Once inside the distillery, just past the entrance, we entered a small tasting bar. This was originally where all tastings took place, but it is no longer sufficient and is now only used for certain tours and special events. Tastings for everyone else are provided in either the Tasting Room where our tour began, or at The Rickhouse. Grains are obtained predominantly from local farmers and are milled at Barton Springs Mill, which as previously mentioned, will soon be moving to a two acre plot on the ranch. Grains are cooked in a single large cooker or “mash tun”. The hatch, valves and pipes on top are accessed via a large spiral staircase. Fermentation then takes place in a row of 5 large fermenters. There are multiple stills on-site, from small gin stills to the new column still, which has been in operation for a year and a half. Interestingly, the still was a bit larger than expected, and a hole needed to be cut in the roof of the distillery to accommodate it. Oddly enough it’s not the first time we’ve seen this happen.
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Days of operation | Tasting Room: Mon-Thurs: 12pm-7pm Fri-Sun: 12pm-9pm Tours: Mon-Fri: 2pm & 4pm
Sat: Hourly, on the hour, 1pm - 6pm |
Paved Drive / Lot | Large, unpaved somewhat rocky and uneven parking lot |
Motorcycle Parking | No |
Motorcycle unfriendly features | Unpaved, uneven parking lot |
Number of tours per day | Mon-Fri: 2 Sat: 6 |
Length of Tour(s) | 45 minute tour, including a tasting |
Advanced topic tours? | No |
Advanced topic tour names | N/A |
Tours by owners /distillers available? | No |
Number of different types of tours | 1 |
On-Line Tour Reservations Available | Yes |
Advanced Reservations Recommended/Required |
Probably not needed on weekdays. Recommended Friday and Saturday |
Cost for tour(s) in $ | $15 |
Tasting Included? | Yes |
Number of samples included in tasting | 5+ |
Tasting Only Option? |
Yes, In the Tasting Room or Rickhouse Cocktail Bar |
Tasting Only Option Cost | $10 |
High-end tasting option? | All spirits are available for tasting. |
High-end tasting option cost? | N/A |
Designated Driver Option | Mocktail provided on tours. |
Handicapped Accessible? |
There are few if any steps, however the outdoor trails are dirt and gravel and some surfaces may be rough. |
Souvenirs included with tour? | No |
Gift shop | Yes |
On-Site bottle sales? | Yes |
On-site food: Restaurant/Cafe/Snacks | Yes, Alice's Restaurant (Fri-Sun 12pm-9pm only) |
On-site Cocktail bar |
Yes, The Tasting Room and the Rickhouse Cocktail Bar (Fri-Sun: 12pm-9pm only) |
On-site event space |
Yes. The property is huge. |
Should I visit? (Yes, Perhaps, No) | Yes |
Unique Features | Very large property with ample space for outdoor activities, relaxing and listening to live music on weekends. On-site restaurant and cocktail bar. On-site mill and malting (coming soon). Vertical barrel storage. Licensed to produce wine, spirits and beer. |
Website |
https://www.treatyoakdistilling.com |
Date Visited | January 2020 |
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