Mountain Mule Media features a conversation with Owen Lang, owner of Black Pot Distillery in Bozeman, Montana. Owen shares the story behind building a whiskey distillery from the ground up, the realities of navigating federal and state regulations, and the years-long process required to produce quality whiskey the right way.

https://blackpotdistillery.net

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Owen acquired his federal Distilled Spirits Permit in early 2020, just before COVID, after spending nearly a year navigating paperwork, building the distillery, and preparing the business for launch. Unlike many brands that source and blend whiskey from outside suppliers, Black Pot handles the entire process in-house, from mash and fermentation to distillation, aging, bottling, and labeling.

Throughout the episode, Owen breaks down the complexity behind getting a single bottle of whiskey onto a shelf in Montana. Every label requires federal approval, products must go through the Montana state liquor system, and distilleries must carefully track and report production, storage, and sales at both the state and federal level. The conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into an industry most people only see from the consumer side.

Why Good Whiskey Takes Time

One of the biggest themes of the episode is patience.

Owen explains how whiskey simply cannot be rushed. From fermentation to distillation to barrel aging, every step requires time and precision. Black Pot’s whiskey spends years aging in barrels before release, with some products approaching four years and future barrels projected even further out.

The discussion dives deep into how Montana’s climate impacts whiskey aging. According to Owen, Montana’s dry environment and dramatic barometric pressure swings accelerate the interaction between whiskey and barrel, creating unique flavor profiles that differ from other whiskey-producing regions.

Unlike many commercial brands that blend multiple barrels together for consistency, Black Pot focuses on single barrel whiskey, meaning every barrel carries its own slightly different taste profile and character. Owen explains why he prefers showcasing those differences instead of blending them away.

Coffee Roasting, Whiskey Infusion, and Experimentation

In addition to whiskey production, Owen has also expanded into coffee roasting and whiskey-infused coffee.

What started as a side project turned into another intense learning curve involving roasting profiles, vacuum infusion systems, rebaking processes, and countless batches of burned beans while dialing in the process.

The conversation explores the science behind the whiskey-infused coffee process, how vacuum chambers are used to infuse flavor into the beans, and how Owen balances whiskey flavor without overpowering the coffee itself. He also discusses launching a coffee-flavored whiskey product that is currently only available through Black Pot’s tasting room.

Entrepreneurship, Welding, and Montana Trades

Outside of the distillery, Owen also owns Hydro Iron Works and has spent decades working in plumbing, pipe fitting, steam systems, and welding inspection throughout Montana.

He talks about growing up in Bozeman during the 1980s, working paper routes as a kid, learning entrepreneurship early, and eventually building a career in the trades after entering an apprenticeship program at Williams Plumbing.

The episode also highlights the importance of skilled trades and entrepreneurship. Owen strongly encourages younger generations to consider welding, plumbing, and other trade careers, emphasizing that trades can provide both financial stability and the opportunity to eventually work independently and build a business.

He shares stories from years spent installing brewery and distillery systems across Montana, working on steam systems, earning certifications as a Certified Welding Inspector, and helping train and test welding students at Gallatin College.

Old Bozeman, Growth, and Montana Culture

Toward the end of the episode, the conversation shifts toward Bozeman’s growth and how much Montana has changed over the decades.

Owen reflects on growing up in Bozeman during a much slower, simpler era before smartphones, social media, and the rapid growth that transformed the Gallatin Valley. He shares memories of BMX bikes, paper routes, pay phones, and a time when business moved slower and relationships were built differently.

The discussion also touches on construction booms, entrepreneurship in Montana, and how maintaining quality and reputation matters even more in a fast-growing but still tightly connected community like Bozeman.

You can learn more about Black Pot Distillery and their products by visiting their tasting room at Bar 3 in Four Corners and checking local retailers throughout the Gallatin Valley.

Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation, connecting listeners with Montana businesses, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, and community leaders through long-form conversations and storytelling. Whether you’re visiting Montana, planning transportation for an event, or exploring Yellowstone National Park, Mountain Mule Transportation provides private transportation and guided experiences throughout Southwest Montana.