Murder Creek Distillery sits in Foley, Alabama, about 20 minutes inland from Gulf Shores, making it a solid stop if you’re heading to or from the beach. Founded by Kenny Couch in 2017, this operation started as a passion project that grew into Alabama’s first legal moonshine distillery since Prohibition. Couch, who spent years in construction before diving into distilling, named the place after Murder Creek, a local waterway with a name that’s way more dramatic than its actual history (it’s just a translation quirk from Creek Indian language). The distillery operates out of a 6,000-square-foot facility that houses their custom-built copper stills and tasting room. Couch didn’t just wake up one day and decide to make moonshine. He spent years researching traditional Alabama moonshine recipes and techniques, even tracking down old-timers who remembered how things were done before Prohibition shut everything down. The learning curve was steep, involving everything from convincing local officials that legal moonshine was actually a thing to figuring out the right corn-to-sugar ratios for authentic flavor profiles. The distillery officially opened its doors in 2017 after navigating Alabama’s complex distilling laws, which weren’t exactly set up for craft operations. What you’ll find here is a straightforward operation focused on traditional Southern spirits with a modern twist. The tasting room has a relaxed, no-nonsense vibe where you can sample their lineup while learning about the distilling process. Couch and his team are usually around to talk shop, and they’re genuinely enthusiastic about both the history and science of distilling. It’s not the fanciest setup you’ll ever see, but it’s authentic and educational, especially if you’re curious about moonshine’s actual history versus the Hollywood version.