MLive: Long Road Distillers opening tasting room in Boyne City

By Brian McVicar | bmcvicar@mlive.com | October 25, 2018

Northern Michigan residents will soon have a spot to sample the handcrafted vodkas, gins and whiskeys created by Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers.

The distillery plans to open a tasting room in Boyne City by the holiday season, said Kyle VanStrien, Long Road’s co-owner.

“It really helps us make a statement to the community that we want to be members,” he said. “We want to be good neighbors, and we want them to think of us when they are thinking of enjoying some Michigan craft spirits.”

The tasting room will be located at 118 Water Street, in Boyne City’s business district. Shoppers can sample Long Road products such as Michigin, created using botanicals from Michigan, including juniper that’s handpicked on Beaver Island.

Long Road’s products can be found at 1,100 stores and restaurants across the state, including at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Copper Harbor.

But having a tasting room gives the distillery an opportunity to further build its name recognition, VanStrien said, adding that Boyne City is a prime location for doing so because it draws a steady stream of visitors to nearby ski hills, lakes and state parks.

“It’s almost a captive audience for us year-round,” he said. “To be able to tap into that four-seasons market is great.”

The tasting room is geared toward retail sales. There are samples available, but full pours are not permitted.