New Minnesota Distillery Selling Whiskey in Rochester

Minnesota has been home to some great, local craft breweries for several years. But the Bold North is also home to some cool distilleries, including a new one now selling its whiskey here in Rochester.

Ever since my wife and I toured the famous Jack Daniels Distillery when we were in Nashville a few years ago (okay, the Jack Daniels facility is actually located south of Nashville in Lynchburg), we've been more interested in the many different kinds of whiskeys that are available.

I thought all whiskeys were all made in Tennessee, but we actually have several distilleries producing some decent spirits right here in Minnesota. (This Explore Minnesota page lists several distilleries HERE.) And now, a new distillery recently opened in Minneapolis and just started selling their spirits here in Rochester.

We picked up a bottle of Brother Justus Single Malt American Whiskey last weekend, and thought it was pretty good. And supporting our local, in-state businesses is something we like to do, too. But, as a history buff, I enjoyed the story behind their name even more.

According to the Brother Justus website, "Most people don’t know that farmers in Central Minnesota – from Stearns, Todd, Douglas, Morrison, and Benton Counties – made the best, most highly coveted moonshine whiskey of Prohibition. And the man who helped them do it wasn’t a mobster; he was a monk named Brother Justus," the site says.

It's an interesting story (read it all HERE), and, if you like whiskey-- either by itself or mixed with a Coke-- you might want to try Brother Justus!

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