This Plymouth distillery's rum is among the top 10 in the US. Plus, Acuity and Biggby Coffee make plans to expand in Sheboygan.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY - Plank Road Distillery, 601 Eastern Ave. in Plymouth, was recognized by USA TODAY readers for having the second-best rum in the United States, following its fourth-place rank last year for best new craft distillery.
Plank Road Distillery beat several distilleries this year, including Muddy River Distillery in Belmont, North Carolina, and Koloa Rum Company in Lihue, Hawaii, which placed third and fourth, respectively.
Plank Road Distillery was ranked behind Lyon Rum from St. Michaels, Maryland, which has taken first place for three years in a row.
“They've won it as long as we've been in business," Jarin Gelhar, co-owner of Plank Road Distillery, said. "If you're going to finish second, that's the guy you want to finish second to."
Among several spirits, including vodka and gin, the distillery has been making rum since it opened in 2019, distilling it in blackstrap molasses and Sugar in the Raw, and then through coconut to add sweetness. Plank Road Distillery also has a dark rum, barrel-aged in bourbon, maple syrup, single-malt whiskey and coffee.
Gelhar said he and his wife Michele, also a co-owner, weren’t expecting to hear that Plank Road Distillery would be voted as the second best in the country.
“It’s pretty amazing, and it's very humbling because we're so small,” Gelhar said. “We're probably the smallest distillery in Wisconsin, and it's pretty humbling to be recognized.”
The distillery is local, with about 4,200 Facebook followers, no distribution and no statewide brand. As a single-room distillery with operations happening behind the counter where customers can see, tours aren't offered. Gelhar said this allows customers to be engaged in the sights and smells of the distilling process.
He said keeping a local focus was by design and it was how they wanted to open Plank Road Distillery.
Gelhar said attractions throughout Sheboygan County, like Road America, Kettle Morain State Forest and the Ryder Cup, which came to Sheboygan last year, bring customers into the area and to the distillery.
“We draw from quite a way away,” he said. “We've had people from Sweden that were in the area for the EAA that took gin back home with them. We've had people from Japan that were visiting family kind of in the area, and they took bourbon back home with them.”
With fewer people making rum compared to other spirits like bourbon and whiskey, Gelhar said Plank Road Distillery was able to find a niche.
Plank Road Distillery is open by appointment only Monday through Wednesday, and then 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The distillery can be reached at https://plankroaddistillery.com/ or 920-892-0282.
Acuity plans to add 60 new positions next year
Acuity Insurance plans to hire 60 new employees next year as a result of “continued growth and expansion,” according to a news release.
“Our common purpose is centered on our family of employees, agents and customers, and our family continues to grow,” Ben Salzmann, Acuity president and CEO, said in the news release. “As we continue to expand and get even stronger, we are bringing new people into the fold and seeing long-term employees capitalize on new job opportunities.”
A variety of positions will be offered, including underwriters, claims representatives, clerks and special consultants.
With approximately 1,500 employees, Acuity is among top private employers like Sargento Foods Inc., Nemak and Aurora Medical Group Inc. in Sheboygan County.
According to a news release, more than 1,000 people have been hired at Acuity over the past eight years.
A second Biggby Coffee is coming to Sheboygan
Construction has begun for a second Biggby Coffee on Sheboygan’s north side at 4035 State 42.
The 350-square-foot store will be drive-thru only but will have the same menu as the one at 2523 S. Business Drive.
Laura Anderson, owner and operator of the Biggby Coffee on Business Drive, said she always intended to expand the franchise once the first store became established in the area and because the north side lacks coffee options.
A Starbucks is on North Avenue near the new Biggby Coffee location and a Starbucks and Scooter’s Coffee are by the current Biggby Coffee Business Drive location.
Anderson declined to share when the State 42 store would open.
The new Sheboygan location is expected to be the third in the county, followed by the Plymouth store opening at 465 Walton Drive in November.
Biggby Coffee, which has more than 300 stores in 13 states, is expected to open five new locations across Wisconsin.
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Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan County distillery second-best in US, Acuity adds jobs
