Last updated November 5, 2026
Full transparency: I have a paid partnership with the Clayton Merchants and Business Association (CMBA), but this visit wasn't part of it, and nothing was comped.
The fireside lounge in Moonrise's hidden speakeasy.
Moonrise Distillery is a family-run craft distillery at 31 Webb Road in Clayton, GA, a few minutes south of downtown, with $20 tasting flights, guided tours you book online and a hidden 1920s-style speakeasy, open seven days a week.
I made my first trip to Moonrise in early November, on my own, and it was a really good experience. Melissa, the bartender, and Doug, the owner, were amazing, and Doug showed me the whole operation. If you're planning a whole day in town, pair it with my perfect Saturday in Clayton.
At a Glance
- Where: 31 Webb Road, Clayton, GA 30525, a few minutes south of downtown
- Phone: (844) 994-4759
- Website: moonrisedistillery.com
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
- Tastings: Three flights (Whiskey, Specialty and Cocktail), $20 each
- Cocktails: $14 standard, $17 specialty
- Tours: A standard distillery tour and the Master Distiller Experience, both booked online
- Speakeasy: Ask the bartender to see Max
- Bottles: $30 for the vodka up to $150 for the Special Edition Bourbon
- Ages: 21 and up for tastings, so bring your ID
- Parking: Free, on site
- Dogs: Welcome at the outdoor pavilion
- From Atlanta: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Tastings at Moonrise Distillery in Clayton, GA
Every tasting is a flight of small pours from Moonrise's own lineup, and each flight is $20. Moonrise double distills its spirits and ages them by taste instead of on a set schedule.
The tasting bar, with the bottle shop behind it.
Whiskey Flight
The pick for bourbon and rye drinkers: Georgia Bourbon (82 proof, aged 5+ years), Select Bourbon (90 proof), Single Barrel Bourbon (112 proof), Select Rye (90 proof) and Single Barrel Rye (112 proof).
Specialty Flight
Georgia Vodka made from heirloom white corn, Artisan Gin (low juniper with a hint of pink grapefruit), Bourbon Snow Cream, Artisan Peach Brandy and Orange Cordial Brandy. This is the flight I ordered.
Cocktail Flight
Pours of Moonrise's ready-to-drink bottled cocktails, including the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mountain Margarita, Peach Tea, Bourbon Lemonade and Bloody Mary.
Bottled cocktails, rye and limoncello.
Distillery Tours
Moonrise offers two guided tours, and both include samples: the standard distillery tour, and the Master Distiller Experience for people who want the science behind how the spirits are made. Book either one online at moonrisedistillery.com. Tour prices aren't posted publicly, so check the booking page for current rates and times.
The Hidden Speakeasy
The speakeasy is a 1920s-style bar and lounge hidden inside the distillery. To find it, ask the bartender to see Max.
Inside, it's leather Chesterfield couches, a two-sided stone fireplace with the Moonrise moon glowing above it, old railroad photos on the walls and brass instruments over the mantel. The speakeasy has its own bar, with Moonrise bottles displayed by edition on barrel heads behind it. Moonrise says to expect old-time jazz, too.
The speakeasy bar, with bottles displayed by edition.
The Bottle Shop
Everything on the tasting menu is for sale by the bottle, and the shelves run wall to wall.
- Bourbon: Georgia Bourbon $40, Select Bourbon $55, Single Barrel Bourbon $75, Special Edition Bourbon $150
- Rye: Select Rye $60, Single Barrel Rye $80
- Vodka and gin: Vodka $30, Gin $35
- Cordials: Snow Cream $45, Peach Brandy $50, Orange Cordial Brandy $50, Limoncello $50
- Bottled cocktails: $30 each, or $50 for the Old Fashioned
Vodka, gin and bourbon under a wall of patches.
Look up while you shop. The walls are covered in patches from police departments, sheriff's offices and fire departments around the country, and there's a whole case of challenge coins. You'll also find Moonrise shirts and hoodies, plus personalized engraving on bottles and glassware.
Challenge coins, patches and Moonrise shirts.
Events at the Barrel House
Moonrise's Barrel House Cocktail Bar and Event Center is about 22,000 square feet and holds up to 200 people. Groups of 30 or fewer are $500, and groups over 30 are $1,000, which covers the space and a bartender for up to 4 hours. There's also an 80-foot covered front porch and a pet-friendly outdoor pavilion with views of Black Rock Mountain.
Regulars can join the Old 385 Club, Moonrise's membership club. It's capped at 385 members, starts at $1,200 a year and comes with a private member bar in Barrel House 2. Check the calendar for upcoming events.
My First Visit to Moonrise
I went alone and ended up talking with some ladies at the bar. Melissa was behind the bar, and Doug showed me the whole operation, from where the grain is kept to where the spirits are distilled.
I ordered the Specialty Flight, and I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and smooth everything tasted. My favorites were the Artisan Peach Brandy and the Bourbon Snow Cream.
Looking from the lounge into the speakeasy bar.
A Little History
Moonrise Distillery was founded in 2012, and Doug Nassaur owns it today. According to The Northeast Georgian, Doug and his son CJ handle the distilling, Doug leads the tours, and his wife Jennifer runs the gift shop.
Moonrise's vodka won a gold medal at the 2019 Georgia Trustees Wine and Spirits Competition, and readers of James Magazine voted it the top distillery in Georgia in 2020. The Old 385 Club is named in honor of a family steam locomotive.
When to Visit
- Friday and Saturday nights: Moonrise stays open until 9 p.m., so it works as a cocktail stop after a day in the mountains.
- Sunday: Doors don't open until 1 p.m.
- October: Clayton's busiest month for fall color, so book your tour ahead.
- The holidays: When I visited in early November, the Christmas tree was already up in the speakeasy.
The two-sided fireplace, already decorated for the holidays.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving without seeing the speakeasy. Ask the bartender to see Max.
- Showing up Sunday morning. Sunday hours start at 1 p.m.
- Walking in expecting a tour. Book online first.
- Forgetting your ID. Tastings are 21 and up.
- Driving after a flight and a cocktail. Bring a designated driver. These are mountain roads.
How to Get There
Moonrise Distillery is at 31 Webb Road in Clayton, a few minutes south of downtown. From Atlanta, take I-85 north to I-985, which turns into US 23, then stay on US 23/441 north into Clayton. Plan on about 1 hour 45 minutes. Put "Moonrise Distillery, 31 Webb Road, Clayton, GA" into your map for the last stretch. Parking is free on site.
Moonrise Distillery FAQ
Where is Moonrise Distillery in Clayton, GA?
Moonrise Distillery is at 31 Webb Road, Clayton, GA 30525, a few minutes south of downtown. Parking is free on site.
How much is a tasting at Moonrise Distillery?
Each tasting flight is $20. You can pick the Whiskey, Specialty or Cocktail Flight.
Does Moonrise Distillery offer tours?
Yes. Moonrise offers a standard distillery tour and the Master Distiller Experience, and you book both online at moonrisedistillery.com.
How do you get into the speakeasy at Moonrise Distillery?
Ask the bartender to see Max. The speakeasy is a 1920s-style bar and lounge hidden inside the distillery.
What are Moonrise Distillery's hours?
Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
Can you buy bottles at Moonrise Distillery?
Yes. Bottles run from $30 for the vodka to $150 for the Special Edition Bourbon, and Moonrise also sells through its online store.
Is Moonrise Distillery dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome at Moonrise's outdoor pavilion. Call ahead at (844) 994-4759 before bringing a dog inside.
Can you host an event at Moonrise Distillery?
Yes. The Barrel House holds up to 200 people, and it's $500 for groups of 30 or fewer and $1,000 for larger groups, including a bartender for up to 4 hours.
Make It a Full Day
- Morning: Drive or hike up Black Rock Mountain State Park, about 10 minutes north of downtown Clayton.
- Lunch and downtown: My perfect Saturday in Clayton lays out lunch on Main Street and an afternoon of shops and galleries.
- Fly shop: Shady Creek Expeditions on Main Street sells fly fishing gear and books guided fly fishing trips and waterfall hikes.
- Dinner: The rooftop at Friends Clayton Grill on North Main looks out over downtown and the mountains.
- A bigger hike: Tallulah Gorge State Park is about 15 minutes south of Clayton.
- Where to stay: The Cascades Inn in Tiger, just south of Clayton, is a small inn built around a waterfall.
Plan the Whole Weekend
Clayton is one of the trips in North Georgia Weekends ($79): a Saturday planned hour by hour, plus Friday night and Sunday, three places to stay and a rain plan for every stop. Just want one great day? Start with 5 Perfect North Georgia Saturdays ($9.99).
More in North Georgia, or find a trip by drive time. The Explore Georgia Hiking Club is free, and every pace is welcome.