6 Great Craft Distilleries

Visit one of the state’s 30 craft distilleries to imbibe in local makers’ magic: the produce of nearby fields milled, mashed, fermented and distilled into alcohols boasting only-in-Michigan flavors. 

 

Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville 

The working farm and distillery make its Michigan Wheat Vodka with water from a source besides the Betsie River and winter wheat from Send Brothers Farm in Williamsburg. 

 

Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City

Inspired by his grandfather’s moonshining legacy, founder Kent Rabish started the distillery that makes True North flavored vodkas, as well as gin, rum, and whiskey. Kent’s son, Landis, now heads the distillery.

 

New Holland Brewing, Holland

The company produces both beer and spirits, sometimes intertwining them. Dragon’s Milk stout aged in bourbon barrels, while Beer Barrel Bourbon finishes its process in stout barrels. 

 

Two James Spirits, Detroit

Visit Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, to try Catcher’s Rye Whiskey, distilled from Michigan grain and Great Lakes water.

 

Valentine Distilling company, Ferndale 

Sample Valentine Vodka, named the world’s best two times (per the World Vodka Awards in London), at a distillery founded by former Wall Street trader Rifino Valentine. 

Detroit City Distillery, Detroit

The small-batch distiller’s Railroad Gin contains juniper, cardamom, citrus and spice from Germack Pistachio Company, one of its neighbors in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market.