PRESS RELEASE from West Michigan Tourist Association
Whether you enjoy drinking your whiskey neat or prefer fruity & colorful cocktails, West Michigan is home to an impressive array of local distilleries sure to please. The craft distilling industry in the area has taken off in a big way, meaning that you won’t find yourself too far from a local watering hole anywhere in the region. Check out some of our favorite distilleries, drinks, and places to sample local spirits from around West Michigan, and let us know if you have any great Barkeep Tips to share!
South West Michigan Spirits
FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Battle Creek
Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
Sanctuary Spirits, Grand Ledge
St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw
Uncle John’s Cider Mill, St. Johns
Central West Michigan Spirits
Bier Distillery, Sparta
Coppercraft Distillery, Holland
Flat Lander’s Barstillery, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids
Grand Traverse Distillery, Grand Rapids
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lansing
International Wine, Beer, & Food Festival, Grand Rapids
Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
New Holland Brewing, Holland
North West Michigan Spirits
Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay
Chateau Chantal, Traverse City
Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, Old Mission Peninsula
Northern Latitudes Distillery, Lake Leelanau
Bier Distillery, Sparta 
Bier Distillery has been a labor of love since the early days of experimentation and cider making, followed by research at existing distilleries around the country. And then, of course, the real work began. Formulation and recipes were toyed with to get the target taste from each spirit. Bottles were ordered, labels designed, knuckles were scraped … And the dream became reality. They now produce five distilled spirits at their facility within Cellar Brewing, and hope to expand their line to include aged products and other specialty spirits soon. They offer a full bar featuring spirits that are brewed, fermented and distilled right here. We also have beer and wine in addition to spirits featuring 16 beer taps that are always kept full. The food menu features paninis, wraps, specialty hot dogs and assorted appetizers. Various entertainments are featured throughout the week including, trivia, karaoke, open mic, and live bands.
Barkeep’s Tip: Celebrate fall with Spunkin Punkin, their single malt whiskey, which is distilled from a single malt, and then redistilled with a special blend of pumpkin and spices which will have you jumpin for this punkin. Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay
Black Star Farms makes some excellent fruit brandies – from mellow barrel-aged apple brandies with a hint of maple to fiery eau de vie — a clear distilled spirit (usually 80 proof) made from local pears, cherries, apples, and apricots. Black Star has also gotten raves for another high-octane product: grappa, an Italian brandy made from the skins of grapes after pressing.
Barkeep’s Tip: Impress your friends (and your taste buds!) by picking up a bottle of Pear and its Spirit brandy with an actual pear grown right inside the bottle. You can purchase more Spirit of Pear over time to refill your bottle (keep enough in your bottle to make sure the pear is covered), and you’ll have a conversation piece for years to come. Chateau Chantal, Traverse City 
Chateau Chantal has been distilling their own spirits since the 90’s, utilizing the fresh local cherry bounty each summer as well as their own wine grapes. Fresh cherries are distilled to make a Cherry Eau-de-Vie, or “water of life” in French. This clear cherry brandy is a 40% spirit that is traditionally used as a digestif after a large meal and can also be used in cocktail recipes that the winery provides. Another spirit, Cinq à Sept, literally, “five to seven,” is a French Canadian term for Happy Hour In France, this phrase was originally used as a description of the time of day a Frenchman would visit his mistress, perhaps with a gift of Brandy in tow? Distilled from fermented Northern Michigan grapes, this brandy spent five years mellowing in a French oak barrel, gaining a golden color and rich caramel flavor. Displaying notes of honey, spice, and butterscotch, this sipper is best served in a brandy snifter, or other wide bottomed glass, to promote the release of the fine aromas. Serve at room temperature or over ice to create your own delightful gathering.
Barkeep’s Tip: They also feature their spirits blended with cherry or red wine, such as with their Cerise port style dessert wine. This is the final pour during their 7-course wine dinner where guests get to enjoy a leisurely meal interspersed with wine education. Coppercraft Distillery, Holland 
Coppercraft offers premium grain-to-glass spirits distilled from authentic ingredients grown by local farmers. With nearly a dozen spirits available, including their just-released Kentucky straight bourbon, visitors can discover something new on every visit. Their tasting room is open Thursday through Saturday for cocktails and tours. Their drink menu changes frequently, so stop by for some new cocktail inspirations! Bottle sales are also available during regular retail hours.
Barkeep’s Tip: If you’re a tulip fan, make sure to pick up some Genever, which is made from wheat milled right in Holland, and is featured in the official cocktail of Tulip Time 2015: The Copper Tulip. FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Battle Creek
FireKeepers Casino Hotel offers a number of specialty cocktails. One of the most popular specialty drinks is the Nibitini. This drink combines New Amsterdam Gin, Citronge, muddled cucumbers and simple syrup topped off with freshly squeezed lemon and a sliced cucumber. Another guest favorite is the Casino Cosmopolitan, featuring Pinnacle Citrus, Pinnacle Orange, a splash of cranberry, and a lime twist.
Barkeep’s Tip: While you may be gambling on FireKeepers Casino floor, we can guarantee a win every time with one of their featured cocktails! If you have too many cocktails, grab a room in their AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel for the night. Flat Lander’s Barstillery, Grand Rapids
What’s a Barstillery? Think custom distilled and premium, certified organic crafted, products created off site and then shipped to Flat Lander’s for mixing and enjoying, or drinkin’ neat. Ok, now what’s a Flat Lander? The name comes from the term associated with poking fun at folks that don’t live in the hills; their Northern Michigan kin commonly refer to those ‘down state’ as FlatLanders. Now that you know the vocabulary, it’s time to get familiar with their drinks! Offering rum, gin, vodka, whisky, and bourbon, all their spirits are made using Michigan’s amazing freshwater source, and plentiful certified organic grains and fruit.
Barkeep’s Tip: Make sure you try an AppleShine while you’re visiting! It’s their premium white whiskey mixed with Michigan apple cider and other secret house ingredients topped with a dash of cinnamon and house made bitters. It’s like a slice of apple pie in a glass. Grand Rapids Public Museum
Learn about the history of West Michigan Spirits starting this month at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Their newest exhibition, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, opens September 26th and runs through January 17th, 2016. The exhibition will be accompanied by some exciting programming, including ‘20s dance lessons during opening weekend (learn to do the Charleston!), cocktail classes at the museum the first three Tuesdays in October, and a special celebration of Repeal Day on December 5th.
Barkeep’s Tip: If you’re a museum member, you’re invited to a special preview of the exhibit on Friday, September 25th, with live music, the cast of The Great Gatsby from the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, root beer floats for the kids, and New Holland Brewing spirits for the adults, as well as a special presentation from New Holland Brewing about the current craft beverage industry! Grand Traverse Distillery, Grand Rapids
Located in the Downtown Market, the Grand Rapids branch of Grand Traverse Distillery has added a patio, so customers can order a drink to enjoy outside. Stop by to get some insights from their passionate staff, and pick a few spirits for a tasting & sample glass to take home. They have several new spirits to offer, including a barrel-aged gin and a new whiskey coming soon made from Michigan Rye and peated malted barley from Scotland.
Barkeep’s Tip: Get a real taste of up north with their True North Cherry Vodka, with a unique cherry essence and just a hint of chocolate. Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
Founded in 2007, the Grand Traverse Distillery was the area’s first real microdistillery; owner Kent Rabish used rye grown just east of Traverse City and the area’s pure glacial water to create True North Vodka, a product that has won major national and international awards. Since then, the company has branched out into whiskey, gin and even rum. For years, the distillery didn’t really have a true tasting room, but now they’re located in Frankenmuth, Leland and Grand Rapids – as well as downtown Traverse City.
Barkeep’s Tip: Grand Traverse Distillery was the first in the state to get the “Certified Craft Spirits” certification for every one of their spirits from the American Distilling Institute, so you know your drinks are in good hands here. Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hop on the Makers & Shakers Trail and take a tasting tour of Lansing‘s finest libations. Whether you’re looking for craft beers, fine spirits, or wine tasting in Michigan, you can find it here. The discerning whiskey or vodka drinker can sample small-batch spirits at local distilleries. For those who want to learn how spirits are distilled, East Lansing is home to the Michigan State University Artisan Distilling Program, which hosts two-day workshops. Like free stuff? Pick up a Makers & Shakers pamphlet at one of the above locations; inside you’ll find a stamp card. Visit at least 10 of the 13 locations then send in the completed card for a free commemorative gift! Download and preview a PDF of the Makers and Shakers brochure here.
Barkeep’s Tip: With nearly 60 festivals year round, Greater Lansing is Michigan’s festival capital. Enjoy these festivals that celebrate the beer, wine, and spirits aficionado; they’re sure to have your taste buds singing and your feet dancing! International Wine, Beer, & Food Festival, Grand Rapids
Taking place at DeVos Place on November 19th through 21st, this year marks the eighth year of celebrating the best food & beverages in West Michigan, and you won’t be disappointed by the selection of spirits on hand! As the largest culinary festival in the midwest, this event also features chefs from the area’s top restaurants preparing small plates of their culinary specialties, while select restaurants partner with distinguished wineries and breweries for special pairings – gourmet multi-course meals, served on-site in a casual, yet intimate, “bar top” setting. Free beverage seminars, held classroom-style, give attendees an in-depth look into the world of wine and craft beverages such as cider, beer and spirits. The expanded RendezBrew area, in the Grand Gallery, features coffee, teas, cordials and dessert creations.
Barkeep’s Tip: Pick up plenty of tasting tickets on your way in so you can sample your way through the festival, and then decide what you’d like to go back through and pick up a bottle of to bring home. Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, Old Mission Peninsula
At the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, you can taste and buy the company’s Civilized line of spirits, distilled right there behind the restaurant. Distiller Mike Hall makes almost all of their spirits using local materials. Their vodka, for instance, is made with local Riesling grapes. Civilized also make a gin using local botanicals and several whiskeys using local grains.
Barkeep’s Tip: Not just a distillery, Jolly Pumpkin also brews their own beer & serves up some tasty dishes (truffled french fries with amber ale mayonnaise, anyone?), so bring along your beer-loving friends or the family for a dinner out. Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
Journeyman Distillery is one of only a handful of organic and kosher certified distilleries in the world. Those quality ingredients become an award-winning line of whiskies, gin, vodka, rum, brandy and more. All of their spirits are produced in their distillery, located in the historic Featherbone Factory, where staunch prohibitionist E.K. Warren once made corsets and buggy whips in Three Oaks, Michigan. Stop in for a tour and tasting, available every day, or try their craft cocktails at the bar.
Barkeep’s Tip: Sign up for a Bottling Party to be a part of history! You’ll get the rare opportunity to be a part of the distilling process while you work alongside the staff and have fun getting the product in the bottles and out the door! Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
Long Road Distillers is Grand Rapids’ first craft distillery. Located on Grand Rapids’ near West Side, Long Road is proud to be part of the exciting revitalization that is taking place in the neighborhood they call home. Staying true to its name, Long Road takes no shortcuts in crafting their spirits, using thousands of pounds of grain each week from a family farm located less than 25 miles from the distillery to produce vodka, gin, whisky and other uniquely Michigan spirits. Long Road’s spirits can be enjoyed by the taste or in one of their carefully crafted cocktails and paired with a hearty sandwich or salad in their bar and restaurant. If seeing the production area through the floor to ceiling windows from the bar doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, distillery tours are offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Barkeep’s Tip: Join the Wayfarer’s Guild to enjoy half off select cocktails & 15% off food every Wednesday night, $1 off cocktails any other day, invites to special private tastings & tours, swag, and more. New Holland Brewing, Holland
After almost a decade of craft-brewing, distilling was a natural extension for New Holland. As perpetual students of fermentation, the art of creating alcohol, the next step of distilling into a more pure state, came easy. They coax flavor all the way from the brewhouse through their Prohibition-era still and into the barrel or the bottle, until it meets your glass. New Holland’s philosophy remains true: they are dedicated to discovering artful nuances while delivering unique and interesting spirits in their most tasteful form. Inspired by their desire to pour spirits and cocktails alongside their beers in the growing pub in Holland, MI, they have created a balanced portfolio of spirits that are a friend to any bartender. If it seems simple, it is: the way most great things are.
Barkeep’s Tip: Try their Cask & Smoke Whiskey, crafted with peated malts to create balanced smokiness in this barley-based, barrel-aged whiskey. It has a bold copper color with aromas of tropical fruit and cereal grains, and is a rich, full-bodied whiskey that finishes with notes of gentle smoke, charred sugar and baking spices. Northern Latitudes Distillery, Lake Leelanau
In Lake Leelanau is Northern Latitudes Distillery, where distiller Mark Moseler isn’t afraid to make sweet liquors. There’s a ginger liqueur, a Limoncello di Leelanau, and a Mackinac Island Fudge liqueur. They also make a gin flavored with lavender, juniper and jackpine seeds, as well as a bourbon whiskey and several vodkas. One, called Ice Dunes, is made with Michigan wheat, another with Michigan beet sugar, and a third flavored with a smack-you-in-the-nose dose of pungent horseradish.
Barkeep’s Tip: Stop by for a free tasting (pick what sounds best from their line-up), and they’ll walk you through each option: how it’s made, inspiration behind, and mixing advice. They’ll even turn some of your free tastes into miniature cocktails! Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
The brandies you’ll find at Round Barn Distillery, including Cognac and Armanac, are made from grapes or other fruits. The fruit is picked and either pureed or pressed, then made into wine and immediately distilled. It is important to note that no preservatives are used in the entire process. One ton of fruit will yield about 150 gallons of wine, which when distilled will produce roughly 20 gallons of high proof (140) brandy. Needless to say, the key to cost effective production is finding quality fruits at bargain prices. The feeling at Round Barn is once you experience the pure essence of fruit brandies and the sweeter fruit cordials with no artificial flavors, chemicals, or random elements of gold, you will forever forsake those imitation products that led you astray before your age of reason.
Barkeep’s Tip: The Round Barn makes their own spirits AND wine AND beer. You can get a “Tasting Package” when you visit, with tasting tokens you can use for any of their products. Sanctuary Spirits, Grand Ledge
Sanctuary Spirits is an artisan distillery located in a converted church focusing on small batch whiskeys and other fine spirits, including Scotch style Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum and Brandies. Wine by the glass and mixed drinks with their premium spirits are also available. They are a true craft distillery making only the finest quality products from locally sourced ingredients. Sanctuary Spirits is are open to the public for tastings, drink service and retail bottle sales. They offer snacks, but you are welcome to bring food in for yourself or your group. Local area restaurant menus are available for delivery to the distillery.
Barkeep’s Tip: Sanctuary Spirits is home of Spirit of the Maple, a barrel aged spirit made entirely from Michigan maple syrup. St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw
Although famous for their wines, St. Julian has added some impressive spirits to their offerings over the years! Their A&G Brand is an aged grape brandy made from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris & Vidal Blanc grapes. The aroma of vanilla, hazelnut & butterscotch intertwined with toast, chocolate, & anise will greet your nose, while the palate is soft & smooth with flavors that follow the aromas. Their Grey Heron Vodka is made from 100% grape spirits. Distilled & filtered five times to achieve its smooth texture & rich palate, it opens with neutral wet stone & cream aromas. The refreshing, clean entry leads to a round, dryish medium-to-full body of smooth cream, & delicate spice flavors. Grey Heron Vodka is an instant classic!
Barkeep’s Tip: Score 20% off your case purchase at any of the St. Julian locations when you shop during the upcoming Wine & Harvest Festival sale on September 11th, 12th, and 13th. Uncle John’s Cider Mill, St. Johns
Branching out from traditional apple cider and then wine, Uncle John’s Cider Mill now offers both vodka and brandy from apples! The vodka is not apple “flavored” vodka, but rather vodka distilled from apples. It is ultra smooth and clean with gentle fruit and spice notes. This vodka is great on the rocks with a twist of fresh fruit, or mixed with cranberry juice or tonic. On a similar note, the brandy is not a sweet apple “flavored” brandy; it is a 90 proof brandy distilled from their own apple cider. It has a subtle fruit bouquet with flavors of spice and leather, followed by a toasty oak finish. A nice earthy note finishes the palette from aging in French and American Oak Barrels.
Barkeep’s Tip: Stop by the tasting room while you’re there for complimentary hard cider and wine tastings. The tasting room is open from May through December.