Indianapolis Distillery Tour — A Craft Spirits Trail Through the Circle City

March 14, 2026

Indianapolis has quietly built one of the Midwest's most compelling craft spirits scenes. From a veteran-owned distillery in a former warehouse to a whiskey operation aging barrels on the northern edge of Hamilton County, the Circle City offers a distillery trail worth clearing your calendar for. Whether you are after straight bourbon, botanical gin, or a behind-the-scenes look at grain-to-glass production, this guide maps out a full day (or weekend) of Indianapolis-area distillery hopping.

The Distilleries: Where to Go and What to Taste

Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery

951 W Morris St, Indianapolis · View venue profile

Hotel Tango holds the distinction of being the first combat-disabled veteran-owned distillery in the United States. Founded by Marine veteran Travis Barnes, the operation occupies a converted warehouse on the south side of Indianapolis and produces an impressive range: bourbon, vodka, gin, rum, and a lineup of canned cocktails that have become a staple at Indiana sporting events and music venues.

The tasting room is a warm, industrial-chic space with exposed brick and barrel stave accents. Guided tours walk you through the full production process, from milling grain to barrel aging, and end with a curated flight. Their bourbon is the flagship, but the Bravo Gin — bright with juniper and citrus botanicals — is a sleeper favorite among repeat visitors. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally, and the kitchen turns out elevated bar food that pairs well with everything they pour.

Known for: Bourbon, Bravo Gin, canned cocktails, veteran-owned heritage

West Fork Whiskey Co.

10 E 191st St, Westfield · View venue profile

Located about 30 minutes north of downtown Indianapolis in Westfield, West Fork Whiskey operates out of a striking modern facility surrounded by Indiana farmland. The distillery is best known for its Old Hamer line of straight bourbon and wheated bourbon, both of which have earned serious recognition at national spirits competitions.

The tasting room is spacious and family-friendly during daytime hours, with a large outdoor patio that comes alive on weekends. West Fork takes its grain-to-glass ethos seriously — they source corn and wheat from Indiana farms and run every step of production in-house. Tour groups get a close look at the column still and barrel warehouse. The flight menu lets you taste across their bourbon, rye, and flavored whiskey lineup side by side, and seasonal releases (especially their single-barrel picks) sell out quickly.

Known for: Old Hamer Bourbon, wheated bourbon, grain-to-glass production, expansive patio

8th Day Distillery

Indianapolis (Fountain Square area)

Nestled in the creative Fountain Square neighborhood, 8th Day Distillery is a craft-forward operation with a focus on vodka, gin, and unaged spirits alongside a growing whiskey program. The tasting room has a neighborhood bar feel — relaxed, unpretentious, and popular with locals who appreciate the quality without the fanfare.

Their vodka is remarkably smooth and serves as the base for inventive house cocktails. The gin features a balanced botanical profile that appeals to both classic gin drinkers and newcomers to the category. Smaller batch sizes mean you will occasionally find limited-edition spirits on the menu that are not available anywhere else. Stop in for a flight, stay for the cocktail list.

Known for: Small-batch vodka, botanical gin, neighborhood tasting room

Indiana Whiskey Company (IBWE)

2032 E 46th St, Indianapolis · View venue profile

Operating out of a midtown Indianapolis location along the 46th Street corridor, IBWE Whiskey Company focuses squarely on whiskey craftsmanship. Their approach leans traditional — expect corn-forward mash bills, copper pot distillation, and patient barrel aging. The result is whiskey with genuine character, free of shortcuts.

The tasting experience here is intimate and educational. Expect smaller crowds and more conversation with the people actually making the spirits. If you are the type who wants to understand what differentiates a wheated bourbon from a high-rye, this is the distillery to visit. Tours are available by appointment and include barrel samples that have not yet been bottled.

Known for: Indiana-made whiskey, intimate tasting experiences, barrel samples

Crossroad Vintners

Indianapolis area

Crossroad Vintners bridges the gap between Indiana's wine and spirits scenes. While primarily known as a wine producer, Crossroad has expanded into distilled spirits, offering a tasting room experience that lets you move between wine flights and spirit flights in a single visit. It is a smart stop for groups where not everyone is a whiskey enthusiast.

The setting is relaxed and well-suited for a weekend afternoon. Their fruit-forward wines pair well with the lighter spirits in their portfolio, and the staff is skilled at building flights that tell a story across both categories. For visitors doing a full distillery tour, Crossroad makes an excellent first or last stop — a palate cleanser and change of pace.

Known for: Wine and spirits crossover, approachable tasting flights, group-friendly atmosphere

A Suggested Route: The Indianapolis Spirits Trail

Here is a practical route for a full-day distillery tour through Indianapolis and the surrounding area. Distances are manageable by car, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are active throughout the metro.

Morning Start: West Fork Whiskey Co. (Westfield)

Begin your day at West Fork in Westfield. The drive north from downtown takes about 30 minutes, and arriving when they open lets you enjoy a less crowded tour and tasting. Spend 60 to 90 minutes here — the production tour is thorough, and the outdoor patio is worth lingering over if the weather cooperates.

Late Morning: Indiana Whiskey Company (Midtown)

Head south on US-31 back into Indianapolis and stop at IBWE on East 46th Street. This is a quieter, more educational stop — plan for 45 minutes to an hour, including a tasting flight and conversation with the distillers.

Lunch Break: Fountain Square

Continue south to the Fountain Square neighborhood for lunch. The area is packed with restaurants — Milktooth, Kuma's Corner, and Thunderbird are all within walking distance and offer menus substantial enough to reset your palate for the afternoon.

Early Afternoon: 8th Day Distillery (Fountain Square)

After lunch, walk to 8th Day Distillery for a flight of their vodka, gin, and any seasonal offerings. The neighborhood feel makes this a relaxed midday stop.

Afternoon: Hotel Tango (South Side)

Finish the distillery circuit at Hotel Tango on West Morris Street, a short drive west from Fountain Square. This is the stop that ties the day together — the production tour is polished, the cocktail menu is the strongest of the group, and the food menu means you can settle in for an early dinner without leaving. If your group is up for it, close out with one of their signature Old Fashioneds made with house bourbon.

Optional Addition: Crossroad Vintners

If you are extending the trip into a second day or want a lighter stop, work Crossroad Vintners into your itinerary. It pairs especially well as a wind-down stop after the heavier whiskey tastings, offering wine alongside spirits.

Food Pairings and Where to Eat

A day of spirit tasting calls for strategic eating. Here are pairing principles and restaurant recommendations to keep your palate sharp and your energy up.

• Before bourbon tastings: Start with something fatty and savory — a biscuit sandwich or smoked meat. Fat coats the palate and lets you taste barrel notes without palate fatigue setting in too early.
• Between flights: Plain water and simple crackers or bread. Skip flavored sparkling water — the carbonation and citrus interfere with delicate spirit notes.
• With gin or vodka: Lighter fare works well. Charcuterie, pickled vegetables, or seafood (raw bar, smoked fish) complement botanical and grain-forward spirits.
• Dinner pairing: Indiana bourbon pairs beautifully with smoked brisket, grilled pork chops, dark chocolate desserts, or aged cheeses. Several Indianapolis steakhouses and barbecue joints carry local spirits on their menus.

Cocktail Bars Serving Local Spirits

Indianapolis has a growing cocktail culture, and many of the city's best bars pour Indiana-made spirits. A few standouts:

• Libertine Liquor Bar (Massachusetts Avenue) — One of the city's original craft cocktail destinations. They regularly feature Hotel Tango and West Fork bottles on their back bar and build seasonal cocktails around local spirits.
• Plat 99 (downtown) — Known for creative cocktail programs that highlight Midwest distillers, including several Indianapolis operations.
• The Broken English — A late-night option with a strong whiskey list that includes Indiana-made bourbon and rye.
• Tinker Street (Broad Ripple) — Farm-to-table restaurant with a bar program that matches its kitchen philosophy. They source spirits locally when possible.

Planning Tips for Groups

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

A distillery tour makes an excellent alternative to the standard downtown bar crawl. Here is how to make it work for a group:

• Book a shuttle or party bus. Several Indianapolis transportation companies offer distillery tour packages. Having a dedicated driver eliminates the logistics headache and keeps everyone safe. Companies like Indy Limousine and Hoosier Connection specialize in these routes.
• Call ahead for group reservations. Most distilleries can accommodate groups of 10 to 20, but they need advance notice — especially for tours. Weekend afternoons book up fast.
• Mix in a non-distillery stop. Break up the tastings with an activity: axe throwing at Bad Axe in Fountain Square, a round at Topgolf in Fishers (near West Fork Whiskey), or a walk through the Indianapolis City Market.
• Appoint a pace-setter. Tasting flights add up. Encourage sipping and spitting (yes, even at distilleries) and make sure water is flowing throughout the day.

Corporate Outings and Team Events

Several Indianapolis distilleries offer private event packages that include dedicated tasting rooms, behind-the-scenes tours, and custom cocktail classes. Hotel Tango and West Fork Whiskey both have event coordinators who can build a tailored experience for groups of 20 to 50. These tend to book out 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

Couples and Small Groups

For a more intimate experience, visit on a weekday afternoon. You will have more face time with the distillers, shorter waits at the tasting bar, and first pick of any limited-release bottles on the shelf. Thursday evenings are also a sweet spot — several distilleries host food truck nights or live music that adds atmosphere without the Saturday-level crowds.

Practical Details

• Tasting fees: Most Indianapolis distilleries charge between $8 and $20 for a flight of four to six pours. Some waive the fee with a bottle purchase.
• Tour duration: Plan for 30 to 60 minutes per distillery tour. Add another 30 minutes if you are staying for cocktails.
• Designated driver: Indiana's legal limit is 0.08% BAC. A full day of tasting flights will exceed that. Arrange a sober driver, shuttle, or rideshare in advance.
• What to wear: Smart casual. Production floors may be uneven, so skip the heels. Some barrel warehouses are not climate-controlled.
• Bottle purchases: Indiana law allows you to purchase bottles directly from distilleries that hold the appropriate license. Many offer distillery-exclusive bottles you will not find in liquor stores.
• Age requirement: You must be 21 or older to taste. Bring a valid ID — most distilleries card everyone regardless of appearance.

Beyond the Trail: More Indianapolis-Area Distilleries

The distilleries above form the core of this trail, but the Indianapolis spirits scene extends further. Keep these on your radar for return visits:

• HCBJ Spirits (5220 Elmwood Ave, Indianapolis) — A smaller-scale operation on the east side producing spirits with a neighborhood focus. View venue profile
• Easley Winery (205 N College Ave, Indianapolis) — While primarily a winery, Easley also produces brandy and holds one of the oldest spirits-adjacent licenses in the city. Worth a stop if you want to round out your tasting with Indiana wine. View venue profile

For a complete list of licensed distilleries across Indianapolis and the rest of Indiana, browse our full distillery directory. You can also search by county to find venues near any Indiana destination.

Frequently Asked Questions