John Bentz's Birthday Bash at Flaming Aces Distillery

January 10, 2026

01/10/2026 · Elizabethton, Tennessee

We stopped by Flaming Aces Distillery to help celebrate John Bentz’s birthday, and it turned into exactly the kind of night you hope for when everybody’s in a good mood and nobody’s trying to rush off anywhere.

John Bentz sitting at a table during his birthday bash at Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — John Bentz taking a moment at his own birthday gathering as friends filled the room around him.

John had a full house around him most of the evening, with people moving between the bar, the tables, and the front door while conversations kept rolling the whole time.

Friends hanging out inside Flaming Aces Distillery during John Bentz’s birthday bash in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — There was a steady crowd inside all night, and the room never really lost that easygoing, settled-in feel.

Flaming Aces has become one of those places that makes it easy to stay longer than you meant to, and a lot of that comes from the space Tracy Bumgarner has been building there. Between the wood, the old photos and signs, and the way everything opens up from the bar into the back, it had more of a relaxed gathering feel than a formal event.

Bartender taking drink orders at Flaming Aces Distillery during John Bentz’s birthday bash in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — The bar stayed busy, and the drinks kept moving without anybody having to wait long.

The tastings and bar setup were a big part of what made the evening work so well. It was casual, well paced, and the kind of setup where people could try something, talk about it for a while, and then circle back around later for something different.

Will drinking a taster at Flaming Aces Distillery during John Bentz’s birthday bash in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — Will enjoying a taster at the bar as the night settled into its easy rhythm.

People drifted back and forth between inside and out all evening, and that helped keep the whole thing loose. Some folks stayed close to the bar, others posted up at the tables, and others worked the front of the building and caught up with people as they came and went.

People talking outside Flaming Aces Distillery at night during John Bentz’s birthday bash in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — There was just as much visiting happening outside the front door as there was inside around the bar.

At one point we ended up in the back of the distillery with Kris Fortner, who showed us his fermenting mash and gave us a look at what he had going. That little detour fit the night perfectly — one minute you were up front talking and tasting, and the next you were back in the work area looking over equipment and mash with friends.

The entrance to the back work area at Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — The back entrance made it easy to move from the bar side of the evening into the part of the place where the work actually happens.

Kris was kind enough to show us the mash he had going, and that was one of those moments that made the whole night feel even more personal. It wasn’t just a birthday party with drinks and music — it was still very much a gathering of people who care about the craft and like talking shop when the chance comes up.

Kris Fortner standing with his fermenting mash at Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — Kris Fortner showing us his fermenting mash in the back of the distillery.

And of course, being at Flaming Aces, there was plenty of equipment worth looking over while we were back there. Tracy’s work was on full display, and there was no shortage of copper and stainless to admire before heading back up front again.

Copper pot still equipment at Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — There was plenty to look over in the back, including this copper setup built by Tracy - AKA Ace Custom Copper.

By the time the evening settled in, the live music was rolling, people were still working their way between conversations, and the food truck outside was doing steady business. That ended up being a nice way to close out the night — a good crowd, good music, and funnel cakes and deep fried Oreos within walking distance.

Big Beard ordering from the food truck outside Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — The food truck stayed busy later in the evening, and yes, the funnel cakes were worth the walk outside.

It was a laid-back birthday gathering in the best sense of the phrase. John Bentz had a great turnout, Flaming Aces was a fitting place to hold it, and the whole evening had the kind of easy flow that makes a small event stick with you longer than some bigger ones do.

Shana about to drink a taster at Flaming Aces Distillery during John Bentz’s birthday bash in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. — Fun Extra – Still Will’s lovely wife Shana enjoying a taster at the bar during John Bentz’s birthday bash.

Also in attendance

Also in attendance was legendary moonshiner JB Rader, who was there among the crowd helping make the night feel even more like a gathering of friends than just a birthday party.

Originally posted to Facebook: John Bentz’s Birthday Bash at Flaming Aces Distillery in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on January 10, 2026. Original Facebook post published April 3, 2026. View the original post.

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