Rob Berry from Asterley Brothers Artwork

Cocktails Distilled

At Cocktails Distilled want to help you to make cocktails at home. In this podcast, we talk to distillers and makers about particular varietals they have created - what they are, why they created them and, more importantly, in what cocktails that particular expression works best. So if there is a brand of gin, whiskey or whatever, that you've been thinking of buying, then we can help you know more about it and exactly how to use it.

Show More

Cocktails Distilled

Rob Berry from Asterley Brothers

November 07, 2019 • Cocktail Collective • Season 1 • Episode 22

With the apéritif category undergoing a renaissance, boutique producers such as London’s Asterley Brothers are going from strength to strength.

Incorporating a particularly British take on traditionally Italian Amaros and Vermouths, the company have recently undertaken crowd funding to expand not only their range but also their reach.

We talk to Rob Berry from Asterley Brothers about the recent release of their Schofield’s Dry Vermouth, working with renowned bartender Joe Schofield and what English terroir can bring to drinks.

What’s made you and you brother want to start a drinks company?

And how did you go about making it more English?

Were they difficult to find?

Are a lot of them still around?

How did you decide which one to use and to go forward with?

How did you decide which way to go?

That must have been a really interesting process to have taken it out to people and said, "We've got it this far, work with us to fine tune everything."

Now, you also released a sweet vermouth and a fernet. Did you go through the similar process with those two products

Now, you've just released a dry vermouth with Joe Schofield, was that something you found during that process as well that he brought a refinement to creating a particular product?

Okay. If someone was to buy your dry vermouth for the first time, what difference would they find with yours to an Italian dry vermouth?

Now, I believe the Schofield brothers created some cocktails for the release of the dry vermouth. Can you go through what they are?

Now, what is the reaction, especially from other bartenders? But generally, what has the reaction been to the release of the dry vermouth

Now, you guys actually undertook crowdfunding recently. What was that process like?

It's unusual for an alcohol brand to take that route. What inspired you to do that?

And what's next for Asterley Brothers?

Now, you spoke about concentrating on the UK for the next year, will the product be available more globally after that?