Two years ago, 1350 Distilling was born. Now, we were conceived much earlier in 2016 when Phill and Kandis Bragg and Jake and Abbie Weien first started to become friends. Eventually we developed a business plan, began researching, creating concepts, drawing up legal needs and searching for a location to house our "baby".
There were many "field trips" around the state to see and discuss what we liked and didn't like about different businesses. We had no idea what we didn't know.
The above photo was taken January 1, 2018 when we first acquired the keys to our soon-to-be distillery at 520 E Pikes Peak Avenue. All our girls were in Academy District 20 schools. Some weren't quite driving yet. Look at our smiles. We still had no idea what we were getting into.
After a month of soft-open events we were finally ready for our Grand Opening the first weekend in November. We had three products available: Minuteman Vodka, Guardian Bourbon and BlueJacket Rum. We had a Trivia Night to kick-off the weekend followed by several days of festive activities, culminating with the USMC's 244th Birthday Ceremony. Operations were sailing beautifully.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 we hosted the Downtown Colorado Springs Member Mixer event with great excitement to introduce ourselves to our business neighbors. People were beginning to rave about our Taste Lounge and our cocktails. Bars and restaurants were putting us behind their bars. There was a static in the air, not just about us, but also about this Covid-19 thing. We never could have imagined what the next 20 months would hold for us, or for the world. Two days later the world stopped moving.
Fast forward to today. We won't lie to you, it has been a daily and sometimes hourly struggle to keep the wheels of progress turning, but we have worked as a team to persevere. Our employees have been our saving graces. We have an amazing group of people helping us.
(NEW TEAM PHOTO COMING SOON)
Thanks to our dedicated guests who shared their #1350Spirit with their friends and neighbors, bring them in for a tour or to taste our cocktails, send us photos with our bottles in other parts of the world. We especially have to thank the local liquor stores who were willing to take on products from a new distillery that a majority of the population had no idea existed. Because of all of these people and energy, we have survived.
We have released SIX new products since the outbreak. We have won a Gold Medal for our Wingman Gin (that was released just weeks after our first shutdown) and just last week a Silver Medal for our newest release, Old Blood & Guts' Strawberry Flavored Vodka. We have our Bull's Spiced Rum nearly ready to be released soon too.
This upcoming week of November 3-10 marks 1350 Distilling's Two-Year Anniversary! Imagine a toddler stumbling around, just learning words and understanding the world that is spinning around them. That is us... sort of. We are so excited to celebrate our successes in reaching this milestone for any business, let alone for a "Covid Baby".
In celebration we have lined up a list of special events that we hope you will enjoy with us.
3 NOV - CHARCUTERIE MAKING CLASS
6:30pm-8:30pm in our Private Room
“We'll talk about all things pairings, sourcing, and design, AND you'll get to take your own charcuterie box home. This event is perfect for a girls' night or a date night with your significant other. Cost includes workshop instruction and all materials needed. Drinks can be purchased from 1350 Distilling separately.”
4 NOV - YOGA & COCKTAILS
5:30pm-6:30pm in our Private Room
Treat yourself to an hour long yoga class and have a cocktail afterwards. We host this event every week. Get your tickets in advance here.
5 NOV - HARRY POTTER THEMED DONUTS & COCKTAIL PAIRING WITH HAPPY HOUR DONUTS AND BRAIN FREEZE & MORE FOOD TRUCK
4:00pm-8:00pm
We will have Brain Freeze & More food truck out front - which have you tried our spirits in their smoothies? They are an amazing combination.
Celebrate National Donut Day with us - with a Harry Potter twist! Have you heard of Happy Hour Donuts? They bake wonderful donuts topped with boozy glazes to make an exceptional experience for all of your taste buds. We are expertly pairing three tasty 1350 Distilling cocktails with three of their delicious mini donuts. Buy your tickets in advance so we have enough. Come in anytime between 4:00pm and 8:00pm on Friday, November 5th (Nat'l Donut Day) to experience your Happy Hour Donuts & Cocktail Pairing!
Our Harry Potter themed cocktails and donuts will be:
• Polyjuice Potion: Featuring our Minuteman Vodka
• Goblet of Fire: Featuring our Five Alarm Cinnamon Fire Bourbon
• Butterbeer: Featuring our Fleet Admiral Barrel Aged Rum
6 NOV - VETERANS PARADE DOWNTOWN & KULA COOKING FOOD TRUCK
This isn't our show, but it is a local favorite. Come visit us after a fun day celebrating our men and women who have served our great nation! Kula Cooking Food Truck will be out front from 4:00-8:00pm. Amazing food!
We will also be hosting the Local Motive Party Bus this day. Get your tickets here.
7 NOV - BOTTOMLESS BLOODY MARY BAR with GOOD GRUB BY TACO
10:00am-1:30pm
We are so excited to have Good Grub by Taco out front for the first time as a part of our Two-Year Anniversary Week! In celebration, we are making our Colorado’s Biggest Bloody Mary Bar BOTTOMLESS for the day from 10am to 1:30pm for $25 per person. Bring your appetite and your love for the best Bloody Marys you can muster with our bar of over 75 fresh ingredients!
10 NOV USMC 246TH BIRTHDAY CAKE CEREMONY with TURK-N-STUFF
4:00pm-9:00pm
We are only two years old, but this marks our Third Annual USMC Birthday Cake Ceremony. This is a spectacular event that any loved one of a Leatherneck should attend.
Our good friend, Joe with TurkNstuff Food Truck will be out front selling his citywide famous turkey legs and more! Check our calendar for updates.
The days schedule includes:
1600 - 1350 DISTILLING OPENS - TURK N STUFF FOOD TRUCK
1800 - COCKTAIL HOUR
1900 - EVENT CEREMONY STARTS
2000 - SOCIALIZING
2100 - EVENT CONCLUDES
We cannot thank all of you for our success during this rough childhood, but we assure you that there are several more great things in the works for the next year that you won’t want to miss. See you soon!