Already it’s been a good week. The builders finished the shell today and handed us the keys. Jules started looking for her broom to start sweeping. She’s already thinking about decorating and I’m already thinking about cooking. Figures.

Also, the Six Spigot Bottle Filler from GWKent arrived yesterday. I wanted to try it out but left it in the box. I know it’s still months away from its inaugural run.

The first order for bottles was also made this week. Everyone needs a pallet of Flint and Antique Green Bellisima bottles and a plethora of bartops. I have bought more strange things lately.

We get one of our first inspections next week. Mat Bocian will be paying us a visit, checking out the area and digs. Some of you may know him better as the Verona Gentleman. Locals and WS members can expect an invitation to meet this fine gentleman and join him on a tour of the facilities. That should take about 5 minutes in the building and 10 more to survey the Artemisia Plantation. I’m not sure what we could possibly do after that except build a fire and get out the poking sticks.

The fire ring was pretty active this weekend. There has been much to celebrate. Cheers, Ya’ll.

2 pieces of sheet metal: that all that was missing from the order and all that’s left for the contractor to finish. Somehow, the order came up a little short so the building shell will be finished Monday. Or Tuesday.

24 X 24: That’s the building size. Not huge but big enough to make a few bottles of absinthe, eventually. 10′ walls, 14′ at the peak gives it a nice air of roominess inside.

200 liters: Still size. Pretty small but big enough to serve us for a long time. 200 liters is just under 53 gallons. Think of a 55 gallon barrel as a size reference. No, we can’t produce 50 gallons of liquor each run but it gives everyone an idea of size.

When will we be able to start production? I have no idea. Still too many details but slowly, they are unfolding. Cheers!
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Edit in response to Ron’s comment:
One of the advantages of my theatre background is a diverse ability to do a lot of things. Many of them, half-assed.
Plumbing is too easy.
Lighting? I am a Theatre Master Electrician which means, I’ll run all the electrics, cable, plugs, switches, circuit breaker box, etc…
Then I’ll have a real electrician stop by, double-check my work and plug us into the mains.
Oh…Montana? No zoning restrictions here. I can build what I want when I want and no one cares. Sweet.

The still is somewhere between Montana and Portugal. I have no idea when it will arrive. Probably next week. It shouldn’t come near any Somali pirates, should it?!!!
I have four 30 gallon stainless steel tanks still in their boxes, waiting for me to build their stand (I’m a stage carpenter, too).
The bottle filler was ordered yesterday and should arrive early next week.
The heat-source installer (probably not a real title) is scheduled to connect our direct heat system a week from today.
I’m waiting for two more bottle quotes to come in before I finalize our commitment on bottle style.

I’m sure there are many more things waiting to blindside me. Fortunately, I have a wealth of friends and family (especially Wormwood Society Pros) that have been immeasurably helpful.

The workmen attacked the building with a passion, almost completing the shell. Tomorrow will see the final pieces of metal exterior go up and the doors installed.

Not as splashy but very exciting for me, a big freight truck arrived with a load of stainless steel storage tanks.

Last bit of news for today, the county gave Ridge Distillery it’s very own address: 19 Artemisia Way. That will work just fine.

I just received photos of Ridge’s still from Portugal. It is shipping out next week.

Nah, I’m not excited.

Tuesday, May 5
This should be a big week. The concrete truck is supposed to arrive today to pour the floor slab but that may be delayed. The rain is falling and I can’t get upset about that. The herb farm needs a nice long soak which is probably more pressing than the concrete. We are also anticipating the delivery of stainless steel storage barrels and a shiny new copper still. The living room could get very interesting if the rain continues for long.

Maybe I’ll find time to figure how out this blog-thing works.

This blog has been created for our family and friends wanting to follow the progress of Ridge Distillery, a micro-distillery in the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana. We are determined to bring our own hand-crafted, high quality absinthe, genepy and maybe other small-batch herbal beverages from dream to reality. This is the official start. Please feel free to comment, make suggestions or joke about our many challenges.

Currently, the building is quickly going up and a beautiful copper still is being made in Portugal. We expect the shell to be completed and the still to arrive by mid-May. Lot’s of other goodies are ordered and the pieces are falling into place for our application to the federal and state authorities. It has been an interesting adventure thus far and I’m sure it’s only starting.
Cheers!
Joe