A trio of local distillers from Michigan’s Great Southwest will be among the nearly two dozen makers hosting the first ever Michigan Distilled Festival in Grand Rapids this Friday. Journeyman from Three Oaks, Round Barn from Baroda and St. Julian from Paw Paw will join 18 other members of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association at this one-of-a-kind festival to feature craft spirits and cocktails made around the Great Lakes State.
The inaugural event will play out under the pavilion at the Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids on Friday evening from 6pm until 10pm, with tickets now on sale by clicking this link:
These are the featured distilleries at the Michigan Distilled Festival:
- American Fifth Spirits Tasting Room
- Bier Distillery
- Civilized Spirits
- Coppercraft Distillery
- Detroit City Distillery
- Ellison Brewery + Spirits
- Ethanology
- Grand Traverse Distillery
- Gray Skies Distillery
- Green Door Distilling Co.
- Iron Fish Distillery
- Journeyman Distillery
- Long Road Distillers
- Mammoth Distilling
- New Holland Brewing Co.
- Red Cedar Spirits
- Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery
- St. Julian Winery
- Two James Spirits
- Ugly Dog Distillery, LLC
- Valentine Distilling Co.
Food will be provided by food from Slows BarBQ of Grand Rapids, The Knickerbocker, Journeyman Distillery and Long Road Distillers.
Musical acts include:
- Megan Dooley
- The Bootstrap Boys
- Cønrad Shøck + the Nøise
The Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival (November 16-18, 2017) has signed on as a sponsor.
Here’s what you can expect:
A VIP Hour (5-6pm) offers guests an enhanced experience with handcrafted cocktails and a chance to meet with local bartenders and mixologists. VIP tickets are $75 each and include five (5) 3-ounce batch cocktails (or ¼-ounce samples of spirits available from each respective distillery), one handcrafted cocktail (available only during the 5-6pm hour) and one food item, along with a swag bag and commemorative logoed cup.
General Admission tickets are $40 and include five (5) 3-ounce batch cocktails or ¼-ounce samples of spirits available from each respective distillery.
Tickets can be purchased online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michigan-distilled-tickets-36687658775.
Additional tasting tickets will be available at the festival for $20 (for five (5) 3-ounce samples). Food trucks, specialty food/non-alcoholic beverage vendors and handcrafted items will be available for added costs. The festival will also feature a full line-up of live music (a schedule of which will be released by the end of August). Designated Driver tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 each.
Attendees must be 21 and valid photo ID is required for entry (no exceptions, includes Designated Drivers) and the event will be held, rain or shine. No refunds will be offered for this festival; no pets, weapons, outside alcohol or glass of any kind will be permitted.
The Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in 2014 as a non-profit organization charged with marketing the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry. Currently, the organization represents two dozen craft distilleries with nearly 40 individual locations and tasting rooms around the state.
