Wherever you’re visiting in Iowa, chances are you’re not too far from one of our distilleries. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast, gin aficionado or vodka lover, deepen your distillery experience with a guided tour. Go behind-the-scenes to see how your favorite spirits are made, which only makes them taste better afterwards.
And, download the free Iowa Distillery Passport to track your visits and access special offers.
1. Templeton Rye Distillery - Templeton
Templeton is a charming town built on a history of whiskey, tracing back generations to the bootleggers of Prohibition. To stay true to the town’s roots, Templeton Rye Distillery follows in the footsteps of its forefathers and crafts high-quality whiskey that “respects the past, yet is inspired by the future.” Catch one of their four daily tours to learn more about the distillery while relishing a sip of Prohibition history to see what “whiskey for the strong spirited” is all about.
2. 173 Craft Distillery - Clear Lake
When chemists Doug and John Summerfield combined their chemistry knowledge with their interest in spirits, 173 Craft Distillery was born. The uncle-nephew duo strategically used the science of distilling and the art of blending to create a unique take on spirits. Doug’s mission was to create the perfect drink for each customer to sip on while enjoying the breathtaking views of Clear Lake and City Park. His personal favorite? The rum-spiked Dark and Stormy. Book a tour with the 173 crew to peek into the process or take a mixology class to learn how to elevate your at-home cocktails.
3. Century Farms Distillery - Spencer
Located in Spencer's historic Alibi Lounge building, Century Farms Distillery sources corn from local farmers to create some of the state's best bourbon. Started by former engineers Amanda and Ryan Bare, who hand-built their own distilling equipment, Century Farms uses a unique method for producing traditional spirits. They offer three kinds of tours to allow visitors to see the one-of-a-kind distilling process up close, which are often guided by Amanda or Ryan. Each tour introduces the farm that sourced the corn and walks you through the grain-to-glass process before ending in the tasting room.
4. Foundry Distilling Co. - West Des Moines
Scott Bush’s love for the spirit industry began in 2002, when he began re-creating Templeton Rye whiskey in his college apartment. That passion paired with his grandfather’s heavy involvement in the Prohibition era inspired him to build a business. After co-founding Templeton Rye, he turned his focus to opening Foundry Distilling Company in 2017, which separates itself from other distilleries by focusing on creating custom spirits through collaborations and innovation. Choose from a variety of tours and experiences to see how Bush crafts award-winning spirits in West Des Moines.
5. Mississippi River Distilling Co. - LeClaire
Mississippi River Distilling Company began as a spontaneous idea between brothers Ryan and Garrett Burchett, and has since grown into one of the top craft distilleries in the world. Rooted in their hometown of LeClaire, the Burchett brothers source their ingredients from local farmers to create their Cody Road whiskeys and River line of spirits. Join a tour of the distillery to see how they go from raw ingredients to the finished product. If you’re further south, stop into their Downtown Lounge in Davenport for a delicious cocktail.
6. Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery - Swisher
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, located in Swisher, was Iowa’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition. It all began when Jeff Quint believed the world needed a taste of the homegrown bourbon that his family had been distilling for generations. Cedar Ridge released their first batch of whiskey in 2010, and Quint managed every step of the production, from grain to glass. Dive into the deep history of Cedar Ridge during a guided tour with complimentary samples, and as a bonus, you’ll also get a branded tasting glass and a discount for the gift shop.
Cedar Ridge Fly Through
7. Revelton Distilling Co. - Osceola
After years of attending the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Rob and Christi Taylor became infatuated with making whiskey, and eventually opened Revelton Distilling in Osceola. The driving force behind their business was a question about Iowa’s famed crop: “Why take the best corn in the world and make it into fuel, when you could make it into whiskey?” Now they’re doing exactly that, producing not just award-winning whiskey, but also gin, vodka and moonshine. To see the farm-to-flask action in person, schedule a tour of the whiskey and gin facility, or join a VIP session that includes a walkthrough of the barrel rackhouse.
