With a proliferation of craft distilleries spilling out artisanal spirits left and right these days, the Quigley brothers—raised in the Philadelphia area—wanted their business to have focus. They wanted the opportunity to produce one spirit well, to make a vodka product that excels. There are no multi-level bourbons here, no bitey gins in sight and nothing flavored or infused. Stateside Urbancraft Vodka, Federal Distilling’s flagship product, is in the throes of its auspicious journey—and it all began with a very good vision.
The idea came while Matt (who looks like he “just stepped out of the woods”—his words, not mine) and Bryan (who looks like he just stepped out of GQ magazine—my words, not his) struck up a conversation about vodka production. They concocted a detailed business plan and after a few starts and stops, the story goes that they “accidentally on purpose” left a copy of the plan at a friend’s birthday party. He (investor Clement “Clem” Pappas) liked it. More talking. More cash. More drinking. The rest is quickly becoming history.
The enthusiastic vodka sippers have painstakingly rehabbed a 5,000-square-foot industrial warehouse space (shared with a funky collection of tenants, including Elixr Coffee Roasters, Keystone Mini Golf and a brewery) and turned it into a fully functioning distillery cranking out several solid “batches” last year. Anchored with a striking copper behemoth Müller still from Germany—which looks like something one would find in the lab of Dr. Frankenstein—plenty of bottling equipment and several holding tanks, they’ve created a definitive sense of the manufacturing process. “We built it to scale up,” cites master distiller Matt.
What sets this single-grain vodka apart from most is that it’s created from Missourian GMO-free corn. “Corn is more readily available,” touts Matt. “It also gives us more bang for the buck.” A raw alcohol-based product acquired from a distributor has mineral-enriched water added and is then distilled several times before being aerated with oxygen for a clean, smooth finish. There is no added sugar or other chemical products in Stateside. Using corn also allows a very subtle sweetness to the vodka, but the main attribute is perfect purity.
The ambition of the siblings is as clear as their vodka. “We want to make the vodka taste like water,” says Bryan. Matt adds, “Make it smooth and eliminate any bite at all. We are focused on this one product. Refining that and building brand awareness are what is key this year.” Matt did much of the graphic design, the logo type and marketing materials himself. Bryan handles sales and creating new client relationships. They employ a small but dedicated team to assist with production, marketing, photography and social media public relations.
Newly formed partnerships with Campbell’s Soup (makers of V8) in nearby Camden, N.J.; a few poised catering gigs; and the PLCB’s (PA Liquor Control Board) new program for start-up small distillers, which allows them to test out new spirits in 12 hand-selected stores, are all forward-thinking springboards to get this product into the hands and onto the lips of the buying public.
It’s obvious that these 30-something entrepreneurs are committed to creating a smooth, quality product that will appeal to lovers of traditional cocktails as well as connoisseurs of ultra-premium sipping vodkas. A 750-ml Italian swing-hinge-capped bottle of Stateside will retail for $27.99—relatively modest compared to many other artisanal spirits offered at $30–$50 a pop.
A sleek urban-chic tasting room/bar is in the works for early spring and is progressing nicely with hand-hewn pine benches, simple swivel low-backed stools and a non-intimidating moosehead hanging over the entrance. Original thick white painted brick walls, Edison and custom marquee lighting and shelves of bottled Stateside as a backdrop—capped with a stunning marble-topped bar—all come together to create a fully approachable neighborhood vibe. The men envision music, hand-crafted snacks and a room full of fellow vodka lovers and have in fact already used the room to host private events. Bryan insists that it “presents a way to form a positive business relationship with the community.”
When asked if they always get along so well, the brothers laughed in unison as Bryan spouted, “Being the younger and smaller brother had its disadvantages long ago. Matt would tend to pick on me. But we’ve always figured ways to come together to do tasks as a team. We depend a lot on each other now.”
When pressed on ways to create mixed cocktails using the vodka, a well-thought-out list of mixology recipes personally designed by Matt and Bryan was provided. It features a “Hot Summer Fling”—think jalapeño and mint—and a “Smokin’ Mary—a twist on a classic Bloody. Check out their winter concoction below:
Cocktail to Create: Winter. Winter. Chicken Dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Stateside Urbancraft Vodka
- 1 oz. vanilla simple syrup
- ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon
- 1 egg white
- ½ oz. Vermont “Fancy” maple syrup
- Dash of grated cinnamon for topping
- 1 cinnamon stick garnish
Method
Dry shake the egg white first, then add remaining ingredients with crushed ice. Serve on the rocks.
Stateside Vodka can currently be purchased at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores throughout the greater Philadelphia area, including Center City, Germantown and Manayunk. It can be ordered online through Fine Wine & Good Spirits. It will also be available from Statesidevodka.com by the end of February.
Pass the word with hashtag #statesidevodka, and remember to drink responsibly.
Federal Distilling, makers of Stateside Urbancraft Vodka, is located at 1700 N. Hancock St. in Philadelphia; phone: (215) 264-1944.
- Photos: Ed Williams
- Cocktail photo: Stateside Urbancraft Vodka
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