Beehive Distilling sits in South Salt Lake, Utah, housed in what used to be an old auto repair shop that founders Matt Cooley and Chris Barlow transformed into their craft spirits operation. The duo launched their distillery in 2013, driven by a shared passion for creating unique spirits that reflect Utah’s distinctive character. Cooley, a former software engineer, and Barlow, who worked in marketing, didn’t follow the typical bourbon playbook—they started with gin and vodka before moving into whiskey territory. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses copper stills and fermentation tanks where they produce gin, vodka, rum, and their signature whiskey expressions. The industrial-meets-craft aesthetic reflects their practical approach to distilling—function over flash, but with serious attention to what’s in the bottle. You’ll find them focusing on small-batch production with a hands-on approach that keeps everything under close watch.