New Tattersall Distilling Site Set to Scale Production, Enhance Consumer Experience

Minnesota-based craft distillery Tattersall is preparing to open the doors at its new, solar energy-powered 75,000 square foot facility and event space in River Falls, Wisconsin next month, the company announced today.

Founded in 2015, Tattersall has proudly touted its credentials as a Minnesota company, with all of its products consisting of at least 80% ingredients grown in-state. The distillery said its expansion to Wisconsin will help more than double its production capacity in the coming years — with a ceiling of 200,000 proof gallons of spirits — while also enhancing the brand experience through multiple bars, a full-service restaurant and educational programs.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the River Falls community,” said Jon Kreidler, founder and chief officer of Tattersall Distilling, in a press release. “With the river, trails and mountain biking in our backyard, we’re aiming to make River Falls even more of a destination— both from the Twin Cities and beyond. The new facility is a perfect complement to what we created in Minneapolis and this is the logical next step in our evolution as a company. It allows us to really scale our production and accommodate more guests than ever, while putting a huge focus on sustainability.”

That focus will be manifested in a variety of ways, starting with a 405 kilowatt rooftop solar array which the company claims will be the largest of any craft distillery in the United States. All water used in production will be reclaimed and repurposed for future use, and all green vegetables and herbs for use in the restaurant kitchen will be grown on-site in a hydroponic garden. Meanwhile, the company will work with upcycled ingredient company NETZRO to commercially upcycle spent grain for human consumption, while surplus spent grain will be donated to a local cattle farmer whom the company is also using as a food supplier.

Beyond becoming the distillery’s primary production headquarters, the new River Falls location is designed to enhance consumers’ relationship with the Tattersall brand in a number of ways, including through the building itself. The structure has an “industrial vibe” similar to Tattersall’s existing Minneapolis distillery, according to a press release, with multiple “experiential and interactive spaces” with views of the distillery floor, as well as a designated “mill room” where fresh grain is processed. Along with the full-service restaurant, operated by Morrissey Hospitality, the compound will have an outdoor patio and bar, outdoor amphitheater, grand ballroom, private barrel room, private events classroom and two VIP hospitality suites.

Unlike the Minneapolis site, Tattersall’s River Falls distillery will include a tasting bar inside its retail market, offering visitors a chance to try before they buy. Along the label’s full permanent lineup, the shop will also sell limited edition releases, such as Port Barreled Rye and Surly Darkness Barreled Rum, plus a selection of new products like Bloody Mary mix and barrel-aged soy sauce and maple syrup.

But it’s not all about spirits: the restaurant will also feature an exclusive collaboration beer from Surly, made with Tattersall’s bourbon mashbill, on the menu, alongside other local craft brews.

However, the biggest advantage in moving to Wisconsin may be the state’s regulatory structure. Per Minnesota law, Tattersall is barred from selling bottles and cocktails on-site once it produces more than 40,000 gallons annually. In a news release announcing the new location in March, Kriedler cited “Minnesota’s restrictive liquor laws” as the reason why Tattersall was “forced to look outside” of the state to expand, despite its efforts to lobby for the rule to be changed.

“Additionally, Wisconsin’s liquor laws allow Tattersall’s new location to sell unlimited spirits to guests, enabling guests to leave with all of the proper ingredients needed to recreate their favorite drinks,” the company wrote in March. “With no restrictions on production overall, one-of-a-kind spirits with limited-edition releases are already in the works.”

The new facility, set to open on December 1, comes at a busy time for Tattersall. Along with the release of a new Port Wine Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey, the label has garnered attention for its recent collaboration with fast food purveyor Arby’s on a limited-edition line of French fries-flavor vodkas — Curly Fry and Crinkly Fry — that is being distributed by Surdyk’s.