Craft Distillery and Stillhouses: What Makes Them Different from a Bar?

Craft distilleries and stillhouses are a massive trend in the United States. At these spots, you can enjoy and buy high-quality spirits made in small batches. Each craft distillery is different from the others in how they process the spirits, the ingredients they use, and the products and services they offer. Some of them have tasting rooms or adjacent bars where you can even enjoy live music and other events.

Craft Distillery and Stillhouses: What Makes Them Different from a Bar?

According to the American Craft Spirits Association, craft distilleries “value the importance of transparency in distilling, produce fewer than 750,000 gallons per year, and are forthcoming in the distilling location and process and the distilling location.” As you can see, the value comes from a smaller production and extra care for quality over quantity.

Visiting a micro distillery is not just fun but also educational. At these spots, you’ll be able to learn about the distillation process, the ingredients that are used, and the aging process. Most craft distilleries offer tours of their premises, guided by expert staff to answer all your questions. Aside from this, some other aspects make them different from bars, such as:

Products

You can find a vast selection of liquor, beers, and wine at a bar. At a microdistillery or small stillhouse, you’ll only be able to enjoy the spirits that are produced in-house. Some craft distilleries offer a very creative cocktail selection.

Events

Because craft distilleries don’t have a vast yearly production for sale, they need to add services to generate revenue. Some offer their venues for events and include catering and a selection of their house spirits. Others offer periodic events, such as live music festivals. At most of them, you can enjoy tastings, where expert sommeliers can guide you through the house selection before purchasing.

Venues

While there are creative and beautifully designed bars, micro distilleries stand out because of their outstanding facilities, such as historic buildings surrounded by amazing landscapes. Tasting rooms vary from place to place, but some offer comfy sofas in front of big, cozy fires to rapidly get into a relaxed mood and enjoy.

Group Activities

If you are looking for a different night out with your friends, visit a craft distillery and stillhouse. Most of them offer group tastings guided by spirit sommeliers or whiskey masters. You can even learn how to mix your own cocktails. Micro distillery facilities are also often available for weddings and other events, and some of them offer catering services. Most craft distilleries list their available activities for groups on their websites and require reservations.

Sustainability

Small producers are more likely to use organic, locally sourced ingredients for their spirits. High-quality ingredients affect the taste and are healthier than the industrial alternatives offered at most bars.

If you love whiskey, bourbon, or gin, or if you are looking forward to discovering something new, it’s time to plan a visit to a craft stillhouse or micro distillery, where you’ll be able to find outstanding products at great prices.