Alistair Cunningham
Among the generation of entrepreneurs who helped establish Wisconsin's modern craft-distilling industry, few have been more influential than Brian Cummins, founder and president of Great Northern Distilling in Stevens Point. His path into spirits was unusual. Before founding a distillery, Cummins came from the world of chemical engineering and paper manufacturing. By combining technical expertise with an appreciation for local agriculture and craft beverages, he helped build one of Wisconsin's most respected whiskey and spirits producers.
Born on September 5, 1973, Cummins was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating from Miami University of Ohio with an engineering degree, Cummins entered Wisconsin's paper industry. His responsibilities in that industry extended beyond purely technical engineering functions. For 13 years, Cummins worked in product management and also served as a bridge between manufacturing operations and customers. Those roles required both scientific understanding and communication skills, giving him experience that would later prove valuable when building a consumer-facing spirits brand.
Cummins has often noted that the principles behind distillation are fundamentally similar to many industrial processes used in chemical manufacturing. He has described distilling as "chemical engineering with good taste," a phrase that neatly captures the blend of science and artistry that characterizes his work, and the technical knowledge he gained during those years would later become one of the foundations of his success as a distiller.
The turning point in Cummins's career came in 2012. While visiting Minneapolis and enjoying cocktails with friends, one of them shared an article about the growing craft-distilling movement. What began as a casual conversation quickly evolved into a serious business idea. At the time, Wisconsin's craft-distilling sector was small, and Cummins saw an opportunity to build a company that emphasized local sourcing and high-quality spirits. Yet rather than rushing into the venture, he and a group of friends, family members, and investors spent more than a year researching the industry, visiting distilleries, and developing a business plan.
That preparation was extensive but necessary. Cummins and his partners reportedly visited more than twenty craft distilleries all over the midwest, studying both successful and unsuccessful operations. He sought advice from experienced distillers, especially Wisconsin craft-distilling pioneer Guy Rehorst of Great Lakes Distillery. These conversations provided practical lessons about equipment, production methods, and business strategy. Armed with that knowledge, and aided in part by severance money from his previous career, Cummins committed himself fully to the new venture.
Thus, Great Northern Distilling was founded in 2013 and began commercial production one year later in Plover, Wisconsin. From the beginning, Cummins established a philosophy that distinguished the company from many competitors. Rather than simply producing spirits, he wanted Great Northern to reflect Wisconsin's agricultural identity. Local sourcing became a defining principle. Potatoes for the distillery's vodka came from nearby farms, while grains were purchased from Wisconsin growers whenever possible. Even ingredients for specialty products were selected with an eye toward regional authenticity.
Whiskey ultimately became one of the distillery's defining categories. Great Northern's Vanguard Whiskey and Rye Whiskey demonstrated Cummins's willingness to depart from conventional formulas. He experimented with grain bills that emphasized local ingredients and distinctive flavor profiles. The result was a portfolio that earned recognition while remaining closely tied to its local roots.
As the business matured, Cummins increasingly focused on building community around the distillery. His vision extended beyond manufacturing spirits. He wanted Great Northern to become a gathering place where customers could meet producers, learn about ingredients, and experience the process firsthand. This philosophy led to the construction of a new facility in Stevens Point, which opened during the early 2020s. The expanded site included a tasting room, event space, outdoor gathering areas, and facilities designed to strengthen direct engagement with visitors. That move reflected broader changes in the craft-spirits industry. Rather than relying exclusively on distribution, Cummins recognized the growing importance of destination experiences. Visitors could tour the distillery, attend events, listen to live music, and enjoy cocktails made with spirits produced only a few feet away. He frequently emphasized the importance of creating a "third space"—a place distinct from home and work where community could flourish. Under his leadership, Great Northern became not merely a producer of spirits but also a cultural destination within central Wisconsin.
Throughout the company's growth, Cummins maintained his commitment to supporting local agriculture. Ingredients were sourced from nearby farms whenever feasible, and the distillery highlighted those relationships in its branding and educational efforts. This approach reflected his belief that successful craft distilling depends not only on production skills but also on meaningful connections with local growers and communities. In an era when consumers increasingly seek transparency about where products originate, Great Northern's grain-to-glass philosophy became a significant part of its identity.
Today, Brian Cummins stands as one of the leading figures in Wisconsin's craft-distilling movement. His journey from chemical engineer to distillery founder illustrates how technical expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and local pride can combine to create a successful spirits business. Through Great Northern Distilling, he helped establish a model that emphasizes quality, sustainability, local sourcing, and community engagement. The distillery's continued success reflects not only the quality of its whiskey, but also the values that Cummins brought from his earlier career and adapted to the world of craft spirits.
Sources:
The Alcohol Professor, Lisa Waterman Gray, “How the Spirits Moved Brian Cummins of Great Northern Distilling”, February 16, 2023, alcoholprofessor.com
LinkedIn profile, “Brian Cummins: Founder and President at Great Northern Distilling,” linkedin.com.
Joel Waldinger, “Craft Distillery Elevates Cocktail Culture in Stevens Point”, Joel Waldinger, April 7, 2025, wisconsinlife.org
Pour Another Round (podcast), “Great Northern Distilling–Stevens Point, WI”. pouranotherround.com
The Business News, “Distilling Great Ideas in Addition to Great Beverages,” Rich Palzewic, August 5, 2024, thebusinessnews.com
Wisconsin Public Television, “Great Northern Distillery—Wisconsin Life”, pbs.org/wisconsinlife
Contributed by Tracy McLemore, Fairview, Tennessee
