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Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits – Sporty on many waters

What began in 1996 as a small group of hobby brewers, who simply wanted to make good beer, developed over the years into a successful team under the name of Ballast Point. In 2008, distillation was added, and these days the company with its headquarters in San Diego is an internationally recognised market leader on the brewery and distillation scene, with a product range including more than 40 types of beer and seven spirits. In November 2013, Ballast Point was given the title of ‘California Distillery of the Year’ at the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC), and Head Distiller Yuseff Cherney is rightly proud of the award, with so much competition around.

Co-founder Jack White adds: “For us, distillation is a natural expansion of brewing. We started with it for the same reason: we wanted to produce what we like drinking. With our spirits, we try to bring our own style into the century-old handicraft of distillation. And it is great that the public like it.” The bottles are also original, with motifs from the world of seafaring and fishing. These refer to the company founders’ second favourite pastime, congenially interpreted by artist Paul Elder, who transforms each idea into wonderful labels. The logo, a sextant, has a reason behind it: the historical navigation instrument was used to compare the angle of the stars to the horizon, to find out the nautical position of the boat. For the company, the sextant is a constant reminder to proceed with the journey, with new ideas and new flavours.

When they are not brewing or distilling, the Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits bosses are sure to be fishing. At other times, two professional sport angling teams train all year and take part in competitions. Talking of competitions: at the World Spirits Award, Ballast Point Spirits landed a good catch: Three Sheets Rum, Devil’s Share Moonshine and Devil’s Share Single Malt Whiskey took gold. Fugu Vodka, Old Grove Gin, Three Sheets Barrel Aged Rum and Devil’s Share Bourbon hooked silver.

Martin Doll Vintage Distillery - Great Fruit Variety on the Wine Route

Master fruit grower, winegrower and distiller Martin Doll lives and works in a particularly beautiful part of Germany – at the Baden Wine Route. Picturesque timbered houses and bridges festooned with flowers are typical of Durbach, the winegrowing village in the charming landscape between the Rhine valley and the Black Forest. Durbach sprawls over 42 side valleys. Here in the warmest area of Germany, climatic conditions are excellent and farmers grow wine and fruit. Approximately 230 small distilleries provide a broad spectrum of fine spirits, above all, the famous Black Forest Kirsch.
The winery and distillery of the Doll family are located in the Gebirg district of Durbach, surrounded by vineyards and ridges densely covered with chestnut trees. The Doll’s distilling tradition on the estate dates back to 1802. The family’s goal is to develop the estate independent of large trade conglomerates.
They process only fruit from their own vineyards and orchard meadows. The product line comprises brandies made from berries, pomaceous and drupaceous fruits, distillates matured in wooden casks, marc made from various grape varieties, rare products such as medlar, blackthorn and Jerusalem artichoke specialities, and liqueurs and fruit wines. The local favourite is the Black Forest Kirsch. A secret favourite among schnapps connoisseurs, according to Martin Doll, is Zibärtli, a wild mirabelle plum which has been growing here for more than 500 years.
The company’s participation in the World-Spirits Award resulted in an overall ranking of 19th for the fruit brandies as a “First-Class Distillery” with a gold (medlar) and four silvers (blackcurrant, mirabelle plum, Zibärtli and red Williams pear) for the regional specialities.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.