Barnstormer Distillery sits on South Main Street in Rockford, Illinois, operating out of a renovated industrial space that reflects the no-nonsense approach of founders Mike and Lisa Templeton. The couple launched their operation in 2018 after Mike’s career in aviation maintenance sparked his interest in precision crafting – he jokes that working on aircraft engines taught him the importance of getting every detail right. The 4,000-square-foot facility houses their custom copper still and aging room, where they focus primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey production alongside small batches of gin and vodka. What started as weekend experiments in their garage has grown into a legitimate craft distillery that’s becoming a fixture in Rockford’s growing artisan scene. The Templetons named their operation after the barnstorming pilots of the 1920s – those daredevil aviators who brought excitement to small towns across America. That spirit of adventure and craftsmanship runs through everything they do, from their willingness to experiment with unusual grain bills to their hands-on approach with every visitor who walks through their doors. The distillery reflects Mike’s aviation background in subtle ways, with propeller-inspired décor and a tasting room that feels more like a hangar than a typical bar.