Finishing Touches – It’s All In The Details

I've learned a lot of things over the past week as the building renovation project is coming to an end. It’s all about the finishing touches and it’s all in the details. CD Products, our neighbors next door, created our exterior sign and assembled it last week. Matt and Chad, our electricians, are doing the final hook up as I write. The lit sign looks really awesome during the day; we can’t wait to see the sign illuminate tonight. Ken and Dave are finishing up the tile work in the lobby, while Bob, Eric and Joe work away on the plumbing in anticipation for the stills which are on their way. The grain and barrels have been ordered and our bottles are here. Big equipment arrives daily like the huge chilling tower we endearingly call the spaceship. More equipment is on the way and Matt is working on production details. 

As we transition out of the renovation project, the weekly blog will move from construction to production. With that, today’s blog photo of the illuminating sign inspired me to share a recipe for a cocktail I had last weekend. It’s called an Aviation Cocktail. It is a tasty drink and beautiful in the glass too. Put all ingredients (see below) in a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass. This is a perfect cocktail served poolside on a hot, summer day or as you stare at an illuminated J. Carver Distillery sign under the sky. Either way CHEERS and ENJOY!

Aviation Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:
•    2 ounces of gin
•    1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
•    ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
•    2 dashes of crème de violette
•    Orange peel or maraschino cherries for garnish

Aviation Cocktail

Buzzing with activity - No peeking in our windows

Fermentation Tanks

Ark anyone? All the rain is putting a damper on outside activities but it’s not having an effect on what’s happening under our roof. No peeking in our windows. The distillery has been buzzing with activity this week, including the delivery of our fermenter tanks on Monday, and a pair of 5,000 gallon water tanks on Tuesday. Steam lines are being installed and plumbing is coming along as well. Our RO system is completely installed and operational. We are putting the finishing touches on the sample bar build out with great work done yesterday by Technomark who installed our really cool back lit logo on the wall. The final tiles are being laid today on the back bar and we look forward to the samples we will serve you when we open for tours. Many of you have been asking, and will be able to zone in on an opening date once we receive notification that our stills are on a boat. Stay tuned! Until then, I’ve been updating photos of all the daily distillery progress. Take some time to check it out on our gallery. Cheers to all and try to stay dry!

Venue Change – A Taste Of Minnesota Comes To Waconia

Have you heard the buzz? Excitement is mounting because A Taste of Minnesota is coming to Waconia July 3-6! The venue change is a result of all the heavy rains which flooded Harriet Island. We are so excited to welcome everyone to Waconia for the Taste. Food, fireworks, fun and a lot of great music this week for our community AND no rain in the forecast! While you’re here, check out the town as Waconia’s got a lot going on. The Waconia Chamber has great information on their website and we encourage you to check out our friends at the local wineries and breweries in our community. Stay tuned for updates. J. Carver Distillery may have a booth at the event.

J. Carver Distillery “Golf With A Purpose” Tournament – Raise the Grandstand”

With all the crazy weather and penetrating rain this week, you’d think our construction guys would be busy building an ark instead of the distillery.   A lot has happened around the distillery this week. The cupola is complete, the sampling bar is being put together, the floor in the production space is getting its final coat, and we are wrapping up all the painting. Whew! Go to the gallery page on our website to see the latest photos. With that being said, today’s blog will not focus on the renovation project or equipment but will focus on sunshine, great times and a round of “golf with a purpose”.  A couple of weeks ago, I announced J. Carver Distillery was planning an annual charity golf tournament and every year would benefit a different local organization or charity. The Waconia Baseball Association is embarking on a great project to build a grandstand. The grandstand will be a great addition to the community and we are proud to support this effort. The grandstand will be a place where kids, families and the community can gather to watch the teams who play in and for Waconia, creating memories for a lifetime. That is why we are pleased to announce the first annual J. Carver Distillery “Golf With A Purpose” Tournament. Help us raise $35,000 to “Raise the Grandstand”. As noted in the earlier blog, the event will take place on Monday, August 18th at Island View Golf Course in Waconia. We will tee off at 1:00 pm with a Shot Gun Scramble. 

All you need to do is RSVP your commitment to rsvplease@embarqmail.com and write a tax-deductible $250 check made out to the Waconia Baseball Association by August 18th. ALL of your contribution will go to the Grandstand Project as Sponsors will cover all costs of golf, food, and drinks. Join us for a day a FUN "Golfing With A Purpose" while supporting a GREAT cause- Waconia Baseball Association - "Raise the Grandstand".

Puzzle Pieces - Renovation Project Is Nearing Completion

One of the best moments in a building renovation project is when all the pieces come together and everything starts falling into place. I know we are at this point in our process at the distillery because the “TASKS COMPLETED” column is longer than the “TO DO” list. From the receiving door to the production floor and the sampling room to the barrel house, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. I will be updating the gallery with photos of the cupola, the assembling of the sampling bar, the tile floors and the painting projects as well as all the other areas nearing completion over the course of this week. Thank you for all the support from our distillery friends, fans and family. We are nearing the end. It has been an incredible journey! A big shout out in celebration to all of you Dad’s on this special day! Just think, next year we look forward to raising a glass of J. Carver spirits in honor of all you do. Happy Father’s Day from all of us to you.