Popular Mechanics cites tech advances at Columbus’s Middle West Spirits Micro-Distillery

Popular Mechanics, known for its recommendations and rankings of products, has named Middle West Spirits (MWS) micro-distillery in Columbus, Ohio as one of five of the World's Most-High-Tech Distilleries.

The magazine states that, “both large-scale and batch distillers are turning to high-tech operations and equipment to improve efficiency, flavor, and product.” It cites quotes from one of the Columbus, Ohio-based company’s co-founders.

 "The tech for batch distillation isn't really prevalent in the U.S.," says Middle West Spirits' head distiller, Ryan Lang. "This was an industry that was dead for decades due to Prohibition. But European distillation never stopped improving, especially in Germany."

Ohio's artisanal micro-distillery — the first of its kind in the state — uses a German Kothe pot-combination still in its distillation process. The still features reflux columns, which allow Lang to refine the alcohol by processing through its purer components while emitting less desirable elements. The column is topped with what are called bubble cap trays, which have spaces small large enough to let vapor through but small enough to catch the impurities. "It all comes down to this," Lang says. "Any change in batch distilling over the years is simply to improve quality."

“We dedicate our everyday work to showcasing Ohio’s great potential in the craft spirits market,” said Middle West Spirits’ co-founder Brady Konya. “We are very proud to be recognized by Popular Mechanics for the technology innovations we’ve helped to pioneer.”

MWS has recently announced its expansion of its Short North micro-distillery to allow for the company to meet growing demand. It’s also positioned itself as an advocate in changing Prohibition-era laws that remain unfriendly to small spirit producers in Ohio and across the US.

Link: 5 of the World's Most-High-Tech Distilleries - Popular Mechanics

About Middle West Spirits

Middle West Spirits (MWS) is Central Ohio’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition.  Located in the Short North Arts District of Ohio’s capital city, the 3,200-sq.-ft. boutique distillery produces world-class, artisanal spirits from scratch using only the best ingredients sourced from farms across Ohio. 

OYO, MWS’s line of premium artisan spirits, are named after the original word for the Ohio River Valley (“O-Why- O”) and are a collection of smooth, full-bodied spirits with immense character, distinctively reflective of their Ohio origins. Made from local, soft red winter wheat, OYO spirits demonstrate a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology, old-world traditions, and the finest, farm- fresh Ohio ingredients. The result is a line of vodkas and whiskeys that comfortably sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest spirits in the world.

OYO Vodka, OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, OYO Whiskey, and now, OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, can be found in state liquor agencies and restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington DC, as well as at Middle West Spirits’ retail shop and website: 1230 Courtland Ave, Columbus OH 43201 – http://www.middlewestspirits.com