Inside Chacho at 6031 Kansas Avenue NW (photo Kip Radt)

by Cassandra Hetherington

Cincinnati native Dan Ziegler embodies that “can do” American spirit we have all heard about. From making art, building furniture, and managing a bar, Dan is fearless with the things he will try. His most notable adventure is his recreation of a popular Colombian spirit known as aguardiente. Made from sugar cane, aguardiente “fire water or burning water” is a member of the rum family and as ubiquitous in Colombia as tequila is in Mexico. Despite his dislike of anise, Dan fell in love with Colombian aguardiente approximately nine years ago while on vacation in Bogota. Sloshed on aguardiente, he decided to ride a llama in the streets, an experience that would change the trajectory of his life.

Once home in DC, Dan began moonshining out of his kitchen for three and half years until he perfected an aguardiente more to his taste. Infused with jalapeño, this new liquor was christened Chacho, (rhymes with “muchacho”), a namesake for the llama he rode in Bogota.

After consistent positive reviews, Dan hired a distiller in Iowa to produce imported South American aguardiente in larger quantities than his kitchen allowed and then ship it back to DC. He decided to quit his day job in financing for Hilton Hotels and concentrate full time on producing and selling Chacho. With his trunk full of llama-labeled bottles, Dan sold directly to several local bars and restaurants for over two years. Each of these establishments has a cocktail named after them at the Chacho Bar in appreciation for their support.

Just months before the pandemic, Dan signed a lease for the property in Manor Park but was forced to shut his door before it even opened. He used the worldwide pause to build a bar from scratch using found or bartered materials. With help from his family, friends and YouTube, they repurposed pallets into furniture, electrical spools into tables, and poured concrete to make table tops and a bar. Materials and labor were often obtained in exchange for Chacho, and several bottles of the alcohol were even mixed in the concrete. Using faux llama fur, he fashioned a life-sized llama (“Chacho”) that lives in the main room, and owns a llama costume, occasionally worn for promotional events (despite being extremely warm.)

(photos Kip Radt)

Llamas are social animals and a fitting mascot for a place brimming with life. The Chacho Distillery is enjoyed by neighbors, families, and construction workers from a company close by. Bartender Greg Long and the staff create a comfortable and welcoming space. It is also a place to learn about aguardiente and how alcohol is made at what looks like a chemistry table.

Dan is an aguardiente missionary and an ambassador for Colombia; you can purchase art from Colombian street artists Dan met while on one of his trips there; proceeds go directly back to the artists.

Additionally, local art by DC artists is showcased and available for purchase in the tasting room. For now, Dan and several friends bottle Chacho by hand on the premises; but, I suspect he will soon outgrow this process as Chacho spreads in popularity.

Chacho Bar and Distillery
6031 Kansas Avenue NW

Friday            4:00PM-11:00PM
Saturday        12:00PM - 11:00PM
Sunday          12:00PM-9:00PM

To purchase Chacho near you, visit the Chacho website.

Laura Hayes from Washington City Paper first reported on Chacho.