Eight Oaks Craft Distillers was named the January 2017 Business of the Month by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce just ahead of its first anniversary.

“We’re certainly honored to be part of that community and to be recognized,” said Chad Butters, co-founder of the distillery along Route 309, New Tripoli. “It’s a very large network of professionals and we’re proud to be a part of it. We’re absolutely humbled to be recognized.”

“We’ve had an unbelievably warm reception from guests, the community, Discover Lehigh Valley and many others.

“People have been very receptive about what we’re doing so this recognition makes it fantastic.”

Lead distiller Logan Snyder also commented on the honors.

“[Members] have actually been here, so they saw the philosophy of the farm distillery and what we do with the community, like our barn raising events,” Snyder said. “It’s very cool to be recognized by the Chamber.”

In addition to Butters and Snyder, Eight Oaks’ staff includes Co-founder/CFO Jesse Tyahla, General Manager Carly Butters and Events Coordinator Alexis Blatt.

“We have built a wonderful team, where the average age of [each member is] 24 years old. Everyone is so eager to learn,” said Chad Butters. “Carly Butters is the GM and the heartbeat of Eight Oaks. Without her hard work and dedication nothing would get done.”

Blatt said that everyone at Eight Oaks Craft Distillers is an important part of what they do.

“Everything is coming together exactly at the same time, the release of our rye whiskey and that was grown right here,” said Chad Butters.

Snyder was visibly proud of the newly released rye whiskey, the distillery’s latest venture.

“Pennsylvania has a long history or producing rye whiskey,” he said. “I do the main distilling and make the final call on what goes in, but it’s very much sensory driven.”

The young company has big plans for the future.

Blatt said that after the debut of Eight Oaks’ rye whiskey, “our bourbon will be out by early spring and we create new cocktails once a month.”

In addition to their New Tripoli location, Eight Oaks is also featured in the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market and Reading Terminal Market as well as seasonal farmers markets throughout the region.

In 2016 the distillery was awarded the silver medal for grain-to-glass Vodka at the American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition.

Butters, a military veteran, said the idea for the distillery came from his desire to have a family business that allowed him time with his family and friends.

“This project started because my wife and I were looking for a career after military retirement. We made a list of all the things we thought it would take to make us exceptionally happy,” Butters said. “The list included starting a family business, working together with friends and family every day, being home more often at night, do something with agriculture and having fun. That was all we wanted.”

One year into the business, Butters knows that they found the right career.

“It is the perfect fit for us. We truly love what we do,” he said.

“We are excited to be the region’s choice for distilled spirits. We will continue to grow our own grains, and craft exceptional quality spirits using traditional techniques and supporting our community,” he continued.

“[Plus] we have live music every Saturday, from 2-5 especially when it’s nice out,” added Blatt.

Eight Oaks is a farm distillery raising their own non-GMO grains such as wheat, rye, barley and corn.

They craft those grains into rye whiskey, vodka, gin and bourbon.

They also source local apples for their applejack and produce rum as well.

The distillery has been producing spirits since January 2016.

In addition, their tasting room offers craft cocktails, bottle sales, light snacks, tours, tastings, special events and private parties.

“This is not your average corporate venue. We’re very flexible, whether it’s having a food truck or a three-course dinner, we can accommodate both,” Blatt said.