After overnighting in Astoria, Oregon, we drove on to Cannon Beach, where the iconic Haystack Rock sits (you’ll know if from “The Goonies”), stately and enduring as it juts from the sandy shoreline.
When we came into town, we saw a sign for Cannon Beach Distillery. We like to visit craft breweries, wineries and distilleries, so we had to stop by.
The storefront is impressive: modern, sleek and cozy. It showcases product on the walls and offers seating areas for lingering with a drink.
Mike Selberg, the owner and distiller, was sitting at a table by the entrance, working on his laptop, when we walked in. He set us up for a tasting, going from clear to aged, including gin, rum and whiskey, and was very knowledgeable when we asked him questions about the distilling process. He even showed us a chart detailing the chemistry in various spirits.
The distillery ferments, distills, matures and bottles all its spirits in house. Selberg prides his business on craftsmanship and doesn’t add any artificial colors to make a spirit look aged. He’s a purist, and it’s paid off in awards from the American Distilling Institute. This young man is doing good work on the coast of Oregon.
ATB 