Pear Excellence: The Art of Clear Creek Distillery’s Eau-de-Vie

For centuries, the creation of hand-crafted eaux-de-vie and fruit brandies has been a time-honored European art. In the United States, however, only a few dedicated artisans continue this meticulous craft. Among them, Portland’s Clear Creek Distillery stands out as a beacon of excellence.

Founded in Oregon, Clear Creek produces some of the most extraordinary eaux-de-vie in the world particularly its pear brandy and eau-de-vie de poire Williams. Using perfectly ripe Williams pears (known in America as Bartletts) grown in Oregon’s lush Hood River Valley, the distillery captures the pure essence of the fruit. The pears are carefully fermented and then distilled in a traditional alembic pot still, the same type used for centuries in Europe.

Though the method may sound simple, mastering it requires both patience and precision. The result must balance intense fruit concentration with a finish that’s smooth, elegant, and aromatic a feat that only true craftsmanship can achieve.

Perhaps the most captivating of Clear Creek’s creations is its eau-de-vie de poire Williams with a whole pear inside the bottle a signature that has become legendary. The process begins in spring, when tiny bottles are gently affixed to tree branches just after the pear blossoms have been pollinated. As the season progresses, the pears grow inside the glass, a marvel of nature and human ingenuity. Once harvested, the bottles and their fruit are sterilized with a special citric rinse before being filled with 80-proof pear brandy.

The result is a remarkable union of artistry, agriculture, and distilling tradition a liquid tribute to Oregon’s fertile land and Clear Creek’s relentless pursuit of perfection.

Visit:

Clear Creek Distillery

1430 Northwest 23rd Avenue

Portland, OR 97210

📞 (503) 248-9470