CRAFT DISTILLERY

Barrels on Bridge

Cedarburg,
Wisconsin
— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🏛️
Historic Setting
1890s limestone walls frame copper stills
🌾
Local Sourcing
Wisconsin corn and wheat from nearby farms
👫
Owner Experience
Joe and Sarah pour tastings personally
🚶
Downtown Location
Walk from antique shops to tasting room
🥃
Batch Variation
Each visit brings slightly different flavors
🔍
Production Tours
See the process up close and personal
📞 (262) 204-8070
🌐 https://www.barrelsonbridge.com/
📍 N70W5336 Bridge Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Historic Limestone Building Turned Craft Distillery

Barrels on Bridge sits in a restored 1890s limestone building on Bridge Road in historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, where the Cedar Creek winds through one of the state’s most charming historic districts. Founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife team Joe and Sarah Nehring, this craft distillery emerged from Joe’s background in brewing and Sarah’s business expertise, transforming what was once a furniture store into a 3,000-square-foot distillery and tasting room. The Nehrings spent two years renovating the century-old structure, preserving original limestone walls and exposed wooden beams while installing custom copper stills and fermentation equipment. They produce small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin, with plans to expand their whiskey offerings as their barrels age. The couple’s journey into distilling began after years of home brewing and visiting distilleries across the Midwest, ultimately deciding Cedarburg’s tourist-friendly downtown and Wisconsin’s growing craft spirits scene made it the perfect location for their venture. Joe handles production while Sarah manages the business side and tasting room operations, creating a genuinely personal experience where visitors often interact directly with the owners.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Wisconsin Grains Meet 1890s Architecture

Barrels on Bridge stands out as one of the few distilleries housed in a restored 19th-century limestone building, giving it an authentic historic character that most newer distilleries can’t match. The Nehrings’ approach focuses heavily on local ingredients and community connections, sourcing grains from Wisconsin farms when possible and collaborating with other Cedarburg businesses on special releases and events. Their location in downtown Cedarburg’s tourist corridor makes them easily walkable from antique shops, restaurants, and the historic covered bridge, positioning them as part of a day-long historic district experience rather than a standalone destination. Joe’s brewing background influences their fermentation processes, and they’re one of the smaller operations in Wisconsin, allowing for genuine craft-scale production where batch sizes remain manageable and quality control stays hands-on.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Meet the Makers Not Just the Spirits

You’ll walk into a cozy tasting room where exposed limestone walls meet modern industrial touches, with the copper stills visible through large windows separating the production area from the public space. Sarah or Joe often handle tastings personally, explaining their process and the story behind each spirit while pouring samples at the reclaimed wood bar. The atmosphere feels more like visiting friends who happen to make exceptional spirits than a formal distillery tour, with conversation flowing easily and questions encouraged. Tours, when available, take you into the production area where Joe explains the mashing, fermentation, and distillation process up close, though the intimate scale means groups stay small and the experience feels personal rather than scripted.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Small Batches Worth The Discovery

This works perfectly for people who prefer intimate, authentic experiences over polished tourist operations and want to meet the actual people making their spirits. If you’re exploring Cedarburg’s historic downtown, it fits naturally into a day of antiquing and dining, offering a modern craft element to complement the area’s 19th-century charm. Serious spirits enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to taste products from a small-scale operation and discuss the craft directly with the distillers, while casual visitors will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and historic setting. Don’t expect elaborate facilities or huge production tours, but if you value personal interaction and supporting genuine small businesses, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Barrels on Bridge — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to call ahead for tastings?
While walk-ins are welcome during open hours, calling ahead is recommended since they’re a small operation and sometimes close for production or private events. Their hours can vary seasonally, so a quick call ensures they’ll be open and ready for visitors.
Can I tour the production area?
Yes, informal tours are available when production schedules allow. Joe or Sarah will show you around the distilling equipment and explain their process, but tours depend on what’s happening that day and group size.
What can I buy to take home?
You can purchase bottles of their vodka, gin, and available whiskeys on-site. Selection varies based on current production, and they sometimes have special bottlings or collaborations available exclusively at the distillery.

GETTING THERE

Find Barrels on Bridge

📍N70W5336 Bridge Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012, USA

 — 

📞 (262) 204-8070

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