Greensboro Distilling Co. – Fainting Goat Spirits
Andrew Norman, 28, Head Distiller and Bill Norman, 57, Master Distiller
Distilling spirits at Greensboro’s Fainting Goat Spirits is a family affair as dad Bill Norman serves as the Master Distiller and son Andrew serves 
as the Head Distiller. Together, this father-son duo is serving up Greensboro’s first legal spirits since Prohibition.
There were several ideas for the name of the new company, but Fainting Goat Spirits won. According to Bill “this describes our family dynamic. The fainting goat is our family mascot. When a goat faints, it’s funny as hell, but on the other hand, they are odd and okay with that. Just like our family, when we try something and fail, we deal with it and get right back up.”
The family has been part of the Greensboro community for years as they also own Kneaded Energy, where sister Lesley manages the practice, step mom Shelley oversees the laws and legalities of all the businesses and manages the massage school.
“We specifically chose the West Lewis Street location because of all the innovation and other businesses that are on this end of town. We love the renaissance of the community and wanted to a part of it,” said Bill.
“I was born and raised in Greensboro. It’s exciting to see the growth in Greensboro and be a part of it, especially in downtown,” added Andrew.
Fainting Goat Spirits currently offers its Tiny Cat Vodka and Emulsion American Gin for sale. They’re also working on a single-malt whiskey, rye whiskey and bourbon that will be ready for sale in the coming years.
“Once our single-malt hits the shelf, we will experiment with things like tequila and rum,” said Andrew.
Before starting the company, Andrew was a mortgage banker and sold property insurance, but was ready to trade in his suit and ties for overalls. I enjoy making a product that people like. “This is a labor of love that I get to give to people. The taste testing isn’t a bad way to spend the day either.”
Bill added “Whether you realize it or not, this is a chemical process and it’s an art. Andrew is an artist at this. He is able to slightly alter or tweak a product and make it his own. Our family is full of entrepreneurial spirits. We love doing what we do every day.”
“People ask if we are Fainting Goat Spirits or Greensboro Distilling Co.; we are both. Fainting Goat Spirits is our brand, but it is important for us to let everyone know that we are a Greensboro product.”
Each bottle proudly displays that it is distilled and bottled in Greensboro, NC.
