Distilleries and breweries are popular attractions for visitors to Branson, MO. These venues allow you and your adult friends and family members to enjoy premium sipping whiskey, craft beers, and moonshine in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Branson distilleries are great places to kick back and relax with your companions during your trip to this exciting resort destination.
The primary difference between distilleries and breweries is the type of alcohol produced in these facilities. Distilleries, as their name suggests, distill hard liquors like whiskey or moonshine from grain products for consumption on the premises or to take home with you. Breweries make beers, ales, and lagers, often produced using individual formulations developed by the brewers.
Branson, Missouri, is renowned for its captivating entertainment, natural beauty, and vibrant tourism scene. Beyond the shows and attractions, the city is also home to a growing craft distillery scene. Branson’s distilleries offer a unique opportunity to explore the art of spirits production while savoring exceptional flavors, from whiskey and rum to vodka and gin. Join us as we take you on a journey through the best distilleries in Branson, MO, where you can discover the rich heritage and exquisite craftsmanship behind each sip.
Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery
Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery produces several different spirits, including a straight American single malt whiskey that won the Gold Medal in the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition for 2020. This elite single malt whiskey also took silver medal honors in 2018, 2020, and 2021 in the Fifty Best American Single Malt Whiskey competition and has earned a wealth of accolades over the past five years. The Howlin’ Hounds spiced rum, silver rum, and aged rum and Howlin’ Hounds moonshine varieties have also earned a loyal following and their fair share of praise from opinion-makers in the alcohol industry.
The Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery offers a range of delicious entrees with your whiskey or beer, including smoked BBQ pork and beef sandwiches, Howlin’ Nachos, and the Howlin’ Hounds Ribfest every Friday and Saturday night. Sides available at Missouri Ridge include baked beans, macaroni salad, and coleslaw. Tours and tastings are available. For even more incredible entertainment value, you can call 417-699-4095 to see if live music is scheduled when you want to visit. The Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 7000 State Highway 248 in Branson.
Smith Creek Moonshine Tanger Outlets
Moonshine is part of the history of the Ozark Mountains, and nowhere is this more evident than at Smith Creek Moonshine Tanger Outlets. The moonshine produced by this distillery is available in flavors that include apple pie, coffee, chocolate silk, orange cream, sweet tea, and, of course, straight moonshine for the brave of heart and palate.
Smith Creek Moonshine offers a moonshine-tasting bar and master mixology concoctions sure to please adventurous palates. Handcrafted hamburgers and cheeseburgers are sometimes available at these locations. Bottled moonshine, apparel, and various exclusive Smith Creek Moonshine sauces, jams, and dry rubs are also available.
In addition to its Tanger Outlets location, Smith Creek Moonshine has a presence on Branson Landing at 1209 Branson Landing Blvd with a phone number of 1-800-441-5053. The Tanger Outlets distillery is located at 300 Tanger Blvd, Ste 232, and can be reached at 1-888-732-4569. To avoid disappointment, please call ahead to ensure they will serve food on the day you plan to visit.
Copper Run Distellery
Copper Run Distillery is a unique and charming craft distillery in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, just outside Branson, Missouri. The distillery is known for its small-batch, handcrafted spirits made with locally sourced ingredients. Their signature product is the award-winning Ozark Mountain Moonshine, made from a blend of corn, wheat, and barley and aged in charred oak barrels.
Visitors to Copper Run can take a tour of the distillery, learn about the distilling process, and sample their wide variety of spirits, including whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka. The distillery hosts live music and events throughout the year, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists. With its unique setting, high-quality spirits, and welcoming atmosphere, Copper Run Distillery is a must-visit destination for anyone in the Branson area.
Overall, Branson, Missouri, has become a hub for craft distilleries, attracting visitors from all over the country eager to taste the locally-made spirits and learn about the distilling process. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and live music, making it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a day trip. Branson’s thriving distillery scene reflects craft spirits’ growing popularity and the desire for locally made, high-quality products. With so many options, it’s no wonder that Branson has become a hotspot for distillery tourism.
