Southern Tier Distilling Company sits in Lakewood, New York, about 20 minutes south of Buffalo in the heart of Western New York’s emerging craft spirits scene. Founded in 2013 by Bryan Schulz, a former IT professional who traded keyboards for copper stills, this small-batch operation specializes in bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka. The distillery operates out of an industrial space on Stoneman Circle, where Schulz handles everything from mashing to bottling with the help of a small team. Schulz’s journey into distilling started as a home brewing hobby that evolved into something more serious when he realized Western New York lacked a true craft distillery. After years of planning and navigating New York’s complex distilling regulations, he opened Southern Tier Distilling as one of the first craft distilleries in the Chautauqua County area. The operation runs on a 500-gallon copper pot still, and Schulz focuses on traditional bourbon and rye recipes while experimenting with local grain sources when possible. The facility doubles as both production space and tasting room, giving visitors an authentic behind-the-scenes look at small-scale distilling. You’ll smell the sweet mash cooking and see barrels aging in the same room where you sample the finished products. Schulz often runs tastings himself, explaining his process and sharing stories about the challenges of starting a distillery from scratch in New York state.