Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2 - 13

the ingenuity of contemporary Americans:
using an old Prussian family recipe and the
newest distillation technologies. The veteran-owned and -operated business also contributes to causes that support vets.

Grand TeTon
disTillery, driGGs
When life gives you a recession, make vodka.
So begins the tale of Grand Teton Distillery,
as Bill and Lea Beckett re-purposed property
that they intended to be a hotel till the market crashed in 2008.
"We're surrounded by thousands of acres
of potatoes," Bill Beckett told his wife, "why
can't we make vodka?" As retired professionals, the Becketts could manage the business
end, and they brought in Lea's son, John
Boczar, a veteran bartender who recognized
quality spirits and learned the production
end. Eventually, brother Andrew Boczar
joined the team, too.
The family has since expanded the product line to include flavored vodka, regular and
flavored moonshine, and bourbon, aged and
blended in Idaho. Grand Teton Vodka became

a success, winning five gold medals.
In fact, Grand Teton Vodka became so
successful that it got the attention of none
other than actor Channing Tatum. While
Tatum was working to maintain his weight
for movie roles, vodka was his drink of
choice. He noticed that, at that time, there
was a dearth of quality American craft vodka,
so he decided to invest in a vodka line. After
searching among top-rated American vodkas,
he eventually narrowed down his choices to
several vodkas, including Grand Teton.
"He visited, loved the area, loved that
we were a small, family-owned company
and that he could have a larger share and
more of a say in the product," recalls
Andrew Boczar. Tatum worked with Grand
Teton to create Born and Bred Damn
Smooth Potato Vodka. "Everything about
the bottle, the label, the recipe is all handpicked and curated by him," says Boczar.
Including the jackalope.

old FlaTbed
disTillery, Meridian
John Reid was itching to retire from the cor-

Old Camp™ Peach Pecan Whiskey. Blended Whiskey with Natural Flavors. 35% ./Vol. (70 proof). Old Camp™ is used under license from the trademark owner. ©2017 Proximo, Jersey City, NJ. Please drink responsibly.

slow-filtered over beds of organic carbon,
resulting in a spirit that's clean and smooth.
Plus practicing the American principles of
hard work, pride and ingenuity, while supporting American veterans and utilizing
American-made ingredients.
The idea to begin making vodka was born
from the Tito's vodka craze-a small
American distillery making award-winning
product and taking market share away from
foreign conglomerates, explains founder
Walt Kerpa.
Walt Kerpa, an army veteran, is joined in
the business by his brother, Ed Kerpa, the
distiller, who also contributes his expertise
in chemistry and botany.
"Every batch that he crafts is free of contaminants, fusel oils and congeners, and is
carefully blended and cleaned prior to bottling," explains the company's website. "Ed
samples each batch personally to make sure
it is up to his standards."
The vodka is made from non-GMO corn,
making it naturally gluten- and GMO-free.
Like the U.S., American Revolution Vodka
blends the best of its immigrant roots with

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Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2