Founded just over four years ago, Bismarck Distillery has quickly earned a reputation for crafting ready-to-drink cocktails that taste as if they were made by a bartender—only in a can. Their Raspberry Lemonade, which recently won RTD of the Year, is the result of experimenting with flavored vodkas, listening to consumers, and scaling up without sacrificing quality. Now, with distribution across three states and national recognition through the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings Competition, Co-FOunder Chris Fries talks about how the distillery is preparing for broader expansion and innovation in categories like low-sugar cocktails and CBD-infused drinks.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Q1. Can you give us a little introduction to Bismarck Distillery and the ideation process behind Raspberry Lemonade?

My name is Chris Fries, and I’m one of the co-founders of Bismarck Distillery. We started about four and a half years ago from my garage, with the idea of always experimenting and creating something unique that people would actually enjoy. Raspberry Lemonade began when we were making flavored vodkas for a local bar. They became really popular, so when we started doing vendor shows, we mixed cocktails for people to try. The response was huge—people kept coming back, buying bottles, and making them at home. That led us to ask, “Why not can it?” The goal was to make a drink that tastes like a bartender crafted it but in a convenient, ready-to-drink format.

Q2. RTDs are booming right now. What niche trends are you seeing in the category?

Lemonades are consistently popular—people know them from fairs and events, so they’re approachable. We’ve developed four lemonade variations, including Raspberry and our latest Ginger Lemonade, which is refreshing and not really seen much in the market. Beyond that, we’ve taken classic bar cocktails like a vodka cranberry and put them into cans, using real cranberry juice sourced from Oregon farms. We’re also inspired by what we see in bars or what our team loves to drink, and then we figure out how to can it without losing authenticity.

Q3. You won Distillery of the Year along with RTD of the Year. What does this recognition mean for the business?

It was a huge honor and honestly a shock. Our goal going into the competition was to earn some golds and double golds, but to be named Distillery of the Year was beyond expectations. We’ve been using the recognition in our marketing and with distributors. Even though we’re currently only in North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Minnesota, this helps us show that we’re not just a local brand—we’re producing nationally recognized products with real credibility.

Q4. Expansion is on your radar. What’s your vision for growth?

Earlier this year, we doubled our production capacity by expanding equipment and adding tanks, which allows us to scale without major overhead. We’re now working to pick up new distributors outside the Midwest in markets like Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Washington, and Colorado. Importantly, we don’t just want distribution—we want partnerships. If a distributor tells us something specific will work in their market, we’ll even look at creating new products tailored for that region.

Q5. What does your ideal distributor look like?

Size doesn’t matter as much as commitment. We want distributors who actively partner with us, share feedback, and help us grow the brand rather than just putting us on the shelf. Some of our strongest partners are beer distributors moving into spirits and cocktails, and we’ve even helped them build success in this new space.

Q6. How do you support your distributors and retail partners?

We provide marketing materials, product details, and direct engagement with sales teams. We also use technology, including AI tools, to create fresh content and sales assets. Sometimes it’s as simple as doing a photo shoot together; other times, we co-develop marketing strategies. The idea is to meet partners where they are and make sure they have everything they need to succeed with our brand.

Q7. What’s next on the innovation front for Bismarck Distillery?

We’re working on low-sugar, low-carb drinks that still taste authentic, and we’re also developing non-alcoholic CBD-infused beverages—our first foray into CBD. We plan to launch them locally this year and expand into wider markets. At the same time, we’re exploring no-sugar versions of our existing cocktails like Raspberry Lemonade.

Q8. From your product line, do you have a personal favorite?

That’s tough, but I’d say our Sliced Tea—a tea lemonade cocktail. I’m a golfer, and it’s perfect for the course, so it’s close to my heart. On the spirits side, I’ve always loved single malt whisky, which is what got me into distilling in the first place. We don’t have any on shelves right now since they’re still in barrels, but it’s a project I’m passionate about.

Q9. Finally, what message would you like to share with potential distributors and buyers?

We want partners to know that we’re committed to creating consistent products that move off shelves and keep customers coming back—not just one-hit wonders. Our goal is to help our distributors grow, build lasting relationships, and deliver products that succeed long-term in the market.

Header image sourced from Bismarck Distillery.