Athentic Brewing will begin a distillery. Here's when it will start serving other spirits

Care for a little vodka with your Street of Gold Hazy IPA?

That will soon be an option at the Athentic Brewery taproom as it begins a distillery to accompany its beer production.

The distillery will begin with vodka, a white rum and an agave spirit—as those don't need as long to age like whiskey and bourbon—and will begin production this fall with a "full launch later this year," its website says.

Athentic opened in Normaltown during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic but has thrived in the years since, becoming another major player in Athens' flourishing craft beer market.

The company is partnering with a new distilling company, Drayton Distillery, that will "be a unique collaboration with a focus on craft, creativity, and consumer experience," led by experienced spirit entrepreneur Gregory Evans.

"As we’ve continued to grow over the past 4 years, we’ve realized there’s one area we’d love to play in that hasn’t been accessible to us," Athentic said. "This will be a unique collaboration with a focus on craft, creativity, and consumer experience."

The announcement came shortly after the brewery had its four-year anniversary celebration a week ago.

Athentic is asking for community assistance as the distillery begins. Supporters can buy tiers of membership that offer rewards such as tickets to tasting parties, snifter glasses and barrel tasting events for the highest tier ($750) to shot glasses and enamel pins for the lowest tier ($50).

"If you’ve been with us since the beginning, then you’ll hopefully remember how much it meant to us to get people involved before the official opening of Athentic," its website states. "We’re looking to continue that collaborative foundation with the launch of Drayton Distillery."

Creature Comforts in downtown Athens is also seeking to expand its options with a distillery planned.

"Creature Comforts has always been driven by curiosity, and we’re continually exploring new opportunities," the brewery said in a statement. "Since the beginning, Creature has been a brand and an idea that goes beyon"d just beer. It’s about following your passion and connecting through industry-leading beverages and experiences. We’re taking our first steps down this path and look forward to sharing more with our fans down the road."

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athentic Brewing will begin a distillery. Here's when it will start serving other spirits