IWNA Issue 1, 2019

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Greg Pope of Missouri Ridge
Distillerymight be the most famous
of the bunch after appearing last year
in the premiere episode of Discovery
Channel’s Moonshiners: Whiskey
Business. Pope is a third-generation
distiller; his grandfather made moon-
shine in Utah’s Rocky Mountains during Prohibition. “I’m just the first
generation to do it aboveboard,” Pope laughs. He then provides a
quick moonshine lesson. “The simplest explanation [of moonshine]
is any clear, non-taxed liquor,” he begins. “The lore or legend behind
it requires a little longer story. If you go with a traditional recipe, it is a
blend of sugar cane and grain. Because it’s got cane in it, you can’t
call it whiskey, and because it’s got grain, you can’t call it rum.”
Pope’s distillery and restaurant are located northwest of down-
town Branson, just off Highway 465. He and his wife, Jolie, moved
to Branson specifically to open Missouri Ridge. A Nebraska native,
Jolie spent summer vacations in Branson as a youth and has always
loved the area. “I tried to convince her to move to Alaska,” says Pope.
“When we got here, I told her, ‘It’s Alaska green, but warm, so I’m in.’”
Among its many spirits, Missouri Ridge offers a Howlin’ Hounds
moonshine and a 100-percent corn whiskey (both at 100 proof), a
white lightning at 140 proof, and three flavored whiskeys: apple pie,
peach, and honey. Made with super-sweet corn from Illinois and sugar
cane from Louisiana, the sweetness comes through immediately
when sipped. The apple pie and peach flavors both remind me of fruit
cobbler, right down to a hint of a buttery cinnamon crust at the finish.
MOONSHINE GOES UPSCALE
Crown Valley Brewing and Distilling Company began as a vineyard
in St. Genevieve, Missouri, in 2002. As the winery expanded, the
owners opened a brewery and distillery in 2008,
making a variety of beverages, including craft sodas.
The company set up shop on the Strip of Branson’s
Highway 76 in 2015 as Crown Valley Branson.
“Branson has been extremely welcoming,”
says general manager Tena Smith. “It’s something
new. They’ve had the wineries for years, so we
were the first distillery [inside city limits].” Crown
Valley Branson is part bistro and part storefront with
a small-batch distillery in the back. While the tasting
room serves and sells every product Crown Valley
makes, including meats and cheeses, Branson
is the only location that produces a classic corn
moonshine and four flavored whiskeys: nutty honey,
cocoa espresso, cinnamon, and, the company’s most popular,
cherry maple. Made with all-natural flavorings, Smith says cherry
maple whiskey is a perfect taste of all things Branson.
“We have lots of maple syrup and fruit orchards, so I would identify
that flavor with Missouri.” Smith even cooks with cherry maple, using it
for bread pudding, barbecue sauce, and even bourbon pancakes. She
recommends substituting a bit of the whiskey with water — about a
quarter cup. “These pancakes are for adults only because the cooking
is not hot enough to cook off all the alcohol,” she advises.
Smith, whose hospitality background is from the wineries of
Southern California, personally prefers Crown Valley’s Washtub gin
and uses it in a variety of the tasting room’s cocktails. “The nose
on it is just so soothing,” she says. “While most gins are heavy on
the juniper and pine with a wintery taste, our gin is more like an
indoor sauna that’s warm, inviting, and sparkling.” Try it for yourself
in Smith’s signature gin and tonic. She makes it without the lemon
twist because the gin already contains citrus.
Carrie Dow; ExploreBranson.com; ExploreBranson.com
Moonshine Beach Recreation Area: Don’t let
the name fool you: Adults and kids can enjoy
this large sandy beach on Table Rock Lake.
Just a few miles west of downtown Branson,
Moonshine Beach offers a swimming area, scuba
diving, fishing, volleyball, and picnicking. Table
Rock Lakeshore Hiking Trail runs about 2 miles
from the visitors’ center to Table Rock State Park
Marina with stunning lake views. The beach has
accessible facilities.
Branson Scenic Railway: A 40-mile journey
on this historic railroad passes through tunnels,
over trestles and bridges, and through the
awe-inspiring Ozark wildness of Missouri and
Arkansas. The depot is located in downtown
Branson and operates three to four rides daily,
depending on the season.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park: Set on 10,000
acres, Dogwood Canyon is a 40-minute drive
southwest of downtown Branson. View breathtaking
waterfalls and fish in beautiful canyon streams and
ponds; hike, bike, or Segway the 6.5-mile paved
trail; or go horseback riding. You can also enjoy
a ride aboard the Wildlife Tram Tour, where you’ll
cross the Arkansas border for a chance to spot
herds of bison, elk, and other cattle.
Fritz’s Adventure: This indoor activity park is
open year-round. Thrill seekers can experience
80,000 square feet of vigorous activities such as
climbing, tunneling, suspension bridges, and zip
lining. Fritz’s can also accommodate guests with
disabilities; just ask for special accommodations
at the front counter.
Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline: Parakeet
Pete’s zip line over Lake Taneycomo at Branson
Landing offers a large multi-cable ride with a
double-chair ski-lift seat that makes experiencing
a zip line easy and comfortable for everyone. The
chair is slowly pulled backward to the opposite
side of the lake before being released for the
return flight safely over the water.
100-Percent,
ZERO-PROOF
FAMILY FUN
While only adults can indulge in moonshine, here are some Branson activities
to experience with the entire family:
58 INTERVAL WORLD n Issue 1, 2019
Bottoms Up,
Branson.
or
at .
Getaways start
at $397.
The Getaway price is valid April 1 through
Sept. 30, 2019.