By Chad Neal
The holidays are over and the Christmas trees are ready to be disposed of. The Ellicottville Distillery (5462 Robbins Road, Ellicottville, NY 14731, off rte 242 East near the rte 240 junction) is hosting their annual Christmas Tree Burn Party to light up the evening one last time with your celebrated tree Saturday, January 21. Owners Bryan and Renee Scharf invite you to the event and will offer their popular signature and new hand-crafted spirits in their stunning distillery outfit. The Ellicottville Distillery now more than half a decade into making their several award-wining products is a destination as well hosting weddings and events year-round, with more plans for the future as well.
The annual Christmas Tree Bonfire is one of the many fun events the Scharfs invite everyone to come and enjoy. It is a daylong event beginning around noon with the bonfire around 6pm. The Ellicottville Distillery has over half a dozen hand crafted spirits to taste at their quaint bar setting in the retail part of the building. And though all of the products Bryan Scharf distills and crafts – three of them won awards in 2022. His Straight Bourbon won a Gold Medal, the popular Maple Bourbon Cream won a Bronze medal and the tasty Appleshine also won a Bronze medal, but that isn’t the only reason to stop in for the Christmas Tree Bonfire.
Anyone and everyone who has a coniferous tree they used to decorate for the center point of their Christmas morning can bring the needle dropping evergreen to add to the inferno. Live music by Kody and Herren from 5pm -8pm will help highlight the party with sweet sounds. The duo, Nick Kody and Lydia Herren are from Springville, NY and are artists who can play many different instruments including guitar, harmonica, mandolin, violin and more. Their material is “inspired heavily by roots music and their duets provide a strong chemistry on stage. Vocal harmonies and the overall dynamics of a song are very important to them, and they aim to entertain an audience.” Watching the fire grow as more trees are added and with good music in the air the evening will be a memorable on. Especially with the scent of pine smoke wafting around the air.
As the Ellicottville Distillery is still a newer destination among the many draws in Ellicottville, the many events they are hosting demonstrate they want to show their guests a memorable time. They are available for weddings and other gatherings as well. The Christmas Tree Bonfire and live music is sure to be a great time for all. Watch for more fun and exciting things at the Ellicottville Distillery on their website at ellicottvilledistillery.com or on their Facebook page. Or call for more information (716) 597-6121. Cheers!