Distillery brings spirits to Sisters

Craft distilling of liquor has become a nationwide culinary trend similar to the proliferation of craft breweries, with people sampling new and interesting examples of vodka, gin, and whiskey.

Now Sisters is on the distilling map with the arrival of Cascade Street Distillery.

Brother-and-sister team Nick and Katie Beasley have opened the Cascade Street Distillery tasting room at 261 W. Cascade Ave. in downtown Sisters. They are offering a taste (or a bottle) of North Sister Vodka and will soon offer South Sister Gin. Broken Top Bourbon will be on its way in October.

The Beaseleys are renting equipment through Bendistillery for now as they work on securing an industrial-park-area facility for their distilling.

Their small-batch, handmade spirits offer exceptional ingredients and care.

"We use a GMO-free corn," Nick explained. "We distill it six times, and filter it six times and we use water from here - which is some of the best in the world."

In the case of the vodka, that means a vodka taste with an aftertaste that dissipates instantly.

Locals and visitors alike are enjoying the well-appointed tasting room, with all locally sourced fixtures (including a bar made by Earthwood Homes) and reasonably priced drinks. Labels on the bottles feature landscapes by Sisters artist Dan Rickards.

"You've gotta get all three bottles on your shelf," Nick said. "Then you have the Cascades skyline."

The proprietor said, "I always recommend (customers) get a flight so they get a sample of everything."

Katie noted that "we also like to explain the craft of all the liquors that are here. It's kind of like a learning experience as well."

Nick jumped into the liquor business when he was recruited as a brand manager while in college at Oregon State University. Katie's background is in media communications.

Nick said he was attracted to the business because it is creative and adventurous.

"It's fun; it's new," he said. "Beer industry is fun; the wine industry is fun - but there's only so much you can do because the base is always going to be hops or grapes. With liquor, the possibilities are endless."

The family handles all their own production, which means they work a lot. And they love it. Their goal is to be a landmark for Sisters.

Nick said they chose this town because - with distilleries springing up everywhere - Sisters was still open territory. Sisters is a tourist town, which they believe will help spread the word about their products. And the natural beauty, good water, and recreational opportunities were all attractive.

The brother-sister team is young and ambitious, helping to pioneer a new and dynamic field. So far, the naysayers have been silent, which they take as a sign that they're on to something.

"When you go into business, people say 'Why are you doing that?'" Nick reflected. "We haven't had one person say that."

For more information visit http://cascadestreetdistillery.com.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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