Hangar 1 Vodka at the St George Spirits Distillery in Alameda
ByIf you consider yourself a Vodka snob, or just like Vodka in general, then a visit to the St George Spirits Distillery, and more specifically the Hangar 1 distillery is in short order. If you’ve never heard or tasted this Vodka, then you are in for a treat. But make sure you: bring a designated driver.
Just a short trip under the Webster Tube onto Alameda Island, St George Spirits distillery is located on the former Naval Air Station. Once you get there, head over to the Hangar 1, which is just as it sounds, and old aircraft hangar.
For just $10 you get a cool tasting glass, and the opportunity to taste some of the best Vodka around. You get to try a full 12 part flight, and believe me, you won’t be disappointed. They have some really interesting flavors like Spiced Pear Vodka, and their Green Tea infused Vodka, but my favorite by far is the “Buddha’s Hand” Citron infused Vodka. They really know how to make the best Vodka on earth. One thing that you’ll find out if you visit is that their vodka’s aren’t just flavored like some others, they are infused with actual fruit, which goes a long way in terms of taste. Their regular unflavored vodka, is actually made from viognier grapes (yes, that’s a wine grape), unlike other vodka’s made from potatoes or rice. This is probably why its much pricier than some other brands, but it’s worth the money.
Another really great part about the trip to St George Distillery, is sitting the bar and admiring the beautiful copper stills. There’s just something unbeatable about the experience of tasting their vodka right at the place where it was distilled. Don’t take my word for it, or even all of those people on Yelp, assuming you are of legal age to drink, grab a few friends and make your way over there yourself. You won’t regret it.
Article by Stuart Gruendl. Stuart is the developer of OakWalk, and an Oakland native.
