3BR Distillery in Keyport, NJ is the world's first producer of 100% pea vodka, and the story behind it is genuinely interesting. Brothers Aleksandr and Maksim Zhdanov founded the distillery in 2018 as a tribute to their grandfather Oleg, who quietly distilled pea spirits during Soviet-era prohibition. Their flagship MENDEL vodka won Vodka of the Year at the New Orleans Spirits Competition and has earned double gold at Tales of the Cocktail blind tastings. But the lineup extends far beyond vodka -- over 40 spirits and liqueurs have rolled out of this small Keyport distillery, including SHISHKA (a savory pea-based gin with mushroom, garlic, and chives), GOROVKA (an oak-aged pea spirit at 55% ABV), a rye whiskey, a Soviet-style rum, and rotating seasonals you can only get on-site. The tasting room leans hard into Soviet-kitsch aesthetic: bold graphics, irreverent energy, and a view into the production floor. The bar program is sharp -- live music plays every Saturday night and the cocktail menu showcases the full range of what peas can apparently become. If you're making the trip from NYC or the Shore, it's worth knowing they're also New Jersey's only certified carbon-neutral distillery.