#chas guy

I never knew how much I truly loved whiskey until I startled bottling it for free. That may sound funny, but hear me out…

While interviewing Nicole Austin, master blender of Kings County Distillery for this Booze for Babes piece last summer, she told me volunteers often fill the bottles before they hit the shelves. Which makes sense because, who better to lend a hand than active members of the drinking community and fans of the brand? I’ve since gone into Kings County on a handful of Saturdays and each time, the experience gets even more interesting and worthwhile.

You can go by yourself, take a date, or just partake as a tourist for a few hours to get a memorable experience worth bringing up in cocktail conversation. Kings County isn’t the only one that hosts bottling volunteers: Catoctin Creek in Purcellville, Virginia hosts bottling days, as does Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado, Wigle Whiskey in Pittsburgh and Rock Town Distillery in Arkansas. There are opportunities everywhere to participate in the craft spirits movement. To get involved, all you have to do is ask.

But before you go, know what to expect. Here are five reasons to try your hand at booze bottling.

9/8/13

I've had my eyes closed for too long these past few days. Long car trips from other states caused me to attempt to sleep through every hour. It never really worked. Restlessness grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. It still hasn't let go.

Last night proved this once again. Around 3am I was awoken by some late night, early morning drinkers passing through my brothers house. Who's to say if I was ever even asleep?

Now I'm on the road again. Passing old exits I use to take on a regular basis. Passing endless trees that are surely no longer a familiar site, unless I begin to leave the city more and more.

All I want to do is stare out the window. It's pretty outside. The sun is shining. Fall is coming, but the leaves have yet to begin their annual discoloration. The passing beauty will hopefully allow me to push my ugly thoughts along and out of my system. I'll be in New York in just a few short hours and I still don't know where I'll be resting my head.

Before I left, a week ago, I thought it might be a good idea to ask you if I could stay at your place for the night, but that option is looking bleaker and bleaker. I have no idea what has occurred since I left you last Friday, but it certainly feels like something. My hope is that I'm reading into the situation entirely too much, that because I've been gone I've allowed myself to obsess over the issue. Because you’ve been short with me I've taken it as a sign of a problem. Maybe you just wanted me to enjoy my time away. God, I hope so. Losing the girl I've started caring about so deeply and my apartment in one week would be nothing short of tragic. Let's just hope I'm being dramatic.

Despite all, I remain optimistic. This could be a very big month for me.