Switchgrass Spirits

About the Distillery

Switchgrass Spirits is a worker-owned craft distillery on the north side of St. Louis, actively working with grain-to-glass principles and local ingredients. Since 2016, the team has developed the craft, installed large fermentation tanks and a handmade hybrid pot/column still, and they age their spirits in locally produced Missouri white oak. The distillery makes whiskey, fruit brandies and bottled cocktails and offers regular tours for the public.

History

The initiative behind Switchgrass Spirits began in 2016 with a desire to create an equitable, worker-owned distillery that produces high-quality whiskey and brandy. The first years were spent refining distilling skills and rebuilding an old American Legion Hall on St. Louis's north side for distillery operations. Investments from friends and family, along with support from the local community, made the realization possible. In February 2020 the company released its first aged and bottled cocktail, and since then the range has expanded to include whiskeys, fruit brandies and collaboration projects. The team presents itself publicly through tours and local events, and several of the key people serve in roles such as head distiller, operations and outreach.

Ingredients and Production

Switchgrass focuses on local Midwestern ingredients and a grain-forward approach to the mash bill. Fermentation takes place in designed one-thousand-gallon fermentation tanks, intended for efficient on-grain processing and better flavor development. The distillation is performed on a custom-built hybrid pot/column still, handmade in the USA, which provides flexibility to switch between traditional pot-style extractions and more modern column principles as well as the ability to make precise cuts by taste. The company emphasizes the grain-to-glass principle: both production and aging primarily occur for their own products, with a focus on small-batch production and local labor.

Aging and Barrel Types

Aging takes place in Missouri white oak barrels, produced by local partners. The distillery highlights the wood's quality and sustainable forestry practices as important elements of the aging strategy. The barrels are used to age both whiskey and other barrel-aged products, and the relationship with local coopers is part of their craft heritage.

Whiskeys

The portfolio consists of small-batch whiskeys, fruit brandies, aged cocktails and collaboration experiments. There is a focus on their own products rather than bottling bulk from other producers, and the overall character is described as small-batch and grain-forward with aging on local Missouri oak. The online shop primarily sells merchandise, while bottles can be ordered for local delivery or pickup in St. Louis due to regulatory restrictions on remote shipping.

Visit the Distillery

The distillery publicly welcomes guided tours on Saturdays; participation requires registration. Visitors can also pick up local bottles or receive local delivery. The team also participates in local events and pop-ups, where you can taste their products and buy specialty drinks. Part of the activity takes place outside the physical distillery, including regular events at local venues.

Philosophy and Craft

Switchgrass Spirits prioritizes a worker-owned ownership, local sourcing and small production runs. They operate grain-to-glass with a focus on using Midwestern ingredients and local carpenters to craft Missouri white oak barrels. Sustainability in the choice of wood and an equitable ownership are stated core values.

Sustainability

Collaboration on barrels made from local Missouri white oak with an emphasis on sustainable forestry.
Worker-owned ownership model as part of social sustainability.