Whiskey Distillers Workshop, 17 January | Event in Vero Beach | AllEvents

Whiskey Distillers Workshop

Indian River Distillery

Highlights

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026 at 09:30 am

Indian River Distillery

Starting at USD 642

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Date & Location

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026 at 09:30 am - Sun, 18 Jan, 2026 at 04:00 pm (GMT-05:00)

Indian River Distillery

3308 Aviation Boulevard, Vero Beach, United States

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About the event

Whiskey Distillers Workshop
Two-day Florida bourbon distilling class. Mash, ferment & distill real whiskey at Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach.

About this Event


Whiskey Distillers Workshop

Learn how real bourbon is made from grain to glass! This two-day, hands-on distilling workshop at Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Florida.
You’ll mash a full 550-gallon batch of bourbon mash, pitch yeast, and run the still yourself under the guidance of head distiller Ray Hooker.

Participants will experience every step of the craft: from understanding water chemistry and enzyme conversion to sensory evaluation of cuts during distillation.
You’ll fill and seal a barrel, enjoy lunch and local hospitality both days, and take home a bottle of Ray Lynn’s Reserve Bourbon.

Limited to 10 participants for a truly immersive experience. Florida’s most authentic bourbon-making class.


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Day 1


🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Coffee and safety brief

Info: Safety rule, how not to get injured, the fun stuff!



🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Whiskey mash

Info: Discuss water chemistry, how it effects the process and the final product. Add corn and begin gelatinization phase, discuss next grain additions and temp ranges.



🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Starch conversion demonstration on the bench

Info: Iodine conversion test, SG/pH readings, ABV of mash, flavors of grains.



🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Milling grain discussion

Info: How you grist effects conversion.



🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Second grain addition to mash

🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Barrel choice, char level, rehydration and prep for fill

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Transfer mash to fermenter for cooling

🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Wrap-up and Q&A

Day 2


🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Coffee, recap, testing mash, fire still

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Pitch yeast

Info: Yeast starter preparation, pitch into yesterdays mash



🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Foreshots, heads, hearts and tails....

Info: Watching the still, controlling reflux, and making cuts. Exploring the fractions by feel, smell, taste. When to cut and when not to cut. watching and experiencing running a commercial still.



🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch in the stillhouse!

Info: We will be eating lunch (provided) in the still room while it is running.



🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Filling a barrel!

Info: We will fill a barrel of bourbon, talk about our barrel choice, taste the white dog, and seal it for future harvesting.



🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Final "cuts"

Info: learn when to say enough.... how to make a tails cut. Touch, taste, smell, feel.



🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Wrap-up Q&A


Also check out other Workshops in Vero Beach.

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Ticket Info

Tickets for Whiskey Distillers Workshop can be booked here.

Ticket type Ticket price
General Admission 642 USD
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Indian River Distillery, 3308 Aviation Boulevard, Vero Beach, United States
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Host Details

Indian River Distillery

Indian River Distillery

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Whiskey Distillers Workshop, 17 January | Event in Vero Beach | AllEvents
Whiskey Distillers Workshop
Sat, 17 Jan, 2026 at 09:30 am
USD 642