Events
Wood fired pizza at Timber Creek Distillery
By Aaron Barnes
Aaron Barnes, Master Distiller and co-founder of Timber Creek Distillery, a grain-to-glass craft distillery built on a 240-acre family farm just outside Crestview, Florida. Recognized as Florida’s most awarded distillers, Aaron has built his reputation on one core principle: flavor first.
| Jan 28, 2026
Timber Creek Distillery’s Wood Fired Pizza
Two pizzas cooking in a wood fired pizza over
Exists for the same reason the distillery exists. Instead of shortcuts, the focus stays on doing the work in-house and letting time and heat shape the result.
The brick oven was built on the farm, and the dough is mixed from scratch.
As a result, pizza shows up on a schedule that protects quality rather than chasing volume.
This page explains how wood fired pizza works here.
It covers the oven, the fire, the dough, and why pizza is served when it makes sense.
It also links to tours, experiences, and planning tools across the property.
Why Wood Fired Pizza Fits at Timber Creek Distillery
beautiful sausage pizza
Pizza and distilling rely on the same fundamentals.
Fermentation matters, temperature matters, and timing matters.
Because Timber Creek already works within those rules, pizza fits naturally. You see that mindset during the Distillery Tour & Tasting, where process drives flavor. You feel it again in the Bourbon Blending Experience, where balance matters more than speed.
For that reason, pizza follows the same rhythm.
If the process gets rushed, quality slips, so the schedule stays intentional.
Brick Oven for Wood Fired Pizza
We used sand to make a dome and stacked the bricks against the sand dome and mortared in between to create the shape.
The oven used for wood fired pizza at Timber Creek Distillery was built on-site.
Instead of dropping in a prefab unit, the team built a brick oven designed to hold heat and stay steady through service.
The foundation supports serious weight, while fire bricks store heat evenly.
Meanwhile, the dome shape guides flame across the ceiling before it exits.
That airflow defines a true wood-fired oven, which allows pizza to cook fast without scorching the crust. If you wanna build your own pizza oven, this is a great resource for doing that. This is the site we used to build our pizza oven.
Oak Fire and Consistent Heat
The oven is fired with oak because oak burns clean and produces steady heat. Once the oven reaches temperature, it holds. That consistency matters, since the first pizza and the last pizza bake the same way. For a deeper look at how hardwood behaves in high-heat cooking, this overview of firewood explains why wood choice matters.
Fast Bakes and Simple Toppings
Wood fired pizza cooks quickly, often in about 90 seconds. That speed creates the texture people expect from a brick oven. However, fast bakes leave no room for excess. Too much sauce creates a wet center, while too many toppings slow the bake. As a result, balance wins. Simple pies work best in this kind of oven.
Dough Made From Scratch
All pizza dough at Timber Creek Distillery is made in-house. Nothing arrives pre-made or partially prepared. Each batch ferments for 24 hours. During that time, flavor develops naturally and texture improves.
Why Semolina Flour Is Used
Semolina flour helps the dough handle high heat. It adds structure, color, and a light bite that holds up in a fast bake. Because semolina demands care, it fits the process here. When handled well, the crust shows it.
For a clear definition, this overview of semolina explains why it behaves differently than standard flour.
Wood Fired Pizza on Saturdays
Pizza is served Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with pizza also appearing during select events. This limited schedule is intentional. It protects the dough process and keeps the oven running properly.
For the most current plan, check Tastings & Experiences or the events calendar.
Plan a Visit
Pizza pairs well with time on the property. Many visitors add a distillery tour and tasting or book the bourbon blending experience as part of the day.
For group plans, start with private events. If you need help quickly, use the contact page.