How the once-illegal production of moonshine became Myrtle Beach’s newest attraction

Moonshine was once distilled under the cover of darkness, and smuggled carefully to avoid taxation and prosecution. Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. have now turned the once illicit process into a tourist attraction that has made its way to Myrtle Beach.

Before the turn of the century, moonshine was strictly illegal in the United States. Over decades of restrictions stretching back to the 18th century, moonshine was used broadly as a term referring to illegally distilled and sold unaged corn whiskey.

But when states began passing laws to make obtaining permits for commercial distillation easier, moonshine took on a new tradition revolving not around its illicit production, but instead simply on it being a high-proof, unaged corn whiskey.

Ole Smoky Distillery was founded in 2010 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee— one year after the state’s legislature enacted a law that legalized the commercial production of distilled spirits in select counties — and became the state’s first legal moonshine distillery.

The distillery uses a recipe for the moonshine that has been passed down across generations of founder Joe Baker’s family, tracing back to the days of illicit moonshine production. The company now uses that recipe to produce dozens of creative moonshine flavors ranging from traditional clear drinks to dessert-inspired infusions.

When Ole Smoky Distillery opened its first distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, it was not designed just to be a distillery for the sake of production, but rather an experience that would transport people back to the rustic era of illegal moonshine production.

In the years since, the distillery has opened three additional locations across Tennessee, including one in Nashville that operates as a partnership between Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co., a craft beer venture founded by Joe Baker and his wife, Jessi Baker.

Expanding out of Tennessee together for the first time, Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. now run a distillery, restaurant and beer garden all together as the latest addition to Broadway at the Beach.

Expanding into Myrtle Beach

As the companies eyed where to open their first joint location outside of Tennessee, Myrtle Beach was an easy choice, general manager Chris Sobota said.

Ole Smoky Distillery’s success across its Tennessee locations has largely been attributable to existing entertainment and tourist markets in those cities. In Myrtle Beach, Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. saw a similar market that they could open in.

The two companies first announced the Myrtle Beach location in February 2025. After more than a year of construction, the Broadway at the Beach location of Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. opened in May, near Rooster’s Restaurant & Bar and Good Time Charley’s.

Ole Smoky Distillery boasts the title of the most visited distillery in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually across its Tennessee locations. With its new Myrtle Beach location, the distillery is ready to reach a whole new audience of tourists and locals alike.

“It’s just something really different that Myrtle Beach has never had before,” Sobota said.

Moonshine flights, a beer garden and more

Spread across 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. offer a range of experiences from a restaurant that shows sports and live music to a tasting room serving flights of moonshine.

As you walk in, brick walls and industrial exposed ceilings take you back in time to the illicit history of moonshine production where the beverage were distilled in abandoned factories or home basements.

A gift store greets guests at the entrance, where an expansive wall of moonshine and whiskey that stretches to the back of the store is an attraction in itself. Such a wall is appropriate for the distillery’s large lineup of moonshine flavors, including clear classics like “Blue Flame” and “White Lightnin’” as well as fruit-infused spins such as “Hunch Punch” and “Sour Watermelon.”

On a back wall, customers will find an array of canned beers from Yee-Haw Brewing Co., from Mexican-inspired lagers to fruity ales.

In accordance with South Carolina liquor laws, to-go jars of Ole Smoky Distillery’s moonshine and whiskey and canned beers from Yee-Haw Brewing Co. are not sold after 7 p.m. or on Sundays, but the walls of spirits are from all the distillery and beer garden has to offer.

While it made a name for itself for its moonshine, Ole Smoky Distillery has also garnered a whole audience for its merchandise, which Sobota touted as some of the best merchandise on the East Coast.

That dedication to merchandise is made evident by the sizable amount of space the distillery has dedicated to selling T-shirts, shot glasses and almost any item that can feature a logo. While the gift shop sells some classic Ole Smoky merchandise that can be found across its distilleries, it also features several pieces designed for the Myrtle Beach location that are inspired by the Grand Strand’s beaches and atmosphere.

At the center of the Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. location is a tasting counter, where guests can try flights of moonshine, whiskey and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. beer.

As guests wander through the gift store or taste moonshine shots, they can peer into the distillery itself, which is visible through glass panels. Ole Smoky Distillery distills its moonshine in copper stills, one of which is visible at the Myrtle Beach location alongside barrels and vats.

Sobota said Ole Smoky Distillery plans to offer tours through the space that explain the distilling process in future months alongside other special events like music festivals and oyster roasts.

What’s on the restaurant’s menu?

Past the distillery and tasting counter, Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. houses a large restaurant with soaring ceilings and a connected beer garden.

Beers, wine and cocktails featuring spirits from Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. stand out on the menu, while food offerings include small plates like fried pickles and nachos as well as sandwiches, pizza and seafood.

Beyond the menu, large digital screens and stages are the stars of both the indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The screens and stages are used to air sports and for frequent live music from local performers.

Through curating a unique, extensive experience from the distillery to the tasting room, Sobota feels confident Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. have introduced a new type of attraction to Myrtle Beach.

“Once you see it, people are blown away by it,” Sobota said. “You come in and just the whole atmosphere grabs your attention.”

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How the once-illegal production of moonshine became Myrtle Beach’s newest attraction."