Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Company sits on East Washington Street in Springfield, Illinois, bringing craft spirits and beer to the state capital since 2016. Founded by husband-and-wife team Ryan and Sarah Bowers, this operation started as a brewing company before expanding into distilling in 2018. The facility occupies a converted industrial space that houses both their brewing equipment and their custom copper still, creating a dual operation that’s still relatively uncommon in the craft spirits world. They produce bourbon, rye whiskey, and rum alongside their lineup of craft beers. Ryan Bowers came to distilling from a background in engineering, which shows in their methodical approach to production and quality control. The transition from brewing to distilling was always part of the plan, but it took two years of navigating Illinois regulations and securing the right equipment before they could fire up their first distillation run. Sarah handles much of the business operations while Ryan focuses on production, and they’ve built a small but dedicated team around them. Their philosophy centers on using local ingredients when possible and taking time with the aging process, even though that means smaller profits in the short term. The taproom and tasting room occupy the front of the building, with exposed brick walls and industrial fixtures that match the working distillery vibe. You can watch the brewing and distilling operations through large windows, and the staff is usually happy to explain what’s happening on any given day. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious—more neighborhood hangout than slick tourist destination. They’ve built a loyal local following, and visitors get the sense they’re discovering something before it becomes too well-known.