Carli Brennan 
One of our favorite places to enjoy a cocktail is just two blocks away from Bradley Beach’s Main Street. Wheelhouse Distilling Co., located at 1103A 6th Avenue in Neptune City, is known for its craft cocktails made with locally made booze and fresh ingredients. From their origins selling cocktail mixers at a local farmers market to the evolution to produce their own spirits, the Wheelhouse team has worked hard to make their friend group’s dream a reality. Owners Louie and Ashley Collins and Jennifer and Patrick Schinder took a leap of faith and have created a warm, inviting space where visitors can relax and connect over a shared love of specialty cocktails. Keep reading to learn more about Wheelhouse Distilling Co.
The Journey to Wheelhouse
While Wheelhouse Distilling Co. officially opened its doors in Neptune City Memorial Day weekend 2025, the company has been in the works for years. Louie, Ashley, Jennifer, and Patrick started off with their brand of cocktail mixers, Potent Potables Mixers, in 2020. While in lockdown, they began experimenting in their own kitchens, creating homemade cocktail mixers from fresh juices, homemade syrups, and quality ingredients. “We began sharing bottles with friends, and the response quickly turned into a growing following at local farmers’ markets and our Middletown storefront,” the Wheelhouse team tells us.
In 2024, an unexpected opportunity arose for the team to expand into the distillery business. A vendor friend they had met at the farmers market was preparing to retire from his rum distilling business, Dachshund Distilling Co. With his guidance and encouragement, the team at Potent Potables Mixers learned the ins and outs of running a distillery and moved into the space that would later become Wheelhouse.
The team describes Wheelhouse as “a place where our love of fresh ingredients, thoughtfully crafted spirits, and creative cocktails all come together. More than just a distillery, we set out to create a welcoming neighborhood gathering place where people can relax, connect, and enjoy a great drink!”
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The Story Behind the Name
The name Wheelhouse was inspired by one of the owners’ past lives working on the water. Louie previously worked for a local ferry company as a licensed mate (second in command on the vessel), where he spent a lot of time in the wheelhouse. On a boat, the wheelhouse is the place where the captain, mate, and crew work together to navigate and steer the ship.
“Long hours spent in the wheelhouse – whether manning the helm or keeping watch – became a place for collaboration, brainstorming, and conversation,” the team shared with us. “It was where different perspectives were welcomed, no idea was off limits, and plenty of laughs were shared along the way.”
The Spirits
Wheelhouse creates a variety of spirits, including rum, bourbon, and vodka, which are all used in their specialty cocktails and are available to purchase in bottles. The rum and bourbon are distilled in-house, while the bourbon is sourced from Kentucky and made using their own mash bill. The flagship spirit and bestseller is the Dead Reckoning Bourbon, which is offered in both standard strength and barrel strength, is 120 proof straight out of the barrel and filtered.
The team loves to experiment with different variations, including a tallow wash and a Kerrygold butter wash bourbon. These variations are made by adding either melted tallow or Kerrygold butter to bourbon, which is then filtered out after 24 hours. The end product is a silky smooth bourbon with added flavor and dimension.
The team also distills vodka, which comes in a handful of flavors. Tailwind Vodka is the traditional version, and the Vanilla Bean Vodka is a sweet take on the liquor. Both are available via retail to the public. The team also experiments with its vodka to make cocktails for the tasting room, such as a Thai Chili and lime-infused vodka.
In homage to the rum distillery that came before, Wheelhouse offers several varieties of rum, including White Rum, Spiced Rum, Aged Rum, and Toasted Coconut Rum.
JSG pro tip: Take home a bottle of Potent Potables Mixers in addition to your spirits so you can become an at-home mixologist.
The Tasting Room
The Wheelhouse team tells us that their biggest hit so far has been their Old Fashioned. Its most popular version is the Dead Reckoning Old Fashioned, which is made with Dead Reckoning Bourbon, bitters, agave, and a cherry, poured over a large ice cube and garnished with fresh orange peel. They also offer a selection of specialty Old Fashioneds, such as the Sea Smoke smoked Old Fashioned, as well as a rotating selection of seasonal variations. Plus, thanks to New Jersey’s newly passed law, you can now take your cocktails to-go.
If you’re not an Old Fashioned drinker, there are plenty of other options on the menu such as the Blueberry Mojito, Dirty Jersey Martini, Espresso Martini, and more limited-edition seasonal cocktail specials. “Some of our fall favorites that are back include our Spiced Apple Bourbon Smash and Salted Maple Lemon Drop Martini,” the Wheelhouse team shares. “A new cocktail we added this season is the Campfire Old Fashioned—think s’mores in a glass!”
Visiting Wheelhouse Distilling Co.
Located just two blocks past Bradley Beach’s Main Street, Wheelhouse Distilling Co. is located at 1103A 6th Avenue in Neptune City. The intimate and warm space works well for enjoying a drink with friends, watching the game, or just hanging out. There is both an indoor space and a back patio that is open year-round with heaters and a cozy fireplace.
Wheelhouse regularly hosts events and pop-ups, such as a charcuterie board making workshop, a Little Andy’s Burgers food truck, and paint and sip events. They also have live music on select Sundays. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food as well—feel free to ask the team for their favorite local takeout suggestions. Plus, you can rent out the space for your own private event.
“What sets Wheelhouse apart is our focus on the complete cocktail experience,” the team explained. ”We’ve always believed that fresh, quality ingredients make all the difference. We use real fruits, freshly squeezed in-house, homemade artisanal syrups, and seasonal ingredients to create cocktails that are as fresh and thoughtful as they are fun and tasty.”
Wheelhouse Distilling Co. is open Friday 5PM to 9PM, Saturday 2PM to 9PM, and Sunday 2PM to 6PM. The facility is family-friendly, so you don’t have to be 21 to enjoy the space (plus, it’s dog-friendly too).
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