Toasting L.A.'s new Greenbar distillery with a Vanilla Shandy cocktail

L.A. welcomed its first commercial distillery since prohibition Sunday evening as Greenbar Collective had its grand opening in a Downtown warehouse. (Unfortunately the draconian local liquor laws mean there's no tasting room, so it's wholesale only.)
Litty Mathew and Melkon Khosrovian's company has come a long way since we voted on fruit and herb-infused vodkas back in their Glendale kitchen. They've since concentrated on using organic produce and then organic grains to create the Greenbar Collective line of organic spirits including Tru Vodka, Tru2 Gin, Crusoe Rum and the latest, Ixa Organic Tequila. Soon to come is Slow Hand white whiskey and eventually an aged whiskey, distilled right in L.A. (Melkon travels to Mexico several times a year to make the tequila, which of course has to be made on site.) They also make organic Fruitlab liqueurs in flavors like Jasmine and Hibiscus, and the Barkeep line of bitters concocted by notable mixologists.
As much as the couple loves spirits, they love beer just as much, so here's how to mix a lager-spiked cocktail they enjoy at home for your all-organic enjoyment.

             TRU Vanilla Shandy
1 oz TRU organic vanilla vodka
2 oz organic lager
1/2 oz FRUITLAB organic jasmine liqueur
squeeze of organic fresh lemon juice
 Pour all into tall, ice filled glass
Stir for 10 seconds. Garnish with lemon and orange twist.

Salut, Greenbar Collective, on your new distillery!