Indian River Distillery sits on Aviation Boulevard in Vero Beach, where founder Joe Swartz turned his passion for craft spirits into Florida’s treasure coast distilling operation. Swartz, who brings years of business experience to the craft spirits world, opened the distillery to showcase small-batch production methods in a region better known for citrus than whiskey. The operation focuses on premium vodka and rum production, utilizing traditional copper pot stills in a modern facility designed for both production efficiency and visitor experiences. The distillery emphasizes quality ingredients and careful distillation processes, with Swartz and his team overseeing every aspect from grain to glass. They’ve carved out a niche in Florida’s growing craft spirits scene by focusing on spirits that reflect both traditional methods and local influences. The facility combines production space with a tasting room where visitors can experience the spirits firsthand while learning about the distillation process. Indian River Distillery represents the entrepreneurial spirit of Florida’s craft distilling movement, where passionate founders are building operations that compete with established brands through attention to detail and innovative approaches.
