Celebrate Michigan Craft Spirits Month at Our Local Distilleries

Two people sit in wooden chairs, holding drinks, near a campfire with burning logs. The scene conveys warmth and relaxation in an outdoor setting.

Do you know the Green Day song, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”? Well, we’re interrupting your early fall slumber with good reason.

September is Michigan Craft Spirits Month. It’s the perfect time to raise a glass to the distillers who have honed their craft. If you’ve been snoozing through the month, there’s still time to celebrate. Plan a trip to these Southwest Michigan distilleries along the Makers Trail and discover new favorites.

A bartender

Decatur Stillhouse

In the heart of Decatur, this family-owned distillery blends time-honored distilling traditions with modern innovation. Their small-batch lineup includes bourbon, whiskey, vodka, rum, gin and limited-edition specialty releases. Each spirit highlights quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship, from smooth vodkas to complex whiskeys aged to perfection. Visitors can stop in for tastings, tours or special events to learn more about the distilling process and explore exclusive bottle releases available only on-site.

Iron Shoe Distillery is a modern building with a distinctive tower and spiral staircase stands on a sunny day. It features blue accents, large windows, and outdoor seating.

Iron Shoe Distillery

In Niles, Iron Shoe combines a cozy tasting room atmosphere with a full restaurant, cocktail bar and rooftop patio. Their handcrafted lineup includes vodka made from local sweet corn, Caribbean-style white and amber rums, limoncello, orangecello, bourbon crème liqueur and a rotating selection of small-batch whiskeys. Many of their spirits are produced in limited quantities using grain grown within 10 miles of the distillery, giving each release true local character. Six-shot flights are a popular way to sample a variety and infused spirits on tap, rotating weekly for something new to try with each visit.

A bartender in a checkered shirt and apron pours a reddish-orange cocktail from a shaker into a glass at Journeyman Distillery. Whiskey bottles and barrels are in the background.

Journeyman Distillery

Located in Three Oaks inside the refurbished 1800s Warren Featherbone Company factory, Journeyman is one of the few certified organic and kosher distilleries in the country. The historic space preserves the character of the former corset factory while housing state-of-the-art distilling equipment. Their portfolio includes rye, bourbon, gin, vodka and liqueurs, all produced with the highest attention to quality and authenticity. Visitors can see the distillation process from the balcony and enjoy a meal at the on-site Staymaker restaurant, which features starters, Detroit-style pizza, sandwiches, trout, salmon and more. Behind the distillery is Welter’s Folly, a family-friendly, 30,000-square-foot putting green with 18 holes. The property also includes event venues and is steps away from The Acorn theater, making it a full destination for dining, entertainment and spirits.

Lake Time Brewing & Spirits interior with wooden tables and chairs, industrial lighting, and a visible bar area where people are seated. Cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Lake Time Brewing & Spirits

Located in Bridgman, Lake Time Brewing & Spirits produces small-batch vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and agave spirits, each crafted with care for smooth, balanced flavor. Guests can enjoy cocktails alongside a menu of sandwiches, charcuterie, flatbreads, nachos and pretzels. The warm, welcoming space also doubles as an event venue that accommodates up to 76 people, making it a great spot for gatherings.

A woman with curly brown hair sips a colorful slushie through a straw at Lazy Ballerina Winery. She leans on the counter, looking content and relaxed.

Lazy Ballerina Winery

In St. Joseph, Lazy Ballerina is Southwest Michigan’s first women-owned winery and a place where the motto is simple: have fun, relax and don’t take yourself too seriously. While they are well known for approachable wines, their spirits are a must-try. Favorites include Coconut Rum, Prima Spiced Rum aged in French oak, Prima Vodka distilled from corn and Beach Blaze Cinnamon Brandy crafted from Michigan grapes. Throughout the year, Lazy Ballerina hosts a variety of events, and their space is available for private rentals and group tastings.

A glass of light beer with -NORTH PIER- written on it sits on a wooden table. Two people are in the background, smiling and chatting warmly in a cozy setting.

North Pier Brewing Company

Less than two miles from Lake Michigan and surrounded by Harbor Shores Golf Course, North Pier offers both an indoor taproom and an outdoor beer garden that’s dog-friendly and welcoming for groups. While known for their beers, they also produce a wide selection of spirits and cocktails. Guests can try bourbon, rum, gin, vodka and tequila served neat or mixed into creative draft cocktails like citrus-forward Cut and Run or tropical-inspired Gold Coast Tiki. Seasonal slushies add a refreshing twist in warm weather and the food menu ranges from small bites to hearty mains, making it easy to settle in for an afternoon along the Paw Paw River.

Round Barn Estate is a round white building with small windows and a dark conical roof against a blue sky with clouds. Sign reads -Wine Tasting.- People are near stairs.

Round Barn Estate & Bourbon Barn Cocktail Lounge

Set among vineyards and rolling hills in Baroda, Round Barn Estate is centered around a historic Amish round barn and has become as well known for its distillery as for its wines and craft beer. From small-batch bourbons and smooth vodkas to botanical gins, rich rums and refreshing ready-to-drink cocktails, there’s something for every palate. The Bourbon Barn Cocktail Lounge offers an adults-only space where these spirits shine in expertly crafted cocktails, while live music, seasonal events, food from the on-site truck and access to the Mt. Tabor Trails make the Estate a lively stop on the Makers Trail. Pets are welcome in some outdoor areas and along the trails.

A colorful frozen drink and a small whiskey shot sit on a table, branded with -St. Julian Winery.- A musician plays guitar in the blurred background outdoors.

St. Julian Winery & Distillery

Based in Paw Paw, Michigan’s oldest winery also operates a welcoming tasting room in Union Pier, where you can explore both wine and spirits. Tastings are offered as flights at the bar or outside on the spacious patio, with options to enjoy wine, hard cider, cocktails made with St. Julian’s vodka, rum, gin, bourbon and brandy, as well as refreshing slushies. Food trucks, live music and seasonal events often add to the experience, making Union Pier a great place to sample the craftsmanship that has defined St. Julian for generations.

Two people clink glasses, one with a lemon cocktail and the other with a whiskey drink. A campfire glows in front, and a person sits blurred in the background.

Makers Trail Passport Challenge

Make the most of Michigan Craft Spirits Month by joining the Makers Trail Passport Challenge. Download the free Visit Southwest Michigan app to check in at participating wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries across the region. Each check-in earns you progress toward exclusive prizes, with dozens of stops to explore.

Book Your Stay

Extend your getaway by booking a hotel so you have plenty of time to explore. Check our events page for special tastings, concerts and seasonal celebrations happening at distilleries and other venues along the Makers Trail. Between stops, you’ll also discover beaches, shops, galleries, parks and more that make Southwest Michigan an exciting place to explore year-round.

Share with Us

Please send us photos and videos of your Southwest Michigan getaway. Use our hashtag #swmichigan or upload your photos to our content collector below. This is an opportunity for your photos to appear on our social media, website or marketing materials. Thanks for sharing your memories!