Driving along Highland Avenue in Norwood between Montgomery Road and Ridge Avenue, industrial businesses abound. But tucked away in the strip, is a new budding distillery that is gaining traction in Norwood and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Shumrick and Leys hosted a grand opening in June 2017 and business has been booming since. Founded by Terry Shumrick, Bill Easley and Ted Hinckley, the distillery boasts of delicious liquors and offers customers a relaxing, comfortable, industrial ambience to enjoy their drinks.
Shumrick, Easley and Hinckley began toying around with distilling in 2013 at Shumrick’s brother’s farm in 2013. After refining the process, they decided to look for a building to launch their business and rented their current space on Highland Ave. After remodeling and preparing the space for production, they spent a year distilling and aging their spirits before opening this year.
Their signature drink is their Norwood Mule, a riff on the well-known Moscow Mule, that combines ginger beer, blackberry vodka and lime. Their drink menu includes a rotating list of seasonal cocktails along with flights of their liquors. Current liquor offerings white rum, aged rum, bourbon, vodka, blackberry vodka and horseradish vodka (intended for use in bloody marys). Liquors can also be purchased in bottles.
Shumrick is the chief distiller, and he’s always looking opportunities to experiment with new flavors and offer something unique. Looking to the fall, he’s planning to experiment with pumpkin and coffee.
Along with delicious beverage offerings, Shumrick and Leys has partnered with Gordos to offer barbeque pork, ribs and wings from a food truck. They are also planning to regularly incorporate music into their weekend evenings.
The best part of Shumrick and Leys isn’t the drinks or the food. Shumrick and Leys offers Norwood residents and neighbors a place to come, relax over a drink and enjoy time with friends while supporting a local business. The recently renovated warehouse tasting room, which features a barrel-lined wall and view into the production area is relaxing and full of character. With their fine spirits and great space, Shumrick and Leys will undoubtedly become a landmark in Norwood.
Hours at Shumrick & Leys Distillery are Friday: 4pm - 10pm, Saturday: 1pm - 10pm and Sunday: 1pm - 7pm
Written by Abigail Murrish. Abby resides in Norwood with her husband, Mike. You can see her work at abigailmurrish.com and also listen to her delightful podcast focused on life in the Midwest called "Our Midwestern Life."