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Retail Watch: New distillery to offer in-house rum and brandy in the Lehigh Valley.A new distillery is preparing to bring an independent spirit — and independent spirits — to the Lehigh Valley.Original Degenerate Distilling Co.opened to the public in late March at 437 Northampton St.in Easton, founder and CEO Chris Plumaker said.A grand opening is planned for late July or early August.The distillery currently offers beer, wine, mixed drinks, outdoor seating, tours and private events.“We’re not just opening a distillery, we’re building a place where people can gather, learn about the craft of distilling and experience something uniquely Easton,” Plumaker said.Following the grand opening, it will also offer its own alcohol with in-house rum and brandy made using custom 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured by Ace Custom Copper in Tennessee (named Big Audrey and Little Audrey, respectively, after Plumaker’s daughter Audrey).“[Big Audrey is] very imposing in the room, and you can see her from every square inch of my space,” said Plumaker, who also plans to eventually produce whiskey and vodka.Plumaker, who works in sales for the Longo electrical-mechanical company in New Jersey, said the idea for the distillery came about 15 years ago when he was working for a winery.“At the time, I had watched the craft beverage industry basically evolve to where we’re at now with microbreweries opening in many locations, boutique wineries were becoming increasingly common, but the craft distilleries were … a relatively rare craft,” he said.“At the same time, I was watching Easton … transform, and the city was experiencing a huge revitalization driven by entrepreneurs, driven by small businesses as well as people who believed in Easton’s future.I saw an opportunity to create something unique that would fit into the growth while also connecting to Easton’s rich history.” Once known as the “Little Apple” for how New Yorkers would come to the city for drinking, Easton resisted enforcement during the Prohibition era, particularly the Seitz Brewery that piped beer under the Delaware River to New Jersey.Even The Morning Call, in its edition the day before Prohibition went into effect in January 1920, said that “it is advisable if you have anything on your hip tonight, when the swan song of liquor is sung, to drink it or get it to your home before midnight.Otherwise you might be taken into custody.” Plumaker said that historically, “many independent distillers and moonshiners were considered outsiders who didn’t always fit mold.We embrace that independent spirit, but we’re also doing it the right way with all required licenses, compliance and commitment to quality.So the name Original Degenerate is what we want to resonate to folks, that we all have a little bit of rebellious spirit in us.” The distillery operates 5 p.m.to midnight Thursday and Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 6 p.m.Plumaker added the distillery is available other days for special events.Cara Palermo pours a mixed drink Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Original Degenerate Distilling, which opened to the public in late March in Easton.It offers beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) People enjoy an engagement party inside Original Degenerate Distilling Co.on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Rum is made in 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Original Degenerate Distilling Co.in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in the copper stills.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Rum is made in 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Original Degenerate Distilling Co.in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in the copper stills.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Rum is made in 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Original Degenerate Distilling Co.in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in the copper stills.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Original Degenerate Distilling Co.distiller Allen Davis proofs the rum Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Original Degenerate Distilling Co.owner Chris Plumaker, distiller Allen Davis and Steve Maile beverage consultant for work together Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Cara Palermo pours a mixed drink Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Original Degenerate Distilling, which opened to the public in late March in Easton.It offers beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Original Degenerate Distilling Co.owner Chris Plumaker gives an tour with engaged couple Cooper Gabrich and Sara Hackett with their friends Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Original Degenerate Distilling Co.owner Chris Plumaker and distiller Allen Davis show off the fresh batch of silver rum Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) People enjoy an engagement party inside Original Degenerate Distilling Co.on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured in Tennessee from copper.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Original Degenerate Distilling Co.distiller Allen Davis proofs the rum Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Easton.The distillery opened to the public in late March, offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, tours and private events.Following a grand opening this summer, it will also sell rum and brandy made in-house using 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills manufactured i