Gin Distillers Eye New Brooklyn Location On Douglass Street

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — Popular brand Brooklyn Gin might be on their way to their "greatest dream" of opening a distillery in the borough they're named after.

The gin distillers have submitted an application for a liquor license for a location at 316 Douglas St., between Third and Fourth avenues, records show. The application is set to face Community Board 6's Permits and Licenses Committee on Monday.

The brand, which already sells or serves their gin at hundreds of New York City spots, has not yet revealed details about whether the new location will be a bar or distillery.

But, owners have hinted online that a distillery in Brooklyn is on its way.

Since opening in 2010, they have been making their small-batch gin at a winery and distillery in Warwick, according to their website.

"Our small company got its start in the wake of the financial crisis," they wrote online. "At that time, due to our available resources, we were unable to build our own distillery."

"It is our greatest dream to build our own distillery in Brooklyn and the realization of that dream is closer than ever," they continued.

Brooklyn Gin did not respond to Patch's request for comment.

The liquor brand's hand-made products have become popular in recent years.

Brooklyn Gin won a double gold medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a double gold medal at the 2015 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, a gold medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a gold medal at the 2015 Craft Competition, and 91 points and a rating of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” at the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, according to their website.

Their gin is made with 100 percent fresh citrus peels and hand-cracked juniper, unlike others who might use frozen or dried citrus, they said. It was founded by Emil Jättne and Joe Santos.

Should they open the distillery on Douglas Street, Brooklyn Gin would join only a handful of other distilleries that offer gin in the borough, the closest being Breuckelen Distilling Company on 19th Street.

Once the liquor license application faces the committee, it will head to the full Community Board 6 for a vote. The State Liquor Authority has the ultimate say in whether it is approved.