How the new Alabama Distillers Guild is growing the state’s distillery community

Founded by a group of local distillers, the Alabama Distillers Guild was formed to tackle the unique challenges faced by distilleries in Alabama. Read on to learn more about the new guild and how you can support its efforts.

About the new Alabama Distillers Guild

In 2015, Opelika’s John Emerald Distilling Company released the first legally distilled whiskey made in Alabama in over one hundred years.

Alabama’s century-long dry spell began in 1915—five years before the Prohibition era—when state laws made it illegal to manufacture or distribute alcoholic beverages. Despite Prohibition’s repeal in 1933, Alabama’s strict, confusing and often overlapping alcohol laws discouraged potential distillers—until 2015.

Since the first legal distilling in 2015, several new distilleries have popped up throughout Alabama—including Birmingham’s Dread River Distilling Company, Redmont Distilling Co. and Sweet Home Spirits. The growth inspired John Emerald and Dread River to spearhead an effort to form Alabama’s first Distillers Guild.

“When distilleries began popping up in Alabama in 2015, we became a subset of the Alabama Brewers Guild. However, distilleries face different legal obstacles than breweries, so a few key players formed the Alabama Distillers Guild in 2024.”

Austin Creel, President, Sweet Home Spirits

What does the Alabama Distillers Guild do?

Intentionally formed to address the unique needs of distilleries, the Alabama Distillers Guild is already working towards several key goals:

• Increasing the visibility of Alabama-made products in ABC stores statewide
• Reducing tax burdens for Alabama distilleries
• Addressing special order shipping fees

Overall, the Alabama Distillers Guild aims to create a friendlier business environment so that the state’s distilleries can focus on what they do best: creating distinct, delicious Alabama spirits.

“When you compare spirits distilled by John Emerald, Dread River and Clyde Mays to products from other states, there are unique qualities that I would call an ‘Alabama style.’ The sweltering heat we get in the summer brings out special flavors from the wooden barrels used to store spirits, and the corn from Alabama we use tastes different than corn from Kentucky or Texas.”

Austin Creel, President, Sweet Home Spirits

Currently, six Alabama distilleries have joined the guild:

• Dread River Distilling Co. (Birmingham, AL)
• John Emerald Distilling Company (Opelika, AL)
• Clyde Mays (Troy, AL)
• Alabama Distillery Co. (Cullman, AL)
• Irons One Distillery (Huntsville, AL)
• Sweet Home Spirits (Leeds, AL)

Organizations interested in joining the Guild can learn more on the Alabama Distillers Guild website. Individuals can become Friends of the Guild by committing to an annual $250 membership fee.

Learn more at the Alabama Distillers Guild B-B-Q Fundraiser, August 9

• What: Alabama Distillers Guild B-B-Q Fundraiser
• When: Saturday, August 9 | 3PM to 8PM
• Where: Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Road Pelham, AL 35124
• Tickets: General Admission $50 + fees

To celebrate its official formation and raise funds for its upcoming efforts, the Alabama Distillers Guild is hosting a ticketed event at the Pelham Civic Complex on Saturday, August 9.

At the Alabama Distillers Guild B-B-Q Fundraiser, guests can enjoy:

• Barbecue catered by the Pelham Civic Complex
• Samples of products from Alabama Distillers Guild member organizations, including special limited releases
• Listen to music from the Magic City Blues Society

Planning to attend the Alabama Distillers Guild B-B-Q Fundraiser? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!