Topic: A Sip of Knowledge with Catoctin Creek Distilling

Hosts: Lew Bryson and Liz Rhoades

What You’ll Learn: Join a duo of drink industry veterans in weekly conversation on whiskey, spirits, distilling, marketing, and the current state of the drink industry.  This week, Becky Harris, president and head distiller at Catoctin Creek Distilling, joins the group.

About Becky Harris:

Wine, grains, berries, it matters not. If there is a fruit, vegetable, tuber with starch or sugar in it, you can bet that Becky Harris will try to distill it.  

Becky graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She worked at companies like Amoco, YDK America, and CIBA, specializing in industrial processes and production systems before her husband, Scott, brought the idea of opening Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, to her in 2009. Scott wrote the business plan, Becky applied her knowledge to something she was passionate about, and today they locally source and hand-craft Virginia’s most awarded whisky, along with rye-based gin and brandy, that is available in 47 states and 3 continents.

As President of the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), and Secretary of ACSA’s STEPUP Foundation focused on combatting the lack of diversity in the spirits industry, Becky proudly encourages new whiskey drinkers – especially women – to trust their own sense of taste. 

To her, authenticity is rooted in the entire process of the product from grain to glass. It comes from a commitment to consistency and quality, and a passion for promoting excellence in ingredients and methods. Sustainable, vibrant businesses can thrive when customers value diversity and regionalism in flavor. Becky’s hope is to continue to be a part of building that community and forwarding the conversation.

About the Hosts: 

• Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

• Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.