Wisconsin is famous for its beer so it’s no wonder that the state has a large number of large-scale breweries, such as the headquarters of Miller. However, there is a lot more to Wisconsin’s relationship with alcohol than just these famous breweries.

Wisconsin is also home to dozens of smaller distilleries that specialize in a variety of spirits such as whiskey, vodka, and gin. These distilleries use local ingredients and handcraft their unique drinks to ensure that every glass is delicious and of high quality.

Many of these distilleries open their doors to visitors. While some allow you to tour the distillery itself to see how the drinks are made, others have tasting rooms and give you the opportunity to sample their artisan spirits.

With so many distilleries to choose from, it can be difficult to know which are the best to visit. Many of them are hidden away and only known to locals as well, making it difficult for tourists to find them.

That’s why we’ve written this list of the 15 best Wisconsin distilleries that we highly recommend.

1. Great Lakes Distillery

This was the first distillery to open in Wisconsin since Prohibition. They use local ingredients for all of their spirits and make a wide variety of high-quality drinks such as gin, whiskey, and vodka.

Great Lakes Distillery offers a distillery tour that takes around one hour. There are a limited number of tickets available for walk-ups, but it is recommended that you book in advance. Tickets are $12 for each tour. There is also a tasting room available.

2. Wollersheim Winery, Distillery, And Bistro

The history of the Wollersheim winery dates back to the 1840s, however, it was converted to a farm during the Prohibition years. It was restored to a winery in the 1970s and grew to become a distillery in 2015.

There are many options available to visitors. As well as tastings and a restaurant serving food and drink, you can visit the winery or distillery. The guided walking tour of the winery costs $18 per person.

3. Infinity Beverages Winery And Distillery

This winery and distillery opened in 2010 and unlike many distilleries on this list, is located in a less rural location as it is in Eau Claire. Infinity creates a variety of unique wines and spirits in several delicious flavors.

You can book a tour and tasting package that will take one to two hours. This costs $20 per person and should be booked in advance. You will get to visit the micro-distillery and sample some of Infinity’s drinks.

4. Driftless Glen Distillery

The Driftless Glen Distillery is located on the Baraboo River and it uses its location to help create its unique and high-quality spirits. The distillery uses Midwest grain and water to brew its bourbon and other spirits.

You can tour the Driftless Glen Distillery for $20 per person. The tour takes around 45 minutes and includes samples of five different spirits. Each tour group is very small, however, so it is recommended that you book in advance.

5. Geneva Lake Distilling And Studio Winery

Geneva Lake makes a wide range of wines and spirits. Many of the ingredients used are grown locally, including grains. The distillery opened in 2018 but the winery was established in 2012.

Visiting the Geneva Lake Distillery can be a unique experience. As well as hosting a tasting room, it is also a recording studio and art studio and has regular art workshops and live music for you to take part in.

6. Minhas Craft Brewery

This is the oldest brewery in the Midwest and the second oldest in the country, so you’re sure to learn some history! There is also a museum on the grounds that is one of the largest museums of its kind.

Tours of the brewery cost $15 per person and last around 45 to 60 minutes. Children can visit as well and those under 12’s can enter for free.

7. Northern Waters Distillery

Located in Minocqua, Northern Waters Distillery makes a variety of different spirits. Whiskey is the specialty, but you will also find vodka, gin, rum, and even moonshine on offer!

Tours of the Northern Water Distillery are limited as they only run on Fridays and Saturdays so make sure to book in advance. Tours cost $10 per person with a complimentary cocktail and last around 45 minutes.

8. Hatch Distilling

Hatch Distilling Co. uses honey in many of its spirits and this honey is homegrown in the distillery’s own beehives! Other ingredients are also as locally sourced as possible.

The distillery is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. There isn’t an official tour of the distillery available but you can visit and enjoy some food and drink at the distillery bar and tasting room.

9. J. Henry And Sons Distillery

This distillery is both a farm and a brewery. They grow their own corn and grains which are then used to create the distillery’s trademark bourbon. If you’re interested in whiskey and bourbon, then this is a great distillery to visit.

Farm tours of the distillery are available and cost $15 per person. They last around an hour and include a tour around the grounds, as well as a nosing and tasting session. There is also a tasting room available.

10. Copper Crow Distillery

Located near Bayfield, Copper Crow Distillery is the first Native American-owned distillery in the United States. Its spirits are made with local ingredients and water from its own Lake Superior aquifer. Spirits made at the distillery include vodka, rum, and gin.

They have vodkas made from both whey and wheat to choose from.

The tasting room is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and there is also an outdoor patio area. You can choose from a wide variety of different cocktails made from Copper Crow spirits.

11. Perlick Distillery

This family-run distillery dates back to 1920 when it was first used solely as a farm. It has since been turned into a distillery that uses the farm grain and crops to produce its signature vodka. A whiskey will be added in the summer of 2023.

The farm can be visited from Thursday to Sunday each week. There is also a tasting room available that serves a cocktail and food menu. Both menus change with the seasons and use locally sourced ingredients.

12. Ledgerock Distillery

This is another family farm that is located between Fond du Lac and Eden. It is a complete center for spirits as the crops are grown on the farm and then used to brew the spirits.

You can visit the farm from Wednesday to Saturday. You will be able to see the entire distillery process from where the crops are grown to the bottling and labeling center. Cocktails are also served to guests on Saturdays!

13. Timekeeper Distillery

The Timekeeper Distillery is run by a husband and wife team and opened in 2017. It’s located in the old Milwaukee Road train station, making it a unique location for a distillery!

The distillery is open seven days a week, although opening times do vary greatly from day to day. Tours are available for individuals and groups and there is also a dining room you can visit for cocktails and food.

14. Appeltreow Winery And Distillery

The Appeltreow Distillery is located in a barn in an apple orchard and is around 40 minutes south of Milwaukee. It specializes in hard cider but also makes brandy, whiskey, and wine.

The winery and distillery differ on whether an appointment is needed to visit depending on the month and day so you ensure you check ahead. You can walk through the orchard and have a picnic if you wish and there is also a tasting room available.

You can sample up to five drinks for free as well as purchase a variety of drinks.

15. Yahara Bay Distillery

Our last Wisconsin distillery is based in Madison. It was the first distillery to open in Madison and makes over 40 different spirits using locally sourced ingredients. These drinks include whiskey, vodka, brandy, and gin in a number of flavors.

Guided tours are available but are very limited so you will need to contact the distillery in advance to book. Each tour lasts around an hour and explains the distillery process. There is also a tasting room available that has live music as well.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we listed the 15 best Wisconsin distilleries that we highly recommend. We picked a variety of different distilleries that are spread across the state and they offer a variety of experiences and different drinks.

Some of the distilleries require visits to be booked in advance so please check with the distillery before you make the trip. You should also check to see if they allow guests under 21 if you are traveling with children.

We hope that whatever type of distillery you’re looking for, you’ll find one for you.