An Indiana craft distillery bringing bold, small-batch spirits to the Midwest — rooted in community and a passion for the art of distilling.

Their Story

18th Street Distillery is carving out a space for Black-owned craft spirits in the American Midwest. Named for a street steeped in community history, the distillery is a labor of love — built from the ground up by founders who believe that great spirits tell great stories. Their small-batch approach means every bottle reflects the care and intention that went into making it.

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The first Black-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky history, founded by three brothers committed to honoring the state's most iconic spirit and building a legacy for generations to come.

Their Story

Victor, Christain, and Bryson Yarbrough grew up in Louisville, Kentucky — the heart of bourbon country — and dreamed of making their mark on the industry their city built. In 2018, they made history as the founders of the first African American-owned distillery in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Brough Brothers is more than a distillery; it's a statement that Black entrepreneurs belong in every corner of American spirits.

Spirits on the Still

A Maryland craft distillery charting its own course with small-batch spirits rooted in community, creativity, and a deep respect for the art of distilling.

Their Story

Copper Compass Distilling takes its name from the navigator's most essential tool — a symbol of direction, purpose, and the courage to chart new territory. Founded in Maryland, the distillery is guided by a commitment to craft, community, and the belief that Black-owned spirits deserve a prominent place on every shelf and in every glass.

Spirits on the Still

Rooted in the rich soil of the Arkansas Delta, this fourth-generation family farm distillery crafts spirits from sweet potatoes and grain grown on their own land — a true farm-to-bottle story of Black agricultural heritage.

Their Story

Harvey and Donna Williams have farmed the Arkansas Delta for four generations. Their family patriarch "Papa" Joe Williams sharecropped the original 86 acres in the late 1800s; his son U.D. Williams purchased the farm out of sharecropping in 1949 with money earned from cotton and homemade moonshine. When Harvey and Donna founded Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, they brought that same deep connection to the land into every bottle. Their sweet potato vodka and gin are made from crops grown on their own farm — a living tribute to the Black farmers who have worked this soil for over a century. Delta Dirt is Arkansas's first Black-owned distillery, and every sip carries the weight and pride of that history.

Spirits on the Still

Minnesota's first Black-owned distillery, crafting small-batch spirits with a community-first ethos. Du Nord became a beacon of resilience and purpose during the 2020 Minneapolis uprisings.

Their Story

Chris Montana founded Du Nord Craft Spirits in 2013, making it Minnesota's first Black-owned distillery. When the 2020 Minneapolis uprisings erupted just blocks from the distillery, Du Nord became a community hub — distributing food, supplies, and support to neighbors in need. That spirit of resilience and generosity is woven into every bottle. Du Nord doesn't just make great spirits; it makes a difference.

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Named in honor of Maryland's complex history with freedom and slavery, The Free State Distillery crafts spirits that carry the weight and pride of that legacy in every bottle.

Their Story

Maryland was known as a 'Free State' — a term with a complicated history tied to both freedom and the persistence of slavery. The Free State Distillery reclaims that name with intention, crafting spirits that honor the resilience of Black Marylanders across generations. Every bottle is a declaration: we are here, we have always been here, and we are building something that lasts.

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A Lexington-based distillery bringing a fresh perspective to Kentucky bourbon — bold, approachable, and unapologetically rooted in Black entrepreneurship in the heart of bourbon country.

Their Story

Sean Edwards grew up surrounded by Kentucky bourbon culture and decided it was time for a fresh take. Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. is his answer — a Lexington distillery that honors the traditions of Kentucky bourbon while bringing a new voice, a new perspective, and a new generation of drinkers to the table. Sean's mission is simple: make great bourbon and make it accessible to everyone.

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Founded by Vanessa Braxton — the first African American woman distiller in the United States and the distiller behind Black Momma Vodka since 2012 — GB Distillers crafts bold, handcrafted spirits with purpose and pride. A landmark of Black excellence in American spirits.

Their Story

Vanessa Braxton made history when she became the first African American woman distiller in the United States. Since 2012, she has been the force behind Black Momma Vodka — a spirit that carries her name, her legacy, and her uncompromising commitment to quality. GB Distillers is the culmination of that journey: a full distillery operation where Vanessa and her team craft spirits from scratch, on real copper stills, with real craft. Her story is one of firsts — and she's not done yet.

Spirits on the Still

Los Angeles's Black-owned craft distillery, blending West Coast creativity with serious distilling craft. Loft & Bear brings bold, handcrafted spirits to the City of Angels — copper stills and all.

Their Story

Loft & Bear Distillery was born from a love of craft and a belief that Los Angeles deserved a Black-owned distillery worthy of the city's creative energy. The founders brought together a passion for spirits, a commitment to quality, and a distinctly West Coast sensibility to build something genuinely new. From their copper stills in LA, Loft & Bear is writing the next chapter of California craft distilling.

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New Hampshire's premier African American family-owned distillery, crafting 18 award-winning expressions across five iconic brands from grain grown in New England — a true farm-to-bottle legacy.

Their Story

New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery was founded in 2015 by Robert Patton-Spruill, who spent childhood summers with his grandfather learning the art of distilling — and the lesson that quality will always outlast quantity. In 2022, sisters Alisa Lawrence and Nilaja Young, along with their husbands Karl Lawrence and Kenny Young, purchased the distillery from their cousin Robert. Four family members, one shared vision: to build something that would last for generations. What Robert started, this family continues. Their 18 expressions across five brands — Clark & Chesterfield Whiskey, Ashuelot Vodka & Gin, Monadnock Moonshine, Kingfish Rum, and Sweetwater Libations RTDs — have earned medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and recognition from Black Enterprise Magazine.

Spirits on the Still

Delaware's Black-owned craft distillery, drawing on the rich tradition of American barrel-making and distilling to produce spirits with character, depth, and a story worth telling.

Their Story

The staves of a barrel are what give whiskey its character — the wood that shapes the spirit over years of patient aging. Painted Staves Distilling takes its name from that tradition, honoring the craft of the cooper and the distiller alike. Based in Delaware, the distillery is committed to producing spirits with genuine depth and character, rooted in the American barrel-aging tradition.

Spirits on the Still

A New Jersey craft distillery with a bold identity to match its spirits. Striped Lion distills with purpose — real stills, real craft, and a commitment to putting Black-owned spirits on the map.

Their Story

The striped lion is a symbol of strength, pride, and the refusal to be overlooked. Striped Lion Distilling carries that spirit into every bottle — a New Jersey craft distillery that distills with intention, crafts with care, and stands boldly in a space where Black-owned brands are still too rare. Their gin and whiskey are made on real copper stills, with real craft, and a real story behind every label.

Spirits on the Still

A California high-desert distillery crafting bold, small-batch spirits inspired by the rugged landscape and resilient spirit of the Inland Empire.

Their Story

Perched in the high desert of Victorville, California, Shadow Ridge Spirits Company & Distillery draws its identity from the dramatic terrain that surrounds it — the ridgelines, the open sky, and the quiet power of a landscape that demands respect. Founded by a team with deep roots in the Inland Empire, Shadow Ridge is bringing Black-owned craft distilling to a region that has long been overlooked by the spirits industry. Their small-batch approach honors both the land and the legacy of Black entrepreneurship in the American West.

Spirits on the Still

A Pennsylvania distillery with a name that says it all — crafting spirits that celebrate life, legacy, and the enduring spirit of Black entrepreneurship in America.

Their Story

The name says everything: This Life is Forever. Founded in Pennsylvania with a spirit of celebration and permanence, this distillery crafts spirits that are meant to be shared at life's most meaningful moments — toasts, milestones, gatherings, and the quiet evenings in between. Their commitment to Black entrepreneurship is as enduring as their name suggests.

Spirits on the Still