Hudson Whiskey is marking its 10th anniversary with the release of the documentary, From Grain to Glass: An American Craft Spirits Renaissance.
The film explores the recent explosion of craft distilling in America, plus Hudson Whiskey’s role in pioneering the craft spirits renaissance, specifically in New York State, according to a press release.
The film’s trailer is viewable on YouTube, while the full version will be released on June 13th.
The story of craft whiskey in the United States is one of guts, grit, grain, and only very recently, glory, according to the company.
When the Volstead Act enacted Prohibition and shut down the spirits industry in 1920, the tradition of small scale farm distilling was wiped out. Up until a decade ago, there were just a handful of distilleries spread across the country, each struggling under regulations and restrictions leftover from Prohibition.
But when Ralph Erenzo set out create the Tuthilltown Distillery in upstate New York, he faced and successfully lobbied the state legislature, according to the company. His efforts have resulted in changes in state laws and tax codes that now support local farm communities and craft distillers. Since Erenzo began his journey in Tuthilltown, more than 330 distilleries have emerged and flourished in the explosion of the craft spirits movement.
As pioneers of craft distilling, Hudson Whiskey wanted to explore the accomplishments of other likeminded leaders in the craft industry, the company says.
Over a course of six months, Hudson Whiskey Brand Ambassador Han Shan traveled the country, meeting with a host of distillers, experts, authors, and bartenders who personified the craft spirits movement.
This film follows Shan as he visits Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee at Tuthilltown Spirits, Nicole Austin of Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn, Dave Smith of St. George Spirits in Alameda, CA, James Rodewald, author of American Spirit: An Exploration of the Craft Distilling Revolution, among other leading craft whiskey authorities.
On Saturday June 13th, Hudson Whiskey will screen the documentary and host a 10th Anniversary Festival to celebrate 10 years of distilling excellence with the local craft establishments that make its success possible. The day-long fair will be open to the public and support local farmers, artists and crafts men and women located throughout the Hudson Valley.
Guests will be able to enjoy farm-fresh food, preview up and coming craft products, participate in outdoor games and enjoy libations from the Hudson Whiskey range, according to the company.
Later this Summer, Hudson Whiskey will also release its first-ever 750-ML-sized bottles of their Baby Bourbon and Manhattan Rye whiskies. Bottles will retail for $49.99 and will be available nationwide.
