Photos by Fiona Murphy

Brays Oaks’ hottest club is a distillery recently opened in the former location of a tire shop.

That’s what “Stefan,” the character from Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update, might say about the newly opened local business.

In reality, Drop of the Creator Spirits Company isn’t a club. 

Also, it’s not so “hot,” at least not in the warehouse, where massive ceiling fans kept a nice breeze going on a recent Thursday night. Also in the warehouse, with its open-air seating thanks to large garage doors opened wide, the Astros game was playing on the big screens and, as if to add to the perfect atmosphere, they took the lead and won the game against the Mariners. 

“I love this place,” said Kate, a resident who lives nearby, as she pushed in her chair after stopping in for a bite and a drink. 

Kate added that she hoped many people would patronize the new distillery at 10929 Chimney Rock Rd. so the neighborhood could see it thrive for years.

If the first few weekends are any indication, Drop of the Creator has a long future in the Brays Oaks District.

“The soft opening weekends have been amazing,” said owner Lori Murphy. “The support and turnout has been truly wonderful.”

And that was before the distillery started its “pizza program” and introduced a new agave spirit. 

Lori Murphy and husband Jeromy Murphy, architects by trade, opened Drop of the Creator in a spot that was once a Discount Tire and most recently a Crossfit studio, where they are bottling a straight bourbon, Texas whiskey, at least two premium gins, vodka and an agave spirit distilled in Mexico. They also plan to make a single malt American whiskey that they will age on-site and bottle in two or three years. 

Photos by Fiona Murphy

In the tasting room, the Murphys offer craft cocktails, various beers brewed on-site, plenty of non-alcoholic drink options, and charcuterie, pizza, and other snack items. The pretzel with homemade mustard sauce is a fan favorite.

Also on tap: amazing merch including hats, t-shirts and pint glasses. Guests can buy the merch online or at the distillery but can buy spirits only in person from Drop of the Creator.

The Murphys dreamed of offering a place for their customers — their neighbors — to gather. 

“We live just up the road from the business. This is a great community, and investing in it seems like a no-brainer,” Lori Murphy said. 

Using their background in architecture and design, the Murphys transformed the space into a welcoming and lively space with areas for small and large groups, individuals, and families to gather. 

And it’s still evolving. We noticed new artwork between our visits above the antique (faux) fireplace mantle that supporters of the Murphys cleaned and shellacked before the distillery opened. 

The Murphys looked around at other locations in the city for their business venture but kept returning to the area they called home. So they bought the building and completely renovated the 6,700-square-foot distillery site to their specifications.

“Our neighborhood is underserved. We don’t like fighting through traffic to get across town to visit a trendy place. From the beginning, we wanted to locate the business close to our home,” Murphy said. 

A reviewer on Yelp said the new distillery is “lively but still a chill atmosphere.”

“Great drinks and delicious food! Can’t wait to go back,” the reviewer wrote.

Finnegan’s Wake, an Irish-American ballad, inspired Jeromy Murphy for the business’s name. In the first verse, they introduce Tim Finnegan, who loved liquor and would start each day with a Drop of the Craythur. 

“Craythur is Irish for both whiskey and creature, something that is created and has spirit,” Murphy said. “We changed it to Drop of the Creator as a nod to our architect backgrounds and our love of making things.” 

Fans of the new business can join the “Creators Club” at three membership levels with varying benefits, including complimentary cocktails, discounts on merchandise and free tastings, and a fancy title — Founder. 

“Happiness not guaranteed, but we will try our best,” the fine print states. 

What more could you ask of your neighbors? 

— Dorothy Puch Lillig 

Drop of the Creator Spirits Company
10929 Chimney Rock Rd.
dropofthecreator.com

Drop of the Creator is open Thursday-Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm, and the Tasting Room will be open for guests 21+ until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.