Wildcat Distilling Co. sits on 2nd Street in Webster City, Iowa, bringing craft spirits to Hamilton County in a converted building that’s become the town’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. Founded by local entrepreneur Chad Severin in 2017, the operation started as a dream to create authentic Iowa spirits using local grains from the surrounding farmland. Severin, who previously worked in construction and real estate, spent years learning the craft and navigating Iowa’s complex distilling regulations before opening the doors to his 2,500-square-foot facility. The distillery produces bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka using traditional copper pot stills and a commitment to sourcing corn, wheat, and other grains from Iowa farmers within a 100-mile radius. What started as a one-man operation has grown into a small team that’s become a gathering place for locals and a destination for spirits enthusiasts traveling Iowa’s emerging distillery trail. The tasting room maintains a relaxed, neighborhood feel where you’re more likely to chat with Chad himself than a hired bartender, and the conversation often turns to farming, grain selection, and the patience required to age good whiskey in Iowa’s variable climate.