For 15 years, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. has been a force in the local craft beer scene. But now, they are expanding their horizons with the launch of Dust Bowl Distillery.
Dust Bowl — based in Turlock and owned by business partners Brett and Karen Tate, and Brett and Camy Honore — announced the opening of their first-ever distillery on social media on Wednesday.
“The launch of Dust Bowl Distillery underscores the company's commitment to offering unparalleled variety and quality to its loyal patrons and new guests alike,” the company stated in a press release. “By expanding into the world of craft distilling, Dust Bowl aims to cater to the evolving tastes of its audience and enrich the experience of its taproom visitors.”
Dust Bowl Distillery was an idea the ownership has had for years. After significant planning, the project was finally set in motion with the company submitting an application to the City of Turlock last June and receiving approval in November. Though Dust Bowl has taprooms in Turlock, Elk Grove, Livermore and Monterey, the company’s distilling license only allows for the sale of spirits at the Turlock location at 3000 Fulkerth Road.
“This venture allows us to push the boundaries of what we can offer and to continually evolve alongside the craft beverage industry,” Brett Tate said. “The project has been in the works for years, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition thanks to the talented and versatile team at Dust Bowl.”
Described as a boutique distillery, it features a 140-liter CARL still enhanced by the addition of a vodka column and gin basket from Minnetonka Brewing Equipment, allowing for a broad range of spirits to be produced. It is visible to guests through the taproom’s bar windows.
At the helm of Dust Bowl Distillery is established brewmaster, Don Oliver, who has led the brewery since its inception in 2009. With a background that includes certification from the UC Davis Master Brewing Program, Oliver expressed excitement when describing the new endeavor.
“The owners and I have been discussing the move into spirits for the better part of a decade. With the addition of the distillery, we’ll be able to use the experience we’ve gained over the last fifteen years to craft a new line of spirits that add more variety to our current offerings and enhance our taproom experience,” he said.
The distillery’s debut spirit is Original Moonshine, which is 80-proof with a 40% ABV, hand-crafted from a bourbon base. The company said that it will be the cornerstone of the distillery as it pays homage to the brand roots that heavily reference the days of Prohibition. There are a limited quantity of 750ml bottles at the Turlock Taproom.
On Thursday, Dust Bowl sold moonshine slushies to celebrate the launch.
“I’m really excited about the launch of our Moonshine slushies,” said Brett Honore. “Slushies are a popular trend among breweries. Our version of the moonshine slushy will definitely take the guest experience up a notch and potentially attract a new customer who has not experienced the Dust Bowl brand before. Any time you can provide something new and different, it’s good for your customers and keeps people coming back.”
The initial Moonshine slushy flavor options include “Cola Shine” featuring a blend of Pepsi and Dust Bowl Moonshine at 7% ABV, and a “Dirty Shirley” at 5% ABV made with grenadine, Starry and Dust Bowl Moonshine. Each slushie comes with a signature garnish.
Dust Bowl Distillery plans to launch a curated craft cocktail menu later this summer. They’ll aim to “showcase house made, fresh ingredients designed to complement the flavor of the moonshine.”
Moonshine slushies are available during the Turlock location’s Beer Garden hours, which is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
“We welcome our Central Valley fans to come out to see us this summer in Turlock, experience a refreshing slushy and grab a bottle of Original Moonshine to go,” said Tate. “We think guests will be pleasantly surprised at how smooth well-crafted moonshine can be.”
