Standard Wormwood Distillery operates out of Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood, focusing on small-batch absinthe production in an industrial area that’s become home to several craft distilleries. Founded by distiller John Foster, the operation specializes in traditional absinthe-making techniques using a copper alembic still. The distillery occupies a converted warehouse space on 34th Street, where Foster sources botanicals including grand wormwood, fennel, and anise to create his signature green fairy. Foster came to distilling after years working in restaurant kitchens, where he developed an appreciation for the complexity of botanicals and herbs. His interest in absinthe began during travels through France, where he learned traditional distillation methods from master distillers in the Loire Valley. The transition from chef to distiller wasn’t immediate – Foster spent two years perfecting his recipes in a small home setup before committing to the Brooklyn location in 2018. The distillery runs tours on weekends, where you’ll walk through the maceration and distillation process that turns neutral grain spirit into the emerald-colored spirit that made Hemingway famous. Foster handles most tours personally, explaining how proper absinthe should louche when water is added and why his version avoids the artificial coloring that plagued the spirit’s reputation. The space feels more like a working laboratory than a polished tasting room, which suits the methodical nature of absinthe production perfectly.