Brewing and distilling share an interesting relationship. And evidently, the number of hybrid brewery-distilleries has risen across the country. As brewers are looking to hybridize their businesses and diversify their portfolio by including spirits, they are merging their brewing and distilling passions to create something unique. 

Delivering exceptional experience to its customers, here’s a list of 7 hybrid breweries in the US that are crafting spirits —

- Dogfish Head, Delaware

Image Source: beeralien.com

Since 2002, Dogfish Head, one of the first artisan distilleries, has been experimenting with the manufacture of off-centered spirits on the second floor of Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth, Delaware, about seven years after Sam Calagione founded the brewery. The company’s best-selling beer is its line of India Pale Ales, which are offered in seven varieties: 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA, Hazy-O, Liquid Truth Serum IPA, Tru-Action IPA, Slightly Mighty. 

They also produce several spirits brands, with most of the volume accounted for by its core five: Analog Vodka, Compelling Gin, Barrel Honey Rum, Roasted Peanut Vodka, and Sonic Archeology. Today Dogfish Head makes award-winning Gin, Whiskey, Vodka, Brandy, and ready-to-drink, premixed Cocktails. 

- Rouge, Oregon

Image Source: spiritedbiz.com

Founded in 1988 by Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell, Rob Strasser, and Jeff Schultz, Rouge has been at the forefront of Oregon’s booming beer and spirits industry. Starting as a craft brewer, Rogue began distilling as one of America’s first independent craft distilleries in 2003. 

Today it includes 6 pubs throughout Oregon—Rogue Brewer’s on the Bay Production Facility, Rogue Eastside Pilot Brewery, Rogue Spirits Distillery, and Rogue Rolling Thunder Barrel Works, where the head cooper handmakes a barrel a day. They are continually experimenting and innovating to craft world-class ales, lagers, spirits, canned cocktails, and more.

- Seven Stills, San Francisco

Image Source: chasingkendall.com

Founded in 2013 by Tim Obert and Clint Potter, Seven Stills became the first and only brewery-distillery in San Francisco, making exceptional craft beer, artisanal whiskey, vodka, gin, and a line of canned cocktails, made from their craft beer and select spirits. The company specializes in Hazy IPAs, Czech-style Pilsner, Wheat Beer, and a Cologne-style Kolsch. 

[[relatedPurchasesItems-42]]

Over the years, they have also created 100+ different whiskeys distilled from their Seven Stills beers and in partnership with their favorite local breweries. Whiskey Highball, Vodka Mule, Tequila Margarita, and Watermelon Seltzer are some of Seven Still’s canned cocktails made using their award-winning spirits. 

- New Holland Brewing Company, Michigan 

Image Source: freep.com

Established in 1997 by Brett VanderKamp, New Holland Brewing Company is recognized as one of the leading innovators in the revolution of craft brewing and distilling. Born in Holland, Michigan, they are exceptional makers of craft beer, whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, and canned cocktails sold throughout the country. 

Along with their bourbon barrel-aged Dragon’s Milk stout, one of the best-selling stouts in America, their most successful whiskey is their Beer Barrel Bourbon, which is bourbon aged in new American oak barrels but finished in the Dragon’s Milk barrels, bringing out some wonderful vanilla and dark malts. They use a prohibition-era pot still to create unique spirits that transcend the world of booze and beer. 

- Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Chicago 

Image Source: porchdrinking.com

Founded by Adam Cieslak, Paul Megalis, Ari Megalis, and Kevin Holl, Chicago’s Maplewood Brewery & Distillery has established brewing and distilling roots under a single roof and has been producing finely crafted beer and spirits since 2014. Maplewood's unique position as a joint brewery and distillery means that their equipment overlaps, allowing them to combine their crafts and blend styles. 

They distill in the Scottish and Japanese styles but age their spirits in the traditional American way. Charlatan American Pale Ale, Son Of Juice IPA, Pulaski Pils Chicago Pilsner, Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout, and The Sound IPA are their flagship line of exceptional beer available year-round. Along with this, Brewer’s Gin, White Rum, Spruce Gin Barrel Reserve, and American and Rye Malt Whiskey are also some of its expertly crafted spirits. 

- Mother Earth Brewing Company, North Carolina

Image Source: instagram.com

North Carolina’s Mother Earth Brewing started distilling spirits in 2013 and has grown significantly since. Today, its offshoot Mother Earth Distilling, which is powered by solar energy, makes award-winning whiskey, gin, and rum. The latter plays a crucial role in Mother Earth’s imperial stout, Silent Night, providing the barrels in which the beer is aged. 

Mother Earth Brewing and Spirits has been turned into a LEED® Certified building, certifying green design categories such as sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. They are always looking for new and better ways to minimize their impact on the environment and continue to consider their impact on the earth in everything that they do.

- Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing, New York

Image Source: instagram.com

Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing is New York State’s first combination winery, brewery, and distillery, crafting fine wines, small-batch distilled products, and craft beers. By sourcing local agricultural products, from grain to barley, Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing give their craft spirits and beers robust flavors and unique characters, bringing out the very best in every bottle. 

Its diverse craft spirits and beer portfolio includes Straight Rye Whiskey, Straight Bourbon, Déjà Vu Bourbon, Applejack, Corn Whiskey, White Rye Whiskey, Cream Ale, Pale Ale, Grape Lakes American Wheat, Brown Ale, Stout, and more. 

Header Image Source: Dogfish Head Brewery

Article by Aanchal Sharma, Beverage Trade Network