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Category: Table Talk
Posted: October 22, 2012 10:10 AM
Tags: The Source, RiNo, Peak Spirits, Lance Hanson, Jack Rabbit Farm, Crooked Stave, CapRock, Boxcar Coffee Roasters, Anna Hanson, 20 days of giveaways
Breaking: Caprock Opening a Denver Showroom
There are many reasons to get excited about the Source, the Ferry Building-esque project slated to open in RiNo in May: Crooked Stave has signed on, as has the stellar Boxcar Coffee Roasters, and now there's big news that Caprock will open both a bar and a showroom.
Floral and clean, Caprock is the best gin I've ever tasted. For those who haven't heard of or haven't sipped this top-notch, organic spirit (Hotchkiss distillers Lance and Anna Hanson, pictured, left, also make lovely organic vodka and brandies), that's likely because the small-batch swill is in short supply. When I find a bottle of the gin, I buy it. When that bottle goes dry and I can't locate another, I go without. (I'm not the only one championing the Hansons, who distill under the Peak Spirits label: Earlier this year, Lance nabbed a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, the gin and vodka earned Good Food Awards, and the gin won a Washington.)
The genesis for having a Denver presence began several years ago. "We're out in the middle of nowhere," Lance says, referencing his 72-acre Jack Rabbit Hill Farm, where the distillery (pictured, right) is located. "But we'll get people who are on a mission and they'll find us. Over four to five years, we would get repeat visitors from the Denver-Boulder area. We realized that what we're doing up here—the farm, the story, the products—is resonating with people."
And that narrative is what the Hansons intend to bring to the Source. "We want to give people the opportunity to share and to experience a piece of what we do on the [biodynamic] farm," Lance says. "We want people to understand why we do it, and why we think it's important." So, while the showroom will be giant step up from the Hotchkiss "tasting room" (aka the couple's porch in the summer and their kitchen in the winter), it won't be all flash and polish: It'll remain true to the niche company's tightly focused message.
Of course, presence at the Source will force changes in supply. "Our mission and intent is to grow," Lance says. "But we're not interested in carpet bombing the market. We don't want to compromise the way we do things here. The scaling up that we do will be incremental."
Stay Tuned: Follow the Source and Peak Spirits on Facebook and keep up on all of the developments.
—Images via Stephen Smith
THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!
ORGANIC?!
Submitted by heatherhagwell on Mon, 2012-10-22 11:19.
So happy to have found out about this gin!
Love Local
Submitted by kctrask on Mon, 2012-10-22 11:10.
I like supporting locally and this is great way to do!
Not a gin drinker either
Submitted by aktorvik on Mon, 2012-10-22 11:05.
But I've had some terrific Cap Rock cocktails at Jonesy's EatBar. Welcome to the City!!
Sounds like a great present for my husband's birthday!
Submitted by Pppmomof3 on Mon, 2012-10-22 11:02.
We love to support the local economy and this sounds like a win -win! Great gin and supporting the local economy! I think this is a perfect gift of rmy husband's upcoming 50th!!!
sounds like a good present
Submitted by sabrina5by5 on Mon, 2012-10-22 11:01.
my husband loves gin, maybe a good present for him...now to find a bottle. hmm....
Gin and Lingerie, what a dream!
Submitted by ligoldman on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:59.
Gin for me, purple skivvies for the wife. Pick me! Pick me!
Love that it's local!
Submitted by beingintentional on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:58.
I haven't been a big gin fan, but think I'll give this a try - I love that it's local!
Local Gin
Submitted by rouleurboy on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:56.
Always interested in discovering local distillers.
Can't wait!
Submitted by katy.salach on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:54.
Can't wait to see all this development finished and ready to enjoy! Love Organic and all what it offers!
love local booze
Submitted by les16j on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:52.
Local is the way to go! Can't wait to try this.
The Perfect Gift!
Submitted by osuksig on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:52.
I'm not a big fan of gin....but my brother-in-law most certainly is.
Now I have something to seek out for the perfect Christmast gift.
Love the craft distillers
Submitted by freelaan on Mon, 2012-10-22 10:52.
Sounds like a great gift idea for my gin lover!
Looking forward to all the Source has to offer.
local love
going local - awesome!
Jealous!
My work just moved from the RiNo area. Looks like I'll be down there no matter what now!
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SOURCE!
It's about time Denver opened an indoor market, and CapRock will be perfect in it! I love visitng the Ferry Building in San Fran, and the Reading Terminal Market in Philly.
Awesome!
tours
i think we should all go take a tour and try out the gin!!!
Crossing my fingers
Please please let me win some pretty new undy things!
MUST SEE
What a FUN outing and I will have to see this Showroom for a tasting!
Keep them coming!
I feel Pretty, Oh, so Pretty...
Well, I WILL if I win that pretty purple lingerie from Sol!
Eee.
Maybe today I'll win! Maybe? ;)
Anxious to visit this tasting
Anxious to visit this tasting room. Gin is my thing.
Interesting
I have never tried organic alcohol sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind a martini with their gin.
Yay local!
I recently moved back to Denver, and am blown away by how many cool things have developed since I left--like this!
This place sounds...
worth the trip. i think this would be a nice fall diversion, that I need to check out!
Tasting Room
Very excited that they will be having a tasting room!
New info
Glad to support local businesses!
gin
can't wait to try it
Gin and Bras :)
I think it is really cool that Colorado-made gin is garnering local attention and I am extremely excited to visit the Source when it opens to experience their gin firsthand. Also, Sol lingerie has a reputation that proceeds itself- two great things in one blog!
Ha Ha!
About 30 years too late...
Great Experiance
This sounds like such a great experiance. I will have to look into it soon. I'm not big on gin but it might be a nice Christmas present!
Gin & Undies!
Can't get much better than that!
Lance and Peak Spirits Crew are Doing Something Very Special!
Colorado has an exploding craft spirits industry growing from four distilleries in 2007 to nearly 40 today. While many Colorado distillers are doing unique things with their recipes and ingredients, Peak Spirits takes it to the next level incorporating only the best ingredients including products from their biodynamic farm. This is definitely a distillery to watch, and I am stoked they are bringing a tasting room to Denver. I also adore lingerie from Sol!
Sa-weet!
I just Love SOL!
Nice!