That’s the Spirit!

Boutique American spirits, from vodka to whiskey, are spreading around the globe and the Chicago Southland is no exception. Small craft distilleries are producing some of the most complex and well-executed spirits on the market that are hand-crafted by on-site.

Mid-Oak Distillery
4330 West Midlothian Turnpike, Unit B, Crestwood
708-926-9131
CDVodka.com
Signature Spirits: CD Vodka & Torta Bianca (Cream-based Liqueur)
CD Vodka is hand crafted and the quality shows through with every sip. CD vodka is smooth with just the right hint of sweetness. Drink it straight up or mix it in your favorite cocktail and you will know you are drinking a true super premium vodka. Along with traditional CD Vodka, ultra premium vodka is available in many flavors. Group tours are available upon request.

Thornton Brewing and Distillery Co.
400 East Margaret Street, Thornton
708-462-2229
[email protected]
Crafting fine spirits has been a part of the Well for decades. Once a part of production for the South Side’s bootlegging during Prohibition, we continued the spirit of the trade with our on-site distillery. With a modern interior accented with elements of the past, the Well creates a classic yet laid-back atmosphere to enjoy sampling the latest creations from our stills.

It was at this time that the facility became a part of the Chicago gang history. Officially, a soda bottling plant, the facility began supplying the Southwest Side. Many speakeasies sprang up around Thornton and were the target of various raids by the authorities. As Al Capon’s empire grew, the distillery fell under his control and remained so until his fall in 1931. From there, various breweries would run out of Thornton. These included Thornton Brewing, Illinois Brewing, Frederick’s Brewing, McAvoy Brewing and White Bear Brewing, Inc.

In 1957, after 100 years, beer brewing ceased at the facility. While various businesses would come and go from the property, its heart, the limestone well, remained. It was this potential that was seen, and in 2014 restoration of the facilities began. After 4 years of work, the Well at the Distillery has installed new equipment and is producing a new product—distilled spirits. Between the violence and disasters it faced for over a century and a half, the Well is a testament of the enduring spirit of Chicago and its residents thirst for a quality drink.

Other places to enjoy spirits:

Copper Still Martini Lounge & Speakeasy
1961 Ridge Road, Homewood
708-960-0190
CopperStillMartini.com
Attend a Martini Making Class, where you will take home some new skills and recipes after 90 minutes of instruction, laughs and a lot of cocktail shaking.

Rock Island Public House
13228 Old Western Avenue, Blue Island
708-388-5513
RockIslandPublicHouse.com
Comfy watering hole featuring a diverse array of craft & local brews, plus wines and spirits in a homey setting.