Thornton Distilling Co.
Tour Schedule
Thornton Distilling Co. Bar & Restaurant
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday 3-9p
Thursday 3-9p
Friday 3-11 pm
Saturday 3-11 pm
Sunday Noon-9 pm
*Sunday brunch served from noon-3 pm
Now accepting reservations!
Click here to reserve your seat.
Tours $15 per person // 45-60 minutes
Thornton Distilling Co. is pleased to announce the addition of a special NEW Sunday tour!
The Saturday tour offers an in-depth look at both the distilling process and the building’s history ~ while the Sunday tour focuses largely on the building’s and the surrounding area’s rich and fabled history. *Please note that all tour tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Saturday Tour & Guided Tasting:
Built in 1857, our historic 20,000-sf structure is Illinois’ oldest standing brewery. Thornton Distilling Co. has taken the building’s rich history of malt fermentation a step further by distilling American Single Malt whisky and other craft spirits known as Dead Drop Spirits.
These walls have endured everything from a tornado in 1901 to government raids throughout prohibition. The tour begins in the old cellar where guests learn about the early immigrant brewmaster, John Bielfeldt who started brewing on the property in the 1850’s.
Our collection of artifacts, curiosities, and breweriana is displayed with original photos from the property dating back to the mid-1800s.
Guests venture deep beneath our cellar into the subterranean artesian well. The cavernous limestone space is the source of many local legends. The fountainhead still flows with the same pristine limestone-filtered spring water that made the early brewers famous. *Please note – guests are welcome to take group photos underground
The group then journies onto the Thornton Distilling production floor for an overview of the distilling process and to learn how Dead Drop Spirits are made.
The tour concludes with a guided tasting of 4 of our Dead Drop spirits.
Afterward, guests are invited to join us for dinner and drinks! Reservations are strongly encouraged to help prevent extended wait times (book via the link below).
Sunday “Thornton History” Tour & Craft Cocktail experience: Hosted by SouthCookExplore
The NEW Thornton History Tour is hosted by Kevin of SouthCookExplore, author of Images of America: Lemont and the creator of the Chicagoland historic landmark maps project (more info below).
Guests take a deeper look at the region’s prehistoric origins; the brewery’s pre-prohibition brewing operations and its legendary bootlegging operations during prohibition. The Sunday tour focuses largely on the history of the building and the surrounding area.
The tour ventures underground into the fabled limestone artesian well and concludes on the present-day Thornton Distilling Co. production floor.
Proceeds from Sunday tour sales are donated to the Thornton Historical Society & Museum!
After the 12:30 p.m. tour, guests are invited to join us for Sunday brunch, served until 3 p.m. every Sunday! Please book the 12:30 tour if you plan on joining us afterward for brunch. The dinner menu is available after 3 p.m. Brunch and dinner reservations are strongly encouraged to help prevent extended wait times
Sunday tour availability is limited so be sure to book your spot while you can!
*Please note the complimentary Sunday tour cocktail ($12 max value) is available after the tour only. Please show your Sunday tour ticket confirmation receipt and photo ID to the bartender or server at the time of order
*Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time and check in at the host stand. Prior to the tour start time, guests gather in the lounge area near the museum display cases
For guests who arrive early enough to order a drink, please feel free to bring the drink with you on the tour!
We now accept dinner reservations and encourage guests to schedule a reservation online in advance of their visit via the following link:
https://tables.toasttab.com/restaurants/11afaa5c-2857-4367-b08f-4b1bf12dedc8/findTime
To learn more about Kevin & SouthCookExplore, please visit:
www.SouthCookExplore.com @SouthCookExplore
Please follow us on social media. Your support is greatly appreciated!
@ThorntonDistilling
www.ThorntonDistilling.com
All ages are welcome but we ask that minors be supervised by an adult.
*Must be 21+ to participate in the tasting, sit at the bar, or purchase alcoholic beverages. Please sip responsibly.
ADDRESS:
400 E Margaret St, Thornton, IL 60476
Free parking at the rear of the building. The building was built prior to the automobile, so please forgive the “odd” parking situation! 🙂
