The Plaza is an assisted living facility in Manning, Iowa. Manning is a neighboring town to Templeton, and many of the people who live there are lifelong residents of the region. Every Friday afternoon they have a happy hour. On this particular Friday, the function was hosted by Templeton Rye. After a couple of sips, everyone started reminiscing.
We kick off this TR story series with a video of Merlin Rostermundt of Manning, Iowa, sharing his memories about Templeton Rye and his grandfather’s visit from The Feds.
We are very excited about our new landscaping project at the distillery. We have planted a variety of native flowers and grasses around the distillery, including Indian Grass, Big and Little Bluestem, Butterfly Milkweed, Black Eyed Susan, Spider Wort, Purple Coneflower and Aromatic Aster.
A special thanks to our friends Liz Garst and Elizabeth Hill at Whiterock Conservancy, Gloria from Windy Ridge Flowers in Coon Rapids and Linda and Tobin Bush for all of their great work.
Like most things in our business, it will probably take a few years to be ready, but we are very excited about our collection of native Iowa flowers and grasses. Please come visit us and see for yourself.
We’re excited to share this photo with you of our new sign at the Templeton Rye Whiskey Distillery in Templeton, Iowa. From left to right: Meryl Kerkhoff, Kevin Boersma, Scott Bush and Keith Kerkhoff
It appears that someone has already stumbled upon it. Check out this photo that @mebreton of Des Moines, Iowa, captured and posted to Twitter via Twitpic.
Be sure to drop by the distillery this summer and check it out. Here’s the link to our distillery tour dates.
There’s a really cool bed and breakfast called Gin’s Inn just down the road from the Templeton Rye distillery in Templeton that we think you should know about. Whether you’re planning a relaxing getaway or would like to turn your distillery visit to into an overnight or weekend stay, be sure to check out the inn, which is within walking distance from our distillery.
The Innkeepers Virginia (Gin) and Leroy Schultes invite you to experience their hospitality first hand:
Our goal at Gin’s Inn is to capture a cozy, warm atmosphere of beauty and comfort while giving personal professional service that anticipates our guests’ needs. Come and let us ease your mind and warm your heart. We are serving up the recipe for relaxation.
Gin’s Inn features a blend of comfort and traditional style with four uniquely-decorated guest rooms to suit your specific tastes and make you feel right at home. In-house telephones and wireless high speed internet access is available throughout the home, and all overnight stays include a continental breakfast.
For more information about the amenities at Gin’s Inn or to inquire about a reservation, visit the Gin’s Inn website. To view our upcoming distillery tour dates, visit our distillery tours page.
Virginia “Gin” Knobbe is one of the original Templeton Rye bottlers and the quiet leader of the group. Gin was born on October 27th and worked as a telephone operator prior to joining Templeton Rye.
Gin enjoys bowling and playing cards. She also is a volunteer teacher of “Speak Up” at Adams Elementary School. Gin lists her father as her hero and is most likely to be found at home on a Saturday afternoon. She enjoys steak and her favorite way to drink Templeton Rye is in an Old Fashioned. Gin recalls her dad telling her about a farmer who had and old high-wheeled wagon parked in the middle of his yard that had three barrels of Templeton Rye stored in it. The Reveneurs came to investigate the farmer but could not find a still or any of The Good Stuff. They proceeded to have a long visit with the farmer prior to departing, leaning up against the wagon the whole time.
Gin’s favorite piece of advice is “Do onto others as you would have others do onto you.”
Sandra Hines talks about her memories of Templeton Rye growing up in Carroll, Iowa, and how the telephone operators would warn the local tavern owners of raids during the prohibition era.
We’re pleased to offer the perfect getaway for couples who are looking for something unique and memorable to do this Valentine’s Day. Grab your loved one and visit our distillery to experience an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the history of Templeton Rye.
Templeton Rye distillery tours include a guided walk through our new barrel warehouse, bottling line, grand tasting room and gift shop. The distillery will be open for tours from 9 am - noon on Saturday, February 14th.
Anna Mae or “Annie” and her husband, Mox, are two of the original Templeton Rye employees. Annie lights up the distillery with her easy smile and warm personality.
Annie lists her hobbies as taking care of her 20 grandkids, gardening, canning and baking. Annie says her mother is her hero and the one person alive or dead that she would like to have dinner with is her husband “Moxie.”
Annie’s favorite colors are red, white and blue, and you are most likely to find her at home or in church on a Saturday afternoon. Her favorite food is chicken with a baked potato and her favorite way to drink The Good Stuff is with Coke on ice.
Annie’s favorite quote is “mind over matter” and “hang in there, through thick and thin.”
Templeton Rye Whiskey invites restaurant and bar staffs to spend a day with our team and learn all about the production, history and intricacies of Templeton Rye.
Transport to and from Templeton in our private bus
VIP distillery tour of production, laboratory, bottling and barrel warehouse
Historical video of Templeton Rye and the Prohibition Era
Refreshments on the bus and at the distillery
Lunch at the corner station in Templeton
Optional stops at various Western Iowa watering holes
Check out the highlights from the Full Court Press’ visit to the Templeton Rye distillery. For more information or to make a reservation for your staff, please email us at staffvisit@templetonrye.com.
Jeff and Jamie Schug of Johnston, Iowa, recently enjoyed the Ultimate Templeton Experience with a group of close friends: Maggie and Steve Jackson, Brenda and Bill Maly and Nicole and Rob Beaman.
Their day began at the Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des Moines, where they were picked up in the Templeton Rye bus and transported to Templeton for a VIP distillery tour, including a chance to label a bottle of The Good Stuff.
In addition to the tour, the group also enjoyed a great lunch at The Corner Station, a classic cocktail demonstration and a driving tour of historic Templeton (which turned into quite an adventure when the bus got stuck in the snow). The trip back to Des Moines included stops at Chuck’s Place in Coon Rapids and Tojo’s in Jamaica. “Team Schug” reports that their group had a fabulous time during their visit to Templeton.
Pictured, from left to right: Brenda and Bill Maly, Jamie and Jeff Schug, Nicole and Rob Beaman, Maggie and Steve Jackson
The Ultimate Templeton Experience is a great way to escape from the cold weather, stay warm with friends and learn a little about Templeton’s history. If you’re interested in this one-of-a-kind adventure, you can email us at templetonexperience@templetonrye.com and book a date. We have a potential opening coming up on Saturday, February 14th, if you’re looking for something unique to do on Valentine’s Day!
Templeton Rye President Scott Bush and Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff
Eighty years ago, when bootleg Templeton Rye was in the height of its
production, a very important event happened in tiny Templeton, Iowa. Our
Master Distiller, Meryl Kerkhoff, was born and started a course of
history that would eventually bring The Good Stuff to your glass.
A large group of friends and family came together at the VFW in Manning,
Iowa on Saturday night to celebrate. There was plenty of Templeton Rye
being poured, as well as the traditional cold sandwiches, potato salad,
beans, baked goods and enough birthday cake for the entire town.
Meryl is a living treasure for our company and everyone who knows him.
Happy Birthday, Meryl!
Pictured from left to right: Distillery Manager Kevin Boersma, President Scott Bush, Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff, Assistant Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff and Creative Director Jason Walsmith
Pictured from left to right: (front) Dan Kerkhoff, Scott Kerkhoff, Ron Kerkhoff (back) Keith Kerkhoff, Mary Bertelsen, Imelda Kerkhoff, Meryl Kerkhoff and Marty Kerkhoff
In 1931, a cardboard cutout of a little brown jug with the words X-Mas Spirits was raised along with the holiday lights above Main Street in Templeton. Many claim it was done with the aid of at least one person who occupied an important position in the civic and municipal affairs of the town. A picture of the little brown jug ended up on the front page of the Des Moines Register, which led to the most intense and sustained period of federal raids on booze-making around the town of Templeton, ever.
Templeton Rye’s founder, Scott Bush, was recently featured on Iowa Public Radio’s The Exchange with Ben Keiffer. We’ve posted the audio file in its entirety below. Click the play button to begin listening.
All aboard! On Wednesday, November 26th, we’ll be cruising through Des Moines in the new Templeton Rye shuttle bus for our first annual Thanksgiving Tour of Des Moines. We’re honored to have such loyal supporters, so this is our way of saying “thanks” for another great year.
The TR shuttle bus will be making special stops throughout the Des Moines metro area, providing groups of up to 12 people a sweet getaway from the monotonous “day-before-Thanksgiving” workday. In case you want to get an early jump on your holiday shopping, we’ll have Templeton Rye merchandise available for purchase. But let’s get one thing straight: This isn’t about selling you stuff, it’s about meeting you all and saying thank you.
Want us to add your workplace to the route? All you need to do is round up a dozen people from your office who love Templeton Rye as much as you do, and ask them to take a short break from work to hang out on the TR shuttle bus. Once you’ve got your group confirmed, please e-mail us at info@templetonrye.com with your location and we will add you to the route!
Iowa Governor Chet Culver was in Carroll County over the weekend for the annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunt, and he stopped by the distillery to say hello. We gave Governor Culver a tour, discussed the history of TR, and chatted about opportunities and challenges facing our company. Our team really appreciated the Governor making time to visit us.
Pictured, from left to right: Assistant Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff, Brand Manager Mike Killmer, President Scott Bush, Governor Chet Culver
For those of you interested in an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the history of Templeton Rye, we are now offering The Ultimate Templeton Experience: an exclusive trip for groups of up to 20 people aboard our private TR shuttle bus. We’ll pick up your guests at a designated meeting spot, provide transportation to and from Templeton, Iowa, and treat your group to lunch and refreshments — both aboard the bus and at the distillery.
The experience is perfect for groups of friends or corporate outings, and can be customized to include any of the following activities:
VIP distillery tour, including production, laboratory, bottling and barrel warehouse.
Historical video of Templeton Rye and the Prohibition Era.
Driving tour of historic Templeton, Iowa.
Classic cocktail demonstration featuring the history of various cocktails including the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac, as well as proper techniques for preparing them.
Full Court Press group visits the Templeton Rye tasting room
In October, we embarked on our maiden voyage in the new Templeton Rye shuttle bus, bringing along the owners and staff from Full Court Press for a VIP distillery tour. Full Court Press operates several of the coolest and most unique bars in Des Moines, including The Royal Mile, The Red Monk, Shorty’s, High Life Lounge, Hessen Haus and Buzzard Billy’s. The trip was a chance for the whole gang to learn more about the history of Templeton Rye and the production, aging and bottling process.
Our brand new Templeton Rye shuttle bus
Our day included a tour of the distillery, a classic cocktail demonstration in the tasting room, and lunch at the Corner Station (the local diner that also serves as a convenience store / gas station). We then headed north to Maple Valley Junction to Little Gus’s for some post-lunch beers and good times.
The Good Stuff is all about Templeton Rye, our fans, our employees, our industry and our history.
We invite you to join the conversation by sharing your comments and stories.
Templeton Rye Whiskey
When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of a small Iowa town chose to become outlaws – producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as Templeton Rye.
TempletonRye: If you purchased tix online to Rock & Rye this Sat, 7/31, your tix will be available at will call on the day of the event. See you there!
TempletonRye: Rock & Rye tix are still available for $10 (+ nominal fee) in advance: http://ht.ly/2hToD & will be available for $15/person at the door.
From left to right: Meryl Kerkhoff, Kevin Boersma, Scott Bush and Keith Kerkhoff
Anna Mae or “Annie” and her husband, 
Jeff and Jamie Schug of Johnston, Iowa, recently enjoyed the 
Pictured, from left to right: Brenda and Bill Maly, Jamie and Jeff Schug, Nicole and Rob Beaman, Maggie and Steve Jackson
Running after the bus.
Templeton Rye President Scott Bush and Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff
Pictured from left to right: Distillery Manager Kevin Boersma, President Scott Bush, Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff, Assistant Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff and Creative Director Jason Walsmith
Pictured from left to right: (front) Dan Kerkhoff, Scott Kerkhoff, Ron Kerkhoff (back) Keith Kerkhoff, Mary Bertelsen, Imelda Kerkhoff, Meryl Kerkhoff and Marty Kerkhoff
