With a large selection of liquors from brandy to whiskey, Hops & Schnapps liquor store has the drink to lift your spirits. Travelers, campers, vacationers, and locals will find the beverage to match their taste and occasion. Here are the common types of spirits we carry:
What Is a Spirit?
Unlike beer and wine, which are fermented and bottled, spirits are distilled after the fermentation process. In spirit making, ingredients like grains, fruits, or potatoes are fermented into a mash and then heated. Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, and its steam is collected and cooled to become a liquid spirit.
Some spirits, like whiskey, rum, and certain tequilas, are aged in barrels. Others, like vodka, gin, and silver tequilas, are bottled to maintain a clear appearance and neutral flavor. Both types are commonly used in cocktails and mixers and can be found at our liquor store.
Barrel Aged Spirits
Barrel-aged spirits, such as whiskey, rum, brandy, and golden tequilas, are matured within a wooden barrel. Aging barrels can be made with different woods, such as American, European, or French oak. Some barrels are charred by a flame to produce different flavor notes and color profiles. This process influences the aroma and flavor of the spirit.
We carry a range of whiskey, including Bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and Japanese. Each type is designated by the specifics of the distilling and aging processes, giving each variety a distinct flavor. Bourbon is distilled in Kentucky with a 50% corn mash, and peat is often used when distilling Scotch and Irish whiskey. Rum, brandy, and tequila are distilled from sugar cane, wine, and blue agave, respectively. The barrels used for these spirits are lightly charred or not charred at all. We stock old favorites and up-and-coming brands to enhance your drinking experience.
Clear Spirits
Hops & Schnapps carries a variety of clear spirits, including vodkas, gins, and silver tequilas. These liquors are bottled after distillation to remain neutral or highlight a botanical flavor profile. Clear spirits are popular for mixed drinks like vodka or gin martinis.
Vodkas usually use potatoes in their mash, giving it a neutral flavor that combines well with our many mixers, including juice, ginger beer, or other liquors. Gin is made from grain mash and is flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals for a strong herbal or floral flavor. Silver tequilas are not aged, keeping the liquid clear with the pure taste of the blue agave.
Specialty Spirits
Some spirits, barrel-aged or clear, require additional techniques during the distilling or aging process. Common specialty spirits include cognac, absinthe, and mezcal. Cognac is a type of brandy made from fermented grapes that requires twice distilling and a long aging process. Absinthe is made from several plants, including wormwood, anise, and fennel, that give it a strong licorice flavor. Mezcal is made from any type of agave plant, whereas tequila is only made from blue agave. It usually has a smoky flavor.
Find Your Spirit in Our Liquor Store
At Hops & Schnapps, we carry spirits best suited for mixed drinks or pouring over ice. We also stock beer and wine and can make a spirit-based gift basket for your next occasion. If you’re in Northern Michigan, find us in Gaylord, Grayling, and Standish for your favorite bottle of spirits.