![]() ![]() ![]() It uses coffee to accentuate the traditional amaro flavors. For example, our Amaro Pazzo is a coffee-backed Amaro that we partnered with Grand Rapids-based Madcap Coffee on. While Aquavit is something that has garnered national recognition, I think it is a testament to the fact that our team really shines when we explore categories of spirits with a new perspective or a bold interpretation of what that category can offer. The recognition by our industry peers was real justification for the belief we had in making Aquavit. We were proud to have our Aquavit named “Best in Show” at the 2017 American Craft Spirits Association annual awards. Honestly, we did it selfishly because we enjoyed the category but had real difficulty getting imported or domestic Aquavit because of the antiquated, governmentally-monopolized, control state system that really limits access to a variety of products in Michigan. As one of the first American distillers to really focus on the spirit, we decided to make it early on in our history without a thought that it would be something that took off. Well, Aquavit was certainly the thing that put us on the map. What spirits do you consider your “strengths” or flagships & why are you distilling those particular spirits? While neither of us had any experience in distilling or hospitality, we were confident and committed to proving that world class spirits could be produced at Long Road using Michigan-grown agricultural ingredients. If you know much about the culture of West Michigan, temperance was pretty fierce given some of the religious history in the region.Īdditionally, Michigan has the second greatest agricultural diversity in the country next to California, so we have access to world class grain and fruit all within a short proximity to our distillery. Funny thing is that in all our research, there had never been a legal distillery in the history of Grand Rapids. With our proximity to amazing agriculture and the water we get from Lake Michigan, it just seemed like this was a place that needed a distillery. The people of GR obviously loved beer, but there was also an emerging farm-to-table restaurant scene. Grand Rapids just seemed like such an amazing place to start a distillery. ![]() It was great being in a town where there was so much appreciation for craft beer, but at heart, Jon and I love spirits and cocktails. When we came up with the idea for Long Road, Grand Rapids had been voted Beer City USA several years in a row. In his own words, Kyle talks about their distilling process, how they are surviving pandemic and how he sees the world of craft distilling/small batch spirits evolving. On top of being in the pandemic-struggling field of craft distilling, they also operate two restaurants/cocktail bars (Grand Rapids and Grand Haven) and a tasting room (Boyne City). With Vendome Copper & Brass Works and Müller stills, they turn out a wide range of spirits, including aquavit, nocino, vodka, gin, bourbon, corn whiskey, rye whiskey, apple brandy, rum, fruit liqueurs and their Amaro Pazzo coffee amaro. From the beginning, Kyle and Jon committed to local Michigan ingredients and “grain-to-glass.” They opened what ended up being the first distillery ever in their home of Grand Rapids, where Kyle lives with his wife and two children. Long Road Distillers co-founders, Kyle VanStrien and Jon O’Connor, have racked up awards and nominations since launching their Grand Rapids distillery over a shared passion for spirits in May 2015. The tour is given by a distilling expert and includes samples with an online reservation system to ensure your spot.Jon O’Connor at Long Road Distillers Kyle VanStrien of Long Road Distillers They offer a tour of the distillery on the weekends for $15 limited to 10 people. There is also a kitchen with sandwiches and small plates that are high quality and priced accordingly. The distillery offers an annual membership buy-in with discount perks for $65. For now, you can buy one at the distillery, priced at $30 for a 750 ml bottle of vodka, gin or white whiskey and $18 for a 350 ml bottle. Long Road hopes to begin distributing bottles by the end of summer. Everything is made-in-house with no rectified spirits keeping with the ‘Long Road’ theme. Long Road opened with three locally sourced spirits Vodka, Gin, and White Whisky with plans for barrel-aged spirits like bourbon, brandy and a wheat whiskey. ![]() As the first distillery in Grand Rapids it truly has been a long road to having locally made liquors! Long Road Distillers opened on the west side of Grand Rapids as neighbors to the established Mitten Brewery. ![]()
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