Member Profile: Fireside Distillers
Fireside Distillers is a small, veteran-owned distillery in west Eugene. Established in 2013, they’ve been making spirits and distributing them nationally (and soon, internationally) since then. In a recent interview, founder Kyle Akin told the Springfield Chamber a little more about the business.
Tell us a little more about Fireside Distillers.
Fireside started out as Crescendo Spirits in 2013, as a collaboration between the founder (Kyle), and his former boss (Jeff). Their backgrounds are rooted in civil engineering, and it was fortunate to have this background, with the need to navigate the myriad rules and regulations in the spirits industry.
How did you get started in your industry?
The business started as a necessity; there was a lack of construction and civil engineering work during that time in the Eugene area. I was determined to stay local and create my own opportunity. I found that opportunity in Crescendo. Crescendo is our brand of certified, organic, citrus-flavored liqueurs made from real fruit – not flavorings. Crescendo was born out of a personal hobby of making limoncello at home.
In 2016, we successfully completed a community public offering – with investors putting up between $250 and $2,500 per investor – and raised over $100,000 that helped us grow the business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported the US by producing sanitizer; and after COVID, while working on the board of Directors for the Oregon Distillers Guild, we helped pass a bill that allowed us to start making money out of our tasting room for the first time.
What services do you offer and what makes Fireside Distillers unique?
Our uniqueness is in our accomplishments. We’ve made it this far down the road with our grit and without large scale investment. Initial successes prompted the purchase of distilling equipment for making spirits unique to to the Fireside tasting room. We released our Diamond Clear brand in 2022, which provides tincture makers and other crafters with a 190-proof, organic ethanol option in liquor stores, and directly through Fireside. This is the first time that’s been an option for these crafters.
What do you like most about your work?
At Fireside, we like the feeling of adventure, exploration, and camaraderie. We do not mind experimenting with new things. We like getting people together and the feeling of discovery. What we enjoy the most about our job is seeing a smile on someone’s face when they try our products and the praise of a good job. Coming in second is the process of getting there. It takes a lot of iterations and time to create a decent product.
Any advice for others?
The spirits industry is a tough road for a small business that did not start with a large amount of investment. It has taken a lot of sacrifice to get stable and sustain for the past 12 years. We are proud of who we are and what we have accomplished.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Come on out and visit our tasting room and event space. We will blow you away with what you didn’t know was out here.
More about Fireside Distillers
Fireside Distillers is a veteran-owned and operated business located in Eugene, Oregon. They are a small business with less than five employees/contractors. All of their by-products are donated to local nonprofits and farms so they create almost no waste. Their organic certification shows their commitment to transparency and accountability for our production process and end products. Find out more here.
