Bluestem Distillery in Bethalto boasts a combined 50 years of brewing, winemaking and alcohol production experience. The owners and scientists coined the "submarine process" - a process found nowhere else in the world. Mashing, fermentation and distillation occur on site.

Visit the tasting room with decor rich with local history. The bar top is slate from the roof of the old Moro train station. The pallet wood for the wall comes from Scott Air Force Base.

Bluestem Vodka - named for Big Bluestem, the State Prairie Grass of Illinois - is distilled from locally grown corn and cut with reverse osmosis water, resulting in a slightly sweet, extremely pure, delicious spirit. This vodka is gluten free. The distillery has a bottle machine that fills 20 bottles per minute.

Bluestem Gin is best described as contemporary, Western, New World. This unique and original recipe is recognizable as gin but has its own identity and profile. Violet, the Illinois state flower, is incorporated into the recipe.

Early Warning Coffee Liqueur takes inspiration from the distillery. Starting with Bluestem Vodka and adding the Heritage Roast from the historic Old Judge Coffee Company, a simple, smooth liqueur is born.

Bluestem Seltzer is on tap at the tasting room. Flavors vary weekly.

Click here to book a tour today.