History

Sideshow Spirits was established in 2020 and is Lincoln, Nebraska's first legal distillery. Located in Downtown Lincoln at 1630 P Street, they occupy an 11,000 ft² space and celebrate the craft behind distilling. Sideshow is described as a pioneer in the Lincoln spirits scene and is closely linked to Kinkaider Brewing Co. and Bierhaus Maisschaler as spirit-siblings. The speakeasy sits at the corner of 8th and P St., and the slogan Follow the Green Flame serves as a cultural touchstone. The showroom, distillery tours, and a Tasting Room frame the experience and emphasize the craft behind their spirits.

Production and Craft

Sideshow Spirits focuses on bourbon, whiskey and handcrafted cocktails and describes an approach that combines tradition and innovation. Demonstrated core and barrel-aged variants include: - Lincoln Straight Bourbon: a 4-grain bourbon (corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley) aged in new charred and toasted oak casks and with a full body and notes of candied fruit and vanilla. - Nebraska Straight Bourbon: 100% corn mash, aged at least 2 years in new barrels; single barrel and barrel-strength; sweet notes of corn, vanilla, honey and caramel finish with a warm but smooth finish. - Straight Rye Whiskey: mash bill 95% rye and 5% malted barley; 100 proof; notes of smoke spice, earth and baking spices; long, spicy finish. - High Malt Rye Whiskey: mash bill 51% rye and 49% malted barley; notes of chocolate malt and pumpernickel; finish with honey. - High Rye Bourbon Whiskey: mash bill 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley; notes of brown sugar and allspice; dry and complex finish. - American Single Malt: 100% malted barley, aged at least 2 years in new charred American oak; bronze color; aromas of chocolate, cocoa and spices; earthy, lightly fruity flavor and a smooth finish.

Additionally, there is experimentation with barrel-aged spirits such as The Earle (barleywine finish), The Elliot (American Light Whiskey in new American barrels), The Mervin (rum-finish rye), The Sama (port-finish bourbon) and The Savidge (winter ale beer finish). Four Year Anniversary Bourbon uses honey in the Nebraska Straight Bourbon finish and provides a sweet and rich finish.

Products / Whisky Series

Sideshow presents a range of core spirits and barrel-aged variants: - Core: American Single Malt, Nebraska Straight Bourbon, Lincoln Straight Bourbon, Peach Whiskey, Double Barrel Bourbon, Double Barrel Rye, Straight Rye Whiskey, The Earle, The Elliot, The Mervin, The Sama, The Savidge, Four Year Anniversary Bourbon (barrel-aged honey finish). - Barrel-aged: The Earle, The Elliot, The Mervin, The Sama, The Savidge, Four Year Anniversary Bourbon, High Malt Rye, High Rye Bourbon. - Various others: Jalapeno Vodka, The Blue Mermaid Liqueur, The Green Dryad, Vodka, White Whiskey, The Witch Doctor and Old Fashioned-kander.

Visits and Experiences

Sideshow offers distillery tours, a showroom and a Tasting Room, as well as the Sideshow Speakeasy on the corner of 8th and P St. The Speakeasy requires a password from the app, and hours are Wednesday and Thursday 4–11 PM, Friday and Saturday 4 PM–Midnight. Sideshow Society provides exclusive benefits such as monthly tastings, early access to releases, discounts and the opportunity for private boxes and barrel storage/private events.

Philosophy

Sideshow Spirits emphasizes high quality and craft in all stages and regards itself as Lincoln, Nebraska's first legal distillery and a pioneer in the state's spirits scene. Their focus is on unique experiences and an atmosphere that blends tradition and innovation, along with a strong engagement in the local community through partnerships and memberships.