Interview with Derek Grout - Harvest Spirits, Core Vodka

I had a chance to interview Derek Grout from Harvest Spirits.  They are Hudson Valley producers of Core Vodka, Black Raspberry Core (Vodka) Cornelius Applejack, Rare Pear Brandy, Pear Brandy, Apple Brandy, Grappa & Pear Applejack.

I must tell you, I am a vodka drinker when I don't have a glass of wine in hand.  The Core Vodka is very good, but boy, the Black Raspberry is killer.  A little ice, shake it, pour it, drink it...smooth!

HVWG: What made you decide to diversify your apple crop to distilled spirits?

DG: We got into distilling because we usually have a surplus of apples (though not this year). Also, the NY liquor laws changed in 2007 to allow farm distilleries. Although Harvest Spirits was to first licensed farm distillery in the state, there are now around 30 farm distilleries in NY. 

HVWG: Can you explain the distilling process of turning apples into vodka?

DG: The distilling process is simply separating alcohol from water based on their different boiling points. We boil hard cider and collet the vapor in a condenser. We distill all of our products at least twice, in the case of vodka 3 times, and our Black Raspberry vodka is distilled four times 

HVWG: What type of apples is used in vodka distilling?

DG: We use all types of apples in our distillery. I think of the distillery as being the recycling station of the farm, using the sugar from apples that wouldn't necessarily be used for fresh eating.  

HVWG: How long does the distilling process take before the vodka is available for public consumption?

DG: It takes about 3 weeks to make a batch of vodka. We ferment up to 6,000 gallons of cider per month. 

HVWG: What is the alcohol content of the vodka?

DG: The alcohol concentration increases each time you distill it, but tops out at 95% alcohol on our equipment. It is diluted to 40% alcohol by adding fresh, filtered water.

HVWG: How many apples does it take to make a bottle of vodka

DG: It takes about 4 gallons of cider (54 lbs. of apples) to make a single 750 ml bottle of Core Vodka 

HVWG: What is your favorite cocktail made with Core Vodka and the recipe.

DG: Core Vodka makes great cocktails. Although I'm no mixologist, I think a good cocktail would be 2 parts lime, 1 part maple syrup, 3 parts Core Vodka and 4 parts apple cider. Get crazy by adding fresh basil or sage

HVWG: Anything additional about Core Vodka and Harvest Spirits
DG: Harvest Spirits is one of the few places in the country where the ingredients for vodka production are grown on site, truly tree to bottle.
 

It's Cider Week in the Hudson Valley

This week October 16 - 23 is Cider Week.  I always thought cider came in a jug.  It wasn't until people from Ireland moved in across the street from me 14 years ago that I received an education on hard cider. Bulmers and Magners was the cider of choice for Frank and my first introduction to the world of hard cider.  Little did I know - cider was being produced in the Hudson Valley.

New York State is the second largest producer of apples in the nation and the Hudson Valley is the "apple belt".  The Glynwood Organization which began the Apple Project is organization behind Cider Week.  The Apple project promotes the production of hard cider and apple spirits in hopes to preserve apple orchards in the Hudson Valley. The development of the event Cider Week will cultivate the appreciation for hard cider.  There is even a Hudson Valley Cider Trail that promotes regional cider producers.  For a list of cider producers both regular and hard in the Hudson Valley click here.

The hard cider producers that I am familiar with in the Hudson Valley are Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery and Applewood Winery.  I have had, and enjoyed their cider numerous times.

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery produce Doc's Drafts which is a collection of ciders - Apple, Pear and Raspberry.  All their ciders are 100% fruit and gluten free.

Applewood Winery is the maker of Apple Dave's Stone Fence Cider. Every November, they host the New York Hard Cider Experience.  This year it is November 5 & 6. (Click here for a video of  the first NY Hard Cider Experience)

If you are looking for apple spirits Harvest Spirits in Valatie, NY produces an Cornelius AppleJack which is distilled 3 times and offers a nice smooth taste (I am told)  It is made from 100% Hudson Valley apples grown on their 200 acre fruit farm.  Each bottle is produced from over 60 pounds of fresh grown apples.

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery also produce a Bourbon Barrel Aged Apple Liqueur.   This liqueur is a slightly fermented sweet Hudson Valley cider blended with their apple brandy and finished and aged in Bourbon barrels.

I am sure there might be a few others out there that I have missed. I will have to spend a day on the Cider Trail and visit them.  Happy Cider Week!

Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Season Kick-Off

The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail is kicking off the season April 9th with their Pasta Trail Event.  What's unique about the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail is you have wine, beer and spirits you get to taste.  There is something for everyone.

The event cost is $15 and that gives you a passport good at Brookview Station Winery, Harvest Spirits, Chatham Brewery, Tousey Winery, Hudson-Chatham Winery and Furnace Brook Winery. The event runs from noon - 5pm.

I did attend this event last year and really enjoyed it.  The wine, the beer and the spirits!  If you are a vodka drinker, Harvest Spirits makes Core Vodka, very smooth! Have a beer tasting at Chatham Brewery is a great palate cleanser before moving onto the next winery. 

Season's Greetings on the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail

Tis the season of holiday trail events.  This season marks the inaugural holiday event on the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail "Season's Greetings."

Can you say CHEERS?  CHEERS is what you are going to receive this weekend when your travel the trail that spans from Germantown, NY to Castleton, NY over into Richmond and Great Barrington, MA. Visit all the trail members this weekend and you will receive a sequined wreath bottle necklace that spells "CHEERS"

To participate in this event just purchase your trail passport at any of the locations on Saturday or Sunday for $15, $5 for your designated driver.  Each passport will entitle you to beverage samplings, snacks and a wine charm at all Trail venues.  Event hours are 12pm - 5pm Saturday and Sunday.  Remember, you must visit all members during the weekend to complete bottle necklace that spells "Cheers."

For more information visit the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail.  CHEERS!

Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Opening this Weekend

Since I last wrote about the creation of the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail, two wineries have joined them.  These wineries are located not in NY, but in Massachusetts, just over the New York border.  Furnace Brook Winery in Richmond, MA and Les Trois Emme in Great Barrington, MA - Welcome!  


The festivities begin on Saturday April 10 at 12-noon with Pasta and Sauce.  You can purchase a Pasta Passport for $15 from any of the members of the trail.  A Pasta Passport will entitle you to a complimentary tasting flight of wine, beer or spirits at each location on Saturday.  Along with the tasting you will receive a taste of a special pasta dish.


I am a bit confused on what time the event ends.  I have a press release that states 5pm but on their Facebook Fan Page  and website it says 4pm.  I am sure they won't close the door on us.  


I am looking forward to this event and tasting at places that are new to me, especially if I make it over the border before 5p.  If I do, can anyone make an recommendations for dinner in Great Barrington, MA.  I haven't been there since my kids learned to ski at Butternut. (which I might add is a great place to for kids to learn, their ski school is excellent!)


Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail Members - Hudson-Chatham Winery, Brookview Station Winery, Tousey Winery, Furnace Brook Winery, Les Trois Emme Winery, Chatham Brewery and Harvest Spirits.