Broad Branch Distillery sits in Winston-Salem’s Arts District at 756 Trade Street, occupying a renovated historic building that perfectly captures the city’s blend of industrial heritage and creative energy. Founded in 2014 by Charlie Hester, a former pharmaceutical executive who traded lab coats for copper stills, this craft distillery represents North Carolina’s growing whiskey renaissance. The 5,000-square-foot space combines production facilities with a welcoming tasting room where visitors can sample everything from moonshine to aged bourbon. Hester’s vision was simple: create authentic American spirits using traditional methods while embracing the innovation that flows through Winston-Salem’s creative community. The distillery produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and various flavored spirits, all made in small batches with careful attention to each step of the process. What started as one man’s passion project has evolved into a cornerstone of the local spirits scene, drawing both serious whiskey enthusiasts and curious newcomers. The operation runs on a 500-gallon copper pot still, allowing for the kind of hands-on control that mass production simply can’t match. You’ll find this isn’t just another distillery riding craft spirits trends—Hester and his team genuinely care about the science and art of distillation, and it shows in every bottle they produce.