Do you love sampling locally crafted beverages and culinary delights when you travel? If so, Krookid Leyk Distillery needs to be on your Hammondsport itinerary. Offering handcrafted spirits and an authentic New York State product, this distillery is a must-visit.
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Keep reading to see why you will want to stop at Krookid Leyk Distillery during your getaway. From Chief Cinnamon Whiskey and creative coffee flights to delicious bar bites, there is something for everyone. Under 21 or a Teetotalist? No problem. There are plenty of alcohol-free treats as well.
Plan Your Visit to Krookid Leyk Distillery
Location: 14322 NY 54, Hammondsport, NY
Phone Number: (607)426-1063
Hours of Operation: Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM (holiday hours may vary)
Located just ten minutes from The Hammondsport Hotel, Krookid Leyk Distillery sits in the picturesque countryside of Steuben County. Their state-of-the-art facility features a sleek and modern design with a masculine farmhouse style. Guests are invited to stop by the tasting room for a flight or to order a cocktail. Their “Spirit Guides” are also available to educate visitors about the production process and to offer insight into what gives each spirit its unique flavor.
This family-owned micro-distillery crafts a boutique-style product, perfect for the discerning spirit sampler.
They are open 4 days a week for tours, tastings, small-menu nibbles, wine, beer, and other special treats. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside at one of the picnic tables on the patio and enjoy the beautiful view of Keuka Lake.
Visitors should check their Facebook page for specials, happenings, and pop-up events.
What Spirits Are Produced at Krookid Leyk Distillery?
Discover premium small-batch spirits with distinctive flavors. This New York distillery uses only fresh, locally sourced ingredients and offers a complex product with an uncomplicated taste. Here are some of the spirits produced at Krookid Leyk Distillery.
- Wheat Vodka
- Corn Vodka
- Chief Cinnamon Whiskey
- Whitecap Gin
- Rye Whiskey
- Driftwood Rum
- Bourbon
How Are These Handcrafted Spirits Made?
After sourcing local, fresh, and organic farm-direct grains, the process begins.
Step One: Mashing
Milled grains are added to filtered water and cooked for several hours. The heat and enzymes convert starches to sugar, creating a “mash.” This is cooled and transferred to a Fermenter.
Step Two: Fermenting
Next, yeast is added, and the temperature is manually controlled to optimize fermentation. Carbon dioxide and ethanol are released as the yeast consumes the sugars in the mash. This process takes three days to several weeks, with a resulting product (alcohol) called Distillers Beer.
Step Three: Distilling
After the sugar is converted to alcohol, it is transferred to a Still. The Still uses a process of evaporation and condensation to isolate the ethanol, resulting in a low-proof clear spirit. This process is repeated until there is a pure, high-proof product.
Step Four: Infusion and Maturation
In this step, additional flavors can be added to enhance the unique product. For spirits that require aging, this is when maturation happens.
Step Five: Filtering and Bottling
After the spirits have reached perfection, they are filtered and bottled. Now, it is ready to be enjoyed.
Krookid Leyk Distillery uses custom-made equipment to produce its unforgettable selection of spirits.
Book Your Stay at The Hammondsport Hotel
The Hammondsport Hotel is the perfect home base for all your Finger Lakes and Western New York adventures. With clean and comfortable guest rooms, fantastic amenities, and a central location, you will be so glad you stayed with us. Book your stay at The Hammondsport Hotel today!
For more local distillers to add to your vacation itinerary, click here.