Van Brunt Stillhouse
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This is a cool, out of the way distillery with a back alley feel next to dumpsters. The four of us opted for 2 flights of whiskeys and a side bourbon taster. The portions were very small, I would guess about half an ounce each. It was pretty expensive for a couple ounces. As a bit of a bourbon and rye aficionado, I'm sad to report that neither of the flights had anything I thought was good at all. Not like bad gasoline, but they were all a bit rough to swallow. Ok that we checked it out, but I really don't recommend it.
Stumbled upon this gem while waiting for friends in the area. Rather than wait outside in the rain, I went online and found the closest business that was open. I stumbled in to the warehouse entrance and followed signs to the tasting room. It's pretty cute and intimate with some bar seats, couches/lounge seating and dim lights. The staff was super nice and welcoming. I had time for just one cocktail, so I picked the Bold Rush. It's quite bold yet refreshing with notes of ginger and whiskey. I'll definitely keep them in mind next time I'm in the area and will come back for a tour when I have more time.
Stopped into Van Brunt Stillhouse on Saturday afternoon. A funky little distillery with a fun tasting and a very solid Bourbon. Quality: Van Brunt Stillhouse is a distillery focused on whiskey. They offer tours of the facility, but we just came for a Tasting and cocktail. I am not adept when it comes to whiskey, which made the Flagship Whiskey Flight a fun learning experience. Of the American, Bourbon, Rye, and White Rye options, the Bourbon was far and away my favorite. We also ordered the Old Fashioned and the Summer Gold Rush, both using the Bourbon we enjoyed, and the drinks further highlighted its complexity. Tastings come with $10 off a bottle, which we took advantage of as well, bringing home a bottle of Bourbon. Quantity: The Flagship Whiskey Flight came with four small tiny pours, around 1oz each. The Cocktails were small, but packed a punch. Value: $11 for the Flagship Whiskey Flight. $11-$12 for Cocktails. Ambiance: Van Brunt Stillhouse is a distillery located in the Red Hook area of Brooklyn. We had to do a loop around the building to find the entrance, but the key is to enter from the Bay Street side. After going up a flight of stairs, they have a nice little taproom as well as stacks of barrels filling up the facility. I really loved the taproom, which embraced the whiskey style. Industrial and natural elements are found throughout the room, including a few deer heads. We sat on comfy leather chairs, which were located near a little fireplace. It was too hot for it to be on, but I could imagine a winter visit, where that is the best spot to warm up with a glass. Crowd: Two other couples were also enjoying tastings in the taproom. It is a bit out of the way, but it is a worthwhile stop when trying the different alcohol facilities in the area. The indoor taproom is also dog friendly. Service: Extremely friendly and funny staff. Knowledgable about the product and willing to share their recommendations. Parking: A good deal of street parking across this industrial area.
Hidden Gem of Red Hook. Many people may not realize but there's actually a cute den with bar in the distillery where you can go to relax and have a drink. They even have board games and things of that sort. Fun Fact: I spent a snowstorm in there and it was so much fun. Apparently a lot of the locals had the same idea and everyone flocked there and it was a great time.
Pretty cool place, in a loading doc very tucked away. Cheap drinks, fast service. I'm still learning my way around the tasting effect of whiskey/alcohol but I truly enjoyed the smoothness and bold flavor of their White Rye. I even bought a bottle to sit pretty at my bar! I only wish they offered a better cocktail menu.
Suggestion: If you come here, come on your own free will and don't do the Living Social Deal. I kind of feel like its a rip off or something that encourages you to spend too much money. Second suggestion: Don't come here with a hangover. That's just a silly idea. Who would DO that?! I ended up admittedly buying a living social coupon and organized a small group of friends to check out the Van Brunt Stillhouse two weeks ago. The tour is worth it. It either costs $10 or is marked off as being free with the voucher and you pay $20 beforehand to use to your discretion on merchandise or drinks at their bar. But if you purchase the tour for $10 you can get $10 off a small bottle of whiskey or $20 off a large bottle from their store. The same thing applies if you buy the coupon and kind of makes it null. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of whiskey. But it's been growing on me gradually over the past few years. We were given mini tasting glasses for the tour and ended up going on a little voyage of sampling Rye, American Whiskey, Malt, Bourbon, Rum, and Shochu. The Bourbon is still by far my favorite as I expected and I ended up purchasing a wee little bottle before leaving. The tasting room is kind of adorable. It's like being in someone's parlour room with big swinging old western doors and a frayed carpet, with sofas and coffee table books. The only distasteful thing is the amount of flies. They keep the spot that can get insanely hot in the summer cooled with fans, but DAMN those flies and mosquitoes! Cocktails run you around $10. Now here is where I wish I could have applied my entire living social deal on the bottle. I didn't feel too much like drinking anymore after the tasting and would have found it most economical to slap the entire $20 on the small bottle. But being in that I could only charge $10 off (which is also the same deal if you just purchase the tasting) I had to spend the other $10 on something else. I went with a summer daiquiri made with whiskey. It was interesting. . . . but incredibly sour and after half the drink I just ended up relinquishing it to someone else that only purchased a t-shirt. The old fashioned that one of my friends ordered looked significantly better. It's a fun thing to do and I'm glad I have a nice parting gift that I'll probably only open under a special occasion.
Made a tour reservation for a group of six ($10 a person) on a Saturday afternoon. When arriving, there's a nice waiting room/bar to kick your feet up while the tour gets itself started. The guide walks you through the distillery as you get information on the distilling process as well as the history of the company. In addition to that, you get to sample four different types of liquor that they produce while walking around (not saved for the end). The one hour goes by fairly quickly, and you get to take as many pictures as you'd like. Afterwards you can chill at the bar and order more drinks if you like, though it's not incredibly spacious. Not really any food here either, so should really eat beforehand.
I went to a fabulous Italian restaurant in DC where the chef/owner infused grappa with a few of his old world recipes. (Lets revisit this concept in a bit) Great tour and tasting! Except I don't follow rules, I have my own schedule. I was told to register on the website for a tour at 1:30 or 4:00. Yeah, that's not gonna work. I have subway series Yankee game starting at 4:00. My buds want to eat before the game starts. Well, the amazing pizza didn't work out. The first nice weekend and everyone jammed the Brooklyn waterfront. We get to Van Brunt Stillhouse after the tour started. (My single buddies are already trying to hit on the bartender) She was very knowledgeable on the Whiskeys as well as the craft of distilling. She broke out a few Mason jars showing how much corn and grain ratios it takes to make a Van Brunt Stillhouse Whiskey. And man can she make a cocktail! I started with an old fashioned that was made perfectly. Made with their bitters and bourbon, it was an outstanding and very smooth drink. Also, a very generous pour. We also had a (3) glass tasting of their Bourbon, Whiskey and "Moonshine". The moonshine taste kinda like a Grappa. Very neutral. *Idea is now popping my head We go in the back and start conversing with the distiller. I love passionate folks, I can tell he was excited about the product they make in Red Hook. Which brings me to, Why open in Red Hook of all places?? When I was a kid, I knew this was a really rough neighborhood. I was told 10 years ago they got the place at a great rate and the neighborhood is changing which is a great thing. Very cool I ask the distiller, what if I made a coffee infused moonshine drink?! Can it be done?? Oh course, the moonshine like the Grappa is a very neutral spirit and the coffee will work well. I've heard of folks using Jalapeño too. Now that sounds funky! I work up this morning, took a mason jar and filled it with a cup of moonshine. Next, I took a handful of beans and crushed them to release the oils within the beans. I added the beans and closed the mason jar. Next weekend I should have a tasty new drink! Van Brunt Stillhouse is a great local distillery that offers tours and tastings. I highly recommend an afternoon to explore and sample Brooklyn's finest
Lee M and I spent the last sunny Sunday before Christmas doing something completely bat shit crazy.....while at the Yelp summer stunner at The Queens Museum a few months ago, Lee got to talking to the owner of Queens Courage, Chris Murillo,who was there graciously presenting his Old Tom Gin to the crowds. This is a small batch, locally distilled and bottled gin made with love. It was so memorable, that when the email inviting us to spend the day bottling the 3rd batch at Van Brunt Stillhouse in Red Hook Brooklyn , we jumped at the opportunity. It promised to be a long day of work...on our feet...and we were psyched !!! The terms would be such ; lunch, a bottle of the artisanal gin and a Queens Courage t shirt plus a drink after work in the tasting room for a 10-6 shift of bottling, labeling and boxing. Sounded like a plan. We set out early on Sunday morning, sure to wear closed toed shoes and dress in layers as instructed.....it was to be a cold, drafty factory. But the truth is that once we were working, I was perfectly comfortable, even a bit warm. The goal, was to perhaps complete 1 palate of boxes....roughly 600 bottles put 6 to a box. There were different stations and good team work meant a faster production line. One person opened and prepared the clean glass bottles while the next placed 4 under the spouts that delivered the distilled gin. The next person secured the cork tops and handed them to be labeled. That was my favorite part...placing the corked bottle sideways while pressing a lever with your foot, the labeled spun around the bottle perfectly securing a front and back hand designed label. The next person put the safety tab over the bottle top and a pretty tag boasting a 96 point rating for 2015 was hung around the top. Finally, 6 bottles were placed in special boxes and sealed, placed on the palate and stacked 5 levels high...600 bottles total. Then with a amazing sound and sheer skill, the entire palate was wrapped in plastic and hauled away on a huge cart. We were thrilled to complete one palate before we even had lunch. After some awesome Brooklyn Pizza from Big Daddy's down the block, we finished off yet another palate. At 4 pm we were given the challenge of completing yet another, which we did with gusto by 6pm....just in time to retire to the warm and cozy tasting room and indulge in some of the whiskey made by the distillery. All in all it was an amazing day...we met many new friends ( there were 7 of us in total plus the owner Chris ) and by the end of the day it was as if we had known each other forever. Lee and I truly look forward to our next bottling get together. You can sample Queens Courage in their Long Island City tasting room....it is worth the trip. !!!
The Stillhouse bar is warm and cozy, with a small-town feel. The music playing softly in the background was a fun mix of 80s & 90s hits. I came here on a Living Social deal. My tour included me, my date, and another couple, so it was small, intimate, and casual. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I came here on a rainy, fall day and missed out on the angel share smell. We were told it's really strong in the summer. I really enjoyed the whiskey tastings here. Van Brunt's whiskey is delicious, my favorite being the Bourbon. The American, Bourbon, Rye, and Single Malt smelled amazing and went down smooth, didn't burn the throat, and had great aftertastes. Their rum is tasty too, sippable with great flavor. I loved the Gold Rush cocktail but could also have the American or Bourbon straight.
From downtown Manhattan, you could either take a subway to Borough Hall and grab a bus B61 OR take the IKEA Water Taxi from Pier 11. I much prefer the latter cause it is quicker and more scenic. Van Brunt is located in a warehouse that is a couple of blocks away from IKEA. I paid $19 for a Living Social voucher, which includes a tour of the distillery, and a $20 drink/merchandise ticket. I ended up using it for a cocktail ($10) and the rest for a hat. I enjoyed the Old Fashion and the casual chic style of the bar. The tour was informative and included a couple more tastings of single malt rye and moonshine. I would definitely recommend the tour for both locals and tourists!
We were walking on Van Brunt and saw a sandwich board that said "free whiskey tasting on Bay Street". "Whiskey" and "free" are two of my favorite words, so we had to head on over there. They got their start making rum and grappa, and used their successes there to get into the whiskey business. Gotta respect that. As soon as you walk in (and even from the street), you're hit with all the different distillery smells. There's a small bar in the front (where they can only serve whiskey due to some state laws). They have a cocktail menu, where each drink is made with a different whiskey, or you can get a drink neat. $10 apiece, which is extremely reasonable. I highly recommend the Old Fashioned made with their American whiskey, which is great. Super smooth but you'll still feel it. Also had their single malt on the rocks, which I wasn't a big fan of. They do tours of the facility for $10 also. Our tour guide (whose name I forget) was super knowledgeable and passionate about his craft. He explained all the little things that Van Brunt does to improve quality that other distilleries might not. Also, there was a tiny chihuahua named Chico roaming around during the tour, and he was adorable. From what I heard, they have different dogs from time to time in the space. After the tour, we had a tasting of all of their whiskeys. My favorites were the American and the Moonshine. Van Brunt is definitely worth visiting. They have award winning rums and whiskeys, and it's always great to support local businesses and to get drunk while doing so!
1 year ago
Such a hidden gem! We stumbled upon this spot during our day in Red hook and were so happy we decided to check it out. It's off the beaten path, but definitely worth checking out. The bartenders were welcoming and friendly and explained their cocktail menu. They let us sample some of their gin before we decided on which cocktail we wanted. They have a small tasting room with bar seats, a few tables and two couches. Most cocktails were $15 each and very delicious/fresh! I tried two different ones and liked them both! I watched them freshly strain the raspberries to make the raspberry syrup that went into one of the drinks. Overall, the service was excellent and the cocktails were top notch! I would definitely recommend making this a stop when you need to get out of the heat and want a fresh handcrafted cocktail. read more
This is an easy 5 stars! I've never been to Red Hook so I decided to do a day trip with my gf. We were a little disappointed in the area but decided to stop by here for a drink. Walking in to the place you wouldn't think much but the staff is incredibly friendly and the drinks are delicious! They focus on Gin but the previous owners made whiskey and left the barrels for the new owner so they are selling whatever whiskey they have and once it's sold out it's out! This place is definitely worth stopping by. read more
I didn't know what to expect when we walked in but to my surprise this place was such a cool and chill vibe. Bartender was so fun to talk to and the brown couches were the place to sit in as a sipped on my cider. Places isn't too big but for a small groupe of people it's perfect. I'd come here again after eating down the street. read more
This is a cool, out of the way distillery with a back alley feel next to dumpsters. The four of us opted for 2 flights of whiskeys and a side bourbon taster. The portions were very small, I would guess about half an ounce each. It was pretty expensive for a couple ounces. As a bit of a bourbon and rye aficionado, I'm sad to report that neither of the flights had anything I thought was good at all. Not like bad gasoline, but they were all a bit rough to swallow. Ok that we checked it out, but I really don't recommend it. read more
7 years ago
Stumbled upon this gem while waiting for friends in the area. Rather than wait outside in the rain, I went online and found the closest business that was open. I stumbled in to the warehouse entrance and followed signs to the tasting room. It's pretty cute and intimate with some bar seats, couches/lounge seating and dim lights. The staff was super nice and welcoming. I had time for just one cocktail, so I picked the Bold Rush. It's quite bold yet refreshing with notes of ginger and whiskey. I'll definitely keep them in mind next time I'm in the area and will come back for a tour when I have more time. read more
Stopped into Van Brunt Stillhouse on Saturday afternoon. A funky little distillery with a fun tasting and a very solid Bourbon. Quality: Van Brunt Stillhouse is a distillery focused on whiskey. They offer tours of the facility, but we just came for a Tasting and cocktail. I am not adept when it comes to whiskey, which made the Flagship Whiskey Flight a fun learning experience. Of the American, Bourbon, Rye, and White Rye options, the Bourbon was far and away my favorite. We also ordered the Old Fashioned and the Summer Gold Rush, both using the Bourbon we enjoyed, and the drinks further highlighted its complexity. Tastings come with $10 off a bottle, which we took advantage of as well, bringing home a bottle of Bourbon. Quantity: The Flagship Whiskey Flight came with four small tiny pours, around 1oz each. The Cocktails were small, but packed a punch. Value: $11 for the Flagship Whiskey Flight. $11-$12 for Cocktails. Ambiance: Van Brunt Stillhouse is a distillery located in the Red Hook area of Brooklyn. We had to do a loop around the building to find the entrance, but the key is to enter from the Bay Street side. After going up a flight of stairs, they have a nice little taproom as well as stacks of barrels filling up the facility. I really loved the taproom, which embraced the whiskey style. Industrial and natural elements are found throughout the room, including a few deer heads. We sat on comfy leather chairs, which were located near a little fireplace. It was too hot for it to be on, but I could imagine a winter visit, where that is the best spot to warm up with a glass. Crowd: Two other couples were also enjoying tastings in the taproom. It is a bit out of the way, but it is a worthwhile stop when trying the different alcohol facilities in the area. The indoor taproom is also dog friendly. Service: Extremely friendly and funny staff. Knowledgable about the product and willing to share their recommendations. Parking: A good deal of street parking across this industrial area. read more
7 years ago
Hidden Gem of Red Hook. Many people may not realize but there's actually a cute den with bar in the distillery where you can go to relax and have a drink. They even have board games and things of that sort. Fun Fact: I spent a snowstorm in there and it was so much fun. Apparently a lot of the locals had the same idea and everyone flocked there and it was a great time. read more
Pretty cool place, in a loading doc very tucked away. Cheap drinks, fast service. I'm still learning my way around the tasting effect of whiskey/alcohol but I truly enjoyed the smoothness and bold flavor of their White Rye. I even bought a bottle to sit pretty at my bar! I only wish they offered a better cocktail menu. read more
Suggestion: If you come here, come on your own free will and don't do the Living Social Deal. I kind of feel like its a rip off or something that encourages you to spend too much money. Second suggestion: Don't come here with a hangover. That's just a silly idea. Who would DO that?! I ended up admittedly buying a living social coupon and organized a small group of friends to check out the Van Brunt Stillhouse two weeks ago. The tour is worth it. It either costs $10 or is marked off as being free with the voucher and you pay $20 beforehand to use to your discretion on merchandise or drinks at their bar. But if you purchase the tour for $10 you can get $10 off a small bottle of whiskey or $20 off a large bottle from their store. The same thing applies if you buy the coupon and kind of makes it null. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of whiskey. But it's been growing on me gradually over the past few years. We were given mini tasting glasses for the tour and ended up going on a little voyage of sampling Rye, American Whiskey, Malt, Bourbon, Rum, and Shochu. The Bourbon is still by far my favorite as I expected and I ended up purchasing a wee little bottle before leaving. The tasting room is kind of adorable. It's like being in someone's parlour room with big swinging old western doors and a frayed carpet, with sofas and coffee table books. The only distasteful thing is the amount of flies. They keep the spot that can get insanely hot in the summer cooled with fans, but DAMN those flies and mosquitoes! Cocktails run you around $10. Now here is where I wish I could have applied my entire living social deal on the bottle. I didn't feel too much like drinking anymore after the tasting and would have found it most economical to slap the entire $20 on the small bottle. But being in that I could only charge $10 off (which is also the same deal if you just purchase the tasting) I had to spend the other $10 on something else. I went with a summer daiquiri made with whiskey. It was interesting. . . . but incredibly sour and after half the drink I just ended up relinquishing it to someone else that only purchased a t-shirt. The old fashioned that one of my friends ordered looked significantly better. It's a fun thing to do and I'm glad I have a nice parting gift that I'll probably only open under a special occasion. read more
Made a tour reservation for a group of six ($10 a person) on a Saturday afternoon. When arriving, there's a nice waiting room/bar to kick your feet up while the tour gets itself started. The guide walks you through the distillery as you get information on the distilling process as well as the history of the company. In addition to that, you get to sample four different types of liquor that they produce while walking around (not saved for the end). The one hour goes by fairly quickly, and you get to take as many pictures as you'd like. Afterwards you can chill at the bar and order more drinks if you like, though it's not incredibly spacious. Not really any food here either, so should really eat beforehand. read more
I went to a fabulous Italian restaurant in DC where the chef/owner infused grappa with a few of his old world recipes. (Lets revisit this concept in a bit) Great tour and tasting! Except I don't follow rules, I have my own schedule. I was told to register on the website for a tour at 1:30 or 4:00. Yeah, that's not gonna work. I have subway series Yankee game starting at 4:00. My buds want to eat before the game starts. Well, the amazing pizza didn't work out. The first nice weekend and everyone jammed the Brooklyn waterfront. We get to Van Brunt Stillhouse after the tour started. (My single buddies are already trying to hit on the bartender) She was very knowledgeable on the Whiskeys as well as the craft of distilling. She broke out a few Mason jars showing how much corn and grain ratios it takes to make a Van Brunt Stillhouse Whiskey. And man can she make a cocktail! I started with an old fashioned that was made perfectly. Made with their bitters and bourbon, it was an outstanding and very smooth drink. Also, a very generous pour. We also had a (3) glass tasting of their Bourbon, Whiskey and "Moonshine". The moonshine taste kinda like a Grappa. Very neutral. *Idea is now popping my head We go in the back and start conversing with the distiller. I love passionate folks, I can tell he was excited about the product they make in Red Hook. Which brings me to, Why open in Red Hook of all places?? When I was a kid, I knew this was a really rough neighborhood. I was told 10 years ago they got the place at a great rate and the neighborhood is changing which is a great thing. Very cool I ask the distiller, what if I made a coffee infused moonshine drink?! Can it be done?? Oh course, the moonshine like the Grappa is a very neutral spirit and the coffee will work well. I've heard of folks using Jalapeño too. Now that sounds funky! I work up this morning, took a mason jar and filled it with a cup of moonshine. Next, I took a handful of beans and crushed them to release the oils within the beans. I added the beans and closed the mason jar. Next weekend I should have a tasty new drink! Van Brunt Stillhouse is a great local distillery that offers tours and tastings. I highly recommend an afternoon to explore and sample Brooklyn's finest read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
Lee M and I spent the last sunny Sunday before Christmas doing something completely bat shit crazy.....while at the Yelp summer stunner at The Queens Museum a few months ago, Lee got to talking to the owner of Queens Courage, Chris Murillo,who was there graciously presenting his Old Tom Gin to the crowds. This is a small batch, locally distilled and bottled gin made with love. It was so memorable, that when the email inviting us to spend the day bottling the 3rd batch at Van Brunt Stillhouse in Red Hook Brooklyn , we jumped at the opportunity. It promised to be a long day of work...on our feet...and we were psyched !!! The terms would be such ; lunch, a bottle of the artisanal gin and a Queens Courage t shirt plus a drink after work in the tasting room for a 10-6 shift of bottling, labeling and boxing. Sounded like a plan. We set out early on Sunday morning, sure to wear closed toed shoes and dress in layers as instructed.....it was to be a cold, drafty factory. But the truth is that once we were working, I was perfectly comfortable, even a bit warm. The goal, was to perhaps complete 1 palate of boxes....roughly 600 bottles put 6 to a box. There were different stations and good team work meant a faster production line. One person opened and prepared the clean glass bottles while the next placed 4 under the spouts that delivered the distilled gin. The next person secured the cork tops and handed them to be labeled. That was my favorite part...placing the corked bottle sideways while pressing a lever with your foot, the labeled spun around the bottle perfectly securing a front and back hand designed label. The next person put the safety tab over the bottle top and a pretty tag boasting a 96 point rating for 2015 was hung around the top. Finally, 6 bottles were placed in special boxes and sealed, placed on the palate and stacked 5 levels high...600 bottles total. Then with a amazing sound and sheer skill, the entire palate was wrapped in plastic and hauled away on a huge cart. We were thrilled to complete one palate before we even had lunch. After some awesome Brooklyn Pizza from Big Daddy's down the block, we finished off yet another palate. At 4 pm we were given the challenge of completing yet another, which we did with gusto by 6pm....just in time to retire to the warm and cozy tasting room and indulge in some of the whiskey made by the distillery. All in all it was an amazing day...we met many new friends ( there were 7 of us in total plus the owner Chris ) and by the end of the day it was as if we had known each other forever. Lee and I truly look forward to our next bottling get together. You can sample Queens Courage in their Long Island City tasting room....it is worth the trip. !!! read more
The Stillhouse bar is warm and cozy, with a small-town feel. The music playing softly in the background was a fun mix of 80s & 90s hits. I came here on a Living Social deal. My tour included me, my date, and another couple, so it was small, intimate, and casual. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I came here on a rainy, fall day and missed out on the angel share smell. We were told it's really strong in the summer. I really enjoyed the whiskey tastings here. Van Brunt's whiskey is delicious, my favorite being the Bourbon. The American, Bourbon, Rye, and Single Malt smelled amazing and went down smooth, didn't burn the throat, and had great aftertastes. Their rum is tasty too, sippable with great flavor. I loved the Gold Rush cocktail but could also have the American or Bourbon straight. read more
From downtown Manhattan, you could either take a subway to Borough Hall and grab a bus B61 OR take the IKEA Water Taxi from Pier 11. I much prefer the latter cause it is quicker and more scenic. Van Brunt is located in a warehouse that is a couple of blocks away from IKEA. I paid $19 for a Living Social voucher, which includes a tour of the distillery, and a $20 drink/merchandise ticket. I ended up using it for a cocktail ($10) and the rest for a hat. I enjoyed the Old Fashion and the casual chic style of the bar. The tour was informative and included a couple more tastings of single malt rye and moonshine. I would definitely recommend the tour for both locals and tourists! read more
We were walking on Van Brunt and saw a sandwich board that said "free whiskey tasting on Bay Street". "Whiskey" and "free" are two of my favorite words, so we had to head on over there. They got their start making rum and grappa, and used their successes there to get into the whiskey business. Gotta respect that. As soon as you walk in (and even from the street), you're hit with all the different distillery smells. There's a small bar in the front (where they can only serve whiskey due to some state laws). They have a cocktail menu, where each drink is made with a different whiskey, or you can get a drink neat. $10 apiece, which is extremely reasonable. I highly recommend the Old Fashioned made with their American whiskey, which is great. Super smooth but you'll still feel it. Also had their single malt on the rocks, which I wasn't a big fan of. They do tours of the facility for $10 also. Our tour guide (whose name I forget) was super knowledgeable and passionate about his craft. He explained all the little things that Van Brunt does to improve quality that other distilleries might not. Also, there was a tiny chihuahua named Chico roaming around during the tour, and he was adorable. From what I heard, they have different dogs from time to time in the space. After the tour, we had a tasting of all of their whiskeys. My favorites were the American and the Moonshine. Van Brunt is definitely worth visiting. They have award winning rums and whiskeys, and it's always great to support local businesses and to get drunk while doing so! read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
Chill vibe chill spot. Dig it. Took a bottle home after the trying the flight. The American whisky was the winner among the bunch. Funky stuff read more
Every time we visit NYC, we end up touring a distillery and Van Brunt did not disappoint. The tour guide was very friendly and informative and answered all of our burning questions. She even gave us some insight on the neighborhood, cool bars to go, the best view of the Statue of Liberty, etc. My husband, the whiskey drinker, enjoyed himself immensely and I even found their American whiskey quite tasty, despite the fact that I'm not really a whiskey drinker. We walked away with two bottles to take home and enjoy, since Van Brunt is currently only distributing in the NYC area. A tour and tasting will cost you $12, which is a bit steeper than some other places in the area, but in my opinion, worth it. You get to keep the cute tasting glasses too! Great place to visit if you're making a day of it in Red Hook. read more
9 years ago
Had a great time trying different whiskeys and appreciating the technique. Did the tour, bought on living social: tour tasting with awesome deals. Definitely have to have a cocktail at the bar, so worth it. My favorite is the Orange Fix, the others are delicious also. I sip on all of them and taking the tour before made it that more awesome. Cool thing to do for a date night, out with friends and even co-worker friendly lol Vibe is relaxed, you're able to have conversations and enjoy the ambiance. read more
11 years ago
I booked a private tour for me and 14 of my closest friends last weekend. We got to see all the processes of how the whiskey is made, from the different grains that go into it, milling, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling. We learned the difference between Whiskey, Bourbon & Rum (and Moonshine, which was an unexpected favorite) and then we got to taste everything (one tasting came straight from the barrel)! Our tour guide and whiskey expert Dora was amazing, she answered every question we had, and described the processes in details. She was very knowledgeable and pleasant, as were the bartenders (so sorry I didn't catch their names). They were very patient with us, even though we were the last tour of the day and we wanted to try EVERYTHING. They made us feel very comfortable, and we did not feel rushed AT ALL. All the cocktails on the list are exquisite (the best Old Fashioned I've ever had in my life. Also enjoyed the Gold Rush, and Moon Boots) They are very passionate about what they do, you can tell by how enthusiastic they are about the craft, and by how good everything tastes. I felt very good knowing I was supporting their dream. Definitely recommend the tour and tasting, for all that you get, it is amazingly inexpensive and you learn and TASTE a lot (I left very tipsy). Make a day of it, and go for BBQ at Brooklyn Ice House after. Perfect spring day, look forward to maybe going back with everyone in the fall. read more
11 years ago
Neat little experience for whiskey lovers You get a tour of the distillery and then a tasting of 3/4 different whiskeys. There are several whiskey based cocktails available for $10. Better than any bar. The tasting room has a really nice atmosphere for relaxing and sipping The bartenders are very friendly read more
5 years ago
11 years ago
I've been here a couple times for the tour and tastings. I really like the laid-back vibe of the place. You can quickly tell that the folks working there really enjoy what they do. The tour is very informative, and they've got insightful answers to the questions that are asked by the attendees. The whiskies are very tasty (the best that I've had from the three whiskey-producing distilleries I've visited in Brooklyn). I've now got bottles of the single malt and the American whiskey at home, and I'll be bringing a bottle of bourbon to a barbecue today. The cocktails they make are fantastic. The Old Fashioned is the best I've ever had. The Gold Rush is also really delicious. Well worth the trip out to Red Hook. read more
11 years ago
This family owned and operated distillery is a gem. Granted, it's a hike, but well worth it. You'll find excellent whiskey...small batch liquid gold. They got bourbon. They do single malt. And more. The friendly staff makes excellent cocktails in the tasting room for ten bucks a pop. Go there immediately. read more
9 years ago
Went to this distillery when it had first opened and there was no bar area. The owner gave us a little tour and let us sample some whisky. My sister and I ended up buying a bottle of bourbon each. After making the trek from the subway station there this past weekend, arriving around 6pm, I was told by the bartender that she couldn't serve me if I wasn't part of the 2 private parties that had just arrived. I thought it odd, especially since the place wasn't crowded and nobody else appeared to notice my friend or I except her. Was a total loss of time since it's not easy to get out to Red Hook, or back. I think she could've served us a single drink before cutting us loose. I was surprised she seemed to lack the decent customer service skills and friendliness that you can find in most old-school Brooklyn nabes. Maybe my review can bump up if I'm ever in the neighborhood and can get served a drink there. read more
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More info about Van Brunt Stillhouse
6 Bay St
Ste 1
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Red Hook
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(718) 887-6012
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