Wild Hare Distillery operates out of a small industrial space in south Tempe, Arizona, focusing on craft spirits production in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mike and Sarah Thompson, the distillery opened in 2019 after Mike’s career transition from aerospace engineering to distilling. The couple converted a 3,000-square-foot warehouse space into their production facility, installing a 250-gallon copper pot still and creating a tasting room that doubles as their visitor space. The Thompsons’ journey into distilling began when Mike started experimenting with home distillation during weekends off from his engineering job. What started as a hobby evolved into a serious passion when they began winning local competitions with their bourbon and gin recipes. Sarah, who previously worked in hospitality management, handles the business operations while Mike focuses on production. Their small-batch approach means they’re producing roughly 200 bottles per week, with everything from mashing to bottling happening on-site. Visitors to Wild Hare get an intimate look at craft distilling in action. The space feels more like stepping into someone’s ambitious garage project than a polished tourist destination, which is exactly the appeal. You can see the entire operation from the tasting room, and Mike often runs tastings himself, explaining his process and the challenges of distilling in Arizona’s extreme climate. The reservation-only policy keeps groups small, usually maxing out at eight people, creating a personalized experience that feels more like visiting friends than taking a commercial tour.