8 Best Distilleries In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1. Great Lakes Distillery, LLC

This was the first distillery to open in Milwaukee since prohibition. It rose to fame after producing the award-winning Rehorst Vodka, Citrus Honey Vodka and many other spirits. Till this date, the Great Lakes distillery uses traditional methods because they believe that is the only way to create a superior product. Now open to daily tours, in the one-hour session, not only do guests learn about the history of the distillery and the drinks they produce, but see the process themselves. They also receive a package of six products to try and make their own judgement. If you’re not a drinker, the distillery will provide you with complimentary soda.

Great Lakes Distillery, LLC

Address: 616 W Virginia St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, United States

Website: Great Lakes Distillery, LLC

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Sun)

2. Central Standard Craft Distillery

Founded in 2014, Central Standard Craft Distillery is a small distillery known for their memorable products. With tours limited to 10 people per group, guests gain insight into the history of the distillery, how it came to be, and the spirits it produces. They also get to see the small-batch distilling process and get to taste drinks right in front of the stills that produce them, making the whole tour even more authentic. Sip your drink while learning how it’s made. After this, guests are escorted to a cosy room, where they can pick any cocktail from the ever-changing seasonal menu of the distillery and relax with a delicious drink in their hands.

Central Standard Craft Distillery

Address: 320 E Clybourn St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States

Website: Central Standard Craft Distillery

Opening hours: Fri - 6pm - 8pm; Sat: 2pm - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 3pm (Closed on Mon - Thu)

3. Twisted Path Distillery

Twisted Path Distillery was founded in 2014. It is known for its organic spirits that are entirely made from scratch. There are also many gluten-free options available here. So as to create spirits with an incredible taste, the distillery uses premium organic ingredients, which are distilled in small and slow batches. During the tour, guests get to see this whole process as well as the raw ingredients used to create the drinks. At the end of the tour, they get to taste the entire line-up of Twisted Path’s spirits.

Twisted Path Distillery

Address: 2018 S 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53207, United States

Website: Twisted Path Distillery

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 5pm - 11pm; Fri: 5pm - 12am; Sat: 1pm - 1am (closed on Sun, Mon & Tue)

Nearby distilleries

4. State Line Distillery

State Line Distillery was set up by John Mleziva because of his love for different spirits. During the one hour tour of the distillery, guests not only see the process behind the production of spirits, but also learn about the ingredients that go into making it and the impact they have on the flavour. At the end of the tour, they have a tasting session, where they get the opportunity to taste the distillery’s spirits. If interested, the distillery also offers cocktail classes led by State Line bartenders.

State Line Distillery

Address: 1413 Northern Ct, Madison, WI 53703, United States

Website: State Line Distillery

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 12am (closed on Sat & Sun)

5. Yahara Bay Distillers Inc

After learning the process of distilling, Nick Quint founded Madison’s first distillery, Yahara Bay Distillers Inc. As a business that initially had only three products, today, Yahara Bay has over thirty products that are distributed in twenty different states. Despite gaining immense popularity, even till this day, the spirits at the distillery are crafted one batch at a time, using local products. Sometimes labels are applied by hand and are signed by the head distiller. During the tour, guests can see for themselves as spirits are made in small copper pots, and then taste the final product. They also have a tasting session, where they can order cocktails and spirit flights from the full tasting bar.

Yahara Bay Distillers Inc

Address: 6250 Nesbitt Rd #200, Madison, WI 53719, United States

Website: Yahara Bay Distillers Inc

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sun)

6. J. Henry & Sons Farm

J. Henry & Sons Farm is known for their bourbon, which is made in small batches and then aged for five years in barrels at the Henry farmstead. This is done because the distillers believe that the uncontrolled temperature in the barn allows the Wisconsin weather to work magic between the bourbon and the barrels, giving it an exquisite taste. The tour involves a brief history of the farm, tasting, and nosing. Light snacks are served for the guests, and they may order additional cocktails at a given price.

J. Henry & Sons Farm

Address: 7794 Patton Rd, Dane, WI 53529, United States

Website: J. Henry & Sons Farm

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon - Thu)

7. Dancing Goat Distillery

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located on the outskirts of Madison, the Dancing Goat Distillery was a family endeavour that combines the art and science of distillation from the past with modern techniques. The tour of the distillery includes a visit to their spacious and comfortable tasting room, which has two flat-screen TVs inside. There’s plenty of seating for the guests, whether it be near the bar or outside. Guests can order any drink from their extensive menu of cocktails, which also has a seasonal section, all made from spirits produced at their distillery. While no other craft drinks are allowed, you won’t need anything else apart from the amazing drinks the bar serves.

Dancing Goat Distillery

Address: 909 Vineyard Drive, Cambridge, WI 53523, United States

Website: Dancing Goat Distillery

Opening hours: Fri: 2pm - 8pm; Sat: 12pm - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon - Thu)

8. Doundrins Distilling

Established in 2018, Doundrins Distilling is one-of-a-kind craft distillery in Madison. The founders not only created the production suite for their distillery but also the tasting room, where the tours are now held. Since their start, they have created nine different products in their distillery, their last liquor being one based on coffee. While at this time they do not offer a tour of their production unit, people are more than welcome to head on over to their tasting room to try out their special blend of cocktails, all made from their own spirits.

Doundrins Distilling

Address: 300 Progress Dr ste e, Cottage Grove, WI 53527, United States

Website: Doundrins Distilling

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon, Tue & Sun)

Sample the finest craft brews and spirits in Milwaukee

Since spirits are one of the main reasons for Milwaukee’s fame, wouldn’t you miss out if you didn’t visit the distilleries that this city is so well-known for? The art of creating spirits is not an easy one. It takes knowledge, time and patience, and most of all a passion for the art. By visiting distilleries and taking part in the tours they offer, not only can one know more about distilling, but also see the whole process first-hand. Being able to taste the end product along with some delicious cocktails is an added bonus that you shouldn’t pass up on.