SAXTONS R I V E R
DISTILLING BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
WRITTEN BY AMBER G. CHRISTENSEN-SMITH
T
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAXTONS RIVER DISTILLING
he stories we hear coming from distilleries in the United
The pressure of survival caused his great grandmother to begin
States are always fascinating and unique. While some
distilling Krupnikas, a traditional Lithuanian honey liqueur. She,
elements are shared and build comradery, other pieces astound
with the help of her son (Stromberg’s grandfather), sold the illicit
and influence those dreaming of their own distilling business.
spirit in the Brooklyn area during a time of need. “This isn’t
The story of Saxtons River Distillery builds on that proud
some grand proud tradition, it was an illicit activity they did to
narrative of craft distilling.
survive”—but that moment of survival-inspired innovation was
Saxtons River Distilling is housed in the small and intimate town of Brattleboro, Vermont. It is here, in the southern part
what kept his great grandmother and her nine children afloat during a particularly difficult time in their lives.
of the state, that Brattleboro has evolved from a mill town
Jump forward one century. During a time where Stromberg
into more of an art-inspired destination that welcomes small
found himself not exactly in love with his job he departed from
business, innovative entrepreneurs, and art-minded individuals.
his mill occupation and decided he needed to make his own
Christian Stromberg, owner and distiller, didn’t directly find
way. Stromberg happily shares, “What my careers taught me
himself in distilling, however. He made a living as an engineer in
is running a distillery is a lot more fun.” Relying on his family
a steel mill, among other various occupations, in this beautiful
tradition of making Krupnikas, Stromberg took this recipe and
area of Vermont. Yet as in so many stories, distilling was in
found a way to use Vermont maple syrup instead of honey, and
the blood. Stromberg’s family had a long tradition of distilling
he created his first spirit—the Sapling Maple Liqueur.
rooted in their heritage, and necessitated by his ancestors need to support a large and growing family.
Stromberg was soon up and running with a uniquely innovative product. From there, Stromberg has created a Sapling Maple
His family immigrated to the United States from Lithuania, in
Bourbon and a Sapling Maple Rye that are both aged in
order to escape the Czar’s control in the early nineteen-hundreds.
American Oak barrels, and a Perc Coffee Liqueur that utilizes
The family quickly assimilated into the American lifestyle, and
Arabica coffee beans that are roasted locally by Mocha Joe’s
were able to make a living in coal mining. But tragedy struck
Roasting Co.
when Stromberg’s great grandfather passed away, leaving his
Stromberg definitely knows how important staying local is. He
great grandmother to fend for herself and her nine children.
has a background in industry supply chains and he knows how
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