KROBAR Craft Distillery
About the Distillery
KROBAR Craft Distillery in San Luis Obispo produces small, award-winning batches of gin, vodka, bourbon, rye, malt whisky and rum. The distillery combines specially built copper stills with both traditional and modern methods, and offers a tasting room and bar with live music and food.
History
Stephen Kroener founded KROBAR in 2012 after years of research and experience in the wine and spirits industry. He grew up in a family with deep roots in spirits and wine production and worked in the family's winery, where he learned production from grape to glass. After moving to Paso Robles and further developing his craft, he chose to establish a distillery, build his own equipment and create small, award-winning productions. In the development phase, he collaborated with Vendome Copper & Brass Works to obtain custom-built stills for the distillery's style.
Raw materials and Production
KROBAR produces several types of spirits in small batches: gin, vodka, bourbon, rye, malt whisky and rum. The distillery has three production spaces, and distillation takes place on custom-built copper stills developed in collaboration with Vendome. The working method is described as a blend of 'old school' and 'new school' techniques with a focus on recipe development, small runs, and experiments such as barrel-aged gin. There is also a consulting company, Craft Spirits Consulting, which helps others with recipes, efficiency and setting up production.
Maturation and Cask Types
It is documented that KROBAR experiments with barrel-aged gin, and the distillery's range includes spirit types that are traditionally aged, such as bourbon, rye and malt whisky. There is no further information available about specific cask types, previous contents, or maturation times.
Whiskies
The portfolio ranges from classic spirit types such as gin and vodka to American whisky varieties such as bourbon and rye, as well as malt whisky and rum. A notable part of the range is barrel-aged gin. Production is small-batch and highlighted as award-winning, with a focus on craftsmanship and experimentation rather than large industrial runs.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rye Whiskey | Rye | Current; Core range |
| Bourbon | Bourbon | Current; Core range |
| Malt Whisky | Malt | Current; Core range |
| Gin | Gin | Current; Core range |
| Barrel Aged Gin | Gin (Barrel Aged) | Current; Core range |
| Vodka | Vodka | Current; Core range |
| Rum | Rum | Current; Core range |
Visit the Distillery
The public can visit the distillery's tasting room and bar in San Luis Obispo, where tastings, food and live events are offered. Information about bookings, duration, and regular opening hours is provided through the distillery's own channels.
Philosophy and Craft
KROBAR combines traditional and modern methods, works in small batches, and uses unique ingredients in product development. The aim is to create spirits that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks and in cocktails, and the company also offers consulting services to other distilleries.