Latest Pour: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Welcome to this edition of Latest Pour: Interesting Stories in Booze, Brews, and Bubbles You Should Know About, where we dive into the latest stories from the vibrant world of breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more. Pour yourself a glass and join us as we explore these captivating tales from the world of craft liquids!
Brothers Wright Distilling Co. Acquires Alltech’s Pikeville Distillery
Brothers Wright Distilling Co. has acquired Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, Pearse’s Place restaurant, welcome center, and tasting room in downtown Pikeville, Kentucky, from Alltech’s Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. This acquisition expands Brothers Wright’s operations into a 30,000-square-foot facility, which has been pivotal in Pikeville’s economic revitalization since its opening in 2018. Known for aging Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in a historic underground mine, Brothers Wright plans to centralize its spirits production in Pikeville, utilizing the facility’s extensive brewing and distilling equipment. The acquisition aims to boost local job creation, tourism, and cultural preservation, with plans to enhance the restaurant and add new community-focused amenities. Read more
Rochester’s First Post-Prohibition Distillery Shutting Down
Black Button Distilling, Rochester’s first craft distillery since Prohibition, is closing its doors. Founder and CEO Jason Barrett announced the shutdown on Facebook, citing challenging economic times as the reason. The distillery’s tasting room will close on July 12, and Barrett invited the public for a final visit. Black Button Distilling, which started on Railroad Street and later moved to a larger facility on University Avenue, was known for its locally sourced ingredients and popular products like the Bespoke Bourbon Cream Liqueur, which was served on JetBlue flights. The closure will affect between 51 and 200 employees. Read more
Bakery Chain Appoints Cardiff’s Bridge Coffee Roasters as Artisan Coffee Supplier
Warrens Bakery, the world’s oldest Cornish pasty maker, has selected Bridge Coffee Roasters as its new artisan coffee supplier for its 47 UK bakery stores. The Cardiff-based Bridge Coffee Roasters will provide its medium hand-roasted Wild Meadow blend. Craig Wood of Warrens Bakery expressed excitement about offering responsibly sourced, high-quality coffee to customers. James Legg of Bridge Coffee Roasters looks forward to a successful partnership, emphasizing the growing and innovative coffee market. Warrens Bakery, established in 1860, operates across various locations in the UK. Read more
New Owners Brewing, Roasting at Trail Creek Coffee Roasters in Kasson
The McGinn family of Rochester has purchased Trail Creek Coffee Roasters in Kasson, Minnesota. The new owners, Alec, Ashley, Jason, and Emily McGinn, are committed to continuing the tradition of providing high-quality, freshly roasted coffee to the community. They have been learning roasting skills from the previous owners, Jim and Crystal Whitmarsh, who are moving to Michigan. The McGinns plan to reopen the coffee shop soon and are excited to expand their wholesale operations to bring their specialty coffee to more cafes and grocers in Southern Minnesota. The coffee shop is known for its community atmosphere and diverse coffee selections from around the world. Read more
Judge Awards Nearly $50M in Damages to Old Mission Wineries
A federal judge has awarded nearly $50 million in damages to nearly a dozen wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in a lawsuit against Peninsula Township. Judge Paul Maloney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled that the township’s zoning ordinances, which restricted the wineries from hosting events, were unconstitutional. The judge found that these restrictions burdened the wineries’ operations and were applied unreasonably. The wineries were awarded significant damages for their inability to host events, with individual awards ranging up to nearly $12 million for Chateau Chantal. Winery representatives expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating it would allow them to focus on their core business and community engagement. Read more
Cañon City’s Historic Abbey Winery Wins in International Wine Competition
The Abbey Winery in Cañon City has achieved international recognition by winning three awards at the U.K.-based Decanter World Wine Awards. The winery’s 2022 Merlot and 2023 Viognier both received silver awards, while their Syrah won a bronze award. This accomplishment marks the first time a winery in the state has won a silver award from this prestigious competition. The Abbey Winery, originally founded by Catholic monks in 2001 and purchased by Larry Oddo in 2005, is noted for its traditional wine-making techniques that emphasize the natural flavors of the grapes. Read more
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the world of craft liquids. Whether you’re a seasoned craft liquids enthusiast or just starting to explore the diverse flavors and stories behind each release, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. Until next time, cheers to great drinks and the memories we each create with every sip!
