Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee and Brian Bemis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Renee and Brian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
“Taste the American Spirit”
Driftless Glen Distillery is an American Craft Distillery that is making even the glencairens that the whiskey flows into, thirstier for more – and winning the hearts of Americans throughout the US.
Our start began in 2012, breaking ground and setting up solid roots in Baraboo, WI. We knew Baraboo would be an up and coming area, heavy in tourism and rich in natural resources with Devils Lake and WI Dells practically in our back yard. The perfect backdrop for our craft distillery. The goal was always to create award winning spirits and age them to perfection with our Bourbons, Rye Whiskeys and Brandy. Our promise from the beginning was to establish ourselves as a leading distillery offering grain to glass spirits and keeping the pace for production while not sacrificing on quality or the passion that goes into each pour.
We keep things fun and interesting releasing small batches of our newly released Exclusive series, which right now features an incredible American Single Malt Whiskey that can only be bought on-site at the Distillery. We also host special events such as Yoga in the Distillery, Mixology classes, tours and tastings throughout the Midwest where you can get a bottle of our spirits to take home. We are carried at Hyvee, Woodmans, Binny’s, Total Wine, Festival, most recently Wal-Mart and more. You can check on our website to see where we can be bought and enjoyed.
The Driftless Family
The owners of the distillery are Brian and Renee Bemis. Brian is a lifelong entrepreneur and has been very successful in a collection of businesses with being a car dealer for close to 40 years. Renee has been successful in her own right, as a world-class sculptor in the art world. The couple are local to St. Charles, Illinois and known throughout the Northern Illinois area. These two share such a passion for spirits and are very hands on in all aspects of the business. Brian and Renee have a talented and experienced team that has helped grow and support sales and operations. Their distillery team has created brands that have won multiple medals at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 American Craft Spirits Awards, 2016 & 2017 WSWA and most recently 2018 London Spirits Competition.
The size of the distillery is impressive for a young company. There is a Vendom 550-gallon copper pot still. Adjacent to it is a 42-foot continuous column with a 24-inch diameter. In addition, there is an Artisan 330-gallon pot still for just clear spirits. In the spring of 2015 a beautiful restaurant, bar and gift shop was opened on site. The restaurant and bar overlook the Baraboo River with a patio. Distillery guided tours are available daily. DG is a destination and fun experience.
The History and Background on our name and the Driftless area –
We are named after and located in a very unique geographical area of the Midwest. Having escaped the “drift” of the last glacial age, the region is defined by deep river valleys carved into limestone banks of numerous rivers and tributaries. This make our area amazing for crafting and creating DG spirits.
Driftless Glen produces a full range of spirits including our premier Bourbons, Rye Whiskeys and Brandy. In addition we offer the clears that are equally as great. Cucumber, Lemon and Premium Vodkas, Gin (4 types) including our WisconGin, and several Moonshines. Over 4,000 barrels of Rye Whiskey and Bourbon were laid down in 2015, with Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey being available in early 2017. Bourbon and Rye Whiskey make up a large percentage of production and the distillery’s location make ideal conditions for aging these spirits. The rackhouses are where the Bourbon and Rye Whiskey are stored and aged and they are located a short walk from the Baraboo River. Morning fog rolls off the river and coats the barrels. This moisture is the perfect blanket to nurture what is inside the barrels during humid summers. The only product not 100%local ingredients is the Driftless Glen Brandy. Because the local growing season does not allow for optimal grape growing conditions, the grapes are sourced from the Bordeaux Region in France where the brandy is aged for 5 years in French oak barrels. The product is then shipped to the Driftless Glen distillery where it receives the local touch and is aged another year in spent bourbon barrels for an exceptional quality finished product. Brandy is an extremely popular category with Wisconsinites and was a must offering.
We hope that you will come visit and look for the Driftless Glen Spirits in your area. Taste the American Spirit.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not every barrel that gets put up will be ready at the exact same time. Each barrel can have a mind of its own and it may not always be aging in the same way as its neighbor next to it. It is a labor of love, patience and nurturing each barrel in its own time to make sure the output quality meets our standard of excellence.
We started with a partner originally. Most understand in business that some partnerships just don’t work. We were realistic in the scope and what needed to be done, so we made the necessary changes early on to ensure the success and growth of our Distillery. We honestly have the best team in place at this point in our distillery career. We will be celebrating on the red carpet in October at the Inc. Gala.
Finding the right distributor companies can be a challenge in the spirits industry as well. Fortunately, we have been selected and have partnered with some wonderful distributors that are getting our spirits out there. There is a lot that goes into getting your spirits into new states and areas. If you love our spirits, keep asking your local stores and restaurants to serve DG. Brand awareness and getting the word out is so important and appreciated.
Wastewater is an issue as well that many in the distilling profession may not have considered or have been faced with. We are currently trucking it to a digestor at a premium cost. We do this for the environment and to make sure that we are respecting the natural resources that we appreciate for the creation of our spirits.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Driftless Glen Distillery – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are in the spirits business and it really doesn’t get any better than that.
Perhaps the most exciting news, just hit. Just last week on August 15, 2018, Inc. magazine revealed that DRIFTLESS GLEN DISTILLERY is No. 316 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Driftless Glen is an Inc. Top 500 Company. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. In addition we are a Top 3 WI Company and To 13 Food & Beverage Company named by Inc. in the US. https://driftlessglen.com/inc-top-500-company/
Named “Top 10 Spirits Brand You Must Try In The US”, by London Spirits Competition. https://driftlessglen.com/london-spirits-top-10-us-spirit-brands/
Named One Of the Best Old Fashioned In the State of WI (out of 9 restaurants. Ours is #3 and the only craft distillery) https://driftlessglen.com/driftless-glen-best-old-fashioned/
Named Top 11 Wisconsin Restaurants Worth The Trip by Madison Magazine https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/dining-and-drink/11-wisconsin-restaurants-worth-the-trip/758627421
We have close to 5,000 barrels aging to perfection on-site within our distillery, handcrafted by our team. This sets our distillery apart as we are able to produce and keep pace with the demand of our spirits that are aging to perfection.
Our spirits are created, aged, bottled and labeled within our distillery. Each bottle imprinted with the fingerprints of the owners Renee and Brian Bemis. You will also notice each label is handwritten. Just one of the many special touches we want our customers to see, experience and taste.
We specialize in all things craft and this can be experienced through tours and tastings, eating our fresh cuisine at our distillery restaurant, tasting one of our specialty craft cocktails, the array of Olive Oils and Balsamic we sell and serve in our cuisine and cocktails.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our goal is to keep growing, keep hand-crafting quality spirits that can be enjoyed by you and I. We have planned expansion goals for both on-premise and off-premise distribution of our spirits. We add new states and increase our footprint each year. Next year we feel we are on track to add an additional 10 states, doubling our reach. We feel our spirits should be enjoyed both nationwide and internationally. Taste the American Spirit.
Contact Info:
- Address: 300 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913 - Website: driftlessglen.com
- Phone: 608-356-4536
- Email: renee@driftlessglen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/driftlessglen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriftlessGlen
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/driftlessglen
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/driftless-glen-distillery-baraboo
- Other: https://plus.google.com/u/2/collection/Q3ZYdE
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