Public Tours Coming to Bowman Distillery

I've noticed a flurry of construction activity at the Bowman Distillery facility this past week. Today's Free Lance-Star tells us what's been going on. The work is the first phase of a five-year, $1.7 million project to remodel the facility and open the plant to public tours. From the article,

Over the past couple of years, A. Smith Bowman has been working on plans to open the facility to public tours and events. The company is calling the new facility "The Home Place."

The company already offers pre-scheduled tours and has an ABC license to sell its bourbon, vodka, rum and gin on site. Master Distiller Joe Dangler will even autograph the bottles.

But for now the public can't just drop by for a tour during regular operating hours. To allow that to happen, DLR [Contracting Inc.] last week began making renovations such as adding public restrooms and exits and improving the plumbing. Herlong Associates architects in Fredericksburg designed the plans.

Eventually Bowman will add a gift shop and a tasting room. The distillery is located near the Blue & Gray Brewing Company, although visitors would be be well-advised to take care when parking.

More details on the Bowman plans can be found in the Free Lance-Star article, "Bourbon distiller is going public".