ON LOCATION DISTILLERIES IN KANSAS

RAISE SPIRITS BY ADDING A TWIST

By Cecilia Harris, writer, KSAE magazine

Conference attendees thirst for a place to unwind after a long day of listening to speakers. Replacing a venue’s traditional cocktail reception with a distillery event adds a twist that allows participants to raise their spirits by imbibing in enjoyable sampling sessions, fascinating facility tours and relaxing settings that quickly lighten moods. In addition, many distilleries provide gathering spaces for comfortable breakout sessions or board meetings, while others are large enough to host a conference.

These three distilleries take any meeting to the next level with one-of-a-kind experiences attendees will never forget.

Boot Hill Distillery, Dodge City

Located in Dodge City’s former Municipal Building constructed on ground that was originally the location of Boot Hill Cemetery during the late 1800s cattle trail era, the Boot Hill Distillery embraces the city’s past and honors its rich whiskey tradition that began in the town’s early-day saloons.

The distillery’s soil-to-sip spirits are made using the owners’ own harvested grain, from which whiskey, bourbon, vodka and gin are crafted through milling, mashing, fermentation, distilling and bottling, all done on-site.

Several options are available for planners wishing to provide activities during a meeting or conference.

“One thing I’ve done in the past as an add-on for a meeting was a class on how whiskey ages, and incorporated a tasting into that,” says Lee Griffith, director of sales. “We’ve done cocktail classes as well.”

During a private one-hour tour, the distillery’s six core spirits are sampled after guides discuss the building and location history and explain the distilling process.

“The tour is an optional add-on if someone rents out our space,” Griffith says. “And some groups we have come specifically for the tour.”

If requested, staff will supply selected drinks or provide a bartender with a limited cocktail menu during a break in a meeting at the facility; however, any food options must be catered as there is no kitchen.

Once a meeting concludes, attendees may adjourn to the Tasting Room when open during regular business hours

Boot Hill Distillery in Dodge City makes spirits, including whiskey, bourbon, vodka and gin, from the owners’ own harvested grain.

with no rental fee. Staffed by the distillery’s craft bartenders creating handmade cocktails, the lounge also may be rented for private events. With leather sofas and lounge chairs placed in multiple small settings, it offers space for 44 people to enjoy a casual and intimate meeting.

Formerly the Dodge City jail, the Jail Board Room is just the right size for a 20-person board meeting. The Patio, with fire pits, lights and seating for up to 60 people, offers views of southern Dodge City and the sweeping landscape beyond.

Union Horse Distilling Company, Lenexa

Established in Lenexa by four siblings, Union Horse Distilling Company produces hand-crafted, award-winning spirits in small batches. Private, two-hour tours are conducted by knowledgeable guides who explain the milling and mashing of grains, fermentation to distillation to barreling and finally to bottling. Introduced is Chester Copperpot, the shiny copper still in which the vodkas and whiskeys are distilled. The tour includes Union Horse samplings in the Rider Room, an intimate cocktail lounge.

continued from page 6 Mary Garcia Gallagher, co-founder and director of special events, suggests scheduling a private distillery tour in the middle of the day to break up long meetings at her facility or elsewhere.

Activities for those attending a meeting at Union Horse focus on the excitement of trying the distillery’s products and cocktails.

“We have a list of signature cocktails that we like to offer our renter during the planning process,” she says of several concoctions she suggests become a part of the bar menu. “With us being a distillery, it’s really important to us to showcase our spirits in a positive way, especially if guests have not had our spirits before.”

The distilling company, which rents to only one group per day, offers three event spaces; The Paddock Room, The Rider Room and The Stable.

“A group will have a meeting in the Paddock Room, and then have a happy hour in the Rider Room,” says Gallagher. “That is actually our most common configuration.”

With a custom leather bar, rich woods, tufted leather furniture and unique lighting, the Rider Room offers space for 50-75 people to unwind and socialize while drinking Union Horse whiskey flights or Kansas beers and wines.

The Paddock Room’s hand-painted wall, custom furniture and captivating artwork provide a unique atmosphere for 72 attendees in classroom seating and 200 people in stadium seating. It has a 60” projection screen and projector with VGA and HDMI hookup capabilities, full surround sound speakers, and electronic darkening shades.

The distillery also offers a third event space, The Stable, for a combined facility total of 6,500 square feet that may be transformed to accommodate 50-200 people. Overlooking the distilling facility, The Stable is ideal for large gatherings such as seated dinners for 140 people and conferences up to 200 guests. It features 20-foot-high ceilings, an audio and lighting system, DVD player and a 42” LCD television.

Trolley House Distillery, Emporia

Billed as a small-town distillery featuring easy sipping spirits and a laid-back atmosphere, Trolley House Distillery in Emporia provides the perfect intimate setting for small groups.

The Tasting Room seats 40 and is available for rent during non-public hours; however, a planner would need to hire a caterer if desiring more than light bar food, according to owner Josh Williams.

The Union Horse Distilling Company in Lenexa was established by four siblings.

Emporia’s Trolley House Distillery is billed as a smalltown distillery featuring a laid-back atmosphere.

“Either through the business Facebook or by stopping in would be the best ways to get ahold of me to book an event,” Williams says, adding a private tour could be a possibility.

Even if the Tasting Room is open to the public, arrangements may be made for 10-15 people to sit together to sip on the distillery’s offerings.

“We currently offer corn whiskey, as well as five flavors of moonshine and plan to add five additional flavors and a vodka this year,” he says. “Our first bourbon barrel should be opened sometime in December.” F

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