Craft distillery plans move to Walker's Point
16.04.2008 02:25
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- Source: JS Online
A vodka and gin distillery on Milwaukee's north side is moving to the Walker's Point neighborhood and will begin offering weekend tours. Great Lakes Distillery plans to be in its new location at 616 W. Virginia St. by July, said owner Guy Rehorst. Great Lakes already is leasing 9,500 square feet at the building, in The Tannery business park, and hopes to get a zoning variance at the city Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Thursday. The new location is much larger than the 3,500-square-foot space that Great Lakes leases at 3950 N. Holton St. Great Lakes Distillery, which began business in 2006, makes Rehorst Milwaukee Premium Vodka and Rehorst Milwaukee Premium Gin. The Tannery site will provide enough room for Great Lakes to also produce whiskey, brandy and rum, Rehorst said. Rehorst also will open a visitors center there and offer weekend tours of the distillery. The Tannery is near several bars and restaurants in Walker's Point that include Rehorst vodka and gin on their menus. That will allow people who tour the distillery to go to a nearby restaurant or tavern and sample the Great Lakes spirits, Rehorst said. Unlike Wisconsin wineries and breweries, distilleries are not allowed under state law to provide samples or sell their goods at their production facilities. But Rehorst does plan to sell T-shirts, glasses and other items printed with his brand logo. Great Lakes is among a growing number of craft distilleries that sell higher quality spirits that are produced in small batches. Wisconsin has two other craft distilleries: Yahara Bay Distillers Inc. in Madison and 45th Parallel Spirits LLC of New Richmond in St. Croix County.
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