Crozehead Cooperage: A One-of-a-Kind Attraction in Monee, Illinois

Crozehead Cooperage and Whiskey Experience is one of only 26 cooperages in the country, the only one in Illinois and the only one in the U.S. that is veteran owned. Loren Buchmeier has worked toward building this business on his boyhood farm, offering a unique whiskey experience that gives a look at what coopers do and celebrates the marriage of agriculture, craftsmanship, fellowship and spirits. He is one of less than 50 master coopers in the world.

With the closest cooperage being over three hours away, it makes the work that Buchmeier and his sons do that much more special. The small artisanal cooperage makes custom barrels by hand that take about a full day to craft. Most other cooperages are mechanized and partially automated. Crozehead offers tours and is the only cooperage Buchmeier knows of that allows photos.

Expansion plans include construction of a distillery, tasting room, bier garden, rickhouse (warehouse where whiskey maturates) and Airbnb cottages. They’ll host weddings, corporate events and music/seasonal festivals. For more information, visit Crozehead.com.