Latest News from the whisky industry - Templeton Rye - 18th November 2009

Straight from the still

Yes, it's my turn and don't change the channel. Hi, this is Keith Kerkhoff, distiller and co-founder of Templeton Rye. Prior to becoming involved with Templeton Rye, my profession was (and still is) grain and livestock farming. I have phased out the livestock now, didn't like the smell.

Much of the news in the farming sector today is delayed harvesting and high moisture corn. To put this in perspective for those of you not familiar with agriculture, I would like to explain the detriments of high moisture corn. Number 2 yellow corn has a test weight of 56 lbs./bushel at 15% moisture. The elevator that purchases the corn charges the customer 4.5 cents per moisture point for drying plus shrinkage. This means that 25% moisture corn must be dried 10 points, thus creating a 45 cent/bushel drying charge. This is quite substantial since 100,000 bushels of corn would be charged $45,000 for drying. On a good year, mother nature discounts this problem. You may ask, "why not let it dry in the field?" It's a roll of the dice since you do not want to risk the chance of harvesting in a snow bank.

Anyway, between the harvest and distilling, I do little else this time of year. I am looking forward to the holidays and hopefully a bowl game for both the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones. Speaking of that, you folks watching the bowl games would look awfully good in one of our new shirts (featured below) and the folks on your Christmas list might like one too.

All the best to you and yours this holiday season from your friends at Templeton Rye.

Keith Kerkhoff, Distiller and Co-Founder



Sign up to purchase a used Templeton Rye whiskey barrel

We've received a lot of requests from folks who would like to purchase a used Templeton Rye barrel for their home, office, garden or even their home brewing project. We currently have limited inventory, but more barrels will be available soon. If you would like to reserve a barrel, please fill out this form. Your name will be placed on a waiting list, and you will be contacted on a first come, first serve basis as barrels become available.





Open tour dates at the Templeton Rye Distillery

We've had some great attendance at our recent open tour days and will be hosting folks on the upcoming dates including right after Thanksgiving. Please stop by to learn about Templeton Rye and maybe see a little of The Good Stuff coming out of the still.

Saturday, November 28: Tours start at 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am.
Saturday, December 5: Tours start at 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am.
Friday, December 18: Tours start at 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

Please visit the tours page on our blog for more information.



Merch Spotlight: New tees in the Templeton Rye online store

Just in time for the holidays, we've designed a few new t-shirts. Be sure to browse our online store to check them out.





Des Moines Winter Farmers Market

Please join us at Capital Square and Nollen Plaza in Des Moines for the Downtown Winter Farmers Market during the dates list below. We will be located on the 2nd floor between the Zarley Law Firm and the Des Monies Chamber offices.

Friday, Nov 20th: 11:00am - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 21st: 9:00am - 1:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec 18th: 11:00am - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 19th: 9:00am - 1:00 p.m.



Join our friends at the Hard Rock Hotel for holiday spirits

We're sure a few of you will find yourselves lugging packages up and down Michigan Avenue this holiday season. Be sure to stop in and see our friends at Hard Rock Hotel's Base Bar. The bartenders really know how to mix up some amazing cocktails with their favorite house whiskey, Templeton Rye. Of course, they have many creations to satisfy a weary shopper.

Staying true to one of the Hard Rock mantras ("Save the Planet") - Base Bar offers hand-crafted specialty libations with a focus on high-quality, sustainable ingredients and a beer and wine list showcasing products of organic and biodynamic practices. So, get your holiday shopping done and stay in good cheer by joining our friends at the Hard Rock Hotel. Tell them Templeton Rye sent you.

Here is Autumn (a bartender at Base Bar) talking about Templeton Rye on YouTube:





Jeff Allen's Templeton Still Life

Jeff Allen of Solon, Iowa, recently shared his Templeton Rye inspired painting entitled "Templeton Still Life" on our Facebook Page. We thought it was really cool and wanted to share it with all of you. Jeff explains the story behind the painting and his inspiration on our blog. Enjoy!





If you have any questions or need more information about any of the events listed in our newsletter, don't hesitate to drop us a line at info@templetonrye.com.

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© 2009 Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC, Templeton IA