New distillery marks opening as largest spirits facility in New York’s Capital Region

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (July 23, 2015) — Yankee Distillers (“Yankee”), New York’s newest premier craft distilling company, opened its distilling facility and tasting room to the public today, writing the next chapter in Upstate New York’s craft beverage revolution.

“We’re proud to make Saratoga County the home of what we believe to be the start of the next great chapter in producing the very finest, most sought-after American whiskeys. Since New York allowed for farm-based distilleries such as Yankee to open in the past decade, craft spirits and their producers have become destinations to attract spirits enthusiasts and tourists to areas across the Empire State. We’re proud to have the support of local and state leaders and look forward to producing spirits proudly made from local grain,” said Walter Kleemeier, co-founder, Yankee Distillers.

The company, co-founded by Matthew Jager, Walter Kleemeier, and Scott Luning, makes its home in fast-growing Saratoga County across from Shmaltz Brewing Company. Their facility, part of the Fairchild Square Business Park, is made up of their distilling room along with a industrially-appointed tasting room and retail outlet. At nearly 9,000 sq. ft., Yankee Distillers is the largest distilling facility in the greater Capital Region.

Each of Yankee’s co-founders hold degrees in physics. Kleemeier and Luning have worked in the nanotechnology sector, while Jager has co-founded the Albany Distilling Company, the first licensed distillery in Albany since the beginning of Prohibition.

Local officials and dignitaries, including representatives from the Adirondack Regional Chamber and the Saratoga County Chamber, were on hand to welcome Yankee Distillers in Clifton Park.