Author: Hannah Flattery

At Founding Spirits, we believe that the heart of great spirits lies in the quality of the ingredients and the care used in distilling. We are a small-batch distillery in the nation’s capital, majority-owned by American family farmers. We take pride in using only the finest sourced ingredients and ensuring that every bottle reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and flavor.  

The Founding Spirits difference is clear in every sip, from our smooth and supremely mixable rums to our rich, sophisticated Rye Whiskey. Our distilling team cultivates unique and tasty spirits from primarily American-grown wheat, barley, corn, rye, sugar cane, and many botanicals. We craft and distill our spirits with care, infusing them with a sense of place and purpose.  

In a world where mass production often takes center stage, Founding Spirits stands as a reminder of the impact that small batches and quality ingredients can have on the final product. Every Founding Spirits bottle is filled, labeled, and sealed by hand in our very own distillery inside our Founding Farmers & Distillers restaurant. For us, it is a true labor of love. Or, as our Distiller, Bob VanLancker, says: “With this distillery, we are taking small-batch spirit production to the next level. We are going to blow people away with new and different flavors, and a whole new taste experience.” 

For example, our Founding Spirits Dry Gin exemplifies our efforts and the impact that high-quality, thoughtfully curated botanicals can have on the final product. Our Dry Gin captures a distinct flavor profile that stands out from mass-produced alternatives. By distilling our gin in small batches in-house with regionally sourced botanicals, we’re able to create a product that makes every pour a celebration of our local landscape and our company mission. You can stop by one of our restaurants for what we think is one of the best Gin & Tonics around. Enjoy the classic or try our ever-popular frozen G&T made with our own house tonic. 

As a craft distillery, we don’t just create spirits; we are working to dismantle the industrial supply chain. Every Founding Spirits bottle tells a story of care, precision, and dedication to making spirits that are as unique as they are delicious. Whether you’re enjoying our vodka in a Founding Farmers cocktail or savoring our bourbon neat, you can taste the difference that comes from a small-batch distillery that values quality at every step of the process, from grain to glass. 

How To Pair Our Spirits with Your Favorite Fall Foods

As the crisp air of autumn settles in, it’s time to embrace the rich, comforting flavors of the season. At Founding Spirits, we believe that the right spirit can elevate any meal, especially when paired with the hearty, seasonal dishes found on the Founding Farmers fall lunch & dinner menu.  

Whether you’re preparing a feast at home or dining with us at our restaurants, let us guide you through the best ways to pair our handcrafted spirits with some of our favorite fall dishes.  

Your Perfect Fall Bar Essentials  

You can purchase our selection of bottled spirits online or in DC-area stores. For autumn cocktail pairings, our top picks to enhance your home bar include: 

• Founding Spirits Bourbon 

• Founding Spirits Rye 

• Founding Spirits Dark Rum  

Additionally, we also offer vodka, dry gin, white rum, navy strength rum, and blanco tequila to keep your cocktail game strong all year round.  

Perfect Pairings: Spirits and Fall Dishes 

Fall is synonymous with hearty, warming dishes full of earthy, sweet, and savory flavors. Pairing these flavors with the right spirit can truly elevate your dining experience. Here’s our guide to matching some of our favorite Founding Farmers fall dishes with our spirits. 

Cauliflower, Butternut Squash & Farro Salad 

• Ingredients include: celery root, kale, cranberry, blueberry, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, farmers herbs, maple Dijon 
• Pair it with: Our Founding Spirits Rye 
• The spiciness and depth of rye complement the earthiness of the cauliflower and farro while balancing the sweetness of the butternut squash and cranberries. Try it in our You Caught My Rye cocktail, combining rye, Campari, lime, almond, and bitters for a refreshing contrast to the salad’s rich flavors. 

Roasted Maple Brussels Sprouts & White Cabbage 

• Ingredients include: red onion & maple butter 
• Pair it with: Our Founding Spirits Bourbon 
• The bourbon’s smoky notes meld with the roasted, caramelized flavors of the brussels sprouts and maple butter. You can also pair it with our Maple Bourbon Smash cocktail. The citrus and maple flavors in the drink will add a lively twist to the dish. 

Roasted Autumn Vegetables 

• Ingredients include: carrots, parsnips, turnips, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, mulled local apple cider glaze 
• Pair it with: Founding Spirits Dark Rum 
• The warm, molasses-rich flavors of our dark rum harmonize with the earthy vegetables and sweet mulled apple cider glaze. Serve it neat or in a spiced cocktail for a cozy pairing. 

Coriander Pan-Seared Fish of the Day 

• Ingredients include: parmesan risotto, roasted leeks, poached autumn vegetables, mulled local apple cider glaze, lemon butter sauce, chives 
• Pair it with: Founding Spirits Bourbon 
• The creamy and savory parmesan risotto, along with the earthy vegetables and zesty lemon butter sauce, would pair beautifully with the warming, caramel notes of our bourbon. A Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned would add a rich, smoky sweetness to complement the cider glaze and enhance the fish’s coriander crust. The aged oak tones in the cocktail balance the dish’s hearty, autumn flavors, creating a well-rounded dining experience. 

Hazelnut Butter Fish of the Day 

• Ingredients include: pumpkin ravioli, hazelnut oil, pecorino romano, chives 
• Pair it with: Founding Spirits Rye  
• The nutty, savory elements in this dish call for a spirit with depth and spice. Founding Spirits Rye offers a slightly peppery, robust flavor that aligns with the hazelnut butter and pecorino. Alternatively, a Maple Bourbon Smash would introduce hints of sweetness and citrus, which would harmonize with the pumpkin ravioli and provide a fresh contrast to the dish’s richness. 

Enhance Your Fall Dining with Founding Spirits 

Finding the right spirit pairing can transform a meal into an unforgettable culinary experience. From the spicy depth of our rye to the warming sweetness of our dark rum, Founding Spirits has the perfect bottle to complement your favorite fall dishes. Whether you’re cozying up at home or dining at one of our restaurants, these pairings are sure to delight your palate and capture the essence of autumn. 

Shop our spirits online or pick them up in our DC area stores during your next reservation to start crafting your own fall food and drink pairings. Cheers to a season full of flavor!