Spirited Sips: 6 Fantastic Wisconsin Distilleries

While Wisconsin is most well-known for its beer production, there’s another craft beverage industry making waves within the state. Distilleries are opening all over Wisconsin, transforming locally grown ingredients into delicious spirits. Read on to discover six distilleries crafting tasty sips.

Yahara Bay Distillers – Fitchburg

Since its opening in 2007, Yahara Bay Distillers has grown from producing three products to over 40; including crowd favorites such as apple brandy and single-barrel whiskey. Madison’s first distillery , Yahara Bay, uses local ingredients to craft each batch of spirits.

Visit the tasting room, an art gallery featuring local and regional artists and enjoy guided tours on Fridays.

Wollersheim Distillery – Prairie du Sac

When most people hear Wollersheim, they think of the historic Prairie du Sac winery. But the property’s past isn’t just in winemaking—brandy was made here as early as the 1870s.

Today, Wollersheim is distilling brandy once again—a natural choice since the drink originates from grapes—in addition to an apple eau de vie, absinthe, whiskey and gin.

Visit the scenic property for daily tours and tastings - their menu includes tasty snacks as well as creative seasonal cocktails.

Great Lakes Distillery – Milwaukee

If you love craft spirits, you must stop in at the first Wisconsin distillery to open after Prohibition was repealed in 1929. Great Lakes Distillery is a small-batch Milwaukee operation that produces a variety of spirits, including whiskey, brandy, gin, rum, vodka and absinthe.

Book an award-winning tour that includes a flight of six delicious products. You can also feel good about sipping Great Lakes spirits - the environmentally conscious distillery favors local ingredients and reuses bottles returned by customers.

45th Parallel Distillery – New Richmond

This New Richmond distillery takes a local approach to distilling small-batch spirits - ingredients used in production are purchased from a farm just down the road.

Weekend tours include a flight and tasting class that may feature bourbon, vodka, whiskey, limoncello, aquavit and more.

Northern Waters Distillery – Minocqua

Nestled in downtown Minocqua, Northern Waters Distillery handcrafts small-batch spirits, including several moonshines celebrating the Prohibition Era.

Tours are offered Friday and Saturday afternoons and, occasionally, visitors are given the opportunity for a daylong behind-the-scenes experience on “production days,” during which participants learn about mashing, fermenting and distilling. Stop in for a true taste of Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

Tattersall Distilling - River Falls

Just south of Hudson, Tattersall Distilling is an all-in-one distillery, restaurant and event space. Enjoy a meal with craft cocktails or stop by for a free, self-guided tour with informative panels and windows into the distillery. Guided tours are also available, as well as cocktail and blend-your-own-whiskey classes.

Have another round and check out these additional Wisconsin distilleries.