Mad River Distillers sits right in downtown Burlington on St. Paul Street, making it one of the most accessible craft distilleries in Vermont. Founded by John Epperson and George Heron in 2013, this operation started as a dream between two friends who wanted to bring small-batch distilling to the Queen City. Epperson, who had a background in brewing, partnered with Heron to launch what would become Burlington’s first craft distillery in decades. They’re producing bourbon, rye whiskey, rum, and gin in a compact urban setting that feels more like a neighborhood gathering spot than a typical industrial distillery. The story behind Mad River goes back to Epperson’s fascination with fermentation and distillation processes. After years of home brewing and experimenting with spirits, he convinced Heron to join him in turning their weekend hobby into a legitimate business. They spent months navigating Vermont’s regulations and finding the right space in Burlington’s South End arts district. The learning curve was steep—they’re self-taught distillers who figured out their processes through trial, error, and a lot of research. What started as two guys with a dream has evolved into a respected local operation that’s helped put Vermont on the craft spirits map. Visitors get an intimate look at small-batch production in action. The space isn’t huge, but that works in their favor—you can actually see the entire operation from grain to glass. Tours feel personal because you’re often talking directly with the founders or their small team. The tasting room has a laid-back vibe where locals mix with tourists, and the staff knows their products well enough to guide you toward what you’ll actually enjoy. It’s not the most polished operation you’ll visit, but there’s something genuine about the whole experience that bigger distilleries can’t replicate.