If you have always been curious about the distilling process, GlenPharmer Distillery just might be the best way to immerse yourself in spirits knowledge through its grain-to-glass distillery tour.
The Franklin, MA distillery is located in a restored 1800s textile mill building complete with historic covered bridge. At this self-distributing location, they offer a variety of hand-crafted spirits that range from Reserve Spiced Rum to Vodka Infused with Cranberries.
Husband-and-wife owners Pat and Beth Downing are pharmacists by day and distillers “by passion.” After opening here just two years ago, they have already won 24 prestigious awards, including a Best in Class win at the “Oscars of the spirits world.”
In 2018, Pat, who is a lover of scotch, took a leap of faith to explore their shared passion and enrolled in Moonshine University in Kentucky to learn all about the distillery process. Once they knew they were going to move forward with their shared love of distilling and desire to create award-winning spirits, the Downings took over the former Incontro space and hired a head distiller and assistant distiller to create the spirits.
As for the name GlenPharmer, “the word glen is a narrow valley with a river running through it,” Pat said, while “Pharmer” is a nod to their shared professions as pharmacists and its location as a former farm. (The 1931 Ford Model AA flatbed truck out front serves as a historic reminder as the vehicle once used by the farmers to carry grains).
The distilling production area here consists of enormous two-story copper and stainless steel steam-jacketed pot stills. There are five stainless steel 800-gallon fermenters along with a single 800-gallon Mash Tun/Lauter Tun along with vodka and whiskey columns where they churn out small-batch productions of spirits.
Their distilled vodka has a smooth and sweet finish while their gin features 11 different botanicals (think juniper, fresh cucumber, lemon zest and hibiscus). The Double Gold Medal Winner “GlenQuila” is a reposado aged for six months. Dark Ride Rum is barrel aged for six months in New American oak barrels which allows it to take on some characteristics of whiskey. One of our favorite spirits was Bog, a deliciously smooth vodka infused with cranberries to offer a light flavor without the sweetness. If you love spicy flavors, you won’t want to miss sampling “Bhut,” their ghost-pepper infused vodka.
After the tour, we recommend heading over to the tasting room where Executive Chef Eric Zediker heads up the scratch kitchen that offers “polished casual dining.” We got started with a delicious Cranberry Smash cocktail made with Bog, orange-honey and imported blood orange soda. If you are looking for a cocktail with a jaw-dropping presentation, be sure to try the Smoked Old Fashioned made with Dark Tide Rum, Thai tea, brown sugar, cherry and smoked chili bitters uncovered tableside to reveal the smoky cocktail.
When it comes to dining here, expect the unexpected. Take, for example, the chili grilled octopus that arrives with chili popcorn and a plum glaze. The melt-in-your-mouth short rib bites were also a standout starter accompanied by grilled bacon, yellow plantains and topped with a Korean glaze.
The addicting Pharmer flatbread is ideal for sharing, topped with a delicious bacon-onion compote made with their own Dark Tide Rum, Great Hill blue, mozzarella, arugula, shaved parmesan and decadent white truffle oil. Moving right along, the grilled skillet chicken was cooked perfectly – a crisp outside revealed a juicy interior served with a side of broccolini. We also loved the pan seared salmon with Swiss chard and cucumber asparagus salad.
The distillery also offers a “private barrel program” where the spirit is stored in barrels here from two to 12 years before bottling. To give you an idea of volume, each barrel yields roughly 300 bottles making it is a popular gift for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or corporate events.
Keep an eye out in November as they introduce their first bourbon. Whether you come for a tour, tasting or to take one of their spirits home to enjoy, GlenPharmer Distillery offers an unforgettable experience.
GlenPharmer Distillery is located at 860 West Central Street in Franklin, Mass.
