Backwards Distilling Company and Tour- Casper, Wyoming

We recently returned from a trip to Casper, WY, and had a fantastic time. We were able to see many different types of animals and try different types of local craft beers. However, one of our more unique and interesting experiences was visiting Backwards Distilling Company. We have been to many breweries, but only one other distillery, Jack Daniels in Tennessee. Thus we were excited to do their tour.

One thing that also made this tour special was that it was led by Amber, one of the four founders of Backwards Distilling Company. I guess I had read that before and forgot, so it was a great surprise to get to meet one of them. She is a great tour guide, obviously knowledgeable, and was thrilled to share their excitement and vision of the company.

As you can see from the pictures on this post, they have many kettles and pots used in the process. I won’t go into the whole process (that’s her job, lol) but I will say it is a lot of time, water, and yeast. 🙂

She explained what each kettle did and what steps the vapor, etc moved from one to the other, and how long it took. Time varied greatly depending on what product they were making that day. They make different types of gin, vodka, and rum. She also explained the barrels and their importance in the distilling process. Many spirits are stored for years in these barrels. It was quite interesting.

After the 45-minute tour, we happily settled in for a 15-minute guided tasting of some of their spirits. (I think it took longer than that, but who’s counting, lol). They were all wonderful and she was clear on sharing the volume of alcohol in each sample we tried. They had a Cinnamon Moonshine which I fell in love with.

After the tour, we sat around for a while and enjoyed a drink. I tried the cinnamon moonshine and was called Miss E. Calhoun. They have some amazing names for some of their drinks, too many to list here. However,  I do want to share a few words that they have printed on their menu and on their website:

Backwards Distilling Company was born of an appreciation for fine spirits and a propensity for the unusual. The founders of Backwards have always sought those aspects of the world that are unique, that have a little bit of quirk, that fall outside the norm. In that spirit, the Pollock family imagined a brand that would reflect and celebrate these traits. Backwards Distilling Company is proud to present our colorful cast of characters, Ringleader Vodka, Sword Swallower Rum, Contortionist Gin, and Strongman Gin. Prepare to be amazed! These spirits are crafted grain to bottle in small batches in our Wyoming distillery, giving them plenty of personalities. We invite you to embrace the unusual and experience Backwards Distilling Company.

We had a phenomenal tour and can’t think Amber enough. I learned a lot more than I did on the Jack Daniel’s Tour. I loved the drinks we shared and hope to visit next year on our way back from Montana. Best of luck to Backwards Distilling Company. Here is a link to their website with hours, and tour information. Please make sure to stop in if you are in the Casper area.

I will end with this great quote on their website: Transcend the world of ordinary drinks and enter the Backwards Realm, where amazing sensations await you with every sip. Through carefully orchestrated chaos we bring together the finest ingredients to create small batches of spectacular spirits

Backwards Distilling Company Visitor Information

Address:

Production:
158 Progress Circle
Mills, WY 82644

The Tasting Room:
214 S. Wolcott St
Casper, WY 82601

Phone:

307.472.1275

Hours:

Monday – Thursday 3 pm-9 pm
Friday – 3pm-10pm
Saturday- 12pm-10pm
Sunday – 12pm-5pm

Backstage Tour:

Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM
Starts at 158 Progress Circle in Mills
60-minute tour at the production facility, 30-minute guided tasting at the Tasting Room at 214 S. Wolcott St. in Casper. Reservations recommended

This tour, led by one of our founders, is an in-depth look at what happens in the distillery. After the tour, enjoy a tasting of our products at their downtown Tasting Room location with spirits experts who will explain the details of each spirit while you taste.

Price $10

Tasting Room Classes:

They offer a variety of interactive classes at The Tasting Room including:

Cocktails 101: a beginners guide to making great cocktails at home
Cocktails 201: a follow-up class to 101, introducing intermediate cocktail techniques

Infusion 101: a beginners guide to making infused spirits at home
Tasting Room Talks: Presentations and discussions on a variety of topics related to the spirits industry.

Prices: Vary depending on the class. Check out their website for classes and pricing.

Events:

They have many events throughout the year. Please check this link for the latest updates.