Local Spirits

Ugly Dog distills homegrown vodka

by Shelley Daily

posted 1/1/2011

Ugly Dog Distillery makes and sells vodka under the same roof. "The idea was conceived at hunting camp with my German wirehaired pointer on my lap," says co-owner Jon Dyer.

Dyer, forty-seven, a Stockbridge resident who grew up in Dexter, breeds the bird dogs--commonly known by their "ugly dog" nickname--and long had an interest in making spirits. With his friends' encouragement he tested recipes, using different yeasts from around the world.

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