Raise a glass
AREA DISTILLERY SERVES UP PREMIUM, LOCAL SPIRITS by Tracy Ouellette
and they really appreciate that. It builds the community. In a world where it’s ‘one-click Amazon’ it’s nice to get back to what it used The Waterford Stillhouse opened for to be with people helping other people,” business officially in July of 2021, but Brandon said. owners, Brandon and Tammie Begotka, had For the Stillhouse, partnerships allow the been serving the community long before that. Begotkas to expand their offerings. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in “Right now we’re partnering with Dancing spring of 2020, while the couple was in Goat Distillery, they are storing our barrels of the process of setting up the distillery in light whiskey; we don’t have enough room for downtown Waterford, they saw the need for that. That will be our next release and it will hand sanitizer was outpacing supply and they be limited to six barrels and will probably be used their distilling equipment to manufacture released later this summer. We’re real excited their own hand sanitizer for local businesses for that.” and individuals. They are also partnering with Mobcraft, At the time, the Begotkas called it a “labor which is putting in a brewery in the former of love” and wanted to do anything they could firehouse behind the Stillhouse. to help the community. So, even while trying “They’re aging some beer in our used to open a brand new business in the middle of bourbon barrels,” Brandon said. a pandemic, they were serving the community The community has been supportive of in its time of need. the business in ways the Begotkas never Today, after two years of hard work, they top: The Waterford Stillhouse is open imagined, Brandon added. are serving their locally made spirits to the for business in downtown Waterford. The “Most of our servers started out as guests public in the completely renovated space on microdistillery offers premium locally brewed and really enjoyed the experience and asked Main Street. spirits. above: Brandon and Tammie Begotka, to be part of bringing that to other guests,” The Stillhouse’s vibe is one of friendship owners of the Waterford Stillhouse, celebrate Brandon said. and fellowship, Brandon said. Brandon’s birthday at their distillery. The Stillhouse employs about 13 part-time “We’ve got our park-let out front now, SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes workers, which is up from only one a year thanks to the help of the Village of Waterford, “Reesman is great to work with,” Brandon ago. and we’re getting a lot of good feedback with Community celebrations have also been said. “They’re an outstanding company that. People really enjoy a cocktail on Main important to the success of the downtown and we like to work with local companies Street.” businesses, including the Stillhouse. He added they were also excited about the whenever possible.” “It’s a lot of fun and we’re hoping people That spirit of supporting local, small patio out back. can make it down here. It’s a great way to businesses is a passion for the Begotkas, as “It’s a big step up from last year’s celebrate all the unique people and businesses they feel that support of their business has offering,” Brandon said. “Much nicer for our in Waterford.” made the Waterford Stillhouse possible. guests to have this outdoor seating.” The Waterford Stillhouse is at 228 E. Main “We’re really into local partnerships, the He added that the work on the patio was more local businesses work together the more St., Waterford. For more information, go to done by The Reesman Co. of Burlington and waterfordstillhouse.com. we can elevate the experience for our guests they were thrilled with the results. STAFF WRITER
SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES
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