CRAFT DISTILLERY

Tennessee Hills Brewstillery

Johnson City,
Tennessee
— Whiskey, Moonshine, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🍺
Dual Production
Brewing tanks beside copper stills daily
🏭
Warehouse Space
Exposed brick meets craft beverage making
🧪
Experimental Batches
Seasonal releases across beer and spirits
👥
Local Hangout
Regulars mix with visitors over tastings
🎯
Group Friendly
Beer lovers and whiskey fans both covered
📍
Off Beaten Path
Johnson City location avoids tourist traps
📞 (423) 930-3041
🌐 https://www.tennesseehills.com/
📍 458 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN 37604, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

A Rare Brewstillery That Does Both Right

Tennessee Hills Brewstillery sits on West Walnut Street in Johnson City, combining craft brewing and distilling under one roof in a setup that’s still pretty rare in East Tennessee. Founded by Jason Hale and his team, this operation opened its doors in 2017 as both a brewery and distillery, making everything from IPAs to moonshine in the same facility. The building itself is a converted warehouse space that gives you that industrial-meets-craft vibe, with exposed brick, metal fixtures, and enough room for both brewing tanks and copper stills to coexist. They’re producing whiskey, moonshine, and vodka alongside their beer lineup, which makes for an interesting tasting experience since you can sample both sides of their operation. The space feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a formal distillery, with a taproom that encourages you to stick around and try multiple things. Hale and his crew came from backgrounds outside the spirits industry, which shows in their willingness to experiment and not get too precious about tradition. The distillery side focuses on smaller batches while the brewery keeps the taps flowing, creating this dual identity that works better than you might expect. You’re not just visiting a distillery here – you’re checking out a place that’s trying to do two things well instead of one thing perfectly.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT SETS THEM APART

Beer and Spirits Under One Roof

The brewstillery concept isn’t just a marketing gimmick here – they’re actually running both operations seriously, with separate equipment and processes for brewing and distilling that share the same space and philosophy. Most places choose one path or the other, but Tennessee Hills committed to being genuinely good at both beer and spirits, which creates this interesting dynamic where you might come for the bourbon but leave talking about their IPA. The East Tennessee location puts them in whiskey country without the touristy pressure of places closer to Nashville or the Smoky Mountains, so you get a more authentic local experience. Their willingness to experiment shows up in both their beer recipes and spirit production, with seasonal releases and limited runs that reflect what they’re curious about rather than what market research says will sell.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Industrial Warehouse Vibes Neighborhood Bar Feel

You’ll walk into a space that feels part brewery, part distillery, and part neighborhood bar, with the copper stills visible from the taproom and the smell of grain mash mixing with hops. The tasting experience lets you bounce between their beer and spirits, which is genuinely fun since most places make you choose one or the other. Tours show you both the brewing and distilling processes, and the staff knows their stuff on both sides – they can explain why they chose certain yeasts for their whiskey and how their brewing techniques influence their distilling approach. The atmosphere stays casual and unpretentious, with regulars mixing with visitors and conversations that drift from beer styles to barrel aging. You’re tasting in the same space where they’re making everything, so there’s no separation between production and presentation.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

East Tennessee Craft Without the Crowds

If you’re curious about craft spirits but also enjoy good beer, this is one of the few places where you can seriously explore both without feeling like one side is an afterthought. The brewstillery concept works because they’re not trying to be everything to everyone – they’re focused on making quality products in both categories for people who appreciate craft beverages. It’s particularly good for groups where some people prefer beer and others want spirits, since everyone can find something they’re genuinely excited about. Don’t expect the polished tourist experience you’d get at larger operations, but do expect to learn something interesting about how brewing and distilling can complement each other. The Johnson City location makes it a solid stop if you’re exploring East Tennessee’s growing craft beverage scene without dealing with crowds.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their social media for current hours and tasting availability, since they sometimes adjust schedules for production needs or private events. The location on West Walnut Street is easy to find with decent parking, and GPS should get you there without issues. Try samples from both the brewing and distilling sides – the contrast is genuinely interesting and helps you understand what they’re trying to do. Ask about their process for switching between brewing and distilling operations, since most visitors are curious how they manage both in the same facility. Weekends tend to be busier with locals, while weekdays offer more opportunities for detailed conversations with staff about their production methods.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Tennessee Hills Brewstillery — Visitor FAQ

Do you make both beer and spirits at the same time?
Yes, we operate both brewing and distilling equipment in the same facility, though on separate schedules and with different processes. The brewing side runs more frequently while distilling happens in batches, and we can show you both operations depending on when you visit.
Can I try both beer and spirits during my visit?
Absolutely – that’s one of the main advantages of the brewstillery concept. You can sample from both sides of our operation and compare how we approach different types of fermented beverages.
How does your brewing experience influence your spirits?
Our background in brewing helps us understand fermentation and grain handling, which carries over into distilling. We use some similar techniques for mash preparation and yeast management, though the end goals are obviously different.

GETTING THERE

Find Tennessee Hills Brewstillery

📍458 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN 37604, USA

 — 

📞 (423) 930-3041

The 50 States of Whiskey

Find a Craft Distillery

Search from nearly 1,500 Distilleries
in all 50 States

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

SMART BUYING GUIDES

The Right Gear Matters

Honest recommendations on everything around the bottle.

The best ice molds and ice makers for bourbon lovers
Best Clear Ice Makers for Bourbon (2026)

Read More →

The Best Bourbon Decanters: A No-Nonsense Guide to What’s Actually Worth Buying

Read More →

The Best Home Bar Carts and Bar Cabinets for Bourbon Lovers (2026 Guide)

Read More →

Best Bourbon Smoker Kits (2026) – Worth the Smoke?

Read More →

whiskey glasses
Best Whiskey Glasses for Bourbon: 5 Glasses Every Bourbon Drinker Should Own

Read More →

NEAT OR NOT

Whiskey Reviews

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

KEEP EXPLORING

Distileries Near Tennessee Hills Brewstillery

Bourbon, Rye, Moonshine

Leiper’s Fork Distillery

Franklin,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Moonshine

Tennessee Shine Co.

Pigeon Forge,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye

Dam Whiskey Corp.

Guild,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.

Xxx Distillery

Sevierville,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.

Uncle Nearest, Inc.

Shelbyville,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Rye

Old Dominick Distillery

Memphis,
TN
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.