Meet Mike Girard | Owner/Head Distiller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Girard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, how do you think about risk?
As a former Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the Army I have never had much of a problem taking risks. Multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, being responsible for disarming bombs was about as risky as one could imagine. I quickly discovered managing my own risk was easier than risking the future of my family by opening a business. Luckily I have an incredible support system, my wife Jennifer (Tasting Room Manager/Head of Marketing) who quickly became the most important leader of 3 Hundred Days Distilling and my daughter Paige (Processing Manager/Quality Control).

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
3 Hundred Days Distilling is moonshine distillery that prides itself on recreating a time honored tradition of producing a traditional Colorado moonshine. Throughout prohibition Colorado moonshiners used beet sugar to distill a unique spirit referred to as “sugar moon”. Pretty much every state in the union made some sort of illegal distilled spirit from 1920-1933, that spirit mostly varied based on what was geographically available for fermentation. For Colorado moonshiners, sugar beets was the states cash crop and an easily accessible sugar source for distilling alcohol. I am most proud of the fact that we not only focus on a quality product but also history and a link between our shine and the moonshine that was being distilled along the front range a hundred years ago. We are truly Colorado from the name on the wall to what we put in a jar.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Great places to visit are down town Colorado Springs for Pikes Peak Lemonade Company and lunch at Rooters House of Raman or Happy Belly Tacos. Hike up Bar Trail and visit the little shops in Manitou Springs. Favorite places to eat would be Denver Biscuit Company for brunch and Cork and Cask for their great selection of whiskey. The IVP at The Beach House for weekend beach volleyball and drinks. Of course most of my friends visiting want to visit 3 Hundred Days Distilling for our cocktails and traditional Colorado moonshine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife more than anyone. 23 years in the Army, 4 combat deployments she was my greatest supporter. After 9/11 she knew what laid ahead, she knew the next few years were going to be the the most difficult. Through all the loss, the heartache and separation she is my constant. When the Army was done with me and it was time to move on, starting a business based on a hobby I was doing in the garage and the fact we had very little business experience/knowledge scared the hell out of her but still she was supportive.

Website: www.3hundreddays.com

Instagram: @3hundreddaysofshine

Facebook: @3hundreddaysofshine