THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend an evening at J. Carver Distillery tasting six locally sourced cheeses paired with craft cocktails and leave with a full bottle. This guided session mixes dairy science, farmer stories, and cocktail craft for a compact local-food primer.
Spend an evening at J. Carver Distillery tasting six locally sourced cheeses paired with craft cocktails and leave with a full bottle. This guided session mixes dairy science, farmer stories, and cocktail craft for a compact local-food primer.
Book with J. Carver Distillery
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by J. Carver Distillery · Waconia, MN
At 1320 Mill Lane in Waconia, Minnesota, J. Carver Distillery opens its barrel-lined tasting room for an evening that pairs small-batch spirits with six local artisan cheeses. The event — “Last Call” The Grater Good Gourmet Cheese Event and Featured Cocktails — brings Christine from The Grater Good together with Gina Holman of J. Carver for a guided tasting combining farming stories, cheesemaking science, and cocktail craft. Step inside the distillery and the first thing you notice is the scent of charred oak mingling with warm bread and herbaceous spirits. The setting is an intimate tasting bar and a barrel room backdrop where each pour is framed by coopered casks. Key features of the experience include a curated cheese board of Blueberry Vanilla Chevre from LaClare Creamery (Malone, WI); Goat Milk Cheese Curds from Busy D's (Belle Plaine, MN); Friesago from Shepherds Way Farms (Nerstrand, MN); Colby Cheddar from Cannonbelles (Cannon Falls, MN); Prairie Breeze Cheddar from Milton Creamery (Milton, IA); and Little Lucy Bleu from Redhead Creamery (Brooten, MN). Each cheese is introduced with context about milk source, aging, and flavor profile, then paired with a choice of J. Carver cocktails crafted by Gina. This is not just a tasting; it's local foodways and distilling practice in conversation. Guests sip either Runestone Straight Rye — a mash bill heavy on Minnesota rye and named for the region’s mysterious Runestone — or the 7 Year J. Carver Bourbon, a corn-forward small-batch expression aged in charred oak coopered in Minnesota. Tickets include one handcrafted cocktail, the full cheese spread with artisan bread and charcuterie touches, and a 750ml bottle to take home. Why this matters: the event highlights regional supply chains — farmers, creameries, and grain growers — and illuminates how local terroir and craft technique shape flavor. For visitors to Waconia and greater Carver County, it’s an efficient, flavorful primer on Minnesota’s spirits and dairy scene in a single evening. Practical notes: the gathering is best for groups of adults (21+), runs roughly 90 minutes, and is an indoor, low-mobility-friendly tasting format. Expect conversational, hands-on explanations from Christine and cocktail demonstrations from Gina, plus take-home recipes. Reservations are required via the booking link; wear layers for the barrel room and travel light if you plan to bring home your bottle. Whether you’re a cheese geek, cocktail curious, or a traveler seeking a taste of local craft, this is a distilled snapshot of place — one board, six cheeses, and a story in every sip. Buy a ticket to guarantee your spot: the package value — cocktail, tasting, bottle, recipes — makes this a smart evening out for locals and visitors who want compact, delicious education in Midwestern cheese and spirits.
Participants must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued ID at check-in.
Check in at J. Carver Distillery, 1320 Mill Lane, Waconia MN, at the scheduled start time.
Expect about 90 minutes for the guided tasting, cocktail demonstration, and take-home bottle pickup.
Yes; during checkout you select either Runestone Straight Rye or 7 Year J. Carver Bourbon as your included bottle.
The event features a standard cheese and light charcuterie spread; contact the booking provider via the reservation link with specific dietary needs.
Cancellation and refund policies are set on the FareHarbor booking page; use the provided booking link to view terms or modify your reservation.
J. Carver Distillery is a craft distillery that offers guided distillery tours, spirit tastings, and curated cocktail experiences. The distillery provides a range of on-site options including a Distillery Tour & Tasting, a Craft Cocktail Table Reservation, and special event evenings such as the Rolling Hearth Pizza & J. Carver Cocktail Event. On the Distillery Tour & Tasting, guests explore the cocktail lounge, production facility, and barrel room while learning about distillation techniques and the spirit-making process. Each tour includes a guided tasting of three J. Carver spirits. The Craft Cocktail Table Reservation offers a 90-minute table booking for groups to enjoy expertly mixed cocktails in a social setting; guests may bring their own food and the reservation is available to those 21 and older. The Rolling Hearth Pizza & Cocktail Event pairs handcrafted cocktails with artisan pizzas and includes the option to select a 750 ml bottle during the event. J. Carver Distillery operates public-facing experiences designed for education and enjoyment. The offerings emphasize transparency about production, the tasting of finished spirits, and responsible service of alcohol. Visitors should review age requirements and reservation details before booking. All descriptions reflect the experiences provided by J. Carver Distillery and aim to help guests choose the best visit for their interests.
Book with J. Carver Distillery