Be it an Apple-Jacked Cider, Salty Texan, or Blackberry Bourbon Bramble, it’s a safe bet that your drink is going to taste a little bit more like Texas with a spirit from Dripping Springs Distillery. For more than 15 years, the family-owned distillery has been crafting award-winning vodka, bourbon, and gin right here in Hays County.
Brothers Gary and Kevin Kelleher started their craft spirit business in Dripping Springs back in 2005 with vodka. Since then, the brothers’ distillery has grown along with Dripping Springs, and gin was soon incorporated into the mix, along with small batch bourbon.
If you’re considering a visit to this local distillery, you’re sure to be met with a friendly welcome, delicious cocktails, and elevated comfort food. Here’s the scoop on Dripping Springs Distillery and why it’s worth the trip.
Big Flavors and Craft Pours
Stopping by the distillery is the best way to experience the flavors and better understand the process that goes into every bottle produced. Among the brands available to try and purchase are Dripping Springs Vodka, Dripping Springs Gin, 1876 Bourbon, as well as Republic Bloody Mary mix, and Republic Spirit Blends mixers.
Both the gin and vodka are produced in the distillery’s proprietary copper pot stills, while the brand’s bourbon is triple distilled and aged for 3-5 years in white American Oak barrels. The result of this process is a spirit that makes for an excellent cocktail, and one that can be enjoyed on tap.
According to the distillery’s venue operations manager, Kristi Quick, the decision to offer signature cocktails on draft was not only so guests could try a little bit of everything, but to ensure each pour was perfectly consistent with the next.
Plan a Visit… or a Wedding
While you can find the brand’s vodka, gin, bourbon, and other spirits at area bars and retailers, the best way to get the full experience is to pay a visit. (After all, you do want to try a craft cocktail right from the tap, don’t you?)
In 2021, the distillery opened its visitors center, located on 10 acres of property. It’s here that guests can take a tour to see a step-by-step process of how the spirits are made, grab a bite, and listen to live music.
Now, perhaps you’ve heard, but Dripping Springs is the official wedding capital of Texas. Couples now have one more option of where to celebrate their big day with the inclusion of the distillery’s new wedding venue (it can also host corporate parties, birthdays, etc).
Distillers Hall can accommodate both small weddings as well as ceremonies for up to 150 seated guests. The venue is designed in an “upscale contemporary Hill Country style” and includes an outdoor ceremony area in addition to its indoor reception hall. Factor in the delicious spirits and craft cocktails, and what you have is a recipe for a seriously fun celebration.
If you’d like to learn more about all that Dripping Springs has to offer, from beautiful Hill Country landscape to local distilleries, you can contact the Caliterra team today. Caliterra offers a master-planned community with beautiful, family-friendly homes, amenities, and more, right here in Dripping Springs.
