Michigan is home to many accomplished craft distillers producing whiskey, vodka, gin, and more. Many of these distilleries have received high honors and have become West Michigan favorites. Here are some suggestions of where to raise a glass, or grab what you need to make a cocktail at home.
South West Michigan Spirits
The very nature of what makes the Saugatuck Area so appealing to visitors is also what makes it the perfect location for crafting distinctive beverages. The terrain and summer weather produce optimal growing conditions for regional crops essential to the unique flavor profiles of the craft beverages produced here. In addition Saugatuck/Douglas is also home to a number of craft breweries, wineries, cideries, bars, and pubs where you can raise a glass, make a toast, and quench your thirst.
Journeyman Distillery is a hand-crafted, certified organic, and certified kosher whiskey and spirits distillery located in the historic Featherbone Factory in Three Oaks. While whiskey is what their team originally fell in love with, they also offer a variety of quality organic spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, and more. Everything about Journeyman Distillery is handcrafted. They distill, bottle, label, and package each spirit at their Three Oaks distillery.
Lansing makes a great getaway option for those who enjoy fresh, hand-crafted spirits and is home to four unique distilleries. Book a distillery tour at one of the locations, and it will be a hit for the whole group. Get the free gamified Lansing Craft Beverage Pass for check-ins, points, and prizes.
Central West Michigan Spirits
Join the Craft Cocktail class at the Michigan Irish Music Festival on September 16th in Muskegon! Hosted by Allen Serio, Chief Marketing Officer and owner of Wonderland Distilling Co. Learn the story of Irish-inspired cocktails, how “barreling” works, and sample delicious drinks during the class!
Holland is also home to distilleries, breweries, and wineries that pride themselves on creating fantastic beverages using the finest locally-grown ingredients. Get a taste of Holland’s handcrafted beverage scene with a free Handcrafted Passport from the Holland Convention + Visitors Bureau.
For award-winning, handcrafted spirits, be sure to stop by the Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room in Holland, where you can enjoy tastings and a variety of innovative handcrafted cocktails.
Muskegon’s two Social Districts allow you to take your cocktail for an outdoor stroll! Three local distilleries allow you to get your toddy “to-go” and explore downtown Muskegon!
North West Michigan & Upper Peninsula Spirits
The Petoskey Area is lucky to be home to not only one distillery/tasting room but also five that you can visit. Bay Harbor hosts so many great hubs – great cocktail crafting at a side-alley upscale cigar bar, too. Check out more distilleries in the Petoskey area here.
Come to Cadillac for the 2023 Craft Beer Festival on September 23rd! This annual event features a variety in its lineup of local Michigan breweries, each showcasing their finest brews. Attendees can expect diverse craft beverages, yard games, VIP tents, and the best local live music. Food trucks will offer a wide range of delectable treats to complement the beer tastings. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or simply looking for a day of fun, the Cadillac Craft Beer Festival is the place to be!
Marquette County is a beer lover’s paradise, boasting numerous local craft breweries. Check out all of them with the Marquette Brew Pass, available through September 30, 2023. Visitors can sign up for the mobile passport on the Travel Marquette website and receive exclusive discounts at retailers, restaurants, and more. Show this pass at participating businesses and win points for each visit – prizes include a Travel Marquette branded can cooler and a 64 oz stainless steel Travel Marquette growler. Mark your calendars for the 14th Annual U.P. Fall Beer Festival, taking place this year on Saturday, September 9, at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette, for a fun-filled day of beer samples, food vendors, music, and more.
Black Star Farms distillery operation began in 1998, and they are proudly one of the first businesses in the area to receive its distilling license. From clear Eau de Vie-style spirits to whiskey-like barrel-aged brandies, their brandies express Michigan’s agricultural heritage. Crafted from the finest local fruits, their distillation method retains the beautiful characteristics found in these fruits. To celebrate Michigan Craft Spirits Month, they will offer a new cocktail in their tasting rooms: the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned—a festive twist on a classic favorite. This Fall-inspired drink will be available from September through November.
Celebrate Michigan’s Craft Spirits Month in Northern Michigan. Bellaire’s beverage game is on point. Sample the spirits and house-made cocktails at Fireside Lounge / Hello Vino, all watering holes along downtown Bellaire’s Bridge. And, to make it easy to get to and from, stay at nearby Shanty Creek Resort and take advantage of the free shuttle to downtown Bellaire.
An all-new offering is available at the Hearth Room Bar. Hotel Walloon’s new Custom Blended Four Cask Bourbon was made specially for the Hearth Room by their Bar Managers, Owen and Chris, at Iron Fish Distillery. Learn more about its unique flavor and history here.
Celebrate Michigan Craft Spirit Month at Barrel Back, featuring Michigan-made spirits from Wise Men Distillery, High Five Spirits, Foggy Mountain, and more.
Discover several unique distilleries in the Traverse City area, including Grand Traverse Distillery, Iron Fish Distillery, Northern Latitudes Distillery, and more. You can also find locally crafted spirits at Chateau Chantal, The Tasting Room and other restaurants. Each distillery brings something unique to the table. This winter, bundle up and enjoy an outdoor tasting tour, or pop in to buy a bottle of your favorite spirits. Can’t make it up north? Find cocktail recipes and virtual tasting opportunities online.
Enjoy a unique dining experience at the Terrain Restaurant. The ever-evolving menu showcases the freshest ingredients from Northern Michigan’s local harvest, ensuring a delicious meal. They have a variety of seasonal cocktails that feature local spirits from Black Star Farms and many others.
Learn more about the Michigan small-batch spirit producers and distilleries with the Michigan Craft Distillers Association and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
Click here for more West Michigan distilled spirits, craft breweries, wineries, cider, and mead.
