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

Hi Daniel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I really just wanted to be in a position in life where no one could lay me off. I mean, I grew up in the Midwest and watched as companies came (as tax incentives came in) and went (as tax incentives went away). Many of my friends parents divorced because of the financial strain of not knowing where their next job would be and it ruined their famlies. At a young age, I decided that I would not do that… so starting a company (or companies as the case maybe) was my way out of that rat race.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
This is a difficult series of questions to answer so I’ll try to do so as best I can:

Meridiem Spirits makes liquor, specifically Bourbon, Vodka, Gin and Rum.

We operate our company in a 8500 sq ft building in Denver that also houses a snowboard company (Marketed as Affinity Snowboards) and two Ski Companies (Marketed as Adamant Skis and Horizon Skis).

I have a business interest in all three companies, and they are all independent of each other.

That being typed, in the building (in between) the distillery and the snowboard / ski companies there will be a tasting room. So people will be able to come in and watch their cocktails and winter sports equipment being made… in real time.

That’s where the magic happens.

It’s a unique experience that the world might not be ready for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, from the airport we are going to Petes Kitchen on East Colfax Ave. It’s one of the last authentic 24 hr diners in Colorado and is amazing in every sense. From there we are off to Steamboat (assuming it’s winter) and we’re spending a few days on the slopes. The best watering hole up there is called “The Back Door”. They serve ice cold, reasonably priced drinks (which for a resort town is unheard of) and have a menu of 20 or so burgers. If it’s summer, I might take them for a tour of some of the old mines, the municipality of Leadville is a must for all visitors as it’s the highest in elevation municipality in the entire country. There are ton’s of breweries and distilleries all over the state that are always fun to visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For the Meridiem Spirits side of this story, a man named John Hosler Sr. is 100% responsible for putting me in the position where I would find success in the liquor business. He introduced me to Single Malt Scotch, and I had my first glass of “the water of life” with him in a small eatery outside of Wilmington DE after helping his son move there from Iowa. He taught me all the subtle things to pick out of the dram including how to nose it properly, noted that everyones pallet is different and we will all taste different things from Single Malt Scotch. But the point of drinking it was to share the experience with friends and family… and I was hooked. I took a job at a local liquor store while in college so that I could learn more about this libation… and I took all that I learned from that experience and started my own distillery.

For the snowboard side of this story… I’m not sure we have enough room in your article. So we may need a second “shoutout” series for that, but I assure it’s a great story!

Website: https://thelittledistillerythatcould.com

Instagram: @meridiemspirits

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meridiemspiritsco

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