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MARVAC
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Driving Tour: Makers & Shakers Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail Driving Time: 1 hour, 6 minutes • Mileage: 49 miles
Region
Lansing may be the capital of Michigan and have its share of history, but it’s also home to many fine establishments that offer exceptional libations. From hard cider and distilled spirits to craft brews, the Greater Lansing area’s Makers & Shakers Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail has something for everyone. Some of the trail is walkable, so no designated driver required. You can mix and match which businesses you want to visit, as we did here. Our tour does require some driving, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Stop ➊
Country Mill Farms
(Seasonal)
countrymillfarms.com
If you’ll be traveling around in the summertime, then be sure to make Country Mill Orchard and Cider Mill one of your stops. The farm market and bakery open each July and remain reliably so through Thanksgiving. You can find wine and hard cider available for sale in the farm market. Come September and October, wine tastings are available every Tuesday–Sunday from noon to five. In addition, you
can pick your own apples, blueberries, peaches, and pumpkins at the 213-acre farm to bring back to the campsite.
Stop ➋
American Fifth Spirits
americanfifthspirits.com
Stop ➌
Lansing Brewing
Company
lansingbrewingcompany.com
Located on Shiawassee Street, Lansing Brewing Company’s website states, “We supplied beer to those that built this city.” It was established in 1898, and
it was a popular spot for workers and tradesmen to gather as they constructed Lansing. The architecture of the brewery building itself is impressive and was a welcome sight to the new Lansing skyline. However, the brewery closed with Prohibition in 1914. A hundred years later, Lansing Brewing Company was resurrected and is the only full-scale production brewery in the city. You can also enjoy spirits, wine, and a full menu.
Stop ➍
Red Cedar Spirits,
Cocktail Bar and
Distillery
redcedarspiritsdistillery.com
Brandy (apple and cherry), bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka: What more can you ask for? Tours are popular, and Red Cedar enjoys letting visitors in on the workings of the distillery, which
is one of the largest in Michigan. You can call to schedule a time or ask at the cocktail bar. Oh, and there’s a happy hour every day from 4–7 p.m. You may also come across tastings and demos during that time, too.
Stop ➎ Burgdorf’s Winery
burgdorfwinery.com
Take a short drive east of Haslett to visit Burgdorf’s Winery. Yes, it’s in a finished garage. For reds and whites, the finish of the wines ranges from dry to sweet. Try five for $5 at the tasting room, which is open year-round. One that shouldn’t be passed up: the double- gold winning wine, Perfection, which
is made from black raspberries and tart cherries. All fruit wines are made with Michigan-grown fruit.
Stop ➎
Looking Glass
Brewery
lookingglassbrewingcompany.com
Looking Glass is a bustling brewery in the former historic Mount Hope church, and the Lansing natives who own and operate the establishment made sure
to retain much of the building’s natural charisma to make for an unforgettable atmosphere. Try craft beer, mead, and cider. BBQ is king of the menu, with smoked BBQ ribs being the weekly special on Friday and Saturday. As they say on the website with regards to their craft beer, “All styles, no boundaries.” What will you discover?
Distinguished as Lansing’s first distillery, American Fifth Spirits uses local ingredients to handcraft vodka, gin, bourbon whiskey, and malt whiskey. The tasting room offers a sensory experience for more than
your taste buds. Much of the unique and vintage elements of the reclaimed 1920s building were left intentionally in the room’s design. The counter of the tasting bar itself is composed of shiny copper pennies. You also won’t find loud music or televisions, so it’s truly
a reprieve from the ordinary world. Cocktails and mocktails change on a monthly basis and utilize the spirits made on site, and there’s a limited snack menu. American Fifth Spirits offers free distillery tours on Thursdays between 5 and 7 p.m. and Saturdays between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Call ahead to reserve a spot.
Arcadia Ales, BAD Brewing Company, Brickhaven Brewing Company, Charlotte Brewing Company, Dimes Brewing, EagleMonk Pub and Brewery, Ellison Brewery and Spirits, Harper’s Restaurant
Bonus Stops on the Makers & Shakers Trail:
and Brewpub, Michigrain Distillery, Midtown Brewing Co., Old Nation Brewing Company, Ozone’s Brewhouse, Sanctuary Spirits, Spartan Brewpub, Uncle John’s Cider Mill & Fruit House Winery
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