This pop-up at Unknown Brewing will preview its new cocktail program in South End
Nearly two months ago, The Unknown Brewing Co. launched a strawberry gin through its Wood & Grain Project distillery concept that sent the city into a frenzy. The small batch release did so well that the brewery will soon introduce an entire cocktail program, along with new in-house spirits made by head distiller Mena Killough.
Killough, a well-known herbalist, fuses her knowledge of herbs with her love for distilling to create all of the project’s spirits, cordials, botanicals, libations and different aperitifs. She even uses ingredients grown in her home garden.
“We want to control every aspect of the flavor with Wood & Grain,” Killough told CharlotteFive. “We find the perfect combination of ingredients for our spirits, then balance it with the right aperitifs and botanicals that highlight the flavor of the spirits in cocktails.”
Unknown is gearing up to put out its small batch tequila release — with rum and vodka coming a little later down the road. Rather than release the bottles on its own, Wood & Grain will also introduce a cocktail program to highlight the spirits in-house at Unknown.
To get the city excited about this new venture, a one-time only pop-up will take place this weekend, giving a sneak peek into what the cocktail program will look like. There is no official date on when the program will launch full time.
The pop-up will feature three craft cocktails created by Killough, featuring her gin, vodka, and rum. The cocktails are $11 each and include: The Best Damn Mule You’ve Ever Had (UWG vodka, Unknown Craft ginger ale), Jungle Bird (UWG rum, pineapple juice, house aperitifs) and a Gin & Tonic (UWG gin).
“We’re just excited, really,” Brad Shell, the owner of Unknown Brewing, told CharlotteFive. “We’ve been working on the Wood & Grain Project for over 2 years, and we’ve created craft spirits unlike any other. Our aperitifs balance everything in such a refreshing way, we just couldn’t wait to share this part of our passion any longer.”
The pop-up is open to the public and will take place on Saturday from noon-11 p.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m. There will be a live DJ all day Saturday, and the brewery’s resident food truck, Passport Dough & Co., will be on-site with food. You can also get your favorite Unknown beers on tap.
The brewery is limited to 50% capacity, and guests are required to wear masks when not at their table or where social distancing isn’t possible. There will be plenty of Unknown’s housemade Good Hands hand sanitizer available, too.
The Unknown Brewing Co.
1327 S. Mint St.
Instagram: @unknownbrewing
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 1:22 PM.
