Birmingham’s Griffin Claw Adds Spirts to Taproom Menu

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BIRMINGHAM — The Griffin Claw Brewing Co., Birmingham’s newest taproom, biergarten, brewing and distributing facility, has officially added house-made vodka and gin to its expanding drink menu, company officials said today.

The 12,000-square-foot brewery is also home to a distillery for making high-end vodka, gin, rye, whiskey, bourbon and absinthe overseen by Dan Rogers, head brewer and director of brewery operations for Griffin Claw. Showcased in the center of the brewery are two 90-gallon German pot stills used to create the vodka. Currently only vodka and gin by the glass are available inside Griffin Claw Brewing Co.’s taproom. Plans are under way for the vodka, gin and other liquors to be available at retail locations in coming months.

“We are still in the process of tweaking our products even though they are awesome,” said Scott LePage of Griffin Claw Brewing Co. “Release for retail is depending on our glass, packaging and product. It has to be perfect. We’re also hoping to possibly open our vodka bar by June.”

Since it’s opening last July, the brewery has added new menu items and started serving wine (house red, white and rose). They also are now offering 32 ounce plastic bullets as well as 40 ounce and 64 ounce stainless steel Griffin Claw Brewing Company growlers to go. The stainless steel growlers are made by Klean Kanteen and are 18/8 stainless and free of BPA and other toxins.

“We only fill our Griffin Claw Kanteens to ensure product is packaged in clean containers in best possible vehicle — no light and no air — one of the same reasons our beer is packaged in cans,” LePage said.

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s Rail District, Griffin Claw features a taproom that seats approximately 100 people with oversized garage doors that open to the restaurant’s traditional German-style biergarten and outdoor patio. The authentic biergarten is in a gravel-covered yard, offers seating for 75  at mostly communal tables purchased from Germany, and is home to an outdoor fire pit. The taproom’s menu includes a variety of casual food items, with a special focus on the beer and offers seasonal and specialty brews.