DISTILLERY TOURS

Go Behind the Scenes at Illinois’ Most Unique Craft Distillery

Experience hands-on craft distilling in an actual aircraft hangar, led personally by Master Distiller Tim—a former airline CEO with 15,000 hours as pilot-in-command who brings the same innovative spirit from 30,000 feet to every batch we create.

Winter Tour Update

Due to our rural facility being located in multiple buildings, winter weather has suspended our tours until spring.

Tours will resume in May 2026 when weather permits safe access to all areas of our 22-acre farm distillery.

In the meantime: Our tasting room remains open regular hours! Visit us for cocktails, flights, and bottle purchases.

See Current Tasting Room Hours →

The Barnstormer Tour Experience

Tour & Tasting – $10 per person

Duration: 1 hour
Tour Times: Will resume in May 2026
Led by: Master Distiller Tim

This is your chance to witness liquid magic in the making—guided by someone who’s launched airlines and now launches spirits.

What You’ll Experience

Meet Your Guide: Master Distiller Tim

Not just any tour guide—Tim brings over 40 years of aviation innovation experience to craft distilling. From ATP-rated pilot to A&P certified mechanic to airline CEO, he’s spent his career trusting his instincts and throwing out rulebooks. Now he applies that same fearless approach to creating spirits you won’t find anywhere else.

Meet the Irish Twins: EVE & AISLING (ASH)

See Tim’s custom-configured stills up close. Learn why he designed them differently from conventional distilleries and how his hands-on approach creates unique flavor profiles.

From Farm to Glass

Walk through our 22-acre property and see where we grow ingredients for our RFD Farm Series vodkas. Understand why we source 95% of our grain from within 20 miles and how local agriculture shapes our spirits.

Watch Whiskey Being Born

Witness the distillation process in action. See, smell, and understand how Tim’s “cold distillation” technique creates shelf-stable flavored spirits that taste fresh for years.

Premium Tasting Experience

Sample our collection including:

Award-winning whiskeys and bourbons
Innovative barrel-finished spirits
Farm-series vodkas (Cucumber, Dill Pickle, Horseradish)
Experimental moonshines
Rum selections

Includes one (1) commemorative tasting glass to take home

The Aircraft Hangar Setting

Experience craft distilling in a setting unlike any other—a fully operational aircraft hangar that perfectly embodies our barnstorming spirit of innovation and adventure.

Perfect For:

✓ Spirit enthusiasts wanting to learn the craft
✓ Couples looking for a unique date experience
✓ Out-of-town visitors seeking Illinois adventures
✓ Groups celebrating special occasions
✓ Anyone curious about farm-to-bottle distilling
✓ Aviation enthusiasts (you’ll love the hangar and Tim’s stories!)

What Our Tour Guests Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The owners are very friendly, and the aviation-themed distillery offers a nice variety of spirits. A large taproom and open outdoor area give great spaces. We enjoyed their whiskey and also their spirits infused with items grown on their farm. It was an enjoyable experience and would highly recommend.”
— TripAdvisor Review

“Addie and Tim always do such a great job making everyone feel so welcome.”
— Yelp Review

How to Reserve Your Tour

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

Space is limited to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.

Book Your Tour:

Call: (815) 269-4069
Email: marketing@barnstormerdistillery.com
Mention: Preferred date and number of guests

Walk-ins welcome when space allows, but reservations are strongly recommended to guarantee your spot.

Tour Details & Planning

What to Know Before You Visit:

Location: 6969 South Main Street, Rockford, IL
Quarter-mile down the gravel road – we’re the aircraft hangar at the top of the hill

Directions: GPS might get confused, but keep going—you’re on the right path! Look for the hangar.

Group Size: Tours accommodate up to 15-20 people
Larger groups? Contact us for private tour options

What to Wear:

Comfortable walking shoes (we’ll tour multiple buildings)
Weather-appropriate clothing (parts of tour are outdoors)
Casual attire is perfect

Age Requirement: 21+ only (valid ID required)

Designated Driver: Please plan for a safe ride home—we want you to enjoy the full tasting experience!

Photos Welcome: Capture your experience and tag us @barnstormerdistillery

Arrive Early: Come 10-15 minutes before tour time to check in

Private & Group Tours

Planning a special event? We offer private tours for:

Corporate team building
Bachelor/bachelorette parties
Birthday celebrations
Family reunions
Special interest groups

Private tours can be customized to include:

Extended tasting experiences
Food pairings from The Brasserie
Custom barrel program introduction
Flexible scheduling outside regular tour times

Contact us to discuss your private tour:
(815) 269-4069 | marketing@barnstormerdistillery.com

After Your Tour

Extend Your Experience:

Take Home Your Favorites
Purchase bottles of the spirits you discovered during your tour. Many are exclusive to our distillery!

Stay for Cocktails
Visit our tasting room and let Master Mixologist Addie create personalized cocktails using the spirits you just learned about.

Grab a Bite
The Brasserie serves farm-fresh food on weekends. Perfect pairing with your new favorite spirits!

Create Your Own Barrel
Inspired by the tour? Join our Custom Barrel Program and create your own spirit from grain to bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I buy bottles during the tour?
A: Yes! All our spirits are available for purchase at the distillery.

Q: Is food included?
A: Tours include spirit tastings only. The Brasserie serves food on weekends (separate from tour).

Q: How long is the tour?
A: Approximately 1 hour, including tastings.

Q: Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
A: Parts of our rural facility have uneven terrain. Call ahead at (815) 269-4069 to discuss accessibility needs.

Q: Can I bring children?
A: Tours are 21+ only due to tastings. Children are welcome in our tasting room during regular hours with adult supervision.

Q: What if weather is bad?
A: Tours are suspended in winter due to multi-building layout. During tour season (May-October), we’ll contact you if weather requires rescheduling.

Q: Do you offer tours in winter?
A: No, winter weather suspends tours. We resume in May when conditions are safe. Our tasting room remains open year-round!

Ready to Discover the Barnstormer Difference?

Experience craft distilling led by someone who’s never been afraid to throw out the rulebook—from the cockpit to the still.

Reserve Your Tour Today

(815) 269-4069
marketing@barnstormerdistillery.com
6969 South Main Street, Rockford, IL

Tours resume May 2026 | Tasting room open year-round

The Choice Is Yours

You can visit another distillery that follows the rules, uses automation, and plays it safe with predictable flavors.

Or you can experience what happens when innovation meets Illinois tradition in an actual aircraft hangar.

Come taste the difference. Come be part of the revival.