Our Team

Dale Bishop - Assistant Distiller

Dale Bishop, often affectionately known as "Ol' Dale Bishop," is a foundational figure in the Southern Indiana distilling community, serving as an Assistant Distiller at Old Homestead Distilling Co. A lifelong resident of the "Black Forest" region of Indiana, Dale’s influence on the craft is perhaps most visible through his role as the primary mentor to his son, Alan Bishop (the Head Alchemist).

Dale’s roots are deeply tied to the farming and "traditional" distilling culture of Southern Indiana. He is credited with sparking his son’s lifelong obsession with the craft. When Alan was just 15 years old, Dale gave him his first still, fashioned from an old coffee canister, with the famously succinct instruction: “Don’t blow yourself up and don’t come back until you have something worth drinking.”

At Old Homestead Distilling Co., Dale brings a unique skillset cultivated from decades of experience in both farming and distillation. His expertise spans:

• Traditional Distillation: A mastery of pot still distillation and heritage techniques that pre-date modern industrial methods.

• Agricultural Wisdom: A deep understanding of land and crops, essential for a distillery focused on the "Farmer-Distiller" philosophy.

• Legacy and Storytelling: Dale is a living link to the historical moonshining traditions of the region, helping to preserve and translate that history into legal, commercial spirits.

Though he often works behind the scenes, Dale’s preferences have influenced commercial releases. He is notably a fan of the Mattie Gladden high rye bourbon, a spirit he helped inspire through his mentorship during Alan's tenure at Spirits of French Lick.

Today, as Assistant Alchemist at Old Homestead, he continues to work alongside Alan and the team, ensuring that the spirits produced are not only technically sound but remain true to the rugged, spiritual, and historical identity of Indiana’s Black Forest.