10 Best Craft Spirits Distilleries In Indianapolis And Surrounding Cities

If you think about craft spirits, a community that is very attached to it might be the hippie culture -- interesting, creative, and artistic. Craft spirits are very contemporary and according to The ABV Network magazine, they are headed for more growth in the future.

IndyStar recently reported that Indianapolis is seeing more craft spirits distilleries opening this year and serving the public with the artisanal version of their all-time favorites. The future is bright for the craft spirits industry in the city as several tasting rooms have started to open its doors, the report added.

It has always been exciting to explore the best craft distilleries. Social Scene has compiled a list for you, as we list down the best of the best in Indianapolis and surrounding cities.

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1. Bear Wallow Distillery

Bear Wallow Distillery is among the first craft distilleries in the state. Now also open in Brown County, the craft spirits distillery uses locally-grown ingredients to make the beverages in a traditional copper pot still. Guests are welcome to take the distillery tour and be guided on how they make their handcrafted Indiana Corn Whiskey.

2. Broken Beaker Distillery

Located along Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, Broken Beaker Distillery is owned by a former chemist so it only follows that this has a mad scientist feel. It offers a craft liquor known as Isotope Liqueur, which comprises of flavors of cranberry, ginger, and rhubarb. They also have craft gins and craft vodkas laden with fruity flavors.

3. Cardinal Spirits

Cardinal Spirits is purpose-driven as they give a distinctive value in their work.

Cardinal Spirits was started to encourage connections between people, its official website stated. The very nature of spirits was what they utilized to build a name in the industry.

Spirits are perfect for conversations with friends and new acquaintances. It has been a medium to talk about issues and topics that are never usually discussed over fruit shakes and smoothies.

4. Edwin Coe Spirits

Edwin Coe Spirits is located in Northeastern Indiana, but it is interesting to note that they are producing spirits from Louisiana sour mash, earning them the moniker of being a distillery with “a Cajun touch.” They have rum, vodka and gin craft spirits from the sour mash.

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5. Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery

With a fascinating story to tell, Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery is owned by a husband and wife, distiller and former Marine Travis Barnes and Hillary Barnes. The name “Hotel Tango” is taken from the military phonetic alphabet equivalent of the first letter of their names. The names of the spirits that they have also reflect the owner’s military past. These products include Mike Moonshine, Romeo Rum, Lima Limoncello,Victor Vodka, and Golf Gin. Romeo Rum and Golf Gin have both won awards in the 2015 New York International Spirits Competition.

6. Huber’s Starlight Distillery

Huber’s Starlight Distillery is a testament of commitment in producing high-quality craft spirits. It is located in Starlight, Indiana and takes pride in producing the same brandies that were made from the early 19th century. Ted Huber and Jason Heiligenberg, the master distillers, share on their official website that they are committed to craft brandies made by following the traditional practices in Europe.

7. Indiana Whiskey Company

The edge of Indiana Whiskey Company, and one of the reasons they have always made it to the list of the best distilleries, lies on the ingredients that they use. They only use local products when making their beverages, from the grains to the process in the still. It has a unique way of distillation and unlike most companies that use water jackets to distribute heat, Indiana Whiskey Company uses direct heating, the same process done by the old Irish and Scottish distillers.

8. Spirits Of French Lick

Alan Reed Bishop, Spirits of French Lick master distiller, has refined the way they distill craft spirits from the skills he inherited from several generations of family members, together with the skills he has acquired along the way. Two of their notable products are Absinthe Le Blue and Blackberry Eau-de-Vie.

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9. Windy Ridge Distillery

Located in Cayuga town in Indiana, Windy Ridge Distillery is a family-owned and operated distillery that was just established in 2012. They produce brandy, flavored-whiskey, and moonshine. The distillery offers free wine and spirits tasting in a peaceful environment within their property.

10. 12.05 Distillery

Named after the date of the repeal of the Prohibition Era, 12.05 Distillery is a small batch distillery in Indianapolis that makes use of fresh and locally-sourced ingredients when producing their craft spirits. With the goal to provide Indiana locals with high-quality spirits made from local ingredients, the distillery has a tasting room and also offers tours for guests to enjoy.

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