DISTILLER, HOMESTEADER, AND BOSS
THE PLAIN HOOCH OF BIRDIE BROWN
Introducing Birdie Brown Plain Hooch, an unaged whiskey gracefully distilled with care in small batches from oats, wheat and barley just like Birdie used to make during Prohibition. Distilled in her homesteading state of Montana, our Plain Hooch honors not only Birdie, but all African Americans in distilled spirits history.
THE UNSUNG LEGEND OF PROHIBITION
In the early 1900’s an African American woman from Missouri, Birdie Brown, homesteaded by Brickyard Creek in Montana along with only her beloved cat. While prohibition gripped the nation, Birdie gained quick notoriety for her home-distilled hooch made from homegrown grains. Her hooch was known for not only being safe, a concern of the era, but for its exceptionally smooth sipping.
Birdie was a strong, independent woman and one of the few African American female homesteaders in the country. She tragically passed in 1933, but her cabin and her legacy still stand today. Passerby even say every so often they catch a glimpse of a black cat perched in the parlor window. We are proud to share Birdie’s story of adventure, fortitude, and entrepreneurship which has until now resided in a forgotten place in distilled spirits history. We raise a glass to Birdie!
A simple recipe made to taste.
Based on our research of the ingredients and distillation methods available to her during that time, we’ve recreated her recipe which was originally distilled on her homestead and sold in her legendary parlor.
The Step-by-step Process
01. We start with the best wheat, oats and barley Montana has to offer.
02. The water is heated and the grains are added.
03. At just the right temperature yeast is added and the mash is fermented.
04. The fermented mash is distilled and we collect only the best tasting fraction (heads and tails are discarded).
05. Bottle so the world can enjoy Birdie Brown Plain Hooch!
PERFECTION IN SIMPLICITY
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Wheat
We use wheat grown on a family farm in Montana, just as Birdie would have. The wheat delivers a balanced flavor and adds a gentle sweetness for easy sipping.
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Oats
In homesteading years, oats were often used in distilling because other grains were scarce and harder to to grow. Our oats lend a creamy, nutty taste and smooth texture that we believe would make Birdie proud.
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Barley
The mildness of our barley adds a complexity to the hooch without overpowering the other flavors.
Cocktail Recipes
While Birdie Brown Plain Hooch is known for being a smooth, sippable spirit, we've crafted a few cocktail recipes that are perfect with it.
What an Angel
2 oz. Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
1 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth
.25 oz. St. Germain Elderflower
Combine all listed ingredients in a cocktail beaker or pint glass with ice. Stir until cold. Strain through ice into a coupe glass and garnish with a frozen grape.
Green with Envy
2 oz. Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
.75 oz. simple syrup
4-8 basil leaves
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake cold. Double strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with 3-4 basil leaves.
Sunrise with Birdie
2 oz. Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
1 lime wedge
Pinch of kosher salt
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour in grapefruit juice. Add Birdie Brown Plain Hooch. Squeeze lime wedge and drop inside. Pinch kosher salt on top. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.
Fashion Statement
2 oz. Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
.25 oz. simple syrup
3 or 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 orange wheel
In a rocks glass add simple syrup, and bitters. Stir until brown. Fill rocks glass with ice and add Birdie Brown Plain Hooch. Garnish with orange wheel.
Ramshackle Punch
1 750ml bottle Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
½ pint dark rum
½ pint cognac
1½ cups of sugar
8 lemons – sliced and juiced
1 cup of pineapple juice
2 bottles sparkling wine
Combine all in a large punch bowl filled with ice. Garnish with pineapple rings. Dance!!