LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — The owners of a Colorado distillery were cleaning up the mess this week after a bizarre break-in.

It happened around 11 p.m. Wednesday, 30 minutes after the business closed its doors. Austin Adamson, co-owner of Ballmer Peak Distillery in Lakewood, told FOX31 the cost of the damage is way higher than the products that were stolen.

The suspect used a golf club to smash through a window before making off with two bottles of Malört, an inexpensive liquor well-known in Chicago and parts of the Midwest — and one that a lot of people don't like.

'It’s stressful at the very least'

For the last five years, Adamson and his team have been serving up quality distillers.

"We're known for our gins and rums, and we’re working on some whiskies," Adamson said.

That's why it was surprising for him to get a text from his landlord showing damages to the business.

"The drive over was probably more stressful than anything else because we didn’t know what to expect when we got here," Adamson said.

As he pulled into the parking lot, he saw glass scattered everywhere.

“It’s stressful at the very least," he said.

Newly obtained video shows the suspect walking by the business and apparently scoping it out. About three minutes later, he is seen returning and smashing the window with a golf club before walking out of the business with the products.

"All of our products, we try to keep at an affordable price point," Adamson said. "It just so happens the product they stole is called Bäsk Nömört. It was originally created as an April Fools' joke. It’s extremely bitter — the tasting notes are like hairspray, tire fire and ashtray."

The suspect took two bottles totaling $60 and some ice before leaving the scene.

"So they must have seen the label and thought it was an expensive product, but it retails for about $30 and is not one many people enjoy. It was alarming at how comfortable the person seemed to commit such a brazen crime for such a little reward," Adamson said.

'Respect your neighbors'

He said he knows the situation could have been a lot worse.

“They could have taken more product or done a lot more damage. We got a lot of expensive equipment in the production space, and they went back there and didn’t do anything as far as we can tell," Adamson said.

He has this message to the person responsible.

"Respect your neighbors. We're happy to help out if you’re in need. Think twice about destroying property, especially on a small business where it's not even worth an insurance claim because we don’t meet our deductible," Adamson said.

The day after the break-in was business as usual. Adamson said he's opening a new location where people can come out to show their support.

Meanwhile, Lakewood police say they are investigating the break-in. No suspects had been identified as of Thursday.

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