In The News

In a New York State of Mind with Upstate Distilling

By Mary Cirincione Oct 25, 2017

With spirits like Blinders Vodka, Winner’s Circle White Whiskey and Spa City Whiskey, Upstate Distilling Co.’s wares are Saratoga-inspired through and through. The flagship product, Ryen’s Rye, carries the namesake of the owner . . . READ ARTICLE

Distillery opens in Saratoga Springs
Spirits produced by Spa City’s Upstate Distilling drawing rave reviews from early tasters
By Wendy Liberatore Updated 9:16 pm, Oct 3, 2016
Upstate Distilling Company is not technically open. But Ryen VanHall is already serving up his first product — Blinders Vodka. “That’s gorgeous,” said one of the visitors to the distillery after taking a sip. “Put an ice cube in here and I could sip it all day.””It’s a little like sake,” said another. “It’s herbal.” VanHall smiles and tells the guests at his newly polished tasting bar that he strives to have his vodka stand apart……READ ARTICLE

See inside the first distiller to open in Saratoga since Prohibition
Donna Abbott Vlahos Aug 26, 2016, 7:10am EDT
The newest distillery in the Albany region is now open and serving their vodka in Saratoga Springs.Ryen Van Hall bought the site for Upstate Distilling Co. in 2015 and turned a former bike factory into a distillery. The company started selling its vodka in July and has a tasting room at the location on Geyser Road…READ ARTICLE

Saratoga distillery ready for first sales this summer as new tax credit starts
By Marie J. French Jun 9, 2016, 2:18pm EDT
The dizzying pace of changes to regulations for the craft alcohol industry can be tough to keep up with. But the owner of Upstate Distilling Co. says at least the changes are positive — including a tax credit that’s now available to his company…READ ARTICLE

Pair of Spa City teachers pour love of beer into new brewery
By Lauren Halligan,7/14/16, 1:27 PM EDT
Two Spa City teachers are spending the summer launching a new business, which grew out of their longtime love of brewing beer. Artisanal Brew Works is a new local brewery and taproom owned by Colin Quinn and Kurt Borchard…READ ARTICLE

Saratoga Springs Entrepreneur Opens Local Distillery
Written by Thomas Dimopoulos Friday, 02 September 2016 19:01
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A local entrepreneur has staked his claim on a new business in Saratoga Springs that less than a century ago would have been unthinkable, not to mention illegal. Given the city’s colorful past with notorious bootleggers and secretive Prohibition Era rum-running operations, the irony is not lost on Ryen Van Hall. “Now we’re doing it, legally, and in the same city,” said the 29-year-old native Saratogian….READ ARTICLE

Upstate Distilling – Featured in the Latest Edition of The Saratoga Social – Summer 2016

When we heard the old Serotta factory on Geyser Road has been purchased by Saratogian Ryen Van hall, we couldn’t wait to learn what his plans were for the nearly 4-acre property and 12,000 sq ft facility. His goal to open the fist new distillery in Saratoga Springs since Prohibition intrigued us. We needed to know more, so we stopped by 41 Geyser Rd to talk with Ryen….READ ARTICLE

Albany Business Review – Whiskey, vodka producers in high spirits about craft distillery boom
Apr 27, 2016, 7:20am EDT
Vodka from Upstate Distilling Company will be available this summer, the first of many products owner Ryen VanHall expects to produce at the farm distillery in Saratoga Springs, New York.
….READ ARTICLE

Times Union – From bikes to bourbon at Upstate Distilling Company

By Leigh Hornbeck Updated 7:09 am, Friday, August 21, 2015
Former Serotta bicycle factory up for conversion to distillery in Saratoga Springs
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CNBC.com – Bourbon puts Scotch on the rocks Wednesday may be National Scotch Day, but the American spirit is taking over. Sales of U.S. made whiskeys — things like Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey — are outpacing other types, including Scotch….READ ARTICLE