Moonrise Distillery sits on Webb Road in Clayton, Georgia, right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Tonya Fredette, this craft distillery opened its doors in 2014 after the couple left their corporate careers to chase a dream of making small-batch spirits in the mountains. Chris had been home-distilling for years, and when Georgia changed its laws to allow craft distilleries, they saw their chance to go legit. The distillery operates out of a 4,000-square-foot facility where they produce moonshine, whiskey, and flavored spirits using traditional copper pot stills. The Fredettes didn’t just stumble into distilling—Chris spent years perfecting his craft and studying under experienced distillers before they made the leap. They started with moonshine because that’s what the region’s known for, but their real passion lies in aging whiskey and bourbon. The facility houses both production and tasting areas, with the copper stills visible through large windows so you can watch the process. They source their corn from local Georgia farms when possible and use mountain spring water in their mash. What you’ll find here is a no-nonsense operation focused on quality over flash. The tasting room feels more like a friend’s garage workshop than a polished tourist destination, which honestly makes it more authentic. You can taste their full lineup, watch production when they’re running, and talk directly with Chris or Tonya about their process. They’re not trying to be the biggest distillery in Georgia—they’re trying to make the best spirits they can in small batches, and that philosophy shows in everything from their equipment choices to how they interact with visitors.