The craft distilling industry is growing day by day and remains one of the best business ventures for those with the right expertise. Our distilling classes will equip you with everything you need to know to operate a successful craft distilling business.
1-Night Distillery Experience with Catered Dinner – Run the still!
Spend a night with Janice & John at the distillery. After-hours VIP tour of our facility for you group. This exclusive experience begins after we close our doors to the public, giving your group ample time to explore the distillery privately with our Janice & John. You will also experience a more comprehensive explanation of our history and the science of distilling every product we make. Pending availability, we offer samples of unique products that we do not sample to the public, including items we’ve been working on in the lab, or barrel aged projects that have never been bottled! You will charge the stull, and do a stripping run of a spirit to be determined. Includes a catered dinner as well as hand crafted cocktails for your party, lively discussion around the camp fire. Reservations only for groups of 1 to 8 people. $250 per person with a minimum of 4 people. Just call the distillery and talk to Janice to arrange a date and time. NOTE: these are a limited experience as we only offer this once a month during the summer and early fall.
2-DAY INTRODUCTION TO DISTILLING COURSE AND WORKSHOP (Min 2 People)
The two-day introductory course covers the beginnings of commercial distilling logistics from building codes to regulations through sales and distribution, which is followed by a hands-on workshop that covers commercial production from top to bottom.
History of Distilling
What’s in a mash bill?
How do I choose the right equipment?
How do I measure alcohol content?
Introduction to Distillation Chemistry
What licenses do I need?
Regulation Highlights
How do I market a distillery?
Start Your Own Distillery with Expert Guidance on the Business of Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Tequila and More
In our expert-led distillery workshop, you will:
- Learn essential information on relevant practical aspects of making a new spirit and finishing the product.
- Interact with practical demonstrations of distillation.
- Address the challenge of adjusting alcohol content to legal requirements.
You will go through a series of labs where you will observe various aspects of distilling including proofing, fermentation start-up, distillation itself and product evaluation.
Call the distillery with your serious inquiry and we can schedule a date convenient for both parties.
5-DAY DISTILLING COURSE AND WORKSHOP
The five-day introductory course covers the beginnings of commercial distilling logistics from building codes to regulations through sales and distribution, which is followed by a hands-on workshop that covers commercial production from top to bottom.
The production of distilled spirits is a diverse, mature industry, and it is currently changing quickly as new distilleries and the craft movement reshape the market. Our Distillery Startup Workshop gives you the knowledge and skills needed to enter this market and launch your own unique distillery.
Pre-Production
- Water quality, water testing, and pH adjustments
- Grain mashes and sugar washes
- Enzymes, yeast, and infusions
- Record keeping and data management
- Malting vs. cereal mashing
- Temperature and time management
Distillation
- Types of stills, columns, and infrastructure
- Types of runs, stripping, and proof
- Heads, hearts, and tails
- Whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka runs
Post-Production
- Filtration of vodkas and rums
- Infusion of vodkas and rums
Commercial Logistics
- Facilities selection, building, and fire codes
- Regulatory jurisdictions, and Federal/State licensing
- Local rules, self-distribution rights, and tasting rooms
Marketing
- Developing a budget, pricing and promoting your spirits
- Defining your market, reaching your market
- On-premise and off-premise, promotions and product placement
Sales & Distribution
- Supplier responsibility, distributor expectations
- Distribution types, selection, forms, and channels
- Contract, franchise, and control states
In this distilling course, you will learn the business of spirits so you can successfully begin and maintain your own distillery and eliminate common (and costly) mistakes.
Whether you want to learn how to start a craft distillery start working for an existing operation or just want to learn how to distill, this course will provide you with the essential knowledge you need.
By the end of the program, you will:
- Gain essential information on necessary distilling equipment, production licenses, permits, laws and more.
- Know how to develop an effective business plan to ensure your operation is a success.
- Develop an explicit understanding of the various business models commonly employed by new-to-industry distillers.
- Master the multiple impacts of various spirits on production requirements.
- Understand foundational analytical and proofing requirements for spirits production.
- Gain insight into the legislation, excise and licensing of spirits with a federal and state emphasis.
- Consider the potential impact of licensing and taxes on cash-flow.
You will also gain an introduction to labeling requirements and explore new product development and innovations.
Call the distillery with your serious inquiry and we can schedule a date convenient for both parties.