Cooper's Chase
Cooper's Chase is the oldest active distillery in Nebraska and the first distillery since prohibition, crafting incredibly smooth vodka and a well balanced bourbon for over 15 years.
In late 2023, Greg took a phone call at the brewery from Doug Throener, past owner of Cooper's Chase. Doug was looking to get out of the distilling game and wanted to pass his baby off to capable hands (he settled for Greg). After 14 years of operation, Johnnie Byrd purchased Cooper’s Chase brands from Doug and his family and moved the operation from West Pointe to Wayne.
We are proud to carry on the legacy of Cooper’s Chase phenomenal vodka and bourbon. It is our big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) to make Cooper’s Chase “Spirit of Nebraska” and eventually the Midwest.
In late 2023, Greg took a phone call at the brewery from Doug Throener, past owner of Cooper's Chase. Doug was looking to get out of the distilling game and wanted to pass his baby off to capable hands (he settled for Greg). After 14 years of operation, Johnnie Byrd purchased Cooper’s Chase brands from Doug and his family and moved the operation from West Pointe to Wayne.
We are proud to carry on the legacy of Cooper’s Chase phenomenal vodka and bourbon. It is our big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) to make Cooper’s Chase “Spirit of Nebraska” and eventually the Midwest.
Be our Hero -- Where to Find Cooper's CHase
It is our big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) to make Cooper’s Chase “Spirit of Nebraska” and eventually the Midwest. But we need your help!
You can find Cooper’s Chase in any liquor store and bar worth a damn. If your favorite drinking establishment doesn’t carry Cooper’s Chase, please be our hero and ask them to reach out to our distribution partner, Republic National Distribution Company (RNDC) in Omaha (they should know what to do from there). Our distributor has top notch staff but we know our best sales person is YOU! Please consider being out hero and sharing the awesome spirit that is Cooper’s Chase with others by asking any drinking establishment that you frequent to add Cooper’s Chase to their bar or liquor store.
Quick note from Greg & Kelly (the owners)
<-- these are our kids ... yes, we have four! We love to spend time with them, they're pretty cool. That means we don't have near enough time to knock on every liqour store in Nebraska to make our big hairy audacious goal a reality. Which is why you truely are our hero and every account that you help get started means the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for your help to make our dream a reality.
You can find Cooper’s Chase in any liquor store and bar worth a damn. If your favorite drinking establishment doesn’t carry Cooper’s Chase, please be our hero and ask them to reach out to our distribution partner, Republic National Distribution Company (RNDC) in Omaha (they should know what to do from there). Our distributor has top notch staff but we know our best sales person is YOU! Please consider being out hero and sharing the awesome spirit that is Cooper’s Chase with others by asking any drinking establishment that you frequent to add Cooper’s Chase to their bar or liquor store.
Quick note from Greg & Kelly (the owners)
<-- these are our kids ... yes, we have four! We love to spend time with them, they're pretty cool. That means we don't have near enough time to knock on every liqour store in Nebraska to make our big hairy audacious goal a reality. Which is why you truely are our hero and every account that you help get started means the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for your help to make our dream a reality.
Vodka
Our vodka is distilled four times and filtered six times then blended with brilliant aquifer water to create a wonderfully neutral vodka. Cooper’s Chase was founded on the goal of a top shelf spirit at a mid-level price.
ABV 40% Proof 80
Bourbon
Cooper’s Chase Bourbon is the perfect intro bourbon. It’s everything you want in bourbon with half the cost. Perfect for someone who is just getting started on their bourbon journey or who is already a bourbon aficionado who just wants a really good “every night” bourbon without having to break the bank.
ABV 40% Proof 80
History of Cooper's Chase
Doug Throener always had a dream to start a distillery, after 20 years in the restaurant industry. A friend introduced Doug to Jim Brozek and Cooper’s Chase was born. Brozek had led an interesting life which included spending some time in the Appalachian Mountains, where he learned distillation from some back wood distillers. Throener and Brozek had to write the book on how to open a distillery in Nebraska, helping craft the state statutes to open a distillery. Cooper’s Chase was the first distillery in Nebraska since prohibition and is the oldest active distillery in Nebraska.
In 2023, Doug was looking to sell the business. His helper, Keith, was turning 86 and Throener was looking for a family operation to keep in line with the core values of the business. Kelly and Greg were happy to start talking with Doug, having just launched the spirit side of Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company. Purchasing Cooper’s Chase allowed the to work with already established distribution channels to get Johnnie Byrd products on the shelf.
We are excited to carry on Doug’s legacy. Thank you, Doug, for carrying the torch this far!
In 2023, Doug was looking to sell the business. His helper, Keith, was turning 86 and Throener was looking for a family operation to keep in line with the core values of the business. Kelly and Greg were happy to start talking with Doug, having just launched the spirit side of Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company. Purchasing Cooper’s Chase allowed the to work with already established distribution channels to get Johnnie Byrd products on the shelf.
We are excited to carry on Doug’s legacy. Thank you, Doug, for carrying the torch this far!
