Greeley small-batch distillery expands with Oak + Maple restaurant

Photos and story by David Young

Whiskey pairs well with lots of things such as chocolate, cigars and steaks, to name a few. However, there is a tasting room in downtown Loveland that is pairing whiskey and waffles – a unique mix of breakfast and happy hour all in one place.

477 Distilling tasting room
123 E 5th St., Loveland
970-451-5768

The Greeley-based 477 Distilling opened a tasting room late last year in downtown Loveland, offering up the sweet pairing with its sister company, Oak + Maple, which features a gourmet waffle menu that pairs perfectly with the distillery’s cocktails.

477 Distilling opened in Greeley in 2018, focusing on high-quality, small-batch vodka, gin and whiskey crafted with local ingredients and unique flavors. Late last year, the distillery expanded into Loveland with the opening of its new tasting room.

Owner and CEO Matt Estrin said the idea for the whiskey and waffle pairing stems from wondering what would be a fun food concept that mixes well with cocktails. His youngest daughter Riley always starts her day with waffles, and Matt likes to end his with whiskey, so the idea for the whiskey and waffle pairing was born.

“My daughter has a waffle for breakfast every single day with Nutella, strawberries and whipped cream,” he said. “A piece of me thought it would be fun to bring this experience with my family to the distillery concept.”

There is even an item on the menu now called “Riley’s Breakfast,” which commemorates her daily breakfast that inspired the new restaurant.

The menu also has a full chicken and waffles section and an extensive cocktail selection with a Port Old Fashioned that incorporates maple syrup. Estrin said the staple Chicken and Waffle is the most popular item on the menu and that the sweet and savory dish pairs nicely with a whiskey.

“We’ve received great feedback,” Estrin said. “We’re having a lot of fun with it … people really enjoy coming in for waffles and finding the cocktail element. And the opposite is true too, where people come in for a cocktail and get a waffle.”

Other classic and creative drinks includes an old fashioned, spiced pear mules, and mocktails and cocktails like “Act Your Sage,” featuring Orange Barrel, sage, lime, lemon drop and pear syrup.

477 also offers a free online bartending school, featuring videos where participants can learn more about crafting their creative cocktails. And every few weeks the distillery offers cocktail classes in person.

The 477 Distilling space in Loveland is larger than the Greeley location, and Estrin said over time he plans to move all production to the new space.