History

A Revolution in Brewing & Distilling

Before Not Your Father's Root Beer became a household name—before twelve brands achieved global reach without a single traditional advertisement—there was a family legacy. For generations, Tim Kovac has preserved and perfected craft recipes from around the world, some dating back to the 1400s.

Today, Tim Kovac works independently, safeguarding these time-honored traditions. No partners. No corporate compromises. Just copper, grain, fire, and patience.

One Man. Four Centuries of Knowledge.

As the story goes, his family began brewing and distilling in the 1600s. Through wars, revolutions, and shifting borders, these recipes endured. Tim Kovac traveled the world, refining each one to old-world standards.

In 2015, Not Your Father's Bourbon proved that American craft spirits could compete globally—driven purely by word of mouth, without corporate marketing budgets. Kovac has since taken twelve brands international, never paying for traditional advertising and never accepting partners who would compromise the product.

Today, Spirit Water LLC represents a return to those roots: one brewmaster, one vision, one unwavering standard that has remained unchanged for over 400 years.

Our Philosophy: "If you can't see, smell, and taste the difference, it isn't worth making."

Mass production made spirits faster, cheaper, and quieter. Tim Kovac is restoring what was lost—bringing quality and craftsmanship back to hard spirits.

Experience the Spirit Water difference in Long Grove, Illinois.