Medium & Craft Distillery Founders
Midwest & Great Plain States
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1
Robert & Sonat Birnecker
KOVAL Distillery
When the Birneckers built KOVAL Distillery in 2008, they weren’t just creating a brand; they were igniting a movement. Their timing was impeccable, as Chicago had not seen a legal craft distillery since before the 19th century, because city and state laws regarding distilling were so grossly outdated.
2
Ron Call,
Green River
Ron Call is a seventh‑generation master distiller whose life seems scripted by whiskey. Born into a storied lineage dating back to Samuel Call, who ran stills in 1790s Kentucky, Ron grew up steeped in bourbon tradition. His early years were shaped by visits to Jim Beam’s Boston plant, where he delivered dinner to his father, Jacob Call, sparking a lifelong fascination with distilling.
3
Joe & Missy Duer,
Indian Creek Distilling
Joe Duer had always been fascinated by stories handed down through generations. He was fortunate to meet a woman who shared his passion for old-school craftsmanship, history, and whiskey. His partner, Missy (née Staley), was born into a lineage of distillers at the Staley Mill Farm, which was first founded in 1818 in New Carlisle, Ohio.
4
Larry Ebersold,
New Riff
During his illustrious 38-year career, Larry Ebersold has become known as the “godfather of rye whiskey”. Larry holds a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville, graduating in 1972. He immediately started working at a small distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, which at the time was under the ownership of Seagrams, but is now known as MGP/Luxco. Larry became the Master Distiller and held that the title there for 20 years.
5
Jay Erisman,
New Riff
New Riff uses the sour mash technique, where a portion of the stillage (or “backset”) from one batch is returned to the mash of the next batch. Jay and the team view this as a flavor anchor, a tradition that many believe simply makes better whiskey, though opinions differ as to exactly why.
6
Gary Hinegardner,
Wood Hat Spirits
Gary Hinegardner, owner and founder of Wood Hat Spirits, frequently challenges visitors at his distillery with a compelling question: “Why do we make whiskey from the same corn that cows and pigs eat?” He then offers his own answer: “We should be making whiskey from corn meant for people – better yet create a corn just for whiskey.” This perspective embodies his forward-thinking approach and steadfast commitment to both agriculture and whiskey artistry.
7
Paul Hletko,
F.E.W. Spirits
FEW Spirits was founded by Paul Hletko in Evanston, Illinois a suburb just north of Chicago in 2011. It was his way to honor his family's history after his grandfather lost his large brewery to the Nazi’s during WW II. Evanston wasn’t exactly the whiskey capital of the midwest. Matter of fact, no liquor had ever been distilled in the city and for 117 years. FEW Spirits is innovating their products to stand out in the whiskey industry. FEW Spirits was acquired in 2022 by Heaven Hill.
8
Ben Holladay,
Holladay Distillery
Ben was able to purchase the land for the distillery in 1849 after discovering the limestone spring on the site. Ben, a native Kentuckian, knew the water was perfect for producing bourbon. He went to work with his brother David to securing the necessary equipment and materials and was able able to begin distilling whiskey as the Blue Springs Distillery in 1856. The first whiskey was sold for 35 cents for a gallon the following year. Ben transferred ownership of the distillery to David in 1858.
9
Ted Huber & Sons,
Starlight Distillery
As part of Indiana’s “First Family” of distilling, 7th-generation whiskey makers Ted and Greg Huber have continued their family's legacy. Originally a fruit and wine-making farm, Huber's Starlight distillery has broadened its portfolio by adding brandy, bourbon, and rye to its offerings. Located in Starlight, Indiana, the distillery was established in 2001.
Starlight is one of the few American Whiskey producers who use a sweet mash method.
10
Ryan Lang
Middle West Spirits
Ryan Lang was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1980. He is the co‑founder, CEO, and Master Distiller of Middle West Spirits, a growing craft distillery based north of Columbus, Ohio. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State, Lang launched the company in 2008, building on a family legacy—he is a fourth‑generation distiller whose ancestors ran small farm distilleries in the early 1900s.
11
Kenneth Lewis,
New Riff Distilling
After college, Ken taught high school English in Detroit, Michigan, for 2 years, after which he became an “accidental entrepreneur” when his father, Martin, asked him to run a family-owned liquor store next to one of his discount stores in Louisville. After a year, he found that he really enjoyed the work and kept expanding, eventually leading him to grow to 6 stores.
12
Kyle Merklein,
Holladay Distillery
Kyle Merklein’s passion for bourbon and distillation is rooted in both science and craftsmanship. As Master Distiller at Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, he combines his technical expertise with a deep appreciation for the art of whiskey-making, ensuring that every bottle reflects the highest standards of quality and innovation.
13
Brian Nation,
Keeper's Heart
Brian Nation’s journey from Ireland’s renowned whiskey-making traditions to the establishment of a pioneering distillery in Minneapolis is a testament to his skill in crafting exceptional spirits. A chemical engineer by training, Brian’s deep understanding of the technical side of production, combined with his sensory expertise in taste and smell, has made him one of the most influential figures in the modern whiskey industry.
14
Jeff & Laurie Quint,
Cedar Ridge
Jeffrey (Jeff) Anthony Quint, alongside his wife Laurie, founded Cedar Ridge Distillery in 2005 in Swisher, Iowa, becoming the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition. Fueled by a passion for spirits and a deep-rooted connection to winemaking, Jeff envisioned creating not just a distillery, but a destination that would offer a unique experience for both locals and visitors traveling through the Midwest.
15
Guy Rehorst,
Great Lakes Distillery
Guy Rehorst is the founder of Great Lakes Distilling, the first distillery to open in Wisconsin since Prohibition. He started the company in 2004, after realizing there were no local distilleries making high-quality spirits in the state. His goal was to bring craft distilling back to Milwaukee, and he worked hard to change outdated laws that made it difficult to open a small distillery.
16
Ed Ryan,
Hard Truth Distillery
Ed Ryan is the co‑founder and CEO of Hard Truth Distilling, the heart of a unique “three‑legged stool” business that includes a brewery, restaurants, and a distillery nestled in the woods of Nashville, Indiana. His journey began in 2008 when he, Jeff McCabe, and Tim O’Bryan teamed up to buy a foreclosed building. By 2009, they had turned it into Big Woods Brewing Co., a cozy brewpub where Tim’s homebrew was a hit from the start.
17
Brian Sprance,
New Riff
Brian Sprance joined New Riff Distillery at its founding in 2014 and is now New Riff’s Head Distiller.. He studied under the guidance of consulting Master Distiller Larry Ebersold, using his background in fermentation and creating his own spin on whiskey using his background in brewing to create new and unique flavor profiles. One example of this is Winter Whiskey, which has a mash bill of 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel-cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt.