Shelter Distilling: How a Mountain-Born Spirits Brand Is Scaling Craft Culture Across the West

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🥃 Deal in Focus: Shelter Distilling

Craft Spirits With Altitude and Ambition

🚠 From Mountain Town Roots to Multi-Location Growth

Founded in 2016 in Mammoth Lakes, CA, Shelter Distilling crafts spirits that reflect the grit, altitude, and beauty of mountain life. Think heirloom blue corn, pure snowmelt water, and foraged botanicals like pinyon pine.

In 2023, they opened a 14,000-square-foot flagship distillery in Montrose, CO—scaling production 10x and adding a restaurant, tasting room, and regional distribution across CA, CO, and upcoming states including NV, AZ, and TX.

📈 What Makes Shelter Stand Out

🍸 Product Differentiation

Shelter’s portfolio includes:

• Cask Strength Blue Corn Bourbon

• O’Pinyon Gin (foraged ingredients)

• California Agave Spirits

• Craft Beer + RTD Cocktails

Their spirits have received Gold Medals and 90+ point ratings from respected reviewers like ACSA and Tastings.com.

🛠 Revenue Model with Range

Shelter generates income through:

• Three physical locations (bar + restaurant + distillery)

• Wholesale distribution in CA and CO

• Direct-to-consumer sales in California

• Collaborative SKUs like Last Run Lager with Mammoth Mountain

👷‍♂️ Meet the Founders

• Jason Senior – Master Distiller with a focus on sustainable production

• Karl Anderson – Finance leader managing compliance and long-term strategy

• Matt Hammer – Former pro snowboarder turned brand builder (also founded Black Velvet Coffee)

🏔️ Market Context: A $7.8B+ Category

Craft spirits in the U.S. reached $7.8B in 2023. Shelter is positioned at the intersection of fast-growing trends:

• First-mover in California agave spirits

• Brand activations at travel hotspots (e.g., Montrose Airport)

• RTD cocktails gaining market share over legacy brands

🧪 Real Traction

• $5M+ in capital raised to date

• Tasting rooms located in tourism centers like Mammoth (3M+ annual visitors)

• Retail presence in Colorado's 2nd busiest airport

• Multi-award winning SKUs across core categories

💡 Final Take

Shelter Distilling is more than a craft distillery, it’s a regional brand with early traction and a strong product narrative. Their Reg CF campaign offers a look inside the next phase of growth.

🔗 Visit Shelter’s StartEngine Campaign Page (Insert official link)

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Last Issues Poll Results 🗳️:

Would You Invest In OVERTHROW HOSPITALITY?

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👍 (1)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 (3)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🤷 (7)

11 Votes

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