A handful of chapter members braved the 90-plus degree temperatures July 18 to visit the first bourbon distillery to open in Alexandria since Prohibition.
Motherwell Distillery is the Virginia branch of a distillery with the same name in Logan, Ohio. The name comes from the Motherwell Iron and Steel Works from Logan, which was responsible for most of the steel used in bridges at the beginning of the 20th century. It turns out that this led to the discovery of a connection between the Ohio and Virginia distilleries and the general manager of an NPR station in Michigan. (More on that later.)
The Virginia manager, Vince Crisler, explained the Virginia operation started a couple of years ago with about 50 local investors. Crisler said during the COVID shutdown he and his wife discussed what they could do while remaining at home. They started researching how to make their own bourbon and gin.
Government regulations make producing homemade gin and whiskey difficult, if not illegal. So, they sought out ways to legally engage in what looked to be an interesting hobby. Eventually, they linked up with the Motherwell people in Logan, near where Crisler and his wife grew up, and decided to open the Alexandria branch.
Crisler walked the chapter members through the differences between rye and bourbon and then the whole fermentation process. FYI: Rye requires 51% of the grains used to be rye. For bourbon corn must be the majority product.
While most of their equipment for large-scale production is not yet connected, Crisler pointed to a small still that they use to produce their current local product. Crisler said he was able to find most of what was necessary for his operation through brokers who handle used distillery equipment. Even with limited production capacity at this time, Crisler noted that sales for bourbon and gin were brisk. Just prior to guiding the chapter members through the process, Crisler was at the weekly Del Ray Farmers Market. He said in the four hours spent at the market; he was able to sell 200 bottles of bourbon and gin. He noted his wife even had to return to the distillery to get more gin because sales were so good.
The SPJ chapter members were able to sample the rye, bourbon and gin produced by Motherwell. Crisler discussed the process of building the distinctive taste and flavor in each product. Even people not partial to some of the drinks admitted the flavors and texture were pleasant.
Crisler then demonstrated how to mix Motherwell products into sophisticated drinks for entertainment. And yes, the chapter members also sampled that.
Motherwell Distillery in Alexandria is expected to have its large-scale operations functioning in the Fall. At that time, Crisler said he also hopes to have a regular tasting room set up at the distillery. He has also worked out an arrangement with a nearby craft brew pub to provide food deliveries to the distillery.
Crisler said he still depends on this income as a cyber-security expert to pay the bills. He hopes, however, that soon the distillery operations will be profitable enough to start paying him a salary.
The NPR Connection
Molly Motherwell is the general manager of WEMU in Ypsilanti, MI. When asked if there was any connection between the Alexandria distillery and her family, she only noted that there was a Logan connection because her family came from Scotland and settled in Ohio. After some more research she noted that the distillery’s citation of Motherwell Iron and Steel Works had a direct connection to her family. It seems her great-great-grandfather founded Motherwell Iron and Steel.
Molly Motherwell is also the president of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters and president of the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival Board of Directors. Her station, WEMU, is the number one non-commercial jazz station by market share in the US.