Clinton County New York's Only Distillery Now in Operation

Altona, NY, May 19, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The area’s only distillery is now in operation. Founded by husband and wife team, Randall and Sarah Beach, Murray’s Fools Distilling Co., LLC, the first legal distillery in Clinton County since prohibition is now in operation in the Town of Altona, NY.

Murray’s Fools Distilling Co., a small batch craft distillery, is currently producing hand crafted New York grain vodka which you can expect to see on the shelves of your local liquor stores, bars and restaurants this June. Murray’s Fools Distilling Co.’s ‘The Snowshoe’ will be Clinton County’s first locally made vodka.

While the Murray’s Fools Distilling Co. team will also be producing small batch rye whiskey, handcrafted bourbon and other distilled products, the initial focus will be on the craft vodka brand.

Murray’s Fools Distilling Co. is a small ‘mom and pop’ operation put together entirely by the husband and wife team, Randall and Sarah Beach. The building, a re-purposed workshop, has been modified by the couple to suit their Phase 1 needs. Now that the main distilling areas are designated and in operation the two have begun working on a small tasting room. The team is targeting late summer or fall for the distillery's grand opening, with tours and tasting room hours to follow.

The owners source as many local ingredients as possible, both for the requirements under the distillery's farm license, as well as in accordance with their own philosophy of supporting local business.

The craft distilling industry is booming, with the latest statistics showing a 225% (560-1825) climb in distillers nationwide over the past 10 years. Of the 1,000 craft distillers that are in operation in the USA, approximately 400 of them are classified as farm distilleries, Murray’s Fools Distilling Co. is one of the 80 or so that currently operate in New York State. The closest distilleries to Murray’s Fools Distilling Co. are in Lake Placed, Lake Placid distillery, and Grist Mill in Keene.

“Our craft distilling start-up allows us to feed our creative cravings and take advantage of complimentary talents, while indulging our passion for fine, local beverages and advocate for the restorative importance of nature,” says Owner/Manager, Randall Beach, “and the timing is right as the industry is just in its beginning stages just as the craft brewing was thirty years ago.”

“Craft beverages are not just wonderful experiences and expressions of local, artisanal efforts, they have an important impact on the economy,” states Sarah Beach, Owner/Manager, “The growing number of distillers in New York will increase use of New York State grown grains and other produce, positively impact tourism as well as generating jobs”.

About Murray’s Fools Distilling Co.
Murray’s Fools Distilling Company is a fully licensed farm distillery located in upstate New York, just a few feet from the storied Adirondack Park.

The story of Murray's Fools Distilling Co. (MFD Co.) is based on our co-founder, Randall Beach’s, great-great-grandfather W.H.H. Murray (Adirondack Murray), and his advocacy of the Adirondacks and outdoor life. Considered by many to be the “Father of the Outdoor Movement,” Murray wrote and published Adventures in the Wilderness in 1869. This book brought huge, adventure seeking crowds into the Adirondacks, creating what the media of the time dubbed 'The Murray Rush'. So many people arrived after the book was published that there weren't enough accommodations, guides, etc.; hence these crowds were called 'Murray's Fools'. Later, these ‘Murray's Fools’ returned and built hundreds of 'Great Camps', hotels, vacation homes and clubs in the Adirondacks, making the Adirondack Mountains the destination place of the growing urban class., as well as the privileged.

Murray’s Fools Distillery Co. seeks to create and provide fine spirits fashioned for those who, just as the original Murray’s Fools, have independent streaks, courage, adventurous souls and live for nature’s quiet moments.