We make all of our small-batch vinegars using a unique process from the early 1800s that produces vinegars with greater depth of flavor and brighter colors. All of our vinegars are naturally fermented using American wines, ciders, sakes, and beers—in this way our vinegars honor and build on the national craft alcohol movement. Made, aged, and hand-bottled by us in our vinegar works in New England. Our vinegars will enhance your cooking and cocktails and are intended for home cooks and professional chefs.
Full Vinegar Collection
Vinegar FAQs
How is vinegar made?
Traditional vinegar is made by fermenting some type of alcohol—think beer, wine, cider, sake – into acetic acid. To make vinegar you need five key ingredients: alcohol, vinegar bacteria, oxygen, heat, and time.
Depending on the ABV (alcohol by volume) of the specific alcohol you may need to add water to dilute the alcohol. This is because when you get to a certain height in ABV the vinegar bacteria simply cannot operate and eat away at the alcohol to transform it into acetic acid or vinegar. This, by the way, is why your bottle of scotch will never turn into vinegar.
Over time and at the right temperature the vinegar bacteria will eat away at the wine or cider and turn into vinegar. Depending on the level of ABV, the environmental conditions, and the amount of vinegar you are trying to make this can take anywhere from two weeks to about six months simply to complete the fermentation. During this time you will see that a film, often thick, will form on top of the liquid. This is vinegar mother and is a byproduct of vinegar fermentation.
Better traditional vinegars are then aged for months to years after fermentation. This allows the vinegars to develop more nuanced flavor profiles and not just be acid bombs.
Reach out if you have any other questions on how vinegar is made.
Which ingredients do you use to make your vinegar?
The main ingredient in vinegar is alcohol.
To make our vinegars the only alcohols we use are select American wines, beers, cider, and sakes.
Our vinegars stand on the shoulders of America’s microbrewers and vintners and we are thankful for their efforts and craft.
What is co-fermentation and why is it better than infusing?
Some of our vinegar are “co-fermented” or “fermented flavors”.
This means that while our alcohol (e.g. wine or cider) ferments into vinegar we introduce different fruits and spices into the liquid mixture. As the bacteria eat away at the alcohol they also interact with the fruit or spices and this ultimately produces very unique vinegars with a greater depth of flavor.
Co-fermented vinegars contrast with infused vinegars. You make infused vinegar the way you would make tea. You start with a vinegar that has already fully fermented and then you put in spices or fruits to infuse vinegars with a specific taste. These flavors tend to be more aggressive and less nuanced than co-fermented flavors.
We never infuse our vinegars. And buyer beware that there are companies out there that say they make vinegar but all they are doing is buying vinegars and then infusing them. Vinegar makers are those that ferment alcohol into vinegar, not those using purchased vinegars as an ingredient. Well now we are all worked up…
Let customers speak for us
from 1168 reviewsso special
I do not know what culinary words to use in praising the blueberry vinegar....but it is luscious and I can actually use it on a salad alone, and of course, always a touch into a soup or stew...love all the American Vinegar Works products....and do not forget- low calorie count!!!
First time customer
Excellent flavor! I will be purchasing again.
Super fast shipping and careful packing.
Well done!
Love the Variety Pack
We love this vinegar! I just received two of these variety packs. We love all of the flavors. We make fresh salad dressing every day so I can choose a different vinegar daily.
Yummy
Fabulous new vinegar that I've already used in salads and Chimichurri sauces. Love the new flavor.
Lovely Vinegar!
I have loved every vinegar from this company I have tried. I especially like the ones that have a bit of sweetness in them. This one adds a little "zing" with it's subtle heat. I really love it!
Best Vinegar Ever!!
I was blown away by the depth and flavor of this amazing work of craftsmanship. I'm hooked for like. Hands down, the best vinegar I've ever tasted. Will be using it in everything!
Yum!
So many ways this flavor works.... breakfast, lunch, dinner! Just the right amount of heat and just the right amount of sweet. I use it so often that it stays sitting on the counter between the fridge & the cooktop. Win! Win!
Another great product!
Love the honey and the heat.
Great vinegars
Just received my first order. It will not be the last! Great company!
Delicious, not for drinking
This vinegar is sweet with a touch of heat. It provides a refreshing burst of flavor when used at full strength.
I drink most of my vinegar, 1T per 12oz glass of water, with about a cc of liquid stevia (Trader Joe's). This vinegar tastes great at this dilution, but loses all of its heat. If you are looking to drink your vinegar, go with the regular Honey Wine Vinegar for a nearly identical result.
I'm looking for more situations where I can use this vinegar to its advantage. I like the sweet and tingly effect I get from the full strength product. I expect that it will be excellent on fish or on a simple salad.
The one for me and my family!
If you want a full bodied malt vinegar, then this Porter Beer malt vinegar is the one for you. We love it!
Balances out balsamic so well
I do like a balsamic salad dressing, but I feel there needs something to balance the taste of the balsamic. When I switched from the sherry vinegar I had been using to American Vinegar Works, the improvement was astounding!
A hint of sweetness
Just used a tablespoon of this before serving sautéed zucchini slices -- so good! Give the hint of acid without the sharpness of other vinegars, and a hint of sweet too!
I love this company because their vinegars are wonderful including the hot honey vinegar. It’s slightly sweet with a nice touch of heat.
Wonderful to cook with
This is a perfect vinegar for people who like to cook. I love that it comes in a large kitchen friendly size. But I don't care for the new bottle style. The old bottles were worth keeping and re-using. The new bottle just goes in the recycling bin.