Wisconsin's largest distillery receives national recognition

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's largest distillery is being recognized nationwide for its innovation.

Known for spirits made with locally-sourced ingredients, Central Standard Craft Distillery was named one of nine semi-finalists in the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Innovation Showcase.

Their limited-edition beer brandy, a collaboration with a 400-year-old German brewery, landed them in this competition.

They now have the chance to continue vying for a top prize in a Shark Tank-style showdown, and being able to represent the state on a national scale is something the Central Standard takes pride in.

"There's a lot of good consumers that we have out here, so there is a lot of weight on the shoulders to make sure we bring it home and bring home the innovation award for everybody once we get down to the final three, which we hopefully will make," Central Standard co-owner Jim Kanter said.

The distillery's Red Cabin bourbon also earned a gold medal with a 93-point score at the prestigious Los Angeles Invitational Wine and Spirits Challenge.