The National Conference Center Blog

It might be 5 o’clock somewhere, but when it comes to what’s in your glass, don’t fake the ingredients. How eco-friendly is your drink?

Not only have green trends emerged in recycling and food packaging but it made it’s way into the produce aisle encouraging families to choose local farm to table ingredients. Now green initiatives are a common topic for drinks.  Wineries saw this trend and predicted wine-drinkers would be choosing the eco-friendly wine over non-sustainable wine. Vineyards acted before they were left behind and adopted green initiatives to harvest organic grapes and bottle the wine in eco-friendly packaging.

Many vineyards haven’t had the chance to jump aboard with these efforts before the “green train” hit the distilleries.  Distillers are experiencing a trend of consumers choosing organic alcohol or other local distilled spirits. After 300 years of importing goods, consumers are becoming fascinated with consuming items that are local.  Promixity is key in today’s world of consumers – which is commendable because it reduces a company’s carbon footprint by generating less gas emissions.

Hop ‘N Vine, established as NCC’s wine bar traditionally serves seasonal selections from DC’s wine country.  The wine bar’s team is excited to offer 3 local spirits distilled at Catoctin Creek in Loudoun County. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, now you’ll know where your drink is from when you’re at the Hop ‘N Vine. Here are three local organic and kosher certified spirits from Catoctin Creek if you’re in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area:

1. Mosby’s Spirit- an unaged rye whisky that works well with cocktails using whiskey but also cocktails wanting vodka like a Bloody Mary.





2. Roundstone Rye- a traditional rye whiskey made from 100% organic rye – meaning no wheat or corn to dilute the rye flavor – it has lots of sweet flan and caramel flavors.





3. Watershed Gin- a smooth organic gin and the most popular of the three.