Meet The Distiller: Our Instructor Amanda Bryant
Amanda Bryant is a distiller, educator, and historical researcher dedicated to preserving and advancing the craft of American whiskey distillation.
With years of hands-on experience across a wide range of distilling environments, Amanda has worked alongside master distillers at multiple award-winning distilleries, gaining real-world insight into both traditional methods and modern production practices.
Her work extends beyond commercial distilleries into historical distillation, where she has actively participated in recreating early American whiskey-making techniques at respected heritage sites, including George Washington’s Distillery at Mount Vernon. From building and operating wood-fired stills and stone furnaces to running steam-jacketed, electric, bain-marie, and propane systems, Amanda has practiced distillation across the full spectrum of equipment, eras, and styles.
She has worked with everything from small craft stills to designing large commercial systems & planning their efficiency operations, giving her a rare, comprehensive understanding of how distillation behaves at every level. Amanda has spent years teaching distillation to students across the United States and from abroad.
You may also recognize Amanda from her many appearances on Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners and Master Distiller, where she has spent years solving real-world distilling challenges on screen, blending science, instinct, and backwoods ingenuity to create standout spirits. She is also a multi-time winner on Master Distiller, earning recognition for both her technical skill and creativity under pressure.
Amanda’s approach to teaching is rooted in experience, not theory alone. She has mashed, fermented, distilled, and evaluated spirits using methods that span from Appalachian traditions to modern, precision-driven processes. Working with a wide range of grain bills, enzyme strategies, fermentation styles, and still configurations, she understands how each decision directly shapes the final spirit.
As an instructor, Amanda creates an environment where both beginners and experienced distillers can learn, refine, and expand their skills. Her classes are intentionally small and hands-on, allowing for real interaction, direct guidance, and a level of attention that ensures no question goes unanswered.
Whether you are stepping into distilling for the first time or looking to deepen your technical knowledge, her teaching bridges the gap between history, science, and practical application, giving you not just the process, but the confidence to understand it.
Her mission is simple: to help others build a strong foundation in the craft, understand the “why” behind each step, and carry forward the tradition of distilling with both respect and skill.
Our Classes:
I built these classes to bring real distilling education to you, hands-on, inside a working distillery, not sitting behind a desk or in a classroom.
From my own experience, I’ve had the opportunity to really dig into this craft, learning the details, the history, the science, and the little things that truly make a difference. And I’ve always believed that kind of knowledge shouldn’t be gatekept. It should be shared, passed on, and made accessible to anyone who wants to learn and get better.
That’s what this course is about.
We’re going to walk through the entire process together, from selecting raw grain, to cooking and mashing, through fermentation, and all the way into distillation. You won’t just hear about it, you’ll be part of it. I want you to understand not just how it’s done, but why it’s done that way.
I’ve structured this as a two-day class so nothing feels rushed. There’s time to ask questions, repeat steps, and really take it all in.
And one of the best parts, you’re not just learning in theory. You’re stepping into real, working distilleries and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how things are actually done. It’s a side of the industry most people never get to see.
Just as important, these weekend classes are about building community. You’ll be learning alongside others who share the same curiosity and passion for the craft, people you might never have crossed paths with otherwise. My hope is that you leave not just with knowledge, but with connections, conversations, and a sense that you’re part of something bigger.
Along with the class, you’ll receive a course book I’ve put together, and you’ll have continued access to me for guidance as you move forward in your own journey, whether you’re just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills.
Skill can be taught, but mastery is earned through perseverance.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!