Author Archive
May 1, 2013 by Michael Kinstlick
Grains: Malting Our Own
Malting is the process of allowing grain to sprout. Only malted grains have the enzymes to convert starch to sugar and are thus necessary for making whiskey mash. Although new local malting facilities, such as Valley Malt in Hadley, Massachusetts, have begun to emerge, we decided to begin our own malting program to retain control [...]
May 1, 2013 by Michael Kinstlick
Grains: Supporting Local Farmers
We have long held that distilling is a culinary art, and we are glad to help the local food revolution extend into distilled spirits. We take our ingredients seriously and began building relationships with local farmers long before we had started Coppersea. Although it sounds simple, better grain and better water make better whiskey. We [...]
May 1, 2013 by Michael Kinstlick
Late 2012…Licensing & First Runs
In the dog days of July the TTB and NYSLA approved our federal and state licenses. Christopher Williams, our Distiller Manager, joined us about that time, and we immediately set about finding late-season fruit to make Eau de Vie, and grains to test our whiskey recipes. These initial efforts paid off with some amazing Peach [...]
July 2, 2012 by Michael Kinstlick
Spreading the News…
At the ADI Conference in Louisville, KY in April, I delivered a talk and an accompanying white paper to the conference on the current state of the Craft Distillery market, highlighting the tremendous growth in the industry to that point, and the opportunities ahead. The paper and research have become the reference source for data on [...]
April 5, 2012 by Michael Kinstlick
Roll In the Barrels!
As we continue our build-out, Angus has been continually keeping tabs on opportunities to acquire solid equipment at favorable prices, and such an opportunity came along last week. A craigslist ad appeared offering several dozen used wine barrels (and other equipment) from a business that offered wine-making classes that was in, pardon the pun, liquidation. We were [...]
March 21, 2012 by Michael Kinstlick
Founder’s Blog: Site Leased, November, 2011
Angus began conversations with our site owners many years ago, and as he got to know them, he discussed the idea of using the space as a distillery. They were excited at the prospect, and we’re glad to have them as part of the Coppersea family. The site, on a bluff above the Hudson [...]
March 21, 2012 by Michael Kinstlick
Founder’s Blog: The Closing, July, 2011
Our investor pool is the classic “Angel” financing model of raising capital from friends and family. I am very grateful to all of our investors, and, like most entrepreneurs, I have also invested my own money. I believe it’s important to show enough confidence in the business that investors know you stand right alongside them, [...]
October 27, 2011 by Michael Kinstlick