Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Wins Best United States Contemporary Style Gin from 2016 World Gin Awards
Rhode Island Craft Distillery Garners Top National Honors From Global Gin Industry’s Most Prestigious Blind Tasting Competition
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. has been named the United States’ Best Contemporary Style Gin by the 2016 World Gin Awards, presented by TheDrinksReport.Com.
Sons of Liberty, the only American distillery honored in this year’s final round of judging, was awarded the reputable title for its revolutionary, True Born Gin – The Belgian Wheat Act, part of the first-ever gin line distilled from craft style beers.
“When we launched True Born we sought to prove that there is much more to gin than neutral spirits infused with a myriad of botanicals,” said Sons of Liberty Founder, Mike Reppucci. “We are truly honored to win this award, less than a year after distributing our first case, and we will continue to redefine American Spirits with our beer-into-spirit methodology.”
Similar to the innovative distillation process that earned Sons of Liberty the titles of World’s Best Flavored (2014) and North America’s Best Flavored (2015) in the whiskey category, Sons of Liberty started with beer. They brewed a Belgian Wheat beer for The Belgian Wheat Act, composed of barley, wheat and oats and infused that mash with coriander, sweet orange peel, lemongrass, cascade and chinook hops. In the gin basket, the same botanicals present in the mash are infused with the spirit in addition to juniper berries (a requirement for gin).
Coined “A lovely drink that takes pride in its spirit,” by the esteemed panel of judges in this year’s blind tasting competition, The Belgian Wheat Act is distilled four times, but never above 160 proof – providing an amazingly full body and rich flavor. The motive behind The Belgian Wheat Act’s unique distillation was to carry the distinct flavors of the Belgian Wheat beer through to the gin and to clearly identify its origin to the consumer.
Sons of Liberty launched True Born Gin in the summer of 2015, following years of establishing a distillery reputation for producing some of the finest, and most unique craft whiskey on the planet. Sons of Liberty’s seasonal flavored and single malt whiskies have been awarded more than 45 blind tasting honors since 2009, including two separate titles from the World Whiskies Awards presented by Whisky Magazine.
“We owe a big thank you to those who participated in our focus groups for this gin early last year,” said Reppucci. “That makes this win that much sweeter for us in Rhode Island, some of our biggest fans helped us develop the product into what it is now.”
The World Gin Awards are part of the renowned World Drinks Awards programme, launched in 2007 with the World Whiskies Awards and World Beer Awards. Presented by TheDrinksReport.com, the world’s No. 1 online resource for drinks professionals. The World Gin Awards select, reward and promote the best Gin Taste and Design to consumers and trade across the globe.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Notches Double Gold Honors for Its Vaunted True Born Gin at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Rhode Island Craft Distillery Garners Highest Medal Honors at International Blind Tasting Competition
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. is proud to announce its True Born Gin has been unanimously awarded Double Gold honors at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).Less than a year after releasing its revolutionary, True Born Gin – The Belgian Wheat Act, part of the first-ever gin line distilled from craft style beers, Sons of Liberty was awarded Double Gold by a panel of judges at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Double Gold award, which is recognized as the competition’s highest medal honor, signifies an “outstanding” review; earning top marks from all judges comprising a blind tasting panel.
“When we launched True Born we sought to prove that there is much more to gin than neutral spirits infused with a myriad of botanicals,” said Sons of Liberty Founder, Mike Reppucci. “We are equally thrilled and humbled to win our first Double Gold, especially with a product that doesn’t follow the traditional processes, as this was a Belgian Wheat beer distilled into a Gin. How cool is that?”
Winning a coveted SFWSC medal is no easy feat. This year’s Double Gold win marks the first time Sons of Liberty accomplished the feat at the esteemed blind tasting competition. Medal winners are chosen after being put through a rigorous judging process – a highly controlled operation held over four days of precise blind tastings by a panel of judges that are understood around the world to be the best the industry has to offer.
Sons of Liberty launched True Born Gin in the summer of 2015, following years of establishing a distillery reputation for producing some of the finest, and most unique craft whiskies on the planet. Their seasonal flavored and single malt whiskies have been awarded more than 45 blind tasting honors since 2009.
Similar to the innovative distillation process that earned Sons of Liberty countless blind tasting awards in the whiskey category, the craft distillery started their True Born Gin with beer. They brewed a Belgian Wheat beer for The Belgian Wheat Act, which is composed of barley, wheat and oats and infused that mash with coriander, sweet orange peel, lemongrass, cascade and chinook hops. In the gin basket, the same botanicals present in the mash are infused with the spirit in addition to juniper berries (a requirement for gin).
Since its introduction in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has become one of the most respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. And over the course of 16 years, award wins at the SFWSC have come to be the known as an industry standard as a reliable indication of a spirit’s excellence and integrity.
von Trapp Brewing Announces Rhode Island Distribution
von Trapp Brewing is pleased to present the release of their Austrian inspired lagers to the state of Rhode Island beginning April 18, 2016.
The Austrian-Style beers are brewed with pure Vermont spring water sourced from their property in Stowe, VT and the finest traditional ingredients. Following the family heritage, the brewery incorporates the German Beer Purity Laws; “Reinheitsgebot”, while crafting their unique lagers. Von Trapp Brewing’s current distribution footprint includes Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and now Rhode Island.
“While Rhode Island’s Craft breweries have a great reputation,” says Sam von Trapp, Executive VP of Operations. “We at von Trapp Brewing are extremely excited to bring our crisp lagers to the Ocean State beer community.”
von Trapp Brewing has selected McLaughlin & Moran, Inc. of Cranston, to serve as its distributor for this exciting Rhode Island launch. Founded in 1936 McLaughlin & Moran remains family owned and operated with an outstanding reputation for sales and marketing expertise, customer service and community involvement over the past eight decades. “We sincerely believe that we have found in McLaughlin & Moran the ideal distributor to represent our quality lager beers in Rhode Island”, says Sam von Trapp.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the award winning portfolio of von Trapp beers to our market”, says Terry Moran, President of McLaughlin & Moran. “The von Trapp brewery has an exceptional story to tell, be it the family’s heritage; the world class facility in Stowe, VT, and most importantly the quality of its beers.”
In spring of 2015, the 36,000-square-foot brewery began packaging 4 year-round lagers; Golden Helles, the two-time award-winning Bohemian Pilsner, Dunkel, and Vienna Style. They also feature three seasonals; Oktoberfest, Trösten, and Weissbier. With summer fast approaching, von Trapp Brewing will release its 4th seasonal, India Pale Lager; A floral hop experience supported by the complexity of lager.
The brewery is built and operated on the 2,500 acre grounds of the Trapp Family Lodge, a unique, four-season resort specializing in European-style accommodations and cuisine, spectacular mountain vistas, upscale amenities, and outdoor activities.
