One of Denver’s most interesting distilleries is preparing to close up shop after nearly a decade.
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The Block Distilling Co., located at 2990 Larimer St., recently announced its plans to close, but didn’t offer a specific date. Rather, the company said on Instagram that it would host “as much shenanigans as we can fit into 3-4 months of wind down it will take for this unfortunate reality.”
No one from the distillery was available to discuss the circumstances of the closure. But the social media post lamented The Block’s “timing” and broader trends in the spirits industry. “The industry is in the dumps,” the post said.
Owners Kraig Weaver, Michelle Weaver and Kameron Weaver opened The Block Distilling in late 2017. Brothers Kraig and Kameron are both alumni of the Colorado School of Mines and began making gin at home, enticed by the chemistry involved in distillation and fermentation.
Kraig also happened to be living in a residence above where The Block now resides when he found out the space would be coming available for lease. The brothers jumped at the opportunity to start their own distillery.
In the years since, The Block has carved out a niche for itself by not only making familiar spirits like gin and whiskey, but also more interesting ones that many fans purchased through a bottle club. Things like pear brandy, coffee liqueur and various amaros made the seasonally-rotating cocktail menu at its onsite taproom worth seeking out. Its square glass bottles were immediately recognizable on store shelves.
In 2024, The Denver Post named The Block Distilling one of the hottest places to drink in Colorado because of both the drinks and the atmosphere, which offered a welcome level of sophistication among the River North Arts District scene.
“We sincerely cannot compliment you nor express our gratitude for the way you have shown up, brought your chosen and blood family, and been part of the community that formed around The Block,” the company said in its closing announcement, promising bottle discounts and one-off releases to come.
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