Utah Distillery Acquires Tempe’s Adventurous Stills to Launch Outlaw Brand
Utah-based Outlaw Distillery has finalized the acquisition of Tempe’s Adventurous Stills, rebranding the facility under its own label and gearing up for an official ribbon‑cutting at the distillery’s new tasting room this Wednesday.
Acquisition Details and Rebranding Strategy
On June 16, Outlaw Distillery—headquartered near Salt Lake City—announced completion of a six‑figure deal to purchase Adventurous Stills, one of Arizona’s few grain‑to‑bottle distilleries axios.com. Existing spirits like Peralta Bourbon and Lost Dutchman Rye will now be sold under the Outlaw name, while Honey Bourbon Whiskey will continue spotlighting Arizona desert wildflower honey in its formulation.
By leveraging Arizona’s more lenient liquor regulations, the Tempe location is being repurposed as a consumer‑facing distribution and tasting center. Concurrently, Outlaw plans to scale up production capabilities back in Utah, maintaining a hybrid model of front‑end visitor experience and back‑end manufacturing axios.com.
Why Tempe? Arizona’s Favorable Liquor Laws
Arizona’s regulatory environment proved a key factor in Outlaw’s decision. Unlike Utah, where distilleries face more restrictive norms, Arizona allows broader retail operations—such as on-site tastings and direct‑to‑consumer sales. These advantages are expected to boost local revenue and brand loyalty.
“We’re building Outlaw’s west‑coast presence here,” said Tristan Halstead, Outlaw’s CEO, describing the Tempe site as a springboard for further Western expansion. The reimagined facility will combine manufacturing with a tasting room, offering tours and product sampling in alignment with state law axios.com.
Economic Impact and Community Engagement
The Tempe distillery adds to Arizona’s growing craft spirits sector, currently employing around 150 people statewide. The Tempe tasting room is expected to create approximately 20–30 new positions, focusing on hospitality, retail, and production roles.
During the ribbon‑cutting event this Wednesday at 4 p.m., local officials and residents will be invited to tour the facility, sample spirits, and observe distillation processes—signifying both commercial growth and community engagement. The tasting room’s presence supports visitor traffic in South Tempe and contributes to regional economic vitality.
Product Continuity and Local Sourcing
Outlaw has confirmed that its flagship Honey Bourbon Whiskey will retain its signature ingredient—Arizona desert blossom wildflower honey—sourced locally to preserve regional character axios.com. Other spirits, such as Peralta Bourbon and Lost Dutchman Rye, will undergo new labeling under the Outlaw brand but remain otherwise unchanged.
This continuity positions Outlaw to maintain brand recognition while offering enhanced retail experience, strengthening its footprint in Arizona’s specialty spirits market.
Broader Industry Context
Arizona’s craft distillation industry has grown steadily, buoyed by relaxed liquor laws and increasing consumer demand for artisanal spirits. According to the Arizona Craft Distillers Guild, the number of licensed distillers increased by 15% in 2024 alone.
Outlaw’s move aligns with national trends of consolidation and strategic acquisitions within the craft spirits space. Several small‑batch producers have joined forces with larger regional players, benefiting from combined branding and distribution networks.
Outlook for Outlaw in Arizona
With the rebranded Tempe distillery now operational, Outlaw has outlined plans to expand tasting events, seasonal releases, and limited‑edition spirits. The company also aims to participate in local food and beverage festivals—such as the Arizona Distillers Festival and Tempe Beer & Cultural Festival—to build its consumer base.
In Utah, Outlaw will focus on scaling its production lines to meet growing market demand and maintain product consistency. In Arizona, though, the emphasis will be on direct engagement, tourism, and brand loyalty—activities enabled by the state’s more accommodating regulatory structure.
Key Takeaways
- Acquisition finalized June 16; Adventurous Stills rebranded as Outlaw Distillery aztechcouncil.org+11axios.com+11expansionsolutionsmagazine.com+11
- 125+ jobs supported statewide; 20–30 new roles in Tempe tasting room
- Ribbon-cutting ribbon: Wednesday at 4 p.m., Tempe tasting room opens
- Arizona’s licensing advantages leveraged for consumer-facing sales
- Local honey sourcing maintains product authenticity