The Alum Creek Drive development would add distilling, grain recycling and packaging facilities, while production and visitor operations continue at Courtland Avenue.
By Fiona MacLeodConstruction & Projects Correspondent· Columbus, Ohio, United States
Middle West Spirits plans to expand in Columbus, Ohio, with a development on Alum Creek Drive incorporating a 75,000 sq ft distillery. Reported in March 2023, the project is described by Distillery Way as a multimillion-dollar investment, although no precise cost is given.
The proposed site would bring distillation together with grain recycling, packaging and bottling facilities. New offices are also included, with space available for a possible hospitality addition later.
According to Distillery Way, the expansion would make Middle West Ohio’s largest distillery and place it among the ten largest grain-to-glass distilleries in the United States.
Middle West bought the Alum Creek Drive land in 2020. The property is about six miles from its original Courtland Avenue distillery, where the business had exhausted the space available for further expansion.
The company was founded in 2008 and started commercial production in 2010. A major expansion in 2016 accommodated a distillation tower measuring 55 ft tall, making Alum Creek Drive its second substantial expansion project.
The additional facilities would serve a business producing both its own spirits and products for other companies. Middle West works with dozens of partners, including Hotel Tango, Horse Soldier and Old Line Spirits.
Its own whiskey portfolio includes rye, wheat whiskey, pumpernickel rye and sherry bourbon. The wider range also includes gin, vodka and bourbon cream.
Courtland Avenue combines production with a bottle shop and the Service Bar, which serves food and cocktails and has indoor and outdoor seating. The site also offers private event space and group tours; its regular distillery tour takes about an hour, with tasting flights available to purchase.
Founder and chief executive Ryan Lang said the Alum Creek development would help Middle West meet its production capacity, maturation and volume goals. He linked those requirements to the continued development of the company’s brands and partnership programmes.
Columbus mayor Andrew J. Ginther said Middle West was creating jobs and revitalising a significant property on the city’s east side. He expressed hope that the development would encourage further investment along the corridor.
Production at Courtland Avenue will continue after the expansion is complete. Tours and tastings will remain available, and the Service Bar will stay open.
The supplied material does not give a construction start or completion date, or confirm planning approval. It also gives no timetable for any hospitality development at Alum Creek Drive.
2008
Middle West Spirits was founded.
2010
The company began commercial production.
2016
A major expansion accommodated a 55 ft distillation tower at Courtland Avenue.
2020
Middle West acquired land on Alum Creek Drive for further expansion.
March 2023
Plans were reported for a development including a 75,000 sq ft distillery.
The Alum Creek Drive proposal extends beyond distilling capacity, bringing grain recycling, bottling and packaging into the development. It would support both Middle West’s own brands and its production partnerships, while preserving the existing distillery’s production and visitor operations. For the construction and equipment supply sectors, the stated scope covers several distinct operational facilities, although the supplied material does not establish a delivery timetable or precise investment value.
New Distilleries & Construction
15 Oct 2026