New distillery launches in collaboration with Bensalem-based breweries. And there's music

A new distillery opened inside The Mixing Room at Broken Goblet in Bensalem, further adding to the venue’s craft beverage experience.

Spirit Animal Distilling officially launched this month with the release of its own line of gin and vodka. The distillery is the newest brand to join Mutual Respect Brewing and Distilling, a collective owned by Broken Goblet, Trauger Brewing and Lucky Cat Beer Co.

Broken Goblet, located in a warehouse complex on State Road, has made a name for itself as a popular music destination since the brewery opened 10 years ago, bringing local and national touring artists to its stage and annual festivals.

With the addition of The Mixing Room in February the entire space has gone through a metamorphosis of sorts.

“It’s not just a craft brewery. We want this to be a community gathering space … whether you’re coming for a show, the food or meeting friends for an after-work drink,” said Jeremy Myers, president and COO of Mutual Respect, head distiller of Spirit Animal, and head brewer and co-owner of Trauger Brewing.

Myers said the transition doesn’t come without challenges, but having the right staff and customers who buy into the idea is a large part of their success.

“Broken Goblet has had a loyal group of followers since it’s opened up. This isn’t a brewery that does shows; it’s both. It’s a legitimate music venue. And now we’re able to have a dedicated taproom and distillery separate from the live shows,” he said.

Another factor that doesn’t hurt is a shared understanding of the beverage and music worlds.

Myers said between all eight partners across the Mutual Respect brands — Broken Goblet’s Kate Sweeney, Mike LaCouture, Andrew “Bub” Grosse and Jay Grosse; Lucky Cat’s Mike “Scoats” Scotese and Jay Macias; and Trauger’s Jeremy and Nancy Myers — they have a combined 100-plus years of experience.

“It’s always interesting to have collective ideas and stretch outside your box of what you think you can and cannot do. Collectively, each one of us brings something to the table that the other might not have. It’s about having fun with what we can make,” he said.

“When you start your own business, if it’s not fun, then what’s the point of doing it. It’s the same for music as it is for beer, there’s a part of it that makes people happy. Everything I have in my life is due to music and beer.”

New restauraunt opens in Bristol: Drift on Mill now open in downtown Bristol Borough. What to know before you go

The Mixing Room vs. Broken Goblet

The Mixing Room features handcrafted cocktails, food and live music in a comfortable and stylish setting, alongside a variety of events such as Quizzo, open mic nights, acoustic music and more.

In addition to the new distillery, The Mixing Room is also home to Café Dilla, which currently offers a limited menu as they await completion of their kitchen, expected to open in the next couple of months.

With The Mixing Room now up and running, Broken Goblet’s former taproom space is only open for main stage concerts and other events.

There is also a large deck with plenty of seating for taproom guests and concert-goers to enjoy. And beers from Broken Goblet, Trauger Brewing and Lucky Cat are also available on tap in both spaces.

What else does Spirit Animal in Bensalem have planned?

To follow up their gin and vodka releases, Myers said they are working on a coffee liqueur and a blueberry honey moonshine, both of which he said will be available within the next month.

They have also distilled their own American single malt whiskey, but that won’t be available for another four to five years as it goes through the aging process.

In the meantime, they’re working with fellow distillers to source bourbon, rye and single malt, including a bourbon from Sourland Mountain Distillery in Hopewell, New Jersey. To put their own stamp on each of these spirits, the sourced whiskeys will receive additional cask-aging and blending and should be ready in the next six months to a year.

New hotel coming to Bensalem: Parx Casino not waiting to build its hotel. Instead it bought this one in Bensalem

When is The Mixing Room at Broken Goblet open?

The Mixing Room is open six days a week with the following hours:

• Tuesday: 5 – 11 p.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday: 3 – 11 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: noon – 11 p.m.
• Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.

Details: 2500 State Road, Bensalem; 267-812-5653; brokengoblet.com

2024 Bucks beer festival schedule: Find your favorite breweries in one spot at these Bucks County beer festivals

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: New distillery launches in collaboration with Bensalem-based breweries. And there's music