Fired up: Distiller joins vibrant beverage scene in Carlisle

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Devin Flickinger loves his libations.

“I’ve been making my own beer and wine for 14 years now,” said the Boiling Springs resident who joined forces this summer with friend Mark Farrell, also of Boiling Springs, to open Hook & Flask Still Works at 137 N. Hanover Street in downtown Carlisle.

The pair, who are making history as the first distillery to open is Carlisle since Prohibition, are also volunteer firefighters for the Monroe Fire Co. and chose Carlisle for its craft beverage scene.

“We were aware of the breweries and wineries in Carlisle and decided that by adding a distillery, it becomes more of a destination,” said Flickinger.

Ramping up

To take his hobby to the next level, Flickinger spent time at a distillery in southern Virginia where he shadowed a distiller.

“I have a passion for production and learned about that side of things like familiarizing myself with the products and equipment and how to run a still,” Flickinger said.

From there, Flickinger enrolled in classes at Black Button Distilling in Rochester, New York. “Those classes touched on every part of the aspect of the distilling business itself, from start up, to running and producing,” he said.

Deciding on Carlisle was just the first step. Finding a suitable space was the second.

“We needed a place big enough for production and we also wanted to be on the main road,” said Farrell, adding that an additional challenge was locating a building without overhead apartments.

“It’s forbidden by law,” he explains.

The 7,200-square foot building at 137 N. Hanover Street, which was formerly home to the Printed Image, checked all the boxes and then some, with a large glass front door that opens and closes like a garage door. The duo closed on the property in December 2018, while, at the same time, enlisting the assistance of Shippensburg University‘s Small Business Development Center to assist with a business plan.

“We worked with Robin Burtner and she was a great help to us,” said Farrell, adding that they met the small-business consultant at a LoveCarlisle event.

Paying homage to firefighters

Visitors to the establishment will see the pair’s devotion to firefighting, from the hoses arranged into an an American flag that festoons the back wall, to artifacts like antique fire extinguishers and buckets.

The large, open room features table seating with low and high tops and a large bar, which accommodates approximately 18 patrons. To ensure that no one misses a sporting event, three televisions are located behind the bar, with an additional two in the bar area.

An open kitchen located behind the bar turns out bar food ranging from chicken wings, to loaded tater tots, to vegan chili and gourmet sliders.

To wash it all down, Hook & Flask offers its own whiskey, apple pie moonshine, gin and vodka, with names like Mutual Aid and Flashover. Mixed cocktails continue the fireman theme with names like Red-Headed Firefighter, pairing apple moonshine with ginger syrup and lemon juice, and Truckie, using Mutual Aid whisky, lemon juice and simple syrup. Bourbon and rye will join the distillery’s lineup in the future.

Those who enjoy other beverages can choose from a selection of Pennsylvania-made spirits and wine. Craft beer is also served, thanks to a collaboration with neighboring establishments like Desperate Times, Molly Pitcher and Burd’s Nest brewing companies.

Shelley Whitcomb is one of the regulars who is happy to have a distillery in the area. The Carlisle resident said she likes the atmosphere and is particularly fond of the Blackberry Rosemary Mule made with Stateside vodka, blackberry puree, rosemary ginger simple syrup, lime juice and ginger beer.

She is also looking forward to the entertainment on tap. “They have lots of music lined up,” said Whitcomb, remarking on a band she particularly likes. “Serene Green played recently and they have quite a following; people come from near and far to see them,” she said.

Flickinger, who has 21 years of experience as a paramedic, said that he and his partner have enjoyed creating a new business for the residents of Carlisle and beyond.

“We both wanted the opportunity to serve others and now we are doing it in a different way,” he said.