Learning the craft...

[Piping Rock Distillery]

John McDougall from Lake George Distilling Company has been teaching me the "art" and craft of distilling. I really can't thank John and his wife Robin enough. Their grand opening was last weekend and it was a big hit... mainly because the product that they produce is just fantastic.

As you all know finding out how to "work" this industry "legally" is a challenge in itself. That they have been so open to a potential "competitor" speaks a lot of their character as well. You won't find two nicer people and I can't thank them enough. BTW, I feel none of the craft distillers are really competitors as we are all in this together to build an industry.

There is a lot more to this industry than meets the eye (as my mother-in-law would say "it's not as glamorous as it seems"). The paperwork alone is a full time job from what I see Robin doing... the state and TTB really need to steam line this IMHO.

Here is a nice article on just before the grand opening... http://poststar.com/distillery/image_16f3e23e-1742-11e3-a17d-001a4bcf887a.html

And here we are doing some of the "prep" work... (thanks again John and Robin)

[mattabv]

CONGRATS!!! Seams the industry keeps getting stronger and stronger with every new addition to it. Ethics ARE key now. Good luck and hope to visit on my next NY road trip.

Matt

[Piping Rock Distillery]

So how did most of you guys who do this full time learn? Anybody care to tell?

[kkbodine]

MS in winemaking (with a little distillery training too) from UC Davis. Worked 10 years as a winemaker, then worked for two winery/distillery combos. Started our own 8 years ago.