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Rum Guide to Wisconsin

Named the Cheese State for its creamy dairy products, Wisconsin offers scenic beauty (Apostle Islands) and a deep cultural heritage. While beer may reign supreme, rum has a connection here too. Distilleries thrived in the 1870s, with nearly 300 dotting the state. However, a temperance movement and an influx of German settlers ultimately steered Wisconsin towards becoming the Brew Capital of the World. Prohibition (1920s) and Wisconsin’s proximity to Canada made it a prime route for rum runners and bootleggers, supplying thirsty speakeasies. In 2004, a distillery revived craft distilling and introduced rum. Explore Wisconsin’s craft rum distilleries on your next adventure in the Dairy State.