THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Sample six locally sourced cheeses paired with handcrafted cocktails at J. Carver Distillery in Waconia. Learn cheesemaking stories from Christine and cocktail craft from Gina Holman while taking home a bottle of Runestone Rye or J. Carver 7 Year Bourbon.
Sample six locally sourced cheeses paired with handcrafted cocktails at J. Carver Distillery in Waconia. Learn cheesemaking stories from Christine and cocktail craft from Gina Holman while taking home a bottle of Runestone Rye or J. Carver 7 Year Bourbon.
Book with J. Carver Distillery
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by J. Carver Distillery · Waconia, MN
J. Carver Distillery — 1320 Mill Lane, Waconia MN — hosts “Last Call” The Grater Good Gourmet Cheese Event and Featured Cocktails, an evening tasting that pairs six locally sourced artisan cheeses with handcrafted cocktails from Gina Holman and an informative cheese narrative led by Christine from The Grater Good. Guests sample 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). This $65 ticketed experience includes one handcrafted J. Carver cocktail of your choice, an array of cheeses with artisan bread, gourmet crackers, light charcuterie, and a 750ml bottle selection: Runestone Straight Rye or J. Carver 7 Year Bourbon. The whiskies highlight Minnesota grain sourcing: Runestone leans into rye spice with an 86 percent rye mash bill, while the seven year bourbon balances corn sweetness with a spicy rye finish. Christine contextualizes farm practices and cheesemaking science, and Gina explains how mash bills, barrel age, and bitters interact with texture and flavor. For visitors to Carver County this event is a concentrated primer on regional producers and craft spirits. The distillery’s industrial tasting room with exposed barrel racks and copper equipment creates a lively setting for conversation and photos. It’s an ideal choice for couples, food-focused travelers, small groups celebrating milestones, or locals tracking craft distilling’s evolution; many guests appreciate the chance to leave with a full bottle chosen at checkout. Practical notes: bring government ID (minimum age 21), arrive on time for the 6:30 start, and expect an hour and a half of guided tasting and mingling. Book early—seating is limited—and note that taxes and fees are added at purchase. If you want to extend the evening, ask staff for local recommendations; many cheese producers hail from within a short drive, and nearby lakefront parks make for a relaxed post‑tasting stroll. Whether you’re drawn by the science of cheesemaking, the craftsmanship of Minnesota whiskey, or simply a well-executed pairing, this event offers focused learning, friendly storytelling, and delicious, thoughtfully sourced flavors. Reservations are processed online; the checkout requires bottle selection and collects contact details. Tickets cost sixty‑five dollars per person plus taxes and fees, and participants must be twenty‑one or older. The evening’s pace balances guided remarks with tasting time, so plan to sip slowly and ask about pairings you can recreate at home. For anyone exploring Minnesota’s foodways, this pairing evening at J. Carver Distillery is an efficient, flavorful education that sends you home with both knowledge and a bottle to remember. Reservations fill fast; plan accordingly tonight.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Low; primarily standing and light walking in an indoor tasting room
Yes. You must be 21 or older and present valid government ID at check-in.
One handcrafted J. Carver cocktail, a plated selection of six cheeses with bread and crackers, light charcuterie, and one 750ml bottle choice (Runestone Straight Rye or J. Carver 7 Year Bourbon), plus taxes and fees at checkout.
Choose your bottle during online checkout so staff can have it ready for pick-up after the tasting.
Specific accessibility details are not provided here; contact J. Carver Distillery directly if you need accommodations.
Cancellation and refund details are managed at booking; check your confirmation email or the booking provider for policy specifics.
Yes; the distillery at 1320 Mill Lane provides on-site parking—arrive early for best spots.
J. Carver Distillery has been part of Minnesota’s craft spirits scene for over a decade, sourcing local grains and aging whiskey in Minnesota‑coopered barrels.
The local food and spirits community emphasizes farm-to-glass sourcing; guests are encouraged to support producers directly and practice responsible consumption.
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