Blue Ox Spirits sits in northeast Des Moines at 1631 NE 55th Avenue, where founders Brandon and Allison Baumgardt transformed their passion for craft cocktails into Iowa’s craft distilling scene. The husband-and-wife team launched Blue Ox in 2019 after years of perfecting recipes and sourcing local ingredients, opening their doors in a converted industrial space that maintains its no-nonsense Iowa character. They produce vodka, gin, and whiskey using locally-sourced corn and other regional ingredients whenever possible. Brandon handles the production side while Allison manages operations and customer experience, creating a genuinely personal operation where you’re likely to meet the actual distillers during your visit. The couple spent considerable time developing their recipes before opening, focusing on clean flavors that showcase Iowa agriculture. Their approach emphasizes quality over quantity, with small-batch production runs that allow them to maintain consistency and experiment with new products. The distillery reflects their commitment to community, sourcing ingredients locally and building relationships with Iowa farmers. Visitors find themselves in an authentic working distillery where you can see the entire operation, from grain to glass. The tasting room maintains the industrial aesthetic of the building while creating a welcoming atmosphere for sampling their spirits. Blue Ox offers both tastings and tours, giving guests insight into their production methods and the story behind each spirit. The experience feels intimate and educational, with the founders often personally guiding visitors through their process and philosophy.