Dampfwerk Distillery Spotlight

Dampfwerk, which means “steam works,” is central to this family-owned distillery’s process. They believe in “the simplicity of a good meal and spirits,” something that sets this Minnesota distillery apart from its competitors. At Dampfwerk Distilling, you’ll find something special; something exciting. Let’s dig deeper.

What Makes Dampfwerk Distillery Special?

As we mentioned above, Dampfwerk is a family-owned distillery; they also operate the distillery themselves, using a hand-hammered copper still from the Schwarzwald in Baden, Germany. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. This family is on a mission to bring German food and drink culture to America in earnest.

“This dream to recreate the food culture is our passion and is the driving force behind our story to create premier craft spirits that we are proud to present to family and friends. Prost.”

The Dampfwerk Distilling Team

This distillery is, quite literally, owned and operated by a family – the Loeffelholz family. Father and husband, Ralf, is the head distiller and official owner. His wife, Mary, is a co-proprietor and HR lead. Their two children, Christian and Bridgit, also help with distillery business. Christopher is in charge of whiskey production, and Bridgit is their social media expert and their cocktail lounge operator.

What Spirits Does Dampfwerk Distillery Offer?

“Wisdom. Heritage. Experience.”

Dampfwerk Distilling offers a great variety of products; it’s pretty interesting to see a distillery that produces brandies alongside typically wheat-based spirits. You’ll find a great lineup on their website, but here is a quick run-down on what they offer:

Dampfwerk Gin & Aquavit

They offer four types of gin and aquavit spirits:

• London Dry Gin: a woodsy, 96 proof gin crafted to remind you of the forest. They recommend a gin and tonic for this spirit.
• Barreled Gin: a “Minnesotan” take on gin, this 96 proof spirit is barreled in three different types of ex-wine barrels for a delicious, aged finish. They recommend a classic martini for this one.

• Crane Gin: a more floral, botanical, 90 proof gin “inspired by an old German gin liqueur recipe.” They recommend this one as a straight pour or to add to cocktails that benefit from complexity.

• Aquavit: a caraway, 86 proof aquavit that is a true Northern German representation of aquavit – it has a golden color and everything. 

American Single Malt Dampfwerk Whiskey

There’s currently only one product in this category, but that’s because it’s their debut into the whiskey realm! Christian Loeffelholz has been working on this whiskey for 4 years, and it shows. Coming in at 86 proof, this whiskey has “deep fruit, chocolate, toffee, and caramel notes.” They use 100% Minnesota-grown pale ale and chocolate malt for this whiskey, and their spirit is finished in red wine barrels. This is a truly unique whiskey that you have to try.

Fruit Brandies

At Dampfwerk, they use skin-on fermentation for their brandies – for good reason. “It’s expensive, arduous, and messy, but it provides a full-bodied fruit brandy that we are proud to sip eau de vie style, or barrel aged.” There are four types of brandies currently offered at Dampfwerk Distilling:

• • Barreled Apple Brandy: a blend of European tradition and American twist, this 86 proof brandy is lightly aged in French Oak barrels. This offers a mellow-er, sweeter version of their Tilli Brandy.
  • Pear Brandy: a brandy made from hand-selected Bartlett pears, this 80 proof spirit is crisp, textured, and fresh.

• Barreled Grape Immature Brandy: a “seriously immature” brandy, this 96 proof spirit uses “Minnesota-bred Frontenac Gris & Blanc grapes along with Sabrevois” to create a peach-y and citrus-y note that is surprising in a brandy.

• Apple Brandy: an 86 proof brandy that embodies the feeling of biting into a fresh, crisp apple straight from the orchard. They use Minnesota-grown apples for this brandy.

Herbal Liqueurs

“Reinventing liqueurs that come from a 200 year old vintage German Rezeptbücher ensures that these spirits will never go out of style, and will always be around to warm up your evening.”

There are four types of herbal liqueurs (The Helgolander, The Rabbit In The Rye, The Pfeffersack, and The Pfefferminz³) that Dampfwerk Distilling produces, each of them unique, yet timeless. Check them out on their website or visit their cocktail room to try them today!

Dampfwerk Distillery Review

Out of almost 150 reviews, the cocktail room has an average of 4.7 stars on Google. Reviews for single spirits (and critic reviews) are lacking, but one we did find was very good. Four Total Wine reviewers rated their Barrel Aged Gin at 5/5 stars. If you see a spirit that resonates with you, and you think it fits the flavor profile you like, we recommend giving it a try!

FAQ About Dampfwerk Distilling:

Does Dampfwerk Distillery Offer Tours or Classes?

Yes! Ralf and Christian Loeffelholz offer 1-hour distillery tours for $45. After your tour, you can enjoy a cocktail in the cocktail lounge at 20% off and sample 3 products for free. They do ask that you book your reservation in advance. There don’t appear to be any classes available at this time.

Can I Host an Event at Dampfwerk?

Yes! The family recently added their “die Stube,” a private room for up to 40 individuals to enjoy any type of gathering. They’ve also listed on their website that you can also rent out the entire distillery if you need more space. Email them at events@thedampfwerk.com for more information and a quote.

Does Dampfwerk Distilling Have Happy Hour?

Yes! Happy hour at Dampfwerk is from 5-7PM Tuesday-Friday and 4-6PM on Saturday.

Where Can I Find Their Spirits?

Currently, in-store pickup is available, and they have distribution to only three states across the US: Georgia, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They’ve listed that distribution is coming soon to Nevada and Michigan. Otherwise, you’ll want to make the trek out to Minnesota to find their spirits.

Where Is Dampfwerk Distilling Located?

Dampfwerk Distillery is located at 6311 Cambridge St, St Louis Park, MN 55416. They are open from 5-10PM Tuesday-Thursday, from 5PM-12AM on Fridays, and 4PM-12AM on Saturdays. They are closed Sundays and Mondays. 

You can call the Dampfwerk team at (612) 460-8190.

Stop in to Dampfwerk Distillery Today!