from partially recycled glass. By keeping sourcing, packaging and distribution local Philadelphia Distilling is reducing the embedded energy in its products. Philadelphia Distilling makes Penn 1681 Rye Vodka, Bluecoat American Dry Gin and Vieux Carre’ Absinthe.

Moving to the New England states we find that Vermonters are using their local ingredients, milk sugar and maple sap, to make some fine spirits. Who would have ever thought that you could make fine drinks from milk and maple sap?

Created in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom Vermont Spirits vodkas are hand-crafted in New England’s Green Mountain State. Originally established in 1998, the company has made steady strides over the years, and our vodkas are now available throughout New England and New York State.

Vermont Gold Vodka is pure, delicate, unflavored vodka, handmade in small batches from the sugar of maple sap, the very essence of Vermont. Vermont White Vodka is triple-distilled in small batches from pure milk-sugar and local spring water. Limited Release Vodka is produced entirely from early run maple sap.

Finally we have Sapling Vermont Maple Liqueur by Sapling Liqueur. This is a premium liqueur capturing the quintessential Vermont taste. Sapling is brewed utilizing the finest quality Vermont Grade A maple syrup and refined ultra-pure spirits. This liqueur is rich and full bodied, but the sweetness is not overpowering. It is a refined sweetness unique to maple sugar. Sapling Vermont maple liqueur combines old-word heritage with the flavor of Vermont.

Sampling these spirits was interesting.   Each was as unique and interesting as the companies themselves.  It will be interesting to watch how craft distilling develops.  There is truly a local flavor with these companies. What are the local crops in your area that will find their way into your local artisan distillers' spirits?


These products make fine gifts and create interesting conversations.

Notes:

Locavore - It is part of the concept of local purchasing and local economies, a preference to buy locally produced goods and services - particularly related to food economies. Learn more about locavore.


Buy Local - Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. Encourages local prosperity. Learn more about buying local.

Souce:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
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