Our Story
The story of Kerrs Creek Distillery began almost 100 years ago, in a tiny hamlet of the Catskills, where grandpa and his son, decided to distill bootleg alcohol to ship down to the Big City, under the guise of a piano moving business. Packed in pianos the bottles were moved, undetected, delivered to countless speak-easies. During prohibition this father and son refined their craft, taking pride in what they were creating.
It is that same care and pride that we at Kerrs Creek Distillery embrace today! We are a distillery, with a passion for what we are doing: Distilling superior spirits from the finest ingredients available in New York state.
We at Kerrs Creek Distillery are excited to see what the future holds for our business and our products. Being a farm distiller brings an entirely new element to the table. We are working with local farmers, sourcing our ingredients, highlighting all that upstate NY has to offer.
Kerrs Creek Distillery is a family farm distillery, owned and operated by Matthew and Jessica White, and Jessica’s parents, Bob and Loretta Beckmann.
What is a Farm Distillery?
A farm distillery is any distillery in New York state that operates on a farm, but where are the cows? We don’t have any. For the past 25 years we’ve operated as a small-scale poultry, pig, and rabbit farm, but we still qualify as a farm.
BUT, here’s the best part, our license requires that we make our products from ingredients produced in New York state! What does that mean? It means, our apples, our potatoes, our corn, and all the other grains we use, are grown right here in New York. Apples and Potatoes are grown in Delaware County, on our farm and our neighbor’s farm, while the corn and other grains are grown in the Finger Lakes Region.
Why we do what we do?
Simple answer: Family. It was Bob’s grandfather, Grandpa Fred, who started distilling in the 1920s, regaling all with stories of the glory days of booze runs into Brooklyn. How they always avoided raids because his father, Grandpa John, worked as a farrier in the police department and everyone assumed he only spoke German. They always knew when and where the raids would be. Grandpa Bill would ride along, keeping everything looking like a family outing (that’s him in the picture above, on the delivery truck).
While times have changed over the past 100 years, one thing stays the same: Family.
Today, Kerrs Creek Distillery is once again a family business, with our focus on creating a superior product that will stand the test of time, something the next generation can be proud of and hopefully be a part of.
Our Team – In their own words.
Matthew White
Doer of All the Things
Matthew WhiteWhat is your role at KCD: Jack of all trades, master of none
What mixed drink are: Dark and stormy
What is your hidden talent: Sewing
Who is your favorite superhero: Batman, “What’s your super power? – I’m rich.”
Where is your happy place: Middle of the woods on opening day
What energizes and excites you: Freshly tilled soil, waiting to be planted. Seed catalogs in the middle of winter.
Jessica White
Chaos Coordinator
What is your role at KCD: Bumbler of social media and graphics
What mixed drink are you: Uhh, I don’t drink. According to BuzzFeed, I’m a Pint of Guinness.
What is your hidden talent: Klutz extraordinaire
Who is your favorite superhero: I want to say Wolverine, but I wouldn’t be true to myself. Hands down: Wonder Woman.
Where is your happy place: The ocean
What energizes and excites you: Rainstorms, good books, and hot tea
Bob Beckmann
Night Watchman
Bob BeckmannWhat is your role at KCD: Head of security
What mixed drink are you: Irish Car Bomb
What is your hidden talent: Sausage Maker
Who is your favorite superhero: Wolverine
Where is your happy place: Any place with my better half
What energizes and excites you: Nap time
Loretta Beckmann
Funds Manager
What is your role at KCD: I’m happy to take your money
What mixed drink are you: Easy Speaker Sunrise
What is your hidden talent: Juggling
Who is your favorite superhero: Superman
Where is your happy place: The beach
What energizes and excites you: Plotting my escape to an unnamed vacation destination