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922 South Morton Street
Bloomington, IN, 47403
United States

812-202-6789

Cardinal Spirits is a craft distillery in Bloomington, Indiana that specializes in producing extraordinary spirits from local ingredients.  

Black Bear Bierschnaps Release

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Black Bear Bierschnaps Release


  • Cardinal Spirits 922 South Morton Street Bloomington, IN, 47403 United States (map)

Our newest creation is Black Bear Bierschnaps, a collaboration with Upland Brewing Company here in Bloomington. We worked with them to brew a custom batch of their imperial stout "Teddy Bear Kisses" using slightly less hops. Before fermentation we took about 10% of the wort and boiled it down into a rich, dark roasted malt syrup. After cold-fermenting the rest of it, we set aside some of the finished stout, and distilled the rest of it to around 150 proof, essentially making a stout whiskey. After all was said and done, we blended the wort syrup, the stout, and the stout whiskey with a couple extra botanicals to create this unique, powerful amaro. We think bartenders and home drinkers alike will have lots of fun with this strange new spirit.

Thursday 10/27:
Join us for a cocktail class where we'll teach you all you need to know about our Black Bear Bierschnaps and ways to cocktail with it. Your two hour class includes a free drink, history of amaro, how we make ours and, of course, cocktail sampling. You will also have the opportunity to purchase this new product before anyone else, and that's pretty exciting. Sign up online to reserve your spot!

Friday 10/28:
Bottles go on sale at noon, stop by and sample it straight up or in one of our special cocktail creations. 

Saturday 10/29:
We'll be offering FREE tours at 1, 2, and 4. These tours will focus on Black Bear Bierschnaps and all that goes into making it. No need to sign up online, just be there and ready to have a good time.
Bottles will be available from 10a-12a along with samples and cocktails. 

Sunday 10/30:
Have you purchased a bottle on Sunday in Indiana yet? It's pretty fun! Stop by and relax with a cocktail and get ready for the week ahead. 

Earlier Event: October 22
Craft Spirits Tasting at Crown Liquors
Later Event: October 29
Halloween Costume Contest