Good Spirits, Local Flavors at These 5 Wisconsin Distilleries
Wisconsin is well-known for its brewery culture — with a lengthy list of macro- and microbreweries peppered all over the state to prove it. However, it’s also becoming known for its craft distillery culture. Today, Wisconsin is home to over 30 distilleries where you can enjoy an informative tour or hang out in a tasting room.
Visiting a Wisconsin distillery lets you learn about our state in a completely different way – one that’s rooted in story, history and the art and science of producing spirits. And, what’s more, each of these five distilleries adds local flavor to their spirits using Wisconsin-grown products and ingredients.
Copper Crow Distillery – Bayfield
Copper Crow has the distinction of being not only the first Native American-owned distillery in Wisconsin, but the first in the United States — owners Linda and Curt Basina are members of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The distillery and intimate tasting room, nestled among the pine trees, is where you’ll get to sample their Whey Vodka and Gin (a byproduct of Wisconsin’s robust cheesemaking industry), Wheat Vodka and Navy Strength Dark Rum. Try them on their own or in one of their thoughtfully-created craft cocktails.
Great Lakes Distillery – Milwaukee
You can’t talk about Wisconsin distilleries without talking about this Milwaukee trailblazer — which was the first to open in the state after Prohibition was repealed. Great Lakes produces over 40 spirits including vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, absinthe, fruit brandy and even nonalcoholic spirits, all made with Wisconsin-grown products like Door County cherries and Marathon County ginseng. You’ll learn plenty on their in-depth and entertaining distillery tour — afterward, head to their tasting room and enjoy a lengthy list of hot and cold seasonal drinks, including a “Slush of the Day.”
Hatch Distilling Company – Egg Harbor
This Door County spot pushes the boundaries of typical craft spirits — starting with their main ingredient. Many of Hatch’s mainstay spirits (their gin, vodka, Limoncello and Harbor Dog, a spiced honey spirit reminiscent of rum) are distilled from 100% raw honey, with honeybee hives they tend themselves. The beautiful tasting room in downtown Egg Harbor provides a great opportunity to taste their spirits, get a sneak peek at the distillery’s operation and pick up a souvenir for friends — or yourself.
La Crosse Distilling Co – La Crosse
With a motto of “Farmer Forward, Driftless Pure,” this distillery partners with family farmers for heirloom ingredients and sources water directly from the region’s glacial aquifers. The result of this care and attention to detail are grain-to-glass spirits that have a story as deep and rich as their flavor profiles. Head to their geothermal-powered distillery and tasting room to learn about the distilling, blending and bottling process for their gin, vodka and light rye whiskey — and be sure to check out their Downtown Toodeloo Rock and Rye, a spirit that blends Wisconsin-made maple syrup, crystalized honey and cranberries.
State Line Distillery – Madison
State Line’s owner John Mleziva learned to distill 3,700 miles northeast of Madison in Edinburgh, Scotland — he was there to learn the art of brewing before distillation captured his imagination. State Line’s approach combines the old-world techniques Mleziva learned in Scotland with modern technology to produce their mainstay vodka, gin and coffee liqueur (featuring Madison’s Kin-Kin Coffee Roasters) as well as sippers like their Aperitivo and aquavit.
Discover more Wisconsin spirits at these five tasty cideries!
