From the Backwoods to the Firehouse: The Story of Firehouse Shine Co., Middleport, Ohio’s First Legal Distillery
MIDDLEPORT, OHIO — Every great story has a beginning, and for John Bentz, the road to opening Firehouse Shine Co. was built on passion, hard work, family, and a lifelong dedication to doing things the right way.
Today, Firehouse Shine Co. stands as Middleport, Ohio’s first legal distillery, bringing a new chapter to the village’s history while giving new life to one of its most recognizable landmarks: the old iconic Blue Tartan building.
But the journey to becoming a legal distillery didn’t happen overnight. It started with a hobby, a fascination with the craft of distilling, and a passion that grew into something much bigger than John ever imagined.
From Hobbyist to Legal Distiller
Like many who develop an interest in traditional moonshine making, John started small, learning the craft and developing recipes through experience, experimentation, and a genuine appreciation for the process.
What began as a hobby eventually became a dream: to take that passion and turn it into a legitimate business.
Moving from the world of hobbyist and traditional, often-illegal moonshine making into the highly regulated legal distilling industry required determination, patience, and a willingness to learn an entirely new side of the business. Licensing, regulations, production standards, and the responsibilities of operating a legal distillery presented challenges that went far beyond simply making a good product.
For John, however, the goal was worth the work.
That dream became Firehouse Shine Co., a business built around handcrafted spirits, distinctive flavors, and the belief that a bottle should represent the time, effort, and dedication that went into making it.
Bringing New Life to the Old Blue Tartan
Choosing the historic Blue Tartan building in Middleport gave the business a connection to the community that went beyond distilling.
The building has long been a recognizable part of the village, and its new role as the home of Firehouse Shine Co. brings a fresh purpose to a familiar local landmark.
Rather than simply opening another business, John saw an opportunity to create something that could become part of Middleport’s future while respecting the character and history of its past.
With the opening of Firehouse Shine Co., Middleport gained its first legal distillery, creating a destination for visitors, spirits enthusiasts, and people interested in seeing a local dream become reality.
A National Television Experience
John’s distilling journey also took him to national television through his appearance on Moonshiners: Master Distiller.
The experience provided an opportunity to put his skills and recipes to the test alongside other distillers and share his passion for the craft with a much larger audience.
One of the highlights of that journey was his work with blueberry spirits, including his Blazing Blueberry Cobbler creation. Bringing his products to a national audience helped showcase the creativity and personality behind his approach to distilling.
For John, the television experience was more than just a moment in the spotlight. It was another step in a journey that ultimately led to building his own legal distillery.
A Firefighter’s Heart Behind Every Bottle
The name Firehouse Shine Co. reflects another major part of John’s life: his service in the fire department.
Having served in the fire service for more than 20 years, John understands the importance of teamwork, commitment, and showing up when people need you most.
Those same values help define the business.
The firehouse theme is more than branding. It represents a way of life built around hard work, loyalty, community, and pride in what you do. From the products and labels to the atmosphere of the distillery, Firehouse Shine Co. brings together John’s two passions: firefighting and distilling.
That connection also carries into the business’s relationship with the community. Firehouse Shine Co. aims to be more than a place to purchase spirits. It is a place where people can gather, meet the people behind the products, learn about the distilling process, and experience a small-town business built from the ground up.
A Family Business With a Community Focus
Behind the bottles and the business is a family effort. John and his wife, Tericia, have worked to bring Firehouse Shine Co. to life, turning a shared vision into a real business.
From developing products and building the brand to welcoming customers and preparing for the future, the work involved in opening a distillery reaches far beyond what customers see on the shelves.
Every bottle represents a piece of that effort.
Firehouse Shine Co. offers tastings and bottle sales, giving customers the opportunity to experience its spirits firsthand and discover the flavors that make the brand unique.
The goal is to continue growing while remaining connected to the people and community that helped make the dream possible.
More Than Moonshine
Firehouse Shine Co. represents what can happen when a hobby grows into a dream, a dream becomes a plan, and years of hard work turn that plan into reality.
For John Bentz, the journey from hobbyist distilling to operating a legal distillery has been about more than making spirits. It has been about building something of his own, honoring his passion for the craft, bringing new life to a recognizable Middleport landmark, and creating something his family and community can be proud of.
Middleport now has a legal distillery of its own, and Firehouse Shine Co. is working to make its mark through handcrafted spirits, distinctive products, and a welcoming hometown atmosphere.
As the business continues to grow, John remains focused on the principles that brought him here: dedication, hard work, family, and pride in every bottle.
From a hobbyist’s passion to Middleport’s first legal distillery, Firehouse Shine Co. is proof that sometimes the biggest dreams begin with the smallest still.
Firehouse Shine Co.
803 South Third Avenue
Middleport, Ohio