July 2026
Building
We opened our Walk Up Window this month! We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped us get this far. The state approval for opening came on July 2 and we had the sign lit up on July 3. More below.
In other building improvements, our large signs are hung – locals, check out the downtown-facing one at night to see the lights on. Soon, there will also be a new hanging sign on N. Idaho St.
Derek’s focus is now on the production space. He’ll finish the walls, install the boiler (and also earn his Boiler Operator License), and place all the equipment where it goes. When this part of the project is completed, we’ll be able to both produce spirits and open the Small Tasting Room to the public. Until then, we’ll sell our non-alcoholic drinks out of the Walk Up Window.
Business / Community
It’s been a whirlwind of a month. We’ve graduated from Business 101 to the real-world: projecting sales with actual numbers under our belts, comparing pricing across distributors, buying ingredients in bulk (Katrina cleared both Town & Country and Safeway out of their 46oz cans of tomato juice for a large order of Bloody Mary Mix), learning how the point of sale system works with customers in front of us, and finding the best way to describe our products here, there, online, and in person. Our most common question is ‘what is a shrub?’ followed by ‘what spirits will you make?’ and ‘when will they be ready?’. We’ve loved the conversations and look forward to more.
For the beginning of August, we’ll keep our hours at Thursday 12-6, Friday 12-6, and Saturday 10-3. We might expand as the Western students return to town mid-month. Updates will be on our website, social media, and Google Maps.
Distillery
With slushies, ginger beer, and shrubs at the walk up window, we’ve been enjoying a lot of delicious drinks this month. Katrina’s current favorite cocktail (especially in this heat) is a Strawberry Jalapeño shrub 1:1 with tequila, a dash of orange bitters, and garnished with a lime wedge. Derek prefers some tequila in an Orange Dreamsicle slushie.
Berry season is here! Raspberries and honeyberries both make lovely homemade liqueurs. Want to make your own? Take a 16oz jar and add 1 cup berries, ¼ c. sugar (or 1/8 c. honey), and about ¾ c. vodka. Seal and shake well. Store the jar in a dark, cool place and shake every so often for about two weeks (put a reminder on your phone to check or use next month’s newsletter as your nudge). When you’re pleased with its flavor, strain the berries out and funnel into a clean 16oz bottle. For a little variation, add ¼ tsp. vanilla and/or a strip of orange zest when combining ingredients. Sip your finished liqueur neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
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