Kyrkeby bränneri

About the museum

Kyrkeby bränneri (Kyrkeby distillery) by the Lyckebyån outside Vissefjärda is Sweden's best-preserved spirits distillery. It is a complete farm distillery from the 19th and 20th centuries, with roots that may go back to the 17th century, when spirits may have been made in the small log house closest to the river, called Gamla bränneriet (the Old Distillery). According to tradition, Gustav III personally granted permission for the operation in 1771.

In 1855 Thure Alfred Malmström bought the farm and expanded the operation. The farmers in the area supplied potatoes, malt and firewood, and many people worked in the distillery, on the farm's fields and in the household. When Swedish spirits production was centralised in 1971, the owners closed the doors, and the distillery was preserved in the condition it had at closure. The owners then donated it to Vissefjärda hembygdsförening (Vissefjärda local heritage association).

In 2000 the site became a listed building, and it includes 28 buildings, among them a malt house, a spirit tank building, a spirits store, a potato cellar and a storehouse. The main farmhouse and the workers' dwellings are privately owned. A group of dedicated enthusiasts has restored the distillery and the machinery, and since 2017 the old steam engine has been started each year to distil spirits from locally grown potatoes, in the same way as before. Kyrkeby was given the title Industrial Heritage of the Year 2002 .

Highlights

• Sweden's best-preserved spirits distillery
• Steam engine started every year to distil spirits
• Gamla bränneriet, a log house near the river
• Listed building with 28 buildings, among them a malt house and potato cellar
• Guided tour with a snaps tasting

Permanent exhibition

• Kyrkeby bränneri – The preserved farm distillery with its steam engine, machinery and buildings is shown on guided tours.

Operated by

Vissefjärda hembygdsförening

Admission & discounts

Prices are per person including VAT. SEK 125 is for a guided tour of the distillery.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The distillery is by the Lyckebyån about 1 km north of Vissefjärda church, roughly 13 km south of Emmaboda.

Amenities & dining

Food and coffee are included in some group packages after booking.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit