Michigan is becoming home to its own distilleries. That’s being driven in part by a growing interest in craft cocktails and the new cocktail bars cropping up in Michigan, such as The Raven’s Club and The Last Word. Some of the local spirits served at such establishments include Kinickerbocker gin, distilled in Holland, MI, and Valentine vodka from Ferndale, MI.
A major university is helping fuel the craft spirits movement: The Artisan Distilled Program Research Facility is a public/private operation run by Michigan State University. It started as a one-still operation making brandy 17 years ago and has evolved to a state-of-the art research facility today.
What’s more, it’s the only university in the U.S. that has access to a commercial license so it can produce distilled spirits as well as conduct research. The facility does a lot of work with people developing their products before they have their licenses.
The MSU Artisan Distilled Program Research Facility is opening a tasting room this summer. Red Cedar Spirits will serve spirits and educate the public about the developing craft industry.
Read or listen to the full Michigan Radio piece here.