Local Distilleries near Hallettsville, TX (2)

Edelbrand or “noble brandy” is a premium European fruit brandy created by following strict standards. Master distiller Alexandra Cantwell and husband KC are the founders of AFT Distillery, the only edelbrand producer in Texas. The usual fruit brandies produced today use fermented fruit juice. Edelbrands, meanwhile, require using only whole fruit without the additional sugars, flavors, or additives. This Alpine process, an 800-year old tradition, defines the category of edelbrands. The distillery released its first Alpengold apple, Williams pear, and cherry edelbrands in February 2018. This was after the couple spent four years quietly perfecting the craft to produce them. Despite many bumps in the road, the distillery’s quest to produce traditional artisanal brandies recently won it five of 18 medals in the brandy category of the 2019 American Craft Spirit Awards.

Kooper Family Whiskey Co. is just a quick drive from Austin, Houston, College Station and everywhere in between. The "interior is inviting, with dark tones and stacks of whiskey barrels" while "the outside of the facility is unassuming". Their "bar is stocked with their locally produced whiskey and rye". Visit for a "unique experience". Have a flight. Their "bourbon is delicious" and the "base rye" is "good" which "make a great Manhattan". Plus, the "barrel reserve" is "also delicious". When you want to sample, try their "flight in that order as the barrel reserve has the highest ABV content". It is "worth the drive on to try it out" and "it's not often you get a tasting with the person who blended and bottled the whiskey by hand".