When Dan Weber joked with friends after volleyball league that he could make moonshine, he didn’t expect the idea to turn into a business. But that offhand comment eventually led Dan and Kimm Weber to create one of Wausau’s most distinctive craft beverage destinations: Timekeeper Distillery.
If you’re planning a trip to central Wisconsin and wondering where to find craft cocktails in Wausau, look no further. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Timekeeper Distillery and why we think you should stay at one of the best local hotels in Wausau, WI, for an unforgettable weekend getaway.
From Joke to Journey: How Timekeeper Distillery Started
Dan Weber’s background says a lot about Timekeeper’s identity. Before founding the distillery, Dan spent years as a head brewer at Great Dane Pub and Brewing in Wisconsin. He knows beer. He understands the craft beverage industry. Dan and Kimm Weber purchased the historic depot in 2017, restored it, and opened Timekeeper Distillery the following year.
The idea was to create something uniquely their own, with close control over the process from sourcing ingredients to the final bottle.
That commitment to vertical integration is what sets Timekeeper apart in Wausau’s craft beverage scene. While local breweries have earned loyal followings for craft beer, Timekeeper carved out a different niche: grain-to-glass spirits production. It’s a distinction that matters to anyone serious about craft cocktails.
The Craft: Grain-to-Glass Distilling at Timekeeper
Walk into the Timekeeper Distillery tasting room, and the first thing you’ll notice is the commitment to local sourcing. The spirits you’re tasting, including vodka, gin, rye whiskey, and bourbon, are made on-site using local, organic grain and ingredients. Not contracted out. Not sourced from some industrial distillery upstate. Made right here in Wausau.
The Production Philosophy
Timekeeper’s approach to craft spirits is straightforward: control every variable. The grain comes in, gets processed, fermented, and distilled in-house. The barrel aging happens in their facility. The bottling? Also in-house. This is grain-to-glass distilling, and it’s reflected in every spirit they produce.
Timekeeper has also produced WET Vodka Seltzer (7.1% ABV), an all-natural, gluten-free option made without high-fructose corn syrup. It’s another reflection of how Timekeeper approaches its craft, developing products beyond its traditional bottled spirits.
The gin, rye, and bourbon follow the same philosophy. Each bottle reflects local and organic ingredient sourcing, careful fermentation, and, where applicable, barrel aging. This is what local spirits from a place like Wausau can be when the distiller cares about the process.
The Bar: Craft Cocktails
Step into the tasting room and you’re immediately in the hands of bartenders who take their craft seriously. This isn’t a casual Wausau bars experience where you order a generic Old Fashioned and hope for the best. Timekeeper’s cocktail program is built around precision, quality, and creativity.
The Signature Cocktails
The menu rotates, but Timekeeper’s cocktail program has featured classics such as:
- Manhattans — A classic whiskey cocktail and a natural showcase for rye.
- Rob Roys — A traditional Scotch whisky cocktail with the structure of a Manhattan.
- Old Fashioneds — A Wisconsin favorite and a fitting way to sample whiskey in cocktail form.
- Golden Cadillacs — A creamy, elegant option if you want something off the beaten path.
What makes these craft cocktails stand out is the focus on Timekeeper’s own spirits and a cocktail program designed around them.
The Tasting Room Vibe
The setting itself is part of the experience. The 1901 Milwaukee Road train depot is a restored historic structure, a setting that is industrial and intimate with exposed brick and vintage character. The name “Timekeeper” itself comes from railroad history, when accurate timekeeping was essential to keeping trains and railroad operations on schedule.
A four-season patio is heated in winter, making Timekeeper a year-round destination. Whether you’re visiting in October for fall foliage nearby or January for a cozy cocktail escape, this tasting room works in every season.
Why Timekeeper Matters to Wausau’s Craft Beverage Scene
Wausau already had an established craft beer scene when Timekeeper opened its doors. Timekeeper added another dimension by bringing locally distilled spirits into the mix.
Because Dan came from the brewery world, he understands how Timekeeper fits into the larger craft beverage ecosystem.
As a result, Wausau breweries and Timekeeper Distillery both contribute to the region’s craft beverage identity. They’re both part of the answer when someone asks, “What’s there to do in Wausau?” And they’re both reasons to stay longer and support local businesses.
For visitors, this is a gift. You can spend an evening visiting both Red Eye Brewing and Timekeeper Distillery, experiencing different sides of Wausau’s craft scene. Each brings something distinct to the table.
Planning Your Visit to Timekeeper Distillery
Hours and Location
Address: 720 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403
Timekeeper’s hours vary by day and can change, so check the official Timekeeper Distillery website before your visit.
The location is near downtown Wausau, within easy reach of restaurants, galleries, attractions, and our boutique hotel.
What to Expect
The bartenders can guide you through the spirits menu and help you find a pour or cocktail that fits your preferences.
If you’re interested in a deeper dive, contact Timekeeper directly to ask about current distillery tour availability and opportunities to learn more about the production process.
Beyond Wausau: Timekeeper’s Green Bay Expansion
Timekeeper isn’t just a Wausau story anymore. They also operate a location in Ashwaubenon near Lambeau Field, giving visitors to the Green Bay area access to the same craft spirits brand. But there’s something special about visiting the original, historic location in the 1901 train depot.
Where to Eat Before (or After) Your Distillery Visit
One of the best ways to experience craft cocktails is to pair them with excellent food. Wausau has no shortage of dining options, and many pair beautifully with Timekeeper’s spirits.
If you’re planning to visit Timekeeper in the evening:
- Start with dinner at one of Wausau’s best restaurants, then head to Timekeeper for cocktails. Red Eye Brewing also serves food, making it another option for exploring Wausau’s craft beverage scene.
- Try the supper club scene. Wisconsin supper clubs are a tradition, and several are within 30-45 minutes of Wausau. An Old Fashioned after a fish fry is a quintessentially Wisconsin combination.
If you’re planning a longer visit, spend a full evening exploring Wausau breweries and Timekeeper Distillery. It’s one of the best ways to understand Wausau’s craft beverage identity.
Making It a Full Wausau Experience: Where to Stay
With so many things to do in Wausau, a trip to the Timekeeper Distillery shouldn’t be squeezed into a single afternoon. The best Wausau experiences unfold over at least a night or two, exploring the craft beverage scene, visiting galleries and museums, and enjoying the downtown river district.
That’s where Stewart Inn comes in.
Stewart Inn is a 1906 Prairie School-influenced historic bed and breakfast designed by architect George W. Maher, located in Wausau just a short walk from the Timekeeper Distillery tasting room. When you’re planning a trip to experience craft cocktails and local spirits at Timekeeper, booking a stay at our boutique hotel gives you the full picture of what makes this city special.
Why Stewart Inn Works for a Timekeeper Visit
Location: Walking distance from Timekeeper Distillery. No need to worry about driving after cocktails.
Historic character: Both properties give visitors a chance to spend time inside significant pieces of Wausau’s early 20th-century architecture. Timekeeper occupies the restored Milwaukee Road depot, while Stewart Inn is a 1906 George W. Maher-designed home.
Evening reception: Enjoy our complimentary wine reception before heading out for dinner and cocktails.
Gourmet breakfast: After a night at the distillery, get a good night’s sleep in one of our thoughtfully appointed guest rooms and wake up to a hearty breakfast at our boutique hotel.
Craft focus: As a historic luxury hotel in Wausau, WI, we understand what draws visitors here, whether it’s craft spirits, craft breweries, fine dining, or outdoor adventure.
When you’re comparing hotels in Wausau, WI for your craft spirits getaway, Stewart Inn offers a convenient historic home base. You’re staying in an architecturally significant building, exploring craft spirits in another historic building, and seeing a distinctive side of Wausau.
Ready to Experience Wausau’s Craft Spirits Scene?
The Timekeeper Distillery is one of central Wisconsin’s distinctive craft beverage attractions. Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast, a cocktail aficionado, or just someone who appreciates craft and quality, it’s worth adding to your Wausau itinerary.
And when you’re ready to book, make sure you stay somewhere that complements the trip. Our historic boutique hotel in Wausau, WI, sits within walking distance of Timekeeper and close to many of the other things that make Wausau worth exploring. Book your stay today!
