The term “craft” is ambiguous at best. This is especially true when it comes to the world of spirits. With the surge of smaller-scale distilleries taking root in Minnesota and beyond, more attention is being paid to not just the final bottled product but the ingredients used to make it. Several spirits companies purchase neutral … [ Read more]
Distilling a Definition: What are ‘craft spirits’ and does it matter?
October 31, 2016 by Leave a Comment
You needn’t look any further than the Twin Cities to see the flourishing craft spirits movement afoot in the United States today, with new distillers taking up residence in old warehouses all around us. As of March of this year, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) reported that there were upwards of 1,300 spirits producers … [ Read more]
Vikre releases Sugarbush Whiskey Lot 3
September 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Whiskey aficionados can raise their glasses to a new release of a Minnesota-made whiskey. Duluth’s Vikre Distillery is releasing Lot 3 of their Sugarbush Whiskey today, Friday, September 9. This is the third time the distillery has released Sugarbush; the first lot was released November 2015, while the second was made available in April 2016. And even though each version … [ Read more]
U.S. craft distillery count now up to 1,825 (and counting)
April 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The number of current Distilled Spirits Permits—the federal permit required to lawfully operate a distillery—has grown from 560 in 2010 to 1,865 in 2016, reports The Whiskey Wash. In 2015 alone, almost 400 permits were issued. As of this year, more than 1,000 craft distilleries are now operating in the United States, an exponential growth … [ Read more]
Norseman Distillery Cocktail Room Opens Today
February 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Norseman Distillery, the first legal distillery to open in Minneapolis since Prohibition, officially opens their cocktail room today, February 19, at 5pm. The cocktail room has Keith Mrotek (Marvel Bar) on as Beverage Director. “The new cocktail lounge combines vintage industrial elements from the 20’s and the finest Italian marble. With a seating capacity of 207 indoors … [ Read more]
Craft spirits production soars in 2015
January 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Craft spirits volume rose an estimated 35% to 2.4 million cases in 2015, according to the American Distilling Institute’s annual survey of craft producers. That increase puts current craft spirits sales at roughly twice the level of just two years ago. There were approximately 700 craft distillers in the U.S. market at the end of … [ Read more]
The Case Against Craft Whiskey
November 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Minnesota is abuzz with all of its new local spirits, but should we temper our enthusiasm? Let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment: what’s the case against ordering craft spirits? Portland-based bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler, bar manager at Clyde Common and noted cocktail columnist, penned a recent think-piece in which he advises against ordering grain-based craft … [ Read more]
University of Kentucky Threatens to Sue Kentucky Mist Moonshine Over the Word “Kentucky”
November 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The University of Kentucky threatened to sue Kentucky Mist Moonshine for using the word “Kentucky” on its clothing, reports The Lexington Herald-Leader. The University sent the distillery a letter claiming it had trademarked the word “Kentucky” on clothing since 1997. Kentucky Mist Moonshine responded by filing a lawsuit to invalidate the university’s trademark. Read more at … [ Read more]
The Creepiest Cocktail of them All
October 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Emily Vikre knows a thing or two about cocktails. She is, after all, one half of Vikre Distillery, in Duluth. She’s also a contributor to Food52, and recently came up with a cocktail perfect for Halloween. Witch’s Brew combines gooey boba tea tapioca pearls, mint, chartreuse, and gin—as well as a few other ghoulish-looking ingredients—for … [ Read more]
Online community and marketplace for craft spirits launches
October 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Craft spirits fans have a new online home to find and purchase bottles of craft spirits from around the world. Craft Spirits Exchange launched its online marketplace and community forums today with a mission to “connect enthusiasts and novices alike with a broad selection of amazing spirits, and provide exclusive access to rare and limited release … [ Read more]
L’Étoile, Du Nord Craft Spirits first vodka hits shelves this weekend
April 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
L’Étoile Du Nord Vodka, distilled using sugar beets and corn, is Du Nord Spirits first offering Du Nord Craft Spirits, a South Minneapolis distillery, is releasing it’s first craft spirit to the market on May 2nd. L’Étoile Du Nord Vodka, which takes its name from Minnesota’s state motto and the French phrase for “north star,” … [ Read more]
