Distillery
Murray's Fools Distilling Co.
Hours of Operation: Friday 5pm-8pm | Saturday 1pm-8pm | Sunday 1pm-6pm
As they grow their NYS farm distillery, Murray's Fools Distilling Co. can now be experienced and enjoyed by lovers of craft distilled spirits in New York’s Capital Region. The first location is nestled in the small town of Altona in Upstate New York, just a few feet from the Adirondack Park’s Blue Line. Expanding south, the second location is prominently centered at the Hoffman’s Ferry complex in Glenville, NY.
Much like their quest-seeking namesake, ‘Adirondack Murray,’ the Beach's set out on their own adventure in 2015, establishing Murray’s Fools Distilling Co., a craft distillery focusing on traditional spirit recipes created with New York fruits and grains.
MFDC is a farm distillery producing small batch craft spirits to be enjoyed by those who value nature's quiet moments and freedom of self.
Spirit production includes:
- The Snowshoe Vodka
- La Pomme du Lac Apple Brandy
- WolfJaw Whiskey
- Osprey Aquavit
Why Murray’s Fools?:
Finely crafted small-batch spirits fortified in a juicy family history.
Murray’s Fools Distilling Company is named for one of the seminal events in the history of the Adirondacks, the Murray Rush of 1869. This rush was an influx of thousands of 19th century city dwellers to the Adirondacks, in order to experience the wondrous wilderness described in William Henry Harrison “Adirondack” Murray’s book Adventures in the Wilderness. A general state of unreadiness and nearly impossible travel routes gave rise to the moniker “Murray’s Fools.” This label was often applied to those who ventured into the wilderness in 1869 and found themselves, at first, unprepared for its obstacles. Despite severe challenges, the brave souls who sought out the restorative Adirondacks that Murray wrote about that first summer of 1869, did not give up. From 1870 to 1874, Murray’s Fools poured into the Adirondack Mountains with much success.
W.H.H. Murray, co-founder Randall Beach's great, great grandfather, was an advocate not only of the wilderness, but also of a cultured, yet rugged, individualism. Throughout his fictional works, his characters are often at ease both in the city and among nature’s wonders. They are cultured men and women who have a profound understanding of the natural world.
The company philosophy is based upon this heritage of freedom, individualism and nature in making its craft spirits. The distillery draws upon the bounty of regional resources, and produce spirits designed to inspire freedom of self, creativity and appreciation of the natural world.
Experience and Explore the Distillery
Looking to visit the distillery at Hoffman’s Ferry in Glenville, NY?
Tasting Room hours and tour information will be available soon!
