Expansion is on the horizon for Twisted Path Distillery, 2018 S. 1st St. The certified organic grain-to-glass distillery will be expanding its tasting room to accommodate larger groups, with an expected opening in early December.

The expanded tasting room, which will bear the Twisted Path Distillery name, will be located in the street-side space adjacent to Enlightened Brewing Company. It will feature a larger bar with seating for about 40, as well as top-notch acoustics and a small stage to accommodate live music. A working garage door will allow the bar to be open to the street during favorable weather.

Meanwhile, the current speak-easy style tasting room will remain. However, it will be used primarily for private parties and tastings, as a green room for performers and as overflow bar space when the main bar gets particularly busy.

"We are very excited to finally be expanding our tasting room," says Twisted Path owner Brian Sammons, noting that part of the impetus for the move was increased visibility. "We'll hopefully be easier for people to find, and we'll be able to accommodate more guests, but we'll continue the same vibe that has made our current tasting room so popular."

Sammons says the tasting room will continue to feature a dynamic menu of classic cocktails, experimental specials and lower-proof session cocktails. It will also function as a sampling ground for new spirits.

"As those who have been on the tour know, I love to experiment constantly," Sammons explains. "And this tasting room will be a great vehicle for more people to try spirits that are still in development, including some small, limited releases of whiskey test batches that may be ready soon."

What will happen to Dock18 Cocktail Lab?

In conjunction with the changes, Bittercube – operator of Dock18 Cocktail Lab – will end its nearly two-year residency at the Twisted Path Tasting Room on Saturday, Nov. 18.

In celebration of two years of innovative cocktails, from Nov. 1 to 18 Dock18 will feature a special "Greatest Hits" menu showcasing some of its most delicious cocktail creations.

And, despite the changes, it’s not the last Milwaukee will see of Dock18. In fact, it might be the launch of new beginnings for the buzz-worthy cocktail brand.

Research and development for new, innovative cocktails and liqueurs will continue in the Bittercube Apothecary, located on the second floor of the Lincoln Warehouse. Meanwhile, the Dock18 brand – once confined to the space behind the 18th loading dock, from which it draws its name – will maintain its Milwaukee presence through pop-up events, cocktail classes and bartending services for both public and private events. There are also plans to take the cocktail show on the road with a series of events throughout the Midwest.

"Over the last couple of years, Dock18 has become a unique arm of the Bittercube family" says
Bittercube proprietor Ira Koplowitz. "We are so excited about all the pop-ups, events and the roadshow that I can't even begin to look beyond that. Well ... we certainly are looking beyond that, and there are some developments, but nothing concrete as of today."

Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details about the new Twisted Path Distillery tasting room and Dock18 Cocktail Lab as they develop.