April 25, 2026

From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery

From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 314

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery

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The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 314 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Beth and Patrick Downing, the visionary owners of Franklin, Massachusetts’ own GlenPharmer Distillery. It’s a fascinating look at how a professional background in pharmacy provided the perfect scientific foundation for transitioning into the world of craft spirits and hospitality. We dive deep into their incredible journey, from the initial concept to navigating the unprecedented challenge of launching a distillery and restaurant just as a global pandemic was beginning. Patrick and Beth share how they managed to make such a monumental feat sound easy. Inside the Episode: A Nod to Franklin History: We explore the storied past of the building that GlenPharmer calls home and its unique historical connection to the town's hat-making industry. Science in the Glass: Learn about the distillery's seasonal focus on both its restaurant menu and its innovative cocktail program. Patrick shares some "science of the cocktail" tips that you can use at home. Award-Winning Spirits: We discuss their lineup of acclaimed products and reveal the surprising production capacity of this local powerhouse. The Business of Spirits: From the nuances of serving laws in the distillery versus their event space to the complexities of distribution and shipping. The "Geeky" Details: We get into the nitty-gritty of the industry, discussing everything from distillery taxes to the mystery of the "Angel’s Share." Whether you are a Franklin local or a spirits enthusiast, you will love the story of grit, science, and community behind GlenPharmer. Learn More: GlenPharmer Distillery: www.glenpharmer.com The Wonderful World of Wine: www.thewww.wine Cheers, Kim and Mark đŸ·đŸ„ƒđŸ· #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #GlenPharmerDistillery #CraftSpirits #FranklinMA #ShopLocal #DistilleryLife #CocktailScience #PharmacyToDistillery #AngelsShare #WineAndSpiritsPodcast

Patrick Downing Profile Photo

PATRICK & BETH DOWNING
Owners, GlenPharmer Distillery

Patrick and Beth Downing’s story of a shared chemistry began when they met as pharmacy school students at Purdue University in Beth’s native Indiana. Now, they divide their time between pharmacy careers and chemistry of a different kind as owners of GlenPharmer Distillery. What began as Pat’s love of whisky became a business venture for the couple, with a growing collection of award-winning spirits.

“I guess you could say that our interests have always driven our success. We are both dedicated to our careers in pharmacy and, with GlenPharmer, we’ve discovered a shared passion for creating the highest quality spirits. We have an amazing team who work tirelessly to engage our guests in an immersive experience in our tasting room and restaurant, where we pair our spirits, hand-crafted artisan cocktails, and a delicious chef-inspired menu,” Pat said.

Upon graduation from Purdue University School of Pharmacy, the Downings moved to Pat’s hometown of Lee, Massachusetts and took over operation of Pat’s father’s pharmacy, McClelland Drug Store, notable for being the oldest continuously operated pharmacy in the state. Together, they owned and operated McClelland and its related healthcare businesses, for 14 years. After Pat achieved a graduate degree from Columbia Business School, they sold McClelland and moved on to the next phases of their careers: Pat to a major pharmacy services company and subsequently to help small pharmacy services companies that were underperforming. Beth to home infu
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Beth Downing Profile Photo

PATRICK & BETH DOWNING
Owners, GlenPharmer Distillery

Patrick and Beth Downing’s story of a shared chemistry began when they met as pharmacy school students at Purdue University in Beth’s native Indiana. Now, they divide their time between pharmacy careers and chemistry of a different kind as owners of GlenPharmer Distillery. What began as Pat’s love of whisky became a business venture for the couple, with a growing collection of award-winning spirits.

“I guess you could say that our interests have always driven our success. We are both dedicated to our careers in pharmacy and, with GlenPharmer, we’ve discovered a shared passion for creating the highest quality spirits. We have an amazing team who work tirelessly to engage our guests in an immersive experience in our tasting room and restaurant, where we pair our spirits, hand-crafted artisan cocktails, and a delicious chef-inspired menu,” Pat said.

Upon graduation from Purdue University School of Pharmacy, the Downings moved to Pat’s hometown of Lee, Massachusetts and took over operation of Pat’s father’s pharmacy, McClelland Drug Store, notable for being the oldest continuously operated pharmacy in the state. Together, they owned and operated McClelland and its related healthcare businesses, for 14 years. After Pat achieved a graduate degree from Columbia Business School, they sold McClelland and moved on to the next phases of their careers: Pat to a major pharmacy services company and subsequently to help small pharmacy services companies that were underperforming. Beth to home infu
Read More