1516 Brewing Company Distillery

WINERY SUMMARY

1516 Brewing Company Distillery opens in Vienna’s Inner City with a scene that places production at the center of the guest experience. 1516 Brewing Company Distillery is located on Schwarzenbergstraße, steps from Ringstraße promenades and classical architecture, where the aroma of toasted grain and fresh fermentation greets visitors. In the tasting room the distillery’s production team works in full view, and guests move from copper-coated vessels to long communal tables under warm light, sampling spirit-forward expressions that reflect Vienna’s grain heritage. The location and walkable urban setting make it an immediate stop for travelers seeking an informed, sensory-driven spirits tasting in central Vienna. This is a craft spirits producer that emphasizes natural ingredients, direct provenance and an unfiltered tasting style that rewards both newcomers and connoisseurs who want context with every sip.

The production philosophy at 1516 Brewing Company Distillery centers on traditional grain processing and clear, authentic flavors. While no single master distiller is listed in public sources, the production team follows methods rooted in Germanic purity laws hinted by the name “1516,” sourcing malted barley and supplementing with wheat, rye and rice depending on the recipe. Distillation and maturation focus on clarity of grain character rather than heavy finishing; the house makes both fresh, unaged pot-distillates and barrel-influenced expressions. The distillery is recognized locally — Travelers’ Choice 2025 and a 4.2-star Tripadvisor consensus from over 2,000 reviewers — underscoring its appeal for both dining and tasting. What sets the operation apart is the visible craft: copper-coated vessels and an open production area behind the bar connect guests to the process, while seasonal and experimental releases rotate throughout the year.

The product journey at 1516 Brewing Company Distillery moves from raw grain to finished expression with an emphasis on texture and malt complexity. Notable expressions interpreted for a spirits audience include the 1516 Barrel Expression, a grain-forward release that highlights malted barley aged briefly in neutral casks to preserve cereal and biscuit notes; Slipper Pot Distillate, a lighter, pot-distilled expression showcasing wheat and bright citrus aromatics; and a Black & Tan Cask Blend, a limited-edition bottling marrying roasted rye character with subtle smoke and chocolate undertones. Production detail focuses on mash conversion with copper-coated vessels, lautering to separate spent grain, careful yeast selection for fermentation character, and controlled distillation cuts to deliver round mid-palate and restrained fusel notes. Flights are presented to show progression from raw cereal aromatics to wood-driven nuance; seasonal small-batch runs and experimental botanical infusions appear as one-off allocations, often sellable through the on-site shop and allocated to visitors first.

Visitors at 1516 Brewing Company Distillery experience a layered hospitality model: an open still-house aesthetic integrates with a roomy beer-hall–style tasting room and an intimate courtyard beer garden adapted for spirits flights. Tours and tastings move through the production view, with explanations of mash bills, fermentation choices and distillation technique. The interior combines American-themed elements with classic Viennese seating; two copper-coated production vessels are visible behind the bar, offering an educational touchpoint during guided tastings. The kitchen operates late daily, enabling curated food pairings — schnitzel, smoked sausage and vegetarian options — that highlight the distillery’s savory spirit profiles and extend the visit from a tasting into a full culinary experience.

Best times to visit are late mornings through early evenings; the site is open daily from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM with the kitchen taking first orders at 11:30 AM (last order at 1:00 AM). Tastings start from approximately €25, and reservations are accepted though not always required; private tours and group events are accommodated with advance notice through the main website. Many seasonal or limited expressions are released on-site and may require booking in advance for small, allocated barrel tastings.

Whether you seek an informative spirits tasting, an approachable introduction to grain distillation, or a lively urban evening with robust food pairings, 1516 Brewing Company Distillery invites visitors to explore craft production in Vienna’s Inner City. Book a guided flight, linger in the courtyard or purchase a limited release at the shop — 1516 Brewing Company Distillery offers a memorable grain-to-glass encounter in the center of the city.