Minnesota man names whiskey distillery after monk's preservation efforts
- A monk worked on digitizing ancient manuscripts in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq from 2007 to 2008.
- He drew inspiration for a whiskey distillery from Minnesota's natural resources and the cultural significance of whiskey.
- Stegar named his distillery after Brother Justus Trettel, who historically taught distillation to farmers during the Great Depression.
In 2007 and 2008, in an effort to preserve ancient manuscripts in conflict areas, a monk associated with the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library embarked on a project traveling to countries like Syria and Iraq. He focused on digitizing valuable manuscripts that represented a significant part of people's history and faith. This endeavor led him to experiences reminiscent of adventures characterized by Indiana Jones. Following this period, Stegar began contemplating a career transition, as he reflected on the monks' historical role of creating whiskey. He found inspiration in the ingredients for whiskey that were prevalent in Minnesota, believing the act of enjoying whiskey could mirror the deep appreciation found in monastic traditions, such as manuscript reading and storytelling. Ultimately, he decided to pursue this distilling journey by naming his distillery after Brother Justus Trettel, a monk renowned for his contributions to farm families during the Great Depression by teaching them about distillation. By 2015, Stegar successfully launched his distillery, producing American single malts with locally sourced materials, and dedicated himself to creative whiskey production that honors cultural heritage.