Sep 9, 2018
I often wonder why we no longer “drop by” to visit friends, and why we sometimes make arrangements to set a time just to chat on the phone.
When I was younger, my friends and I would visit each other un-announced. We would call each other, whenever we felt like it, just to chat. Now I never get those visits, and rarely those phone calls. I miss them.
I don’t know if it is a cultural change, and people of all ages no longer make un-announced visits, or if it is simply that as we age our lifestyle changes. One possible cause could be that circumstances that are not important at a younger age, such as a messy house, become an embarrassment in our older years.
Television has changed our lives. We used to watch the same shows at the same times. There was nothing else, and we knew when to call or visit without interrupting. Now we never know if we are interrupting a movie at its climax, so we don’t call. Instead we send a text to set a time for that call.
The beauty of owning a distillery with a tasting room is that friends feel free to stop by and visit. We see friends that we have not seen in days, years and even decades. Sometimes we are not recognizable to each other, when old friends come to the distillery expressly to see us, but 40 years of aging have diminished immediate recognition. It is enchanting and mesmerizing to learn of each other’s paths
Our friends who live locally stop by. So much better than a text.
Feel free to stop by. We love catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones.
May 1, 2018
See our distillery on Booze Traveler segment
The Booze Traveler episode with The Hardware Distillery aired on the Travel Channel on April 23, 2018. It’s Episode 16 on Season 4.
On Booze Traveler, cocktail connoisseur Jack Maxwell seeks out the people, places, customs and cultures behind drinks across the globe, and he spent a day with us, filming our distillery and helping us make a batch of HWY 101 for this episode.
Dec 10, 2015
Douglas Scott has written about Hoodsport in an article about staycations for Thurston Talk. Here’s some of what he has to say:
“In the shadow of the southeast Olympic Mountains, perched along the shores of Hood Canal, the small town of Hoodsport rests quietly, awaiting your adventure. For 125 years, Hoodsport has captured the imagination of everyone who passes through this sleepy hamlet along Washington’s often-overlooked fjord. Located just 45 minutes from Olympia, and a little over an hour and a half from downtown Seattle, Hoodsport has emerged as a must-stop location and a gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. Hoodsport, located along the banks of Hood Canal, is beckoning for your next staycation adventure.
“The town of Hoodsport isn’t big. In fact, it isn’t even technically a city. This unincorporated community in Mason County had only 376 permanent residents, according to the 2010 census. Yet, despite being a quick stop along Highway 101, Hoodsport is quickly becoming one of the Olympic Peninsula’s favorite towns.
“Hoodsport is quickly becoming one of the Olympic Peninsula’s favorite towns. Maybe it is the water, maybe it is the access to nature, or maybe it is the world-class dining and drinking experiences, but somehow everyone who explores Hoodsport falls in love with the area. With a lifetime of adventures just minutes from the community dock in downtown Hoodsport, take a weekend and explore why this area is becoming so popular…”
To read more, visit http://www.thurstontalk.com/2015/11/19/weekend-staycation-hood-canal/
Mar 31, 2015
Our first batch of whiskey will be available at the distillery beginning April 3.
For over a year, this first batch has been resting in white American oak barrels that were previously used to age our Fig Bee’s Knees. The fig and honey add a subtle complexity to our Scotch style whiskey. We will have approximately one hundred 375ml bottles from this first barrel.
Additional batches of whiskey are still resting in Plumb, Peach, and Raspberry Bee’s Knees barrels. They will be available in the coming months and years.
Oct 13, 2014
Scenic Highway 101 has always attracted sightseers as it winds its way around the Olympic Peninsula, and drivers and bikers have always stopped in Hoodsport. This 1930s photo of bikers in front of the distillery was taken when it was the Canal Table Supply store. We’ve always loved this photo, and it’s on our labels and t-shirts.
Just like in the 1930s, these days bikers still stop in Hoodsport all summer long. When Snarl organized a visit to the distillery for a tasting with his friends, we hoped they would help us re-create our beloved historical photo. The weather cooperated, and they agreed to pose as much as possible like the old photo.
Here’s the result. We think it’s not only fun, but a good resemblance, and a reminder that “the more things change, they more they remain the same.”
Oct 6, 2014
This past summer we had visitors to our tasting room from all over the world. These happy girls from Japan were given t-shirts from visitors to our distillery. Here they are in California, wearing our pink t-shirts.
Jun 20, 2014
Recently we visited Nancy and Steve, owners of Alpenfire, an organic cidery due north of our distillery. Their apple trees were in bloom. It was a sunny day and the air was vibrating. Normally I find the sound of hundreds of bees worrisome, but not to Nancy. As we walked through the orchard, the sound of her bees pollinating her apple trees made her visibly happy.
Alpenfire is set in the hills in the Northeastern part of the Olympic Peninsula. Gentle hills and surround the organic cidery. We are going to be using some of their hard cider for our apple brandy.
Apr 23, 2014
Pears are the basis of our vodka and aquavit. We purchase Washington State pears from a company in Vancouver, Washington. They are packed as concentrate in 5-gallon pails, which weigh nearly 60 pounds each.
For each batch of pears, I drive our truck to Vancouver and bring the pails back to the distillery. The most recent trip was few days ago. I bought 24 pails.
Sadly, this time the packers had not secured the pails of pear concentrate to the pallet. The pails were stacked two pails high, and as I entered the on-ramp to I-5, the top row of pails slid to the side of the truck, and tottered at the side edge of the back of the truck. They were ready to topple onto I-5.
The next exit was a mile away. I drove very slowly in the right lane, constantly checking my rear-view mirror and the sight of the white buckets, bent against the side of the truck.
As I reached the exit, I looked for someone to help me. I am not strong enough to move the 60-pound pails. There was a small shopping center. I knew that there would be no one to help me at the small shops. Then, I spied a charity donation center.
When I parked, several people told me that the pails were ready to fall out of the truck. I thanked them for the information.
Two young men were at work at the donation drop-off. I offered them $20 to straighten the pails. They agreed, but said no one could see them accepting the money.
After the pails were straightened, the $20 was passed via a handshake. I was back on I-5, and on my way to making vodka and aquavit.
Feb 26, 2014
It has been exciting for us to be featured in the February 11, 2014 issue of USA Today.
The USA Today article has been reprinted in the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Greenville News.
Dec 17, 2013
Finch Creek is about 50 yards from our distillery. This time of year, salmon are spawning and many have died. The sea gulls walk around on the salmon as if the piles of fish were rocks.
Next summer we plan to continue creating gins to be paired with the bounty of the Hood Canal.
So far, our Crabby Ginny is meant to be paired with crab, and we smoke our barley at the Hama Hama Oyster Co. for a smoky gin to be paired with oysters.
Next will be a gin to be paired with salmon.
Instead of making a gin to be paired directly with the taste of the seafood, we are thinking of a pairing a sense of the seasons.
In the fall, the salmon start running. At this time of year, certain beers are celebrated, and so we are going to make a gin from a rye bock to be paired with salmon. We will be pairing feelings that arise when the leaves turn, the mornings are crisp.
We will take part in the salmon’s life cycle.
Dec 4, 2013
Wine World and Spirits in Seattle is carrying our products. They are located on the west side of I-5 at the exit for 45th Street. (This is the University of Washington exit, but go west.) Their address is 400 N. 45th, and their sign can be seen from I-5.
Their spirits department is in the back of the store, and John Slagle and Patrick Caffall are familiar with our products. Usually one of them is on the floor in the spirits department, and can help you navigate their store.
Nov 29, 2013
If you have an American Express card, and wish to participate in Small Business Saturday on November 30, just register your card at ShopSmall.com before Saturday.
American Express will give you a $10 statement credit on your Hardware Distillery purchase made that day.
