Meinelschmidt Distillery sits in downtown Hagerstown on South Potomac Street, bringing small-batch spirits to Maryland’s western panhandle. Founded by Dave Meinelschmidt, a former engineer who traded his corporate career for copper stills and grain bills, the distillery opened its doors after years of perfecting recipes in his garage. The operation runs out of a renovated building that houses both production equipment and a tasting room where visitors can sample everything from vodka to whiskey. You’ll find this is very much a hands-on operation where Dave often greets visitors personally, sharing stories about the transition from weekend hobby to full-time passion. The distillery focuses on quality over quantity, with small batches that allow for experimentation and attention to detail. What started as a retirement project has evolved into a genuine craft distillery that’s become part of Hagerstown’s growing downtown revitalization.