Second Plant to Boost Capacity at Middle West Spirits, Becomes Top 10 U.S. Whiskey Producer

Company Name: Middle West Spirits, LLC

Location: Columbus

Site Region: Central

Industry Sector: Food Sciences and Agriculture

Company Profile: Middle West Spirits is a world-class distillery that produces a variety of artisan spirits including whiskey, vodka, and bourbon.

Company Website: https://www.middlewestspirits.com/

Project Summary:

Type of Project: Expansion

Jobs:

• Jobs committed: 80
• Jobs retained: 46

Capital Investment: $38,700,000

Company Need:

Middle West Spirits needed to prepare for its next growth phase to meet demand based on the global popularity of its spirits. It is looking to expand its capacity to support demand of its existing portfolio, new and varied product lines with innovative flavor profiles, and celebrity-brand partnerships. The expansion makes Middle West Spirits a top 10 grain-to-glass whiskey and spirits producer in the United States overall and the largest distillery in Ohio. 

In addition to expanding the distillery, the company’s new Alum Creek Drive location will include Middle West Spirits’ new offices and future hospitality space. Distilling will continue at the original Courtland facility in the Short North, which also houses the company’s retail Bottle Shop and acclaimed Service Bar restaurant. In total, 80 new jobs will be created by this expansion.

Testimonial:

“We are excited about the Alum Creek development and the future of our company. The construction of our new site allows us to hit capacities, aging goals, and the volumes needed to continue to develop our brands and partnership programs. Our team has worked tirelessly over the last 15 years to bring us to this point, and we are excited to start the next chapter of Middle West.”

– Ryan Lang, Middle West Spirits Founder, Head Distiller and Chief Executive Officer

Why Ohio?

Food and agribusiness is one of the largest industries in Ohio, boasting hundreds of companies that cultivate, process, package, distribute, and market food and drinks enjoyed by consumers around the world. The proximity to and relationships with industry and academic partners result in faster, more affordable access to every part of the value chain.

In Ohio, businesses have access to a complete ground-to-consumer value chain. Ohio’s farmlands produce soybeans, corn, dairy, wheat, eggs, and hogs. From there, companies can connect with the state’s food manufacturers, packagers, distributors, retailers, and customers. In addition, companies can leverage assets that make doing business more affordable, such as low-cost natural gas, a deregulated power market, and open partnerships with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Collaborators:

JobsOhio, One Columbus, City of Columbus