Distillery marks 3rd anniversary with 6:00 AM full-service bar and free coffee for the sturgeon spearing community.

OSHKOSH, WI – February 2, 2026 – On Friday, February 13—known as “Cut-In Day”—Sturgeon Spirits Craft Distillery will join thousands of anglers one mile out on Lake Winnebago, straight east off of Merritt Street to cut in the state’s first legal, full-service cocktail bar on frozen water.

While spearers use chainsaws to cut 4×6 foot holes for their shanties, Sturgeon Spirits will be assembling a full-service destination on the ice, complete with a bar, tables, chairs, and heaters. By launching on Cut-In Day, Sturgeon Spirits honors the long tradition that inspired its name.

To serve the early-morning culture of Lake Winnebago, the distillery will offer cocktail service and bottle sales starting at 6:00 AM daily during the event weekends. Additionally, free coffee will be provided for the community from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

“When we opened in February 2023, it wasn’t just a business launch; it was a deliberate alignment with a 94-year-old calendar, “ said founder Karl Loewenstein. “To celebrate three years by finally ‘cutting in’ our own place on the ice feels like a homecoming. It’s a nod to the patience and persistence that both the sturgeon and this community have shown for generations.”

Bar on Ice Details (One Mile Out)

• The Location: One mile out on the frozen lake (GPS: 44°01’10.5″N 88°29’48.2″W). 
• Access: Accessible via the Merritt Street ice road in Oshkosh. 
• Dates: Feb 13–15 (Opening Weekend) & Feb 20–22 (Battle on Bago Weekend).
• On-Ice Hours: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
• The Service: Full cocktails, bottle sales, and free coffee (coffee 6:00–9:00 AM).
• Menu: Unique cocktails made specifically for the ice. Full bottles of these spirits chosen especially for spearers will be available for purchase on-site.

Media Opportunities & Story Angles

• The 6:00 AM Ritual: Visuals of the bar being established and the first hot coffee served to spearers as the sun rises over the lake. 
• Academic to Artisan: Interviews with Karl Loewenstein on applying historical research to craft distilling and pioneering the “Lake Winnebago Model” for on-ice service.

Visit: www.sturgeonspirits.com | Social: @sturgeonspirits on Facebook and Instagram