Loup River Distilling sits in St. Paul, Nebraska, a small farming community where corn grows as far as you can see. Founded by local entrepreneur Brad Schmitt in 2017, this operation started as a way to add value to the family’s grain farming business that’s been running for generations. The distillery occupies a converted grain elevator building on Howard Avenue, giving it an authentic agricultural feel that matches the surrounding landscape. They produce bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka using Nebraska corn and wheat grown within miles of the facility. What began as Schmitt’s idea to diversify the family farm has grown into one of Nebraska’s emerging craft distilleries, though it maintains its agricultural roots and small-town character. The operation reflects the practical, no-nonsense approach you’d expect from farmers who decided to try their hand at distilling.