How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Illinois

DESTIHL Brewery and Beer Hall

Normal,

Illinois

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (309) 420-0159

🌐 https://destihl.com/

📍 1200 Greenbriar Dr, Normal, IL 61761, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

DESTIHL Brewery operates out of Normal, Illinois, but here’s the thing—they’re primarily known as a craft brewery, not a distillery. Founded by Matt Potts in 2007, DESTIHL built its reputation on wild ales, sours, and innovative brewing techniques before expanding into spirits production. The brewery occupies a 30,000-square-foot facility on Greenbriar Drive that houses their brewing operations, taproom, and more recently, distilling equipment. While beer remains their bread and butter, they’ve been experimenting with distilled spirits as part of their broader craft beverage mission. You’ll find this is more of a brewery visit with some spirits on the side rather than a traditional distillery experience.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

What sets DESTIHL apart is their crossover approach—they’re one of the few operations that successfully bridges craft brewing and distilling under one roof. Their background in wild fermentation and barrel-aging for beer translates into some interesting approaches to spirits production. The facility combines traditional brewing equipment with smaller-scale distilling apparatus, creating a hybrid experience that’s pretty uncommon in Illinois. Plus, they’ve got the infrastructure and expertise for barrel management from their extensive beer aging program, which gives them a head start in spirits aging.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’re walking into a brewery first and foremost, so expect the atmosphere of a craft beer hall with high ceilings, stainless steel tanks, and that familiar hoppy aroma. The space feels industrial but approachable, with a large taproom area where you can sample their extensive beer lineup alongside any available spirits. Tours focus heavily on their brewing process, with spirits production as more of a side note. The staff knows their beer inside and out, though their spirits knowledge is still developing as that side of the business grows.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re specifically looking for a distillery experience, this might not hit the mark—you’re getting maybe 20% spirits, 80% brewery. But if you appreciate craft beverages in general and want to see how a successful brewery approaches distilling, it’s worth checking out. Beer enthusiasts will have a field day here, and spirits curious folks can get a taste of their early distilling efforts. Just set your expectations accordingly—this isn’t Maker’s Mark or even a dedicated craft distillery.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm they’re actually producing spirits when you visit, as their distilling operations aren’t as consistent as their brewing. The beer selection changes frequently, so ask what’s currently on tap. Parking is straightforward with a decent-sized lot. If you’re coming specifically for spirits, you might want to combine this with visits to other Illinois distilleries to make it worthwhile. Their beer hall gets busy on weekends, so weekday visits offer a more relaxed experience.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DESTIHL Brewery and Beer Hall — Visitor FAQ

Is DESTIHL primarily a brewery or distillery?

DESTIHL is primarily a craft brewery that has expanded into limited spirits production. You’ll find extensive beer offerings with a small selection of house-distilled spirits depending on current production.

Can I tour the distilling operations?

Tours focus mainly on their brewing process, with distilling equipment shown as part of the overall facility tour. The spirits production is much smaller scale than their brewing operations.

What’s the best way to experience both their beer and spirits?

Ask your bartender what spirits are currently available and try a flight that includes both beer and spirits. The staff can explain how their brewing expertise influences their approach to distilling.

GETTING THERE

Find DESTIHL Brewery and Beer Hall

📍1200 Greenbriar Dr, Normal, IL 61761, USA

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📞 (309) 420-0159

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