Archetype Distillery’s pure spirits
Dominique Taylor/EAT Magazine
If you haven’t visited Archetype Distillery’s tasting room on the banks of Gore Creek, make plans to visit this newest kid on the block pronto. Opened in December 2023, the atmospheric enclave may be new to Vail but its spirits are well-established. Owners Michael Chapyak and Wade Murphy created this unique distillery in 2018 in Denver but decided to relocate to Vail when opportunity knocked in the form of a tasting room and distribution center in Gypsum (Archetype is the official gin of Red Rocks Amphitheatre) and a bar in Vail Village.
Situated next to Gore Creek near the International Bridge, the bar is right in the middle of Vail Village. And though they’re fairly new to their brick-and-mortar space, Archetype already feels integral to the local scene.
“But that’s what we’ve always wanted to do: My style is to honor the past but of course bring a little more of a cool edge and a little more modernization,” Chapyak said. “I like to roll with a neighborhood instead of over it.”
Peruse the menu and pieces of Vail’s past pop up like a Luxardo cherry in an old-fashioned (but don’t ask for bourbon — more on that later). Archetype Distillery embraces its mountain home with nods to Vail’s history with cocktails referencing iconic locations including Crossroads, Cyrano’s and The Roost.
“The clarified and concentrated flavors in pure spirit form give our drinks the elevated sensory experience we strive for.” Michael Chapyak, co-owner
“We’ve had a few people come in and be like, ‘Oh my God, I haven’t thought of that place in 20 years,” Chapyak said. “We just wanted to pay homage because we are very grateful to be here.”
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Chapyak and Murphy are no strangers to Vail, having grown up coming here and “living over Pazzo’s and working there after college like everyone else has,” Chapyak said. The pair has seen the changes to the area and wants to keep the cool vibes of the town’s history. From the illuminated bar to the extensive collection of hand-crafted distillates, the goal has been achieved.
Archetype features craft distilled gin and vodka made from grapes, which provide a smoother profile, i.e., a less intense “burn.” Unlike grappa, which is made from the “leftovers” of wine — the skins, seeds and stems — Archangel Vodka and Archrival Gin are crafted from the juice and fruit of the grapes. The result is effortless and extremely enjoyable to sip; there are also smoked versions.
And though there are plenty of assembled options to try on the menu, Chapyak loves the opportunity to craft a cocktail to an individual’s specifications.
“We ask what you like and we’ll craft it,” he said. “It’s fun for us. It’s fun for the customer. And it also brings them back because you can literally try thousands of drinks here with what we have.”
The house-made distillates (which are not vodka nor gin but are distilled spirits that fully embody the flavors of an ingredient) are game changers: the lemon tastes like lemon, the ginger tastes like ginger and the blue cheese — yes, blue cheese — tastes like blue cheese. It’s a unique way to imbue the flavors of an ingredient with an added kick.
“We make our distillates to enhance our cocktail program and overall flavor profile choices,” Chapyak said. “The clarified and concentrated flavors in pure spirit form give our drinks the elevated sensory experience we strive for.” With thousands of opportunities to craft the perfect cocktail, Archetype Distillery is a bold new libation station…no bourbon or whiskey required.
