Coronado locals and business partners, Bill Rogers and Steve Grella, have officially hit the market with their line of handcrafted distilled spirits under their brand, “Liberty Call Distilling.” Nado set the scene for their venture which brings a craft micro distilled rum, spiced rum and gin to local stores, restaurants and bars.
The story began over beers during weekly meetings of the Island Beer Club where Rogers and Grella hatched an idea to develop their own brand of micro-distilled spirits in a market nationally known for its micro-breweries. Rogers, with the help of a friend and chemical engineer, began with the necessary research. In 2013, they traveled to Bardstown, Kentucky for the annual Bourbon Festival. They toured the blue grass distilleries and talked with master distillers about their dream of crafting spirits in California. Rogers then hit the books and internet, to hone his craft.
For Grella, distilling is in his blood. Originally from Florida with roots in Tennessee, he comes from a long line of moonshiners. “Craft” is simply the elite name for what generations of Tennesseans have been doing for years.
The next chapter of their dream – the bureaucracy of California. As its stands, beer and wine lobbyists have made California a comfortable haven of micro-breweries and every family’s own personal wine label. Unfortunately, spirit producers have not had the political clout necessary to make craft spirits as easily able to produce and market. Unlike breweries and wineries, California spirit producers were not even permitted to have on-site tasting rooms until last year and are not permitted to sell directly to the public or self-distribute their own products. This creates a tiered system whereby the “middle-man” (independent distributor) is required by state law. Liquor laws in Utah are less restrictive!
Chapter three of their journey was a leap of faith. Rogers who had been a sales representative for Snap-On Equipment, juggled his day job and family while creating a new enterprise. Grella, with a family of his own, was active duty in the U.S. Navy assigned to the USS Carl Vinson and had to take a “hands-off” approach until his official discharge. In March, 2014, Rogers applied for the necessary permits and licenses from the California Alcohol and Beverage Control Board and the federal Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and while diligently waiting for the slow wheels of government, began to assemble a real life distillery in Spring Valley.
In September, 2014, Rogers was subject to a lay-off, but it was perhaps a fateful sign. By October 15, 2014, Liberty Call Distilling was fully legal for production. Rogers and Grella went into full distilling mode buying bottles, sugar, spices and labels. Rogers and Grella soon brought in a third partner, Addison Poth, who hails from Texas and New Mexico where he was the head brewer at a micro-brewery in Albuquerque. After moving to San Diego, Poth now serves as an assistant brewer for Acoustic Ales and is the master brewer at Liberty Call.
On March 2nd, 2015, the trio finally sent out Liberty Call’s signature spirits for distribution. Liberty Call White Rum is distilled from pure evaporated cane juice, locally filtered water and a unique yeast strain that pulls the best flavors out of the raw sugar. It is then distilled twice on the custom made column still and bottled at 90 proof. Liberty Call Spiced Rum is based on the White Rum with the addition of 8 unique spices and handmade caramel. It sings notes of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Liberty Call Gin is made with 13 botanicals locally grown when available. Using a moonshine mash as a base, the gin is slightly sweet with floral notes including lavender and chamomile along with the traditional juniper and coriander flavors. Coming attractions include a Dark Rum, Moonshine, Four-Grain Whiskey, Single Malt Whiskey, and Vodka.
Their products are hitting the shelves at a variety of places including the new High Tide Bottle Shop.
