Montanya Distillers, Crested Butte, CO

History

Montanya Distillers was founded in Silverton, Colorado in 2008 by Karen and Brice Hoskin. The company relocated to Crested Butte in August, 2011 and opened in the Historic Powerhouse on Elk Avenue in November, 2011.

The original Distillery (from 2008-2011) was on Blair Street in Silverton in a 100 year-old, 2,000 sq. foot stone building. The complete operation was on three levels, requiring a LOT of heavy lifting and pumping of distilled spirits between floors. Fermentations were done in the basement, distilling and tastings on the main level, and aging and bottling on the top floor. We used an old box truck to store the rum for freight shipments. Oh, our aching backs!

In summer 2011, the Hoskins relocated Montanya Distillers to Crested Butte to help accommodate the company's rapid growth. Crested Butte offered the kind of commercial facilities the Hoskins were unable to secure in Silverton. The climate and approach of the local government toward small business development was very enticing.

As of November, 2011, all of Montanya's federal permits and local permissions were received, including a zoning change and a conditional use permit from the Town of Crested Butte.