Fort Hamilton

What Fort Hamilton does

Fort Hamilton Distillery, operating under Brooklyn Ace Distillers LLC, is a Brooklyn-based craft distillery that began barreling whiskey in 2016 and is headquartered in a tasting-room-equipped facility at 68 34th Street in Industry City. The distillery's core competency is New York-style rye whiskey production, distinguished by a zero-corn mash bill (rye, malted barley, yeast, water), low-proof barreling, and non-chill filtration, with the brand narrative anchored to Alexander Hamilton, the Fort Hamilton Army Base, and the Battle of Brooklyn. The portfolio has expanded into bourbon (Single and Double Barrel), gin (New World Gin distilled with citrus, cucumber, and watermelon), and vodka (Fortress Vodka and Fortress Cucumber Vodka), alongside limited-edition cask finishes under the Continental Collection, hand-painted special editions, bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup, gift boxes, and branded merchandise.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model anchored by its own e-commerce storefront (national shipping, free over $150), an on-site tasting room and multi-space event venue (Tasting Room, Saloon, Distillery Floor, Balcony), third-party delivery via Uber Eats, and broader retail discovery through Wine-Searcher. Revenue streams span one-off bottle sales, distillery tours, ticketed experiential events (Sunday Sessions jazz, comedy, trivia, Tiny Distillery Concerts), private event venue rentals, custom private barrel programs with personalized labels, and merchandise. Pricing across spirits ranges from $21.99 (New World Gin 375ml) to $99.00 (Armagnac Finished Rye), with gift cards spanning $25-$200. Co-founders Alex Clark (bartending background) and Amy Grindeland (hospitality and Tasting Room operations) lead the company, which received undisclosed funding from OvareVentures in August 2021.

Customer segments are predominantly craft spirits enthusiasts and experience-seeking consumers, with secondary high-net-worth and corporate buyers reached through the private barrel program and private event venue rentals. Go-to-market relies on community-driven experiential marketing, cultural institution sponsorships (Green-Wood Cemetery, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, Pioneer Works, Brooklyn Football Club, NYPL Young Lions, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Rooftop Films, The Center for Fiction, 24 Hour Plays), earned media across Forbes, Wine Enthusiast, Whisky Advocate, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Uproxx, InsideHook, and Food&Wine, an email newsletter "Join the Revolution" with a 10% first-order incentive, and social channels (Instagram, X). Industry recognition includes Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Spirits 2024, Fred Minnick's Top 100 American Whiskeys 2021, Wine Enthusiast and Food&Wine's "Best Gins for a Gin and Tonic," and inclusion in Forbes and Brooklyn Magazine NYC/Brooklyn must-visit lists through 2025.

Name

Fort Hamilton

Legal name

Brooklyn Ace Distillers LLC

Website

https://forthamilton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fort Hamilton Distillery is a Brooklyn-based craft distillery producing super-premium New York-style rye whiskey, bourbon, gin, and vodka via a zero-corn mash bill. Founded in 2016 by Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland, it sells direct-to-consumer through an Industry City tasting room, national e-commerce, and experiential events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits Distillery

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD)

Keywords

• Craft whiskey distillery
• Rye whiskey production
• Bourbon distillery
• Craft spirits maker
• Artisanal distillery

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales (E-commerce and On-site): Direct-to-consumer sales of whiskey, bourbon, gin, and vodka products through the company's e-commerce website and tasting room. Products include Single Barrel Rye, Double Barrel Bourbon, New World Gin, Fortress Vodka, and specialty finished whiskeys.
2. Events and Tours: Revenue from ticketed events including distillery tours, cocktail experiences, live music concerts, comedy shows, trivia nights, and the Revolutionary Spirits Trolley Tour partnership with Green-Wood Cemetery.
3. Private Event Venue Rental: Private event bookings for birthdays, weddings, corporate gatherings, and holiday parties in the Tasting Room, Saloon, Distillery Floor, and Balcony spaces.
4. Private Barrel Program: Custom barrel selection experience where customers work with the master distiller to select personalized whiskey barrels with custom labels.
5. Merchandise and Specialty Products: Sales of branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts), hand-painted bottles, barrel head prints, maple syrup products, and gift cards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fort Hamilton Distillery produces super-premium craft spirits in Brooklyn, NY, including rye whiskeys (single barrel, double barrel, cask strength), bourbons (single barrel, double barrel), New World gin, and Fortress Vodkas (including cucumber vodka). The distillery uses traditional pot-still methods, low-proof barreling, and non-chill filtration, sourcing grains from New York and water from the Catskill Mountains. It also offers distillery tours, private events, private barrel programs, gift sets, branded merchandise, and barrel-aged maple syrup.

Product overview

Fort Hamilton Distillery is a Brooklyn-based craft distillery producing premium spirits centered on New York-style rye whiskey. The core portfolio consists of whiskey expressions (Single Barrel Rye, Double Barrel Rye, Cask Strength Rye, Single Barrel Bourbon, Double Barrel Bourbon), gin (New World Gin), and vodka (Fortress Vodka, Fortress Cucumber Vodka), along with a CONTINENTAL COLLECTION of specialty finishes. Non-alcoholic offerings include Organic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. The company also offers gift sets, hand-painted special edition bottles, branded merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts), and experiences including Private Barrel programs, Distillery Tours, and Private Events hosting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fortress Vodka: A line of vodkas including Fortress Cucumber Vodka, distilled from 100% corn with fresh cucumbers and Catskill Mountain water.
• New World Gin

Products and services

• Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Flagship rye whiskey distilled from 90% NY-grown rye and 10% malted barley, aged 6.5 years and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV); available in 375ml and 750ml formats in limited batches.
• Double Barrel Rye Whiskey New York Straight Rye Whiskey blended from 53 gallon and 30 gallon American White Oak barrels using a rye and malted barley mash bill, aged approximately 3 years and non-chill filtered at 92 proof (46% ABV).
• Cask Strength 6.5 Year Rye Whiskey High-proof rye whiskey aged 6.5 years and bottled at cask strength (117 proof / 58.5% ABV) in 750ml format for whiskey enthusiasts seeking undiluted intensity.
• Single Barrel Bourbon Single barrel bourbon made from 85% corn, 10% rye, and 5% malted barley sourced from New York's Hudson Valley, bottled at 95 proof (47.5% ABV) in 750ml.
• Double Barrel Bourbon High-rye bourbon aged and blended in small batches to deliver a smooth, rich profile with vanilla, caramel, and cocoa notes, bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) in 375ml and 750ml formats.
• New World Gin Gin distilled from New York corn with freshly peeled orange, lime, lemon, cucumber, and watermelon, bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) and available in 375ml and 750ml sizes.
• Fortress Cucumber Vodka Vodka distilled from 100% NY State corn and fresh cucumbers, cut to proof with Catskill Mountain water; certified kosher, additive-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and non-chill filtered at 75 proof (37.5% ABV).
• Fortress Vodka Pure corn vodka distilled from 100% corn and cut with Catskill Mountain water, marketed as exceptionally smooth and pure in a 1L format.
• Continental Collection Armagnac Finished Rye Limited edition 6-year-old rye whiskey (90% rye, 10% malted barley) finished in Armagnac barrels from southern France, delivering plummy notes of quince, fig, and prune in a 750ml format.
• Organic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup Pure organic maple syrup aged in Fort Hamilton's Brooklyn bourbon barrels, imparting salted caramel, cocoa, and vanilla notes with a kiss of smoke.
• Maple Old Fashioned Gift Box Giftable maple Old Fashioned kit pairing Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye with Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup and Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters, complete with a recipe card.
• Gift Box 3x375ml (Gin, Bourbon & Rye) Variety gift set bundling three 375ml bottles: New World Gin, Double Barrel Bourbon, and Single Barrel Rye.
• Private Barrel Program Bespoke whiskey experience allowing customers to work with the master distiller to select a barrel matching their taste preferences, add custom labels, and take the barrel home as a personal memento.
• Distillery Tours Behind-the-scenes tours of the distilling operations featuring a historical journey through New York's distilling heritage and Prohibition, guided tastings of award-winning spirits, a sustainable practices overview, and a hands-on bottle-making experience.
• Private Events Venue rental for private events including birthday celebrations, weddings, corporate gatherings, and holiday parties using the Tasting Room, Saloon, Distillery Floor, and Balcony spaces at the Industry City, Brooklyn location.
• Fort Hamilton Gift Card Gift cards available in denominations from $25 to $200, redeemable on-site for bottles, tours, merchandise, and cocktails, and never expiring.
• Hamilton Barrel Head Print Exclusive Alexander Hamilton barrel head print signed by artist Alex Carmona, hand-carved on American oak Fort Hamilton barrel head and printed on Arnhem Cotton paper (25x25 inches); limited to 34 copies.
• Fort Hamilton Zipped Hoodie Branded full-zip hoodie in black made from a 60/40 cotton/polyester blend, available in sizes XS through XXXL.
• Fort Hamilton Pullover Hoodie Branded pullover hoodie in black heather made from a 60% cotton / 40% polyester blend.
• Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Tee Flagship branded t-shirt made from a 60/40 cotton/poly blend.
• Fort Hamilton Long Sleeve Tee Long sleeve t-shirt in charcoal made from a 60/40 cotton/poly blend.
• Hand Painted Double Barrel Bourbon Special edition Double Barrel Bourbon bottles hand-painted by NYC artist Ava Bramlett with festive designs, sold as a 750ml format at a premium price point.
• Hand Painted Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Special edition Single Barrel Rye Whiskey bottles hand-painted by NYC artist Ava Bramlett, sold as a limited collector offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fort Hamilton Double Barrel Bourbon ranked in Top 100 American whiskeys of 2021
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green-Wood CemeterycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership for Revolutionary Spirits Trolley Tour and Toasting to Time events. The partnership explores Brooklyn's Revolutionary War history and early American distilling heritage through combined cemetery trolley tours and distillery cocktail experiences.
• Brooklyn Football ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFort Hamilton sponsors Brooklyn Football Club, the borough's premier professional soccer organization in the USL. Partnership involves supplying cocktails at club events and bringing Brooklyn spirit to supporters.
• BRIC Celebrate BrooklynminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, the city's beloved free concert series celebrating 47 years of world-class talent and global sounds in the borough.
• BRIC JazzFestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of BRIC JazzFest, a decade-long celebration of jazz innovation bringing rising stars and boundary-pushing artists to BRIC House.
• Brooklyn Conservatory of MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with BKCM's 10th Anniversary House Party, offering cocktails and tastings at an event bringing accessible music education and therapy to thousands across NYC.
• Pioneer WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of Pioneer Works' 10th annual Village Fête, celebrating artists, innovators, and dreamers in Brooklyn's creative community.
• The Center for FictionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Downtown Brooklyn nonprofit supporting readers and writers of all ages through events, workshops, and the power of storytelling.
• Rooftop FilmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport for Rooftop Films' 30th season kickoff with an unforgettable evening of new short films under the stars at Green-Wood Cemetery.
• Run The World ExpominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of week-long gathering of innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders celebrating creativity, wellness, and the future of work.
• Texas Exes Chili Cook-OffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipation in Texas Exes 100th Anniversary Chili Cook-Off, a spirited day of legendary chili, Texas-sized hospitality, and celebration.
• The 24 Hour PlaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport for The 24 Hour Plays, cornerstone of New York's creative scene where new work is written, rehearsed, and performed in just one day.
• New York Public Library Young LionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with NYPL Young Lions community, bringing together literature lovers and New Yorkers who value culture, creativity, and connection.
• GroupmuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Groupmuse for Tiny Distillery Concerts series featuring original music performances at the distillery with ticketed entry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/forthamilton
• Instagraminstagram.com/forthamilton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fort-hamilton-distillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fort Hamilton