Exploring Life & Business with Katie & Zach Thomas of Downslope Distilling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie & Zach Thomas. 

Hi Katie & Zach, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Downslope Distilling was started in 2009 on the premise that interesting and complex spirits could be produced on a small scale by passionate people. Our passion for the craft prevents us from cutting corners. We start with raw ingredients, taking them all the way to the finished bottled product. The pride we take in that finished product creates even more drive to make the next batch even better. Originally, Downslope Distilling began with the production of clear spirits to help fund the whiskey production and we have continued to evolve into a variety of other spirits and we are now producing rum, agave spirits, gin, and vodka. Although we are producing an array of products, our true passion will always lie in Whiskey. 

Downslope has gone through. many changes over the years and most recently Zach Thomas our fermentation expert took over majority ownership. Zach Thomas is now our CEO, President, and Fermentation Expert. His passion for fermentation and pride in Downslope inspired him to make the purchase at just 27 years old. Zach holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Craft Brewing and Pub Operations from Denver’s own Metro State University and his education on the craft world helped bring a modern and fresh approach to Downslope. With Mitch and Zach at the helms for production. Thomas brought along with him, his sister Katie Thomas who has joined the company to help with overall marketing, growth, and sales. 

Over the last 12 months, with Head Distiller Mitch Abate alongside us as a sibling duo, we have produced a massive change in the brand and the overall dedication to what we put forth. We have opened a full tasting room with cocktails in addition to the craft tastings that were offered originally. The tasting room received a massive makeover and we have doubled the number of barrels put away in the rack house, one thing that has remained over the history of Downslope is our Vice President and Head Distiller, Mitch Abate. Mitch was among the original founders of Downslope Distilling and remains a critical part of the overall operation. Mitch begin his interest in making distilled products out of years of home brewing efforts, as did the original partners. They decided to work together to take their interest in producing spirits to the next level. 

We combined years of knowledge on how spirits were made – production, technique, mashing, fermentation, etc. Our objective was to produce and sell the highest quality distilled spirits available, to do so locally, and to make our products available first to the local community. Our energy turned to selecting an appropriate facility and suitable equipment and meeting extensive regulatory requirements to establish Centennials’ first craft distillery. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I think the most important thing to know about us as a brand is that we are an entirely grain-to-glass distillery producing quality craft Rocky Mountain Spirits on a Small Scale. We do not buy, blend or source from other brands and take pride in each step of the distillation process. We are one of the original Colorado Craft Distilleries and hold the 16th license issued in Colorado. There are well over 100 at this point. Everything we do is a small batch which allows us to spend more time and dedication to what we are putting in each and every barrel. You can walk into our distillery and we can tell you what each barrel tastes like and where it is at in the aging process. We are most proud of the dozens of awards we have won for our spirits and the smiles we have seen on our customer’s faces. We currently offer the following products: White Rum, Spiced Rum, Wine Barrel-Aged Rum, Vanilla Rum, Grain Vodka, Cane Vodka, Pepper Vodka, Blanco Agave Spirit, Reposado Agave Spirit, Extra Anejo Agave Spirit, Ould Tom Gin, and of course our Whiskeys! We produce a Single Malt, Rye, Bourbon, and our Double Diamond Whiskey is our Flagship Whiskey. This is true American craft, imitating nothing and built layer upon layer according to our inspiration. It is a true hybrid whiskey made from 65% British floor malted barley and 35% North American rye. Something unique about us as well is that we offer Distilling Classes. We offer both a two-day and three-day class. Our two-day class covers more logistics, operations, and laws around owning a distillery and is geared towards people looking to open a distillery. Our three-day class is a hands-on workshop where we walk through fermentation, distillation, and the full production cycle for producing a variety of spirits including whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka. Many people ask why do we offer this? Why do we show the full scale of how we are producing everything and it comes down to one thing. We want consumers to believe and trust in craft spirits as a whole. If a consumer taste craft spirits and dislikes it, it is more likely they will go back to a big box brand. There is room for all of us and we want Craft Spirits to be taken seriously and for people to know it’s damn good! 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Hoochware – Great App 

Pricing:

• Gin & Vodka $30-35
• Rums $30-35
• Agave Spirits $35-75
• Whiskey $45-65
• Classes: $600-$650

Contact Info:

• Email: zach@downslopedistilling.com
• Website: DownslopeDistilling.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/downslopedistilling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownslopeDistilling/ 

Image Credits
Katie Thomas
Kaylee Maresh
Stevens Nina Jackson