U.S. Craft Brewers Turn to Craft Distilling

Uncle Bobby · Post by **Uncle Bobby** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:09 am

Hopefully everyone will be able to link into this article from the N.Y. Times on how some craft brewers are turning their attentions to craft distilling, among them the guys at Rogue.

Some of their flavours appear to be on the funky side (e.g. wasabi vodka). An evenly produced whiskey would suffice, but perhaps they do the funky stuff to get their names in the paper.

-Uncle Bobby

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am

Cool stuff. I'd love to get my hands on some of that.

Anchor Brewing is said to make a really good gin:

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/junipero.htm

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:53 am

Booze is Booze

Beer is food

Try throwing back a couple of these new mutant spirits with a good meal...uh uh...don't work for me..I tried to connect with the flavored vodca and gin trends but the stuff just does not compliment a meal and is primarily for catching a buzz...wine with chese and fonfues, Beer with most other foods, booze when the old lady leaves ya ...or the modern drunkard becomes vogue.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:26 pm

pootz wrote:Booze is Booze

Beer is food

Try throwing back a couple of these new mutant spirits with a good meal...uh uh...don't work for me..I tried to connect with the flavored vodca and gin trends but the stuff just does not compliment a meal and is primarily for catching a buzz...

Wow. You sound just as close-minded and misinformed as wine snobs who claim that beer is lousy with fine food, and is good for nothing except getting drunk while watching the ballgame.

Maybe these flavoured liquors are gimmicks, but suggesting that spirits in general can't be enjoyed in moderation is just foolish. Have you never sat and sipped a fine single malt, or a good bourbon, or even a quality gin or vodka? Amazingly, a lot of them taste really good - and some of them even pair well with certain foods - and hey, if you only sip a shot or two, you can avoid getting drunk. Imagine that!

And besides, when did "pairs well with food" become the primary factor in choosing an alcoholic beverage? Sure, it's nice to find a good beer & food match, but there are plenty of beers that I enjoy just fine on their own. Same goes with spirits.

Uncle Bobby · Post by **Uncle Bobby** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:52 pm

When I was in Belgium a few years ago, they were selling an "eau de vie" in the gift shop at the Chouffe brewery. Apparently it's made with their wort, but I cannot say more as the brewery was closed for tours that day. (Do not visit Chouffe on a Wednesday.)

Interesting if Rogue or one of the others were to do the same. Isn't Unibroue's "Raftman" made from whiskey malt? What's the difference between a beer malt and a whiskey malt?

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:03 pm

GregClow wrote:
Maybe these flavoured liquors are gimmicks, but suggesting that spirits in general can't be enjoyed in moderation is just foolish. Have you never sat and sipped a fine single malt, or a good bourbon, or even a quality gin or vodka? Amazingly, a lot of them taste really good - and some of them even pair well with certain foods - and hey, if you only sip a shot or two, you can avoid getting drunk. Imagine that!

Anything that can be enjoyed in moderation can really be enjoyed irresponsibly!

Vodka is a well known pairing with herring, caviar and other salty protiens. Whiskey is great with smoked meats and fish. Tequilla is brilliant with grilled vegetables and meats. Anise flavoured liquers like ouzo or campari are great with many cheeses (Sambucca is too sweet but other regional anisettes from Spain or South America are great). Gin goes good with an olive or two.

Then there is the whole desert side, which I have to admit I'm not crazy for sweet+booze, but many people are.

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:52 pm

"everything in moderation, including moderation"

Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots (just before he went into rehab for the third time)

Steve Beaumont · Post by **Steve Beaumont** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:07 am

Tapsucker wrote:Then there is the whole desert side, which I have to admit I'm not crazy for sweet+booze, but many people are.

Mezcal in the Mojave? Scotch in the Sahara?

But seriously, and returning to topic, I've tried several of these craft brewery/distillery spirits and some are quite good, like Anchor's amazing unoaked rye, Old Potrero, Rogue's spruce-flavoured gin, and the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale eau-de-vie, not distilled by the brewery, but by a specialty distiller on the California coast.

Others, well, they're not so good. But the learning curve is pointed upward.

lagerale · Post by **lagerale** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:56 am

Looking local, Kittling Ridge wines in the Grimby area produces a range of spirits including brandy, whisky, rum and vodka (in addition to their wines). I can't speak of their quality, but I have heard that their "40 Creek" whisky is decent. Maybe they'll try brewing as well!!!

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:26 am

Rogue actually produces a Spruce Gin, Hazelnut Spice Rum, Dark Rum and White Rum.

Steve Spong · Post by **Steve Spong** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:52 pm

I've also had a Magnotta grappa that was drinkable, although certainly not a competitor for some of the true Italian ones. Indeed, the one that I had was (I believe) vanilla-flavoured.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:57 pm

Steve Beaumont wrote:
Mezcal in the Mojave? Scotch in the Sahara?

Yes! As rare as correct spelling on the internet.

Mississauga Matt · Post by **Mississauga Matt** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:54 pm

Jon Walker wrote:"everything in moderation, including moderation"

Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots (just before he went into rehab for the third time)

It's a shame that someone so talented can be such an idiot.

Bobbyok · Post by **Bobbyok** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:10 pm

Mississauga Matt wrote:
Jon Walker wrote:"everything in moderation, including moderation"

Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots (just before he went into rehab for the third time)

It's a shame that someone so talented can be such an idiot.

Based on the quote? I hope not. Because Julia Child said it long before Scott Weiland did.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:16 pm

GregClow wrote: Wow. You sound just as close-minded and misinformed as wine snobs who claim that beer is lousy with fine food, and is good for nothing except getting drunk while watching the ballgame. .

Well then that would be a presumptuous and inaccurate assumption.

I don't know how you pulled all that out of my distaste for flavored vodka.

some craft brewers are turning their attentions to craft distilling, among them the guys at Rogue.

Ah haaa...so beer was just a "gateway drug"!