We sat down for a chat with co-founder of CH Distillery, Tremaine Atkinson to talk a little about how CH Distillery came to be and why they love the West Loop. CH Distillery will be hosting a Bloody Mary Party from 12pm – 1:30pm for West Loop Craft Beer Festival VIPs on June 13th, right inside their doors.
Lydia – Why the West loop? Did you choose the West loop or did the West Loop choose you?
Tremaine – We chose the West Loop because we wanted to be part of its sophisticated but highly approachable food and beverage scene. We also like its proximity to the Loop and other downtown neighborhoods.
Lydia – How did CH Distillery come to be? You guys opened just a few years ago in 2013 – has this been a life long dream?
Tremaine – CH was born from our love for vodka and a desire to make it from local ingredients – we are the only ones in Chicago doing that. I started brewing beer at home many years ago and dreamed of doing this professionally for many years!
Lydia – We like that you use locally sourced ingredients. Can you tell us a little about that?
Tremaine – We make CH Vodka, our gins and other spirits from scratch from soft red winter wheat and rye grown in Kane County, IL, just 50 miles from the city. We mill, mash, ferment and distill the grains in our West Loop distillery.
Lydia – What’s the most popular cocktail on your menu?
Tremaine – The Cease and Desist, made from lapsing suchong tea-infused CH London Dry Gin, honey, ginger and lemon. The tea imparts a smoky flavor and the other fresh ingredients add richness and spice.
Cease and Desist