The state's effort to grow the craft beverage industry appears to be working. At least, that's the case with a local distillery which continues expanding its product line.
Lockhouse Distillery, the first distillery in Buffalo since prohibition, began selling vodka in November of 2013. The company clearly has found a niche in the local market.
"We started it in a thousand square-foot room and now we have 4,700 square feet with the potential to expand to more," said business manager Thomas Jablonski. Four partners ran the distillery to start. It now features 14 employees.
"We are probably doing four times the volume, five times the volume, from the day we opened."
While celebrations are common at the Lockhouse location in Buffalo's Cobblestone District, last night was particularly special. They released their fifth spirit, a bitter style aperitif.
Jablonski acknowledges that competition continues to grow in the craft beverage industry. It's not deterring their optimism.
"The more spirits that are available that are made locally and are done well, the more people are like, 'Maybe I don't need to buy Absolut vodka. Maybe I can buy something locally," said Jablonski, who indicated that Lockhouse may be releasing more lines of spirits in the coming months.
"It inspires people to try things they wouldn't be used to, and that lifts all the boats, that rising tide."