Norseman Distillery

The Legend

Norseman Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis, was founded with principals of using the very best local ingredients to produce small batches of exceptionally fine spirits. From our micro-distillery in northeast Minneapolis, we hand craft each batch with the hopes of inspiring legendary cheer in those who drink it.

As legend has it, when Northwoods lumberjacks had felled their lot of trees, they would come charging south into the quiet hamlets of a young Minnesota. Surly by nature and wielding heavy axes, these vulgar beasts of men ransacked house after house in search of food to replenish their stores. The gentle townsfolk endured this tyranny for generations, until one day they decided they'd had enough. Using the finest grains from their own fields, they began distilling specially formulated alcohols capable of inspiring great merriment in those who drank them. The spirits were distributed to each home, where they were prominently displayed in bottles that bore the name of content's owner – "NORSEMAN.” When the woodsmen returned, angry and violent as ever, they immediately snatched the bottles and drank greedily from them. Just as the villagers intended, within minutes the marauders became jovial and full of cheer, and the threat to peace and property was ended.

Taking our name from this little-known bit of regional heritage, Norseman Distillery was founded with similar principals of using the very best local ingredients to produce small