Take a Tour of One of the Country’s Most Haunted Distilleries

Halloween has come and gone, but if you’re still seeking spooky vibes, you’ll want to plan on a tour at Thornton Distilling Co. in Thornton, where there are more than spirits poured into glasses, according to Thornton Distilling Co. Founder Andrew Howell. The haunted brewery has also been visited on occasion by spirits of the dearly departed, including a night watchman who monitored the facility when it operated as a brewery in the early 1900s.

“Mr. Hunt is the ghost of the night watchman who once served as one of Al Capone’s security agents. He was responsible for overseeing the brewery's security and patrolling the grounds at night, navigating through the vast 40,000 square feet of the facility,” said Howell. “He has made numerous appearances in the doorway above our bar, which was once the original malting tower built in 1857.”

Its ghost stories have earned the Thornton Distilling Co. national recognition as it was recently named “One of the Top 7 Haunted Distilleries” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Tours take place on weekends and cost $15 per person, which includes some tastings at the conclusion of the tour. A local historian leads the tours and tells some of the fascinating history of the building. “Tours run for an hour at various times on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests step inside Illinois’ oldest standing brewery—established in 1857—and explore a legacy steeped in resilience, craftsmanship, and legend,” said Howell. “From surviving a tornado in 1901 to dodging Prohibition-era raids, guests discover our modern-day craft distillery where Dead Drop Spirits are distilled. The tour concludes with a guided tasting of four of our spirits. Many customers say it’s the best distillery tour north of Kentucky. Guests often make reservations before or after the tour to enjoy dinner and drinks at our craft cocktail bar and restaurant.” 

For more information, visit thorntondistilling.com/tours/

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