The Spirit of Smyrna

CONTRIBUTED BY PAINTED STAVE DISTILLING

PAINTED STAVE DISTILLING, founded by Ron Gomes and Mike Rasmussen, is enjoying its tenth year of operation in downtown Smyrna, Del. The distillery, housed in the Old Smyrna Theater, is celebrated as a unique and modern industrial venue for gathering with friends and family, as well as producing unique experiences and a location for private events.

As Delaware’s first stand-alone craft distillery, Painted Stave produces a broad suite of awardwinning spirits which are presently sold across 12 states. Local favorites include their Bottled in Bond Bourbon, Botanical Dry Gin, and Scrapple Flavored Vodka. Over the last decade, the distillery has grown as a popular destination to enjoy highly regarded craft cocktails—either at the bar, in their gallery that features rotating local art, or on the distillery’s Cocktail Garden patio.

To bring great food to their growing cocktail scene, Mike and Ron partnered with Charles Kelchner, Jr., a scratch cook, in 2020 to start Taco Jardin. The trio built, with their own hands, two food trucks that serve up California-style Street Tacos at the distillery and on the road around the state—with rave reviews.

Over the years, Painted Stave Distilling has hosted numerous private events, including but not limited to: weddings, receptions, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties, showers, business meetings, political events, and fundraisers. If you’re interested in hosting your next business or life event at the distillery, visit paintedstave.com to submit an inquiry form.