Sun King Brewery Announces New Craft Distillery and Tap Room in Carmel, IN

Indianapolis, IN  (Sept. 7, 2016) – Sun King Brewery, one of the leaders of the craft beer movement in Indiana, is excited to announce the new development of an approximately 15,000 square foot craft distillery and tap room in Carmel, IN., that is projected to open in the fall of 2017.

Sun King’s co-founder and head brewer, Dave Colt, who completed his distiller’s education working with world-renowned distillers at the Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Kentucky, will oversee distillery operations using that training and drawing upon the same knowledge and skills used to craft award-winning beers. Much like its beers, Sun King’s high-quality, handcrafted, small batch spirits will be inspired by the uniqueness of Indiana. The team plans to create unique flagship spirits, as well as more traditional products like whiskey, gin and rum, which will be available for tasting and purchase from the distillery. The distillery will also produce seasonal spirits that will be available at limited times throughout the year. Customers will be able to purchase both beer and spirits from the distillery to enjoy onsite or to take home with them.

"Since our first keg of beer rolled out, we’ve been experimenting with new flavors and ingredients and testing new techniques and technology," said Clay Robinson, co-founder of Sun King Brewery. "Distilling handcrafted spirits is a natural evolution from the creativity and methods that go into craft brewing, and we are excited to begin producing small batch, uniquely Indiana spirits with the same attention and quality that we give to our beer."

The distillery will include a tap room for customers to sample Sun King’s distinctive spirits or try unique, handcrafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients. Food from local restaurants and a wide variety of Sun King beers on tap will also be available for patrons.

"Sun King’s new distillery and tap room will be a wonderful addition to Carmel’s exciting new Midtown district," said Carmel’s Mayor Jim Brainard. "We’re proud of the public-private partnerships that continue to fuel Carmel’s growth and make redevelopment projects like this possible for our residents and visitors to enjoy."

The Sun King Distillery and Tap Room will be located at the north end of Midtown Plaza adjacent to the Monon Trail. Midtown Carmel is a redevelopment area, which will serve to connect Carmel’s Arts & Design District to City Center and the Palladium.

"The design of Sun King’s new distillery and tap room will accommodate approximately 300 patrons indoors or on the beautiful outdoor rooftop deck overlooking the Monon Greenway and Midtown Plaza," said Justin Moffett, of Carmel’s Old Town Development, which is partnering with Sun King to develop the location for the distillery. "The architecture will reflect the industrial history of Midtown as an important stop along the Monon Railway."

In 2013, several individuals including Omar Robinson, co-founder and board member of Sun King; Nick Floyd, head brewer and co-founder of Three Floyds Brewing; and Ted Huber, master distiller at Starlight Distillery, collaborated to get Indiana’s laws changed in order to allow an already-licensed brewery, winery or distillery to obtain a permit to produce and sell spirits by the glass, bottle or case. Previously, Indiana distillers could sell only to distributors, never to the public. Currently, there are fewer than a dozen active artisan distilleries in Indiana.

Drawing inspiration from the people of Indiana, Sun King has produced more than 300 different varieties of beer, dozens of which have been awarded national and international medals.