Altered Spirits Distillery sits in Slinger, Wisconsin, about 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, in a former industrial building that founders Mike and Laurie Bauer transformed into their craft distillery operation in 2016. The husband-and-wife team brought different skills to the venture—Mike’s background in engineering and Laurie’s business acumen—after deciding they wanted to create something together that combined craftsmanship with community. They spent two years converting the 4,000-square-foot space, installing a 250-gallon copper pot still system and creating a tasting room where visitors can sample their growing lineup of spirits. The distillery produces vodka, gin, whiskey, and seasonal liqueurs, focusing on small-batch production with local ingredients when possible. What started as weekend tastings has evolved into a destination that draws visitors from across southeastern Wisconsin, particularly during their special events and limited releases. The Bauers handle most operations themselves, from mashing and distilling to bottling and serving customers in their tasting room. The space maintains an industrial feel with exposed beams and concrete floors, but they’ve warmed it up with reclaimed wood accents and local artwork that gives it a distinctly Wisconsin character.