Samuel Berton Distilling sits in historic Labadie, Missouri, along the Missouri River about 45 minutes west of St. Louis. Founded by Samuel Berton in 2018, this craft distillery operates out of a converted storefront on Front Street, bringing small-batch bourbon and rye production to this quiet river town. Berton, who transitioned from a career in engineering, named the operation after himself and dove into the world of grain-to-glass distilling with a focus on traditional methods and local ingredients. The journey from concept to pour took Berton several years of planning, permitting, and perfecting recipes. He sources Missouri corn and other grains when possible, running everything through a custom copper still system in the compact but efficient distillery space. The operation remains deliberately small-scale, allowing Berton to oversee every step of production from mashing to bottling. What started as a passion project has evolved into a legitimate craft distillery serving both locals and visitors exploring Missouri’s growing spirits scene. Visitors find themselves in an intimate setting where you can actually watch the distilling process and talk directly with Berton about his craft. The tasting room feels more like a neighbor’s well-stocked home bar than a commercial operation, which fits the personal approach he takes to every batch. You’re tasting spirits made by the guy standing right there explaining how he tweaked the mash bill or adjusted the aging process.