Page 40 - Beverage MasterOct Nov 2020

Craft Distillery

Empowered Makers,

Spirited Women

By: Tracey L. Kelley
I n the spirits world, female master blenders 1. Marble Distilling Co. has a first of its kind Water

& Energy Thermal System (WETS) that reuses
and head distillers are creating more buzz
than ever, not simply for being “the first” but
for their positions as innovative navigators of 100% of our process water and harvests the
energy created through distillation, saving more
taste, brand and industry. than four million gallons of water and reusing
1.8 billion BTUs (20 homes) of energy annually.
With this angle in mind, we reached out to a few I’m proud that while we’re creating award-win-
notable makers who could share valuable insight ning craft spirits, we’re being sustainable
to help propel your efforts. We asked all of them and thoughtful about the planet and natural
three questions: resources. Water is our most precious resource
in Colorado, so we’re doing everything we can
1. What are you most proud of regarding your to “drink sustainably” and “save the planet one
craft? bottle at a time.”

2. What’s the top lesson you’ve learned as a busi- 2. Never give up, and believe in yourself and your
nessperson/distiller? craft: fear is failure, and work ethic is second-
to-none.
3. What advice would you give women entering
the industry? 3. Do your homework—maybe even work for an
existing distillery for a time. And don’t be intim-
Here’s what they shared with Beverage Master idated by the fact that the distilling industry has
Magazine. been historically male-dominated. We women
have great noses and palates, are thoughtful,
Connie Baker—Head creative and bring unique perspectives to a pre-
Distiller and Queen viously male-run industry.
Bee—Marble Distilling
Co. Krystal Goulart—Head
Distiller—Spirit Works
A former pharmaceu- Distillery
tical sales consultant,
eco-minded Baker went Spirit Works Distillery
to distilling school in owners Ashby and
2010. She now leads Timo Marshall cele-
a family- and friends- brate female-driven
owned and operated innovation at this small
business in Carbondale, distillery in Sebastopol,
Colorado, that includes California, and give
the distillery, two bars and an inn. Maintaining local Goulart and her team
sustainability is important: her grains, water, and plenty of opportuni-
filtering marble are all sourced in the state. ty to craft with skill
and instinct. In July 2020, the American Distilling
Signature Spirits: Moonlight Expresso, Gingercello, Institute named the organization Distillery of the
Vodka 80° Year and extended its Bubble Cap Award for diver-
sity and community engagement.

38 October - November 2020 BEVERAGE MASTER

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