Home to Crystal Ridge Distillery, Hot Springs National Park was a prohibition-era hot spot for some of the most infamous gangsters, gamblers, and politicians, all looking to capitalize on the production and distribution of illegal alcohol. From legendary mobsters like Owney Madden and Al Capone to household names like major-leaguer Babe Ruth, Hot Springs earned a reputation as a celebrity resort destination for those looking to enjoy a taste of some unbridled fun.

The farmland and forests surrounding Hot Springs also provided the perfect location for illegal distillers to hone their craft under the light of the moon. Well before the decade of prohibition in the 1920s, almost every farmhouse in Arkansas already had a still as standard equipment for processing extra grain. Loading a harvest into a wagon and taking it to town was back-breaking work, and some farmers could make more money just turning their grain into alcohol at home and selling it to their neighbors. With generations of experienced distillers living just outside of town, many New York gangsters quickly made Hot Springs their second home.

With prohibition long over and the return of legal distilling to Arkansas, Danny Bradley along with his wife Mary and son Asher decided to once again bring the tradition of moonshine distilling out of the woods and into the heart of downtown Hot Springs. Located at the site of the historic F.C. Stearns Warehouse, Crystal Ridge Distillery works to blend the roots of distilling in Hot Springs with modern technology and the best distilling practices to produce premium spirits with a smooth, rich flavor.

Hosted by a member of the Crystal Ridge team, our tours and tastings are an opportunity to learn more about the history of moonshine in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the local and regional ingredients that go into our distilling process.

Our free tour allows guests to experience the beauty of our historic, restored building. Hand-built between 1910 and 1920 with what was then state-of-the-art craftsmanship, we have revitalized the structure with modern amenities while maintaining its heritage and authenticity. Tours typically last between 25 and 30 minutes and no reservation is required. Monday through Saturday, tours are offered at 1, 3, and 5 PM, and on Sunday, we offer tours at 1 and 3 PM.

Tastings are offered every 30 minutes. No reservation required.

After the tour or for those who are more interested in our product than our process, we offer $10 curated tastings of a selection of our spirits. Let one of our distilling experts walk you through a sampling of the complex and smooth flavors we offer at Crystal Ridge. The menu for our tastings rotates seasonally, but always provides guests with a chance to try our newest and most popular moonshines.