It's National Distillery Day. You can try the hard stuff from these 5 Delaware distilleries

In a tiny state overflowing with nearly 30 different craft breweries, beer-makers get plenty of buzz.

But if you're looking for a real buzz ― and one that packs a punch stronger than any brew ― Delaware's six spirit-makers have you covered.

And since May 22 is National Distillery Day, you have an excuse to try a First State vodka, bourbon, rum or gin on a Wednesday without raising too many eyebrows, even though it is also officially "hump day."

Five of Delaware's homespun distilleries have tasting rooms, allowing you to swing by and either buy a bottle of craft spirits or take a seat for a pour or a homemade cocktail.

Bear-based Diamante Distillers, opened in 2019, is the lone Delaware distillery without a tasting room, but officials there say they are planning to open one next year.

Diamante produces only one brand, Blu Steel Vodka, which is also available in lemon, vanilla, orange and grapefruit flavors. You can find it on liquor shelves not only across Delaware, but also Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

If you're looking for a spot where you can pull up a chair and sample the hard stuff, these are your five options in the state.

Dogfish Head Distilling (320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, and 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton)

Delaware's biggest craft brewery also has the largest distilling operation, offering nearly 30 different "off-centered" bottles, along with an array of canned cocktails.

Spirits include rum, gin, vodka, whiskey and more, including a pumpkin liqueur. Their Prohibition-inspired bottle of Sonic Archeology, which blends Dogfish Head whiskey, rum and apple brandy with honey along with lemon and pomegranate juices, is among the most unique.

In terms of the on-the-go canned cocktails Dogfish has added in recent years, they offer everything from tequila margaritas, rum Mai Tais and vodka mules to vodka lemonades, vodka crushes and a gin crush.

Painted Stave Distilling (106 W. Commerce St., Smyrna)

Since 2013, Painted Stave has been producing bottles of vodka, whiskey, gin and liqueurs in the heart of Smyrna using local ingredients. (That's why they don't make rum ― there's no sugar cane produced in the First State.)

One of their most fun releases has been their Off the Hoof scrapple-flavored vodka, complete with a cartoon tattooed pink pig on the label. At their tasting room and cocktail garden, try the Pig Pen Martini made with Off the Hoof vodka, dry vermouth, olive juice and olives.

Beach Time Distilling (32191 Nassau Road, near Lewes)

Entering its 10th season next year, Beach Time is a small distillery run by owner Greg Christmas about just off Del. 1, about four miles west of downtown Lewes.

You can find him or his staff slinging drinks at the small beach-themed tasting room with 10 cocktails to choose from, including the Volcano (Beach Nut Toasted Coconut Rum, pineapple juice, pink guava nectar and muddled lime), the Fire Storm (Beach Fire Spiced Rum and ginger beer) and the Juiceman Sour (Juiceman White Whiskey and simple syrup).

UNIQUE FIRST STATE SIPS From Big Beers & Swamp Water to Dewey Devils & Shark Attacks: 13 must-try Delaware drinks

Spirits available in bottles include six rum varieties, gin, vodka and bourbon.

easySpeak Spirits (586 Milford Harrington Highway, Milford)

Fourteen cocktails and 19 different bottled spirits are produced at Milford easySpeak, which also offers a full food menu of bar bites, quesadillas, salads, pizzas, sandwiches and seven different macaroni and cheese varieties including eye-poppers such as filet mignon, shrimp or lobster.

Try the Creamsicle Float made with orange vodka, fresh orange juice, vanilla and milk, topped with bubbles and maybe bring home a bottle of black cherry rum.

Feebs Distilling Co. (733 McColley St., Milford)

Owned by Eric and Stacey and Eric Fibelkorn, Feebs grew out of Eric's hobby of making moonshine at home.

Now they offer sweet homemade flavored brandies (apple, blueberry, blackberry, peach and strawberry) at their distillery, along with aged whiskey bourbon and "Unaged Korn Whiskey," his original "white lighting" moonshine recipe.

In their tasting room, they sell seven varieties of their popular alcoholic slushies: "Hillbilly Lemonade," peach/mango, strawberry/watermelon, "Apple Pie," "Feebs-a Rita," blueberry punch and Old Fashioned.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at [email protected] or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: National Distillery Day: Here are 5 Delaware distilleries to celebrate