When we first stopped by New Columbia Distillers in January, co-owners John Uselton and Michael Lowe had little more than an empty warehouse and a plan to make gin. Today they’ve got a fully functioning distillery—the first in the city in over a century—and their signature spirit, Green Hat Gin, is finally on sale to a thirsty public.

The once-empty warehouse in the Northeast neighborhood of Ivy City has been transformed in recent months, full rehabbed and equipped with a large German still, a mash tun, fermenters, and hot water tanks. The gin is the product of eight recipes they tried over the course of two-and-a-half weeks starting in July, producing between 35 and 40 cases of test batches before settling upon a final recipe.

At full capacity, they’ll be able to produce 60 cases of gin a week, some of which will be sold directly to people who walk in the door—a permit for tastings is in the works—and some at local liquor stores, with Schneiders on Capitol Hill getting the first shipment. The first case, though, is being given to the family of George Cassiday, the famed D.C. bootlegger who wore a green hat—hence the gin’s name—and kept Congress quite wet during the era of Prohibition.

That Green Hat Gin is on sale brings the city’s drinking renaissance to a new level. We’ve got three functioning breweries—well, four if you include the White House—and a rich assortment of bars and taverns that sell specialty cocktails and fine beers.

Each bottle retails for $36, and Lowe told us that they’re usually at the distillery from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week. For now they can only take cash or checks, but eventually they’ll be able to accept cards. The distillery is located at 1832 Fenwick Street NE, and you can call them at (202) 733-1710.