Still Mill Distillery opened in 2019 in a converted industrial building on Noble Street in Swissvale, just east of Pittsburgh. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mike and Sarah Bowman, the distillery occupies a former metalworking shop that they’ve transformed into a modern production facility and tasting room. Mike brings an engineering background to the operation, while Sarah handles the business side after years in craft beverage marketing. They focus on small-batch bourbon, rye, and vodka, using a custom 500-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. The Bowmans spent three years planning and navigating local regulations before opening, determined to bring craft distilling to the Mon Valley area. Their approach centers on sourcing Pennsylvania-grown grains when possible and aging their whiskey in 15-53 gallon barrels for faster maturation. Mike’s engineering mindset shows in their precise temperature control and detailed record-keeping of each batch. The 3,000-square-foot facility includes the production area, barrel storage, and a rustic tasting room with exposed brick walls and industrial touches that nod to the building’s manufacturing past. Visitors get an intimate look at small-scale distilling, with Mike or Sarah often running tours personally. The operation produces about 1,000 bottles per month, making everything from grain-to-glass on site. You can watch the entire process during production days and taste spirits that reflect the Bowmans’ commitment to quality over quantity. The atmosphere feels more like visiting a craft workshop than a commercial facility, which matches their vision of bringing artisanal distilling to their local community.