Short Path Distillery Debuts a Huge Outdoor Patio in May

The outdoor patio behind Short Path Distillery in Everett. / Photo provided

Just in time for spring weather (hopefully!), Short Path Distillery is approved to bring its craft-made spirits outside. An outdoor courtyard that will double the size of tasting space at the Everett Fermentation District’s distillery debuts on Friday, May 5.

Around February, Short Path took control over the last unit in the building that houses its distillery, giving it 1,300 more square feet for production and storage, says cofounder Matthew Kurtzman. That’s in addition to the 2,000-square foot former metal fabrication shop the company leased last summer.

“The real win from [the latest] takeover was 1,600 square feet of outdoor patio space,” Kurtzman says. Inside, Short Path’s tasting room is about 800 square feet, he notes. “Our goal all along was to push for a springtime launch, and we’ve been able to hit it, which is awesome.”

To get patio-ready, Short Path rearranged the tasting room a bit—the team moved the retail setup, and knocked out a brick-and-glass wall to install double doors leading out to the courtyard. A second entrance, down a narrow alley alongside the main building, gives patio access directly from Kelvin Street.

While Short Path plans to build a permanent bar for the patio, to start, it will have a temporary setup for the opening party on May 5. It will also have a variety of seating options for about 50 people, from casual picnic tables, to bistro-style seating, standing tables, and love seats with low tables. Like the indoor tasting room, the overall capacity of the patio will be about 90, Kurtzman says.

“We’re trying to make it as comfortable as possible,” Kurtzman says.

And there will be plenty to drink—though no mint juleps for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6. Short Path is still heavy in research and development mode on its new whiskey still, Kurtzman says, targeting a winter 2017 release for that new spirit. But along with white and gold rums and the house gin, bottles of Short Path’s CSA-born Ouzo, Pommeau, and Gilded Grove, a barrel-aged triple sec, will be available. May 5 will also be the day Short Path releases its new, seasonal Spring Gin.

“It’s packed full of floral and lemon [flavors],” Kurtzman says, using ample lemongrass, lemon balm, and lemon peel; as well as jasmine, chamomile, juniper, and coriander.

Ahead of the party, Short Path is staffing up—the team expects to hire a handful more bartenders and door people to accomodate the growth—and sprucing up for spring. Need to drink outside while you’re visiting the so-called Fermentation District, also home to Bone Up and Night Shift breweries, before May 5? Night Shift’s pup-friendly patio is always a good choice.

Short Path Distillery, 71 Kelvin St., Everett, 857-417-2396, shortpathdistillery.com.

A scene from Short Path Distillery patio construction earlier this spring. / Photo provided