The perfect distillery experience in Indiana – Hard Truth

I truly miss the early days of the bourbon boom when you could go to almost any Kentucky Distillery and experience true hospitality with friendly, outgoing people who were delighted to see you. In some cases, not all, that quality experience has been replaced with a “canned” presentation and an effort to move you through the facility as quickly as possible. Although they will allow you to spend as much time as possible in the merchandise area perusing the newest one-off bottle release at a cost of more than one hundred dollars.

This did not happen with my perfect distillery experience in Indiana. The Hard Truth Distillery is a wonderful park-like campus filled with people who want to be there. Their employees are glad that you are visiting. I went to Hard Truth to experience moonshine being made in the woods, the way it was done in the early days of our country. However, the big picture is that Hard Truth is much more than one experience; it is a total package of multiple experiences nestled on 325 scenic acres in Nashville, Indiana. But their moonshine experience is one of a kind. Soon, we will have a full video on our YouTube channel explaining the ultimate moonshine experience. Keep reading to know why Hard Truth is one of my top 3 distillery visits!

Early History of Nashville & Brown County

Nashville, Indiana, was established in 1836 and originally known as Jacksonburg, becoming the incorporated county seat of Brown County in 1872. Nestled amid rugged hills and summits—now home to Brown County State Park—it earned the nickname “Little Smoky” due to its terrain and densely misted valleys. The downtown area reminds me of a micro-sized Gatlinburg, Tennessee. By the early 20th century, this area inspired the formation of the Brown County Art Colony around 1907. Notable artists and craftsmen established studios, fostering an arts-based economy that gave rise to galleries and tourism that continue to this day.

The town’s tourism economy was subsequently bolstered by the previously mentioned state park (Indiana’s largest), broadcasting Nashville as a destination for both art and nature enthusiasts. These reasons to visit set the stage for Hard Truth’s emergence as a modern venue and, ultimately, the perfect distillery experience in Indiana.

Brewing Roots: The Founding of Big Woods

The founders—Jeff McCabe, Tim O’Bryan, Ed Ryan, and Jim Dunbar—set out in 2009 to create a brewpub in downtown Nashville called Big Woods Pizza. Their aim? To provide locally brewed beer in a rustic, artistically inspired setting. Brewing on a modest half-barrel system during limited hours, they quickly sold out weekly. Spurred by success, they expanded into a commercial brewery, Quaff On!, and opened multiple Big Woods restaurant locations beyond Nashville—in places like Bloomington, Franklin, Speedway, Noblesville, and Westfield.

This period established both a loyal customer base and a capable operations team, setting the stage for Hard Truth to grow and succeed.

A Critical Moment: Hard Truth Distilling Co.

In 2014, Indiana legalized the ownership of craft distilleries, prompting the Big Woods group to experiment with spirits. Using a 4-barrel brew system repurposed for spirits in their restaurant, by 2015, they were producing gin, vodka, agave spirits, rum, and they even imported Irish whiskey that was proofed and bottled on-site.

With their brewery infrastructure providing both production and sales, early spirits gained traction. This enabled further investment in a dedicated distillery campus.

Pizza to Park-Like Experience

In late 2017, the partners acquired 325 acres located just outside Nashville, which is sometimes referred to by locals as Firecracker Hill. Their vision: a flagship distillery that integrates production, tourism, entertainment, and outback recreation.

December 2017: The “Tours & Tastings Center” opened, featuring timber-frame architecture reminiscent of the other Big Woods locations.

July 2018: The full distillery and restaurant debuted, equipped with Vendome Copper & Brass Works column and pot stills, a rack house, a 300-seat restaurant, a 4,000-barrel rickhouse, woodland trails, an amphitheater, and an ATV-accessible palate of tasting locations.

This out-of-doors campus became a major regional draw, welcoming nearly 267,000 visitors in the first year and rivaling small-city attractions. For comparison, the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, welcomed 231,523 in 2018.

Master Distiller Bryan Smith

Bryan Smith, a recreational therapist by training, joined Hard Truth in 2015 as a distiller and eventually became Master Distiller. With no formal whiskey background, Smith immersed himself in the craft, from hobby wine and beer production in college to months of apprenticeship-like stints at other distilleries

With assistance from Starlight’s Jason Heiligenberg and Wilderness Trail’s Shane Baker and Pat Heist, particularly in the advantages of sweet mash distillation techniques, Bryan learned his craft. Working with the Independent Stave Company, Smith also developed proprietary barrel cooperage (toasting and light char) designs that enabled him to achieve unique flavor profiles.

As Master Distiller, his vision has driven the brand’s reputation to new heights.

Spirits Portfolio: From Sweet Mash Rye to Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon

Sweet Mash Rye (First Grain‑to‑Glass Release, 2021)

In November 2021, Hard Truth released its first grain-to-glass whiskey: Sweet Mash Rye, produced entirely on-site. That same year, it earned high accolades:

• Fred Minnick Top-100 American Whiskeys (2021)
• Gold at USA Spirits Awards
• Double-platinum at ASCOT
• 93 points in Whiskey Advocate
• Placed #3 American Rye in the International Whisky Competition Grain-to-Glass Bourbons (Launch 2024)

In 2024, Hard Truth introduced its first three bourbons, all 100% Indiana grain-to-glass:

1. Sweet Mash Bourbon – 73% corn, 19% rye, 8% barley, 90-proof
2. Wheated Bourbon – 69% corn, 19% wheat, 12% barley, 100-proof, bottled-in-bond
3. Four‑Grain Bourbon – 100-proof, bottled‑in‑bond.

Special & Collaborative Releases

• McCabe’s Irish Whiskey: Named for co-founder Jeff McCabe’s ancestry. This imported whiskey is locally bottled and proofed in Brown County, celebrating a history of McCabe’s Irish family beginnings.
• Mellencamp Collaboration (2023–Present): A partnership producing limited Sweet Mash Rye & Bourbon series with John Mellencamp. I was lucky enough to sample this whiskey, and I understand why people line up when these limited edition bottles are released.
• Sourced Whiskeys: Like many distilleries waiting for their own stocks to age, they used sourced rye from MGP, and sourced Tennessee bourbon to sustain supply until their whiskeys were ready for release.

Infrastructure & Distribution

To support growth, they added:

• Late 2021–2022: Rackhouse #2 expanded storage from ~4,000 to ~12,000 barrels; installed three new 5,000-gallon fermenters for 24/7 operation and ~800% capacity growth .
• Mid-2024: Rackhouse #3 (14,000 sq ft; ~8,000 barrels) and a stillage plant for recycling spent grains into livestock feed and fertilizer. Please see the cartoon below created by Gerry lynch of Hard Truth and generously provided to me for my use in this story.

Visitor Experiences

Hard Truth blends distillery production with hospitality and entertainment:

• Tours & Tastings: There are many options here, and each one has a unique vibe. The Moonshine Experience is amazing, and we will be releasing a full YouTube video on our day making shine.
• Culinary Offers: A 300-seat restaurant featuring burgers, BBQ nachos, wings, cocktails, and Big Woods beers. This is one of the indoor event spaces and seasonal venues that can host up to 1,200.
• Music Amphitheater & Trails: An outdoor amphitheater in a natural gorge set in the woodland hosts frequent live events. Trails offer access to the 325-acre wooded property.
• Rustic Cabin Rental: A single-luxury cabin offers overnight stays when distilling is running at full production.

Local and Loyal

Hard Truth emphasizes local sourcing, environmental stewardship, and cultural connection:

• Grounded in Truth Initiative: Utilizes Indiana-grown grains. Spent grains are repurposed as feed or fertilizer via the stillage facility.
• Farm & Family Focus: Collaborations with family farms like Doug Miller and Duane Kuhlenschmidt reinforce local agriculture.
• Charitable Ties: Works with Farm Aid and supports regional heritage tied to the founders’ origins.

Building a Whiskey Future in Rural America

From a brewpub in 2009 to one of Indiana’s largest craft distilleries, Hard Truth Distilling Co. epitomizes a customer-friendly venue. The distilled spirits are a cornerstone of Hard Truth, but only part of the story. True hospitality in this midwestern location with a wonderful campus makes me reminiscent of the way most distillery visits used to be. Friendly, fun, educational, entertaining, with great whiskey, and welcoming people. Yes, there are other spirits beyond whiskey available here, but I feel Hard Truth Whiskey and Bourbon will be around for a very long time.

Their journey—from sweet mash rye acclaim to bottling distinguished bourbons, sourcing heritage whiskey, and offering great experiences—paints a clear picture. Nashville, Indiana, with its arts-and-nature roots, has been the ideal location for the perfect distillery experience.

One of my Top 3 Distillery Experiences

Looking ahead, Hard Truth’s infrastructure support (over 20,000 barrels of storage), expanded distribution, dynamic visitor programming, and upcoming lodging and event plans all signal success. After more than seventy unique visits to distilleries in the United States, Hard Truth is one of my top three distillery experiences ever. From the moment I arrived at the property, I felt a sense of welcome. The Moonshine Experience at Shiners Creek, combined with the inviting campus and friendly personnel along the way, makes this a must-see property.

Hard Truth Distilling Company is located at:

418 Old State Road, 46, Nashville, Indiana 47448. You can contact them at (812) 720-4840