The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today launched Destination Distillery™ (www.destinationdistillery.com), a new website providing a tourism-driven experience and educational journey into the cultural heritage and history of spirits in America.

Visitors to the website will be able to explore many of America’s most famous distilleries as well as up-and-coming ones, state-by-state trails, economic impact of the spirits industry by state, and important sites connected to the history of distilling and spirits in our country.

“Destination Distillery is poised to become the go-to resource for spirits fans to dive in and discover the story behind their favorite beverages while finding new places and spirits along the way,” said Chris Swonger, DISCUS president and CEO. “By showcasing distillers large and small, Destination Distillery™ will serve as a unifier for our industry. Together, we’ll continue to drive tourism to local regions and further the economic contributions that all distillers make to their communities. Each distillery has a unique offering and local flavor, and we cannot wait for you to discover the story behind what’s in your glass.”

Visitors can locate distilleries based on the type of spirits they produce or by location. Categories of spirits are also listed, and each can be selected for an in-depth history of the category. Another unique part of the site is the “Stories” section which features information on historical milestones related to the spirits industry.

“With well over 30 spirits trails across the United States, the growth in spirits tourism is helping to transform communities surrounding distilleries and boost state and local economies,” said Philip McDaniel, CEO and co-founder of St. Augustine Distillery and chair of the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council. “This is the first tool of its kind to provide consumers with a comprehensive list to discover established distilleries and explore trails across the entire country – from the Pacific Northwest to the tip of Florida.”

Destination Distillery builds upon the foundation of the American Whiskey Trail, a tourism initiative created in 2004 by DISCUS in partnership with Mount Vernon and George Washington’s historic distillery. Over the nearly two decades since, there has been a proliferation of more than 2,000 small distilleries in cities and towns across the country.

Destination Distillery is the ultimate destination for those interested in planning a spirited journey or learning more about U.S. distilleries and the history of spirits in our country. To learn more, visit destionationdistillery.com. If you are a distiller looking to join the platform, you are invited to submit your distillery information here.

Images for download here.

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DISCUS is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S., advocating on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels. DISCUS members are committed to responsibility and encourage adults who drink to do so in moderation.