A Note from Long Road: Recently, we launched a Guest Blog series, “Behind the Bar with Long Road”, to take you on a journey behind the bar with our talented team and to give you a glimpse into the creative process behind innovative and enticing cocktails that feature our spirits. Be sure to check out our earlier posts by Jenney Grant, Joey Robles-Zepeda, Carley from Cocktails with Carley, Connor Everhart and Rob Hanks of Nightwatch Lounge. This week’s post comes to us from another talented Long Road bartender, Hayley Bogner. You can find Hayley mixing it up behind the bar at the distillery on Leonard Street and at Less Traveled on the East side of town. 

Behind the Bar with Long Road: A Brother’s Favorite Order Inspires Hayley
by Hayley Bogner, Bartender, Long Road Distillers & Less Traveled 

Oooh, sweet summertime. Out of all the places I’ve been, nothing compares to warm, sunny days in West Michigan. Fresh Lake Michigan water, bare feet in the sand, burgers on the grill, backyard bonfires, the lake breeze blowing through your hair, friends with boats-you just can’t beat it.

The warmer weather has me reminiscing on all the summer memories I’ve made throughout my life here in the mitten. 

One of my all time favorite childhood memories would have to be trips to the local ice cream shop with my siblings. The excitement that lit up our eyes and our sun-kissed, rosy cheeks was always enough to make my mom give in and load us up into the car-even if it would be the third ice cream run of the week.

We would all carefully examine the menu posted up next to the ordering window, changing our minds a thousand times before finally making a decision.

My little brother, on the other hand, always knew exactly what he wanted well before we arrived-a chocolate banana malt. Time after time, his order never changed. Soon enough, his order, tried-and-true, became my frequent order, too. 

Fast forward to our adult years, this milkshake is still my brother’s go-to ice cream order, and a core memory of warm summer days with loved ones. When I think of summertime in Western Michigan, a banana malt is one of the very first things to cross my mind.

So obviously, with my ever growing passion for contemporary cocktail creation, I needed to reimagine and recreate this summer treat. Maintaining that nostalgic, bold, rich banana flavor profile-without the sugar and dairy overload-is just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you longing for another.

After lots of contemplation, trial and error, and a slight obsession to create the perfect representation of my brother’s favorite indulgence, my vision became reality. That’s when “Oh Brother” was born.

Oh Brother Recipe

  • 2oz Roasted Banana Bourbon
  • .75oz Banana Almond Milk
  • .5oz Malted Barley Syrup
  • 2 dashes Vanilla Cacao Nib Tincture

Build all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a rocks glass over a single large ice cube (or a king cube as the LR fam calls it).

For the garnish, sprinkle sugar atop a frozen skewered banana slice and torch the sugar until it’s golden brown and brûléed to perfection.

Close your eyes, take a sip, and imagine a summer filled with all the chocolate banana malts you could possibly dream of.

Cheers!

A Note from Long Road: Recently, we launched a Guest Blog series, “Behind the Bar with Long Road”, to take you on a journey behind the bar with our talented team and to give you a glimpse into the creative process behind innovative and enticing cocktails that feature our spirits. Be sure to check out our earlier posts by Jenney Grant, Joey Robles-Zepeda, Carley from Cocktails with Carley, and Connor Everhart. This week’s post comes to us from Rob Hanks. No stranger to the cocktail scene in West Michigan, Rob has been a leader in the industry for many years, including an active stint with the Grand Rapids chapter of the US Bartender’s Guild. Follow along with Rob’s work on Instagram @rhanks23

Behind the Bar with Long Road: Rob Hanks Shares His Love of Bitter with the Autostrada Highball
by Rob Hanks, Proprietor, Nightwatch Lounge

Long Road Distillers opened in 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been embracing long held drinking cultures from around the world since then. My favorite is in their Amaro Pazzo.

Amaro is a category of Italian bittersweet liqueurs that range in flavor anywhere from bright and citrusy to dark, rich, and brooding, depending on the particular family recipe. Partnering with Long Road on this product is another widely celebrated Grand Rapids based beverage company, Madcap Coffee Roasters. By working together to create the list of botanicals that complement the specific roast of coffee selected, Amaro Pazzo was born with its rich and distinctive coffee-forward flavor, bolstered with rhubarb, citrus peel, and other proprietary herbs and spices.

Amaro can be difficult to use for people newer to the category, though its uses are broad. It can commonly be swapped in for sweet vermouth in cocktails such as a Manhattan or a Red Hook and brings a more bitter backbone to the cocktail while adding more depth and intensity. It can conversely be used in tropical cocktails effectively for cocktails similar to a Jungle Bird which combines pineapple, lime, dark rum, and Italian Aperitif such as Campari as a substitute for the aperitif, or even simply with Tonic water and a lemon wedge for a low ABV highball.

To enjoy this spirit for a long time try one of my favorites, the Autostrada Highball.

Autostrada Highball Recipe:

  • 1.5oz Long Road Distillers Amaro Pazzo
  • .5oz Long Road Distillers Vodka
  • .25oz Limoncello
  • High Quality Tonic water (I use Fever Tree)
  • Half pinch of salt

Combine Amaro Pazzo, limoncello, and half pinch of salt to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds and strain into a Highball glass on fresh ice. Top with Tonic water and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Cheers!

It’s time to dust off your finest threads and travel back in time with us at Long Road Distillers. We’re tickled pink to be celebrating our 8th Anniversary, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a good-old-fashioned Midwest Supper Club dinner?

Join us for an unforgettable evening in our charming event space, The Rickhouse, where we’ll transport you to an era of no-nonsense vintage drinks, delectable dishes, and good cheer. Complete with low lighting, swanky vibes, and the nostalgic tunes of yesteryear, our Supper Club-inspired six-course chef’s dinner is just the bee’s knees.

Our team has prepared a six-course feast that’ll make you feel like you’ve traveled back to the heyday of the Midwest supper club scene. We’re serving up oyster shooters, shrimp cocktail, prime rib, and other mouthwatering delights to keep you wanting more.

And we’d be remiss not to mention our pièce de résistance: the cocktails! What would a Supper Club be without a classic Brandy Old Fashioned? We’re bringing you this staple and other nostalgic cocktails, all with a signature Long Road twist. You’ll be sipping on the spirit of the past while toasting to our future!

So, if you’re hankering for an evening of good company, scrumptious eats, and a hearty dose of Midwestern charm, look no further! We can’t wait to celebrate our 8th anniversary with our cherished friends and patrons. Join us in raising a glass as we toast to eight glorious years of Long Road Distillers.

The Deets:

  • When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 6:30 in the evening
  • Where: The Rickhouse at Long Road Distillers, 537 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
  • Price: $85 per person includes tax and gratuity
  • Click here for tickets
  • Must be 21 years of age or older to attend

Greetings, cocktail enthusiasts and Long Road Distillers fans! We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new guest blog series that will take you on a journey behind the bar with our talented team of bartenders. Each post in this series will offer a unique glimpse into the creative process behind the enticing and innovative cocktails you’ve come to know and love at our establishment.

Long Road Distillers has always been proud of our team of skilled bartenders who pour their heart and soul into crafting unforgettable cocktails for our guests. This blog series aims to showcase their expertise, passion, and the stories behind their original creations, allowing you to gain a deeper appreciation for the art of making craft cocktails.

In the coming weeks, you can look forward to learning about the inspiration and techniques that our bartenders utilize to create the perfect balance of flavors and aromas in their cocktails. From the historical roots of the drinks to the personal experiences that shaped their conceptions, these stories will offer a fascinating and intimate look at the world of bartending at Long Road Distillers. Moreover, our bartenders will share their knowledge of pairing cocktails with food items from our menu, providing you with valuable insights on how to elevate your dining experience with us.

Additionally, we’re excited to expand our blog series in the near future to include guest bartenders from various bars and restaurants across Michigan who have been crafting innovative cocktails with Long Road Distillers’ spirits, such as Sovereign Gin, Amaro Pazzo, and Long Road Aquavit. This will not only highlight the incredible talent found throughout our state but also inspire other bartenders and enthusiasts to explore the versatility and potential of our spirits.

Stay tuned for our first guest blog post, which will be published soon, and make sure to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest posts in the series. We are confident that these personal stories and expert insights will enrich your understanding of our cocktail offerings and inspire you to try new combinations and flavors in your own home.

We look forward to sharing this journey with you as we celebrate the artistry, creativity, and dedication of our talented bartenders and their peers from across Michigan. Cheers to new discoveries and unforgettable cocktail experiences!

By Kara Newman

Of all the states in the great Midwest, no one has more distilleries than Michigan.

Since 2008, when the Michigan Liquor Control Commission made several big changes to the state’s distilling law, the industry has grown by leaps and bounds. As of 2019, the state was home to 78 distilleries, according to the American Craft Spirits Association.

“One of the things that makes a spirit uniquely Michigan is a focus on Michigan ingredients,” says Tammy Coxen, co-author of Cheers to Michigan: A Celebration of Cocktail Culture and Craft Distillers. For example, “a ton of distilleries are getting their grains from within a few miles of [the] distillery.”

Michigan is a large, diverse state that produces a wide range of spirits from Montmorency cherry liqueurs to aquavit. Coxen says that if she had to pick one spirit to embody Michigan, it would be gin.

“That’s where we see some Michigan distilleries doing some very interesting things,” she says, from Ann Arbor Distillery’s seasonal gins to Long Road Distillers’ MichiGIN, flavored exclusively with Michigan-grown botanicals, including the juniper berries.

But if she gets to pick two spirits? “Rye.” Specifically, bottlings made with state-grown rye. Examples include Two James, Journeyman and Grand Traverse, as well as newcomer Mammoth Distilling, which works with heirloom strains of rye.

Yet, what really distinguishes the state’s distilleries is a strong sense of community, Coxen says.

“They’re so creative and passionate about their craft, and they’re willing to share,” she explains. “They want people to know how they do it, and why they’re so proud of their product.”

Here are nine notable Michigan distilleries worth seeking out for your next pour.

Long Road Distillers: Opened in 2015 as the first craft distillery in Grand Rapids, Long Road has a robust list of spirits. Many feature local twists, like MichiGIN or Amaro Pazzo, an amaro collaboration with local coffee roaster Madcap.

Read full article on Wine Enthusiast here.

Long Road Distillers was once again nominated as the best distillery in the country in multiple categories as part of the annual USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards.

The company announced it was nominated as the Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery, Best Craft Gin Distillery, and Best Craft Brandy Distillery for 2020. This marks the fourth time Long Road was nominated in the Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery category.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive nominations in multiple categories again this year,” said Kyle Van Strien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re fortunate to be part of a thriving craft beverage scene in Michigan. While it feels odd to celebrate such honors in light of the challenges our industry is currently facing, we’re happy for the attention it can bring to our region.”

Over its five-year history, the distillery gained national and international attention for its award-winning lineup of craft spirits, including gins, vodkas, liqueurs and whiskeys.

Long Road Distillers is one of 20 nominees in each category from around the country chosen by a panel of American spirits experts.

The nominating panel includes Wayne Curtis, spirits and cocktail author of books including “And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails”; Brian Christensen, publisher and editor of Artisan Spirit Magazine; Ziggy Eschliman, founder of ZigStyle and award-winning radio host; Eric Grossman, a food and beverage writer and author of Craft Spirits; and Jack Robertiello, a writer and acclaimed wine and spirits judge.

The public will choose the winners by casting votes on 10best.com/awards. Each person may vote for their favorites once per day until Sept. 14. Winners will be announced Sept. 25.

“Unlike many competitions where the judging takes place behind closed doors, this contest puts the power in the hands of those that enjoy our spirits and those who have supported us over the past several years,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re humbled by these nominations and hopeful that we can spread the word far and wide to take home a few new honors for Grand Rapids.”

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The last five years of serving up their hand-crafted cocktails has shown Long Road Distillers which of their drinks consistently rise to the top of the “most popular” club.

The Grand-Rapids-based distillery has selected a trio of drinks from this list to be the first releases of its new canned craft cocktail line.

They’re rolling out these three little numbers in 12-oz cans, which are available for purchase in 4-packs:

· The Polish Falcon ~ Long Road Original Vodka, house made ginger beer and lime juice.

· Long Road GnT ~ Long Road Dry Gin and house tonic.

· Teta’s Lemonade ~ Long Road Original Vodka, house lavender syrup, fresh lemon juice and rosewater.

“We’ve always had a dream to put some of our favorite cocktails into a ready-to-drink format,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We were finally able to focus on fine-tuning recipes and acquiring the licenses and equipment necessary to can a product that lived up to our exceptionally high standards.”

The canned cocktails all have a 10% ABV. And each can is equal to a little more than one regularly-poured cocktail, so you can feel free to share – or not.

Releasing them in 4-packs makes it easy to grab-and-go on your way to a picnic, to the beach, or just to take back to family or friends.

“We understand that convenience is king, particularly during the summer in Michigan,” said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re excited to bring some of our favorites to market, and we look forward to expanding offerings and distribution footprint in the future.”

The cans are now available for purchase from Long Road’s tasting rooms in Grand RapidsGrand Haven and Boyne City.

Want to be super efficient and make the pick-up process touch-free? You can order the 4-packs in advance for takeout through Long Road’s website here.

Grand Rapids, Michigan – On Thursday, September 26, Grand Rapids craft distillery Long Road Distillers will release Vivant Big Red Coq Malt Whisky made in partnership with Brewery Vivant. This is the fifth release of the Long Road Beer City Whisky Series, a line-up of whiskies collaboratively made with local breweries who have helped earn Grand Rapids the title of “Beer City USA”. Vivant Big Red Coq Malt Whisky is distilled from the same mash as Big Red Coq Red IPA, a flagship beer from the Grand Rapids-based brewery.

“We’re excited for people to try out this latest collaborative release,” said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “Brewery Vivant has always been one of our favorite local brewers and they create some of the most unique and enjoyable beers around. We think this beer-turned-whisky is the perfect representation of their craftsmanship in spirit form.”

Grand Rapids has won the title of “Beer City USA” for several years running, and has also been named “Best Beer Town” and “Best Beer Scene” by USA TODAY readers. These titles are an acknowledgement of the many world-class breweries that call Grand Rapids home, but also a nod to the passionate beer lovers that support them.

The idea behind the Beer City Whisky Series stemmed from shared base ingredients between beer and whisky – namely, malted barley. To create the whiskies in this ongoing series, Long Road acquires brewers mash from local breweries and distills it into malt whisky on their 500 gallon Vendome Pot Still. After each beer is distilled into whisky, it is aged in new American Oak barrels for 12-24 months.

So far, Long Road Distillers has partnered with five Grand Rapids breweries for the Beer City Whisky Series and distilled some of their most popular beers: The Mitten Brewing Company (Mitten Country Strong IPA), Perrin Brewing Company (Perrin Black), Harmony Brewing Company/Harmony Hall (Harmony Black Squirrel Peated Porter), Greyline Brewing Company (Greyline Solshine), and Brewery Vivant (Big Red Coq Red IPA). A sixth release in the series is coming in late October, made in partnership with Creston Brewing Company.

Each whisky is released in-house at the distillery’s Grand Rapids tasting room in extremely small batches ranging from 100 to 200 bottles per batch.

Vivant Big Red Coq Malt Whisky will be released on Thursday, September 26 beginning at 4 pm at the distillery on Leonard Street.

In addition to having Vivant Big Red Coq Malt Whisky available for tastes, cocktails, and bottles to take home on Thursday, the culinary teams at Long Road and Brewery Vivant have put their heads together to create unique food pairings to enjoy alongside the whisky and drinks. The goal for the night is to have fun, but also to raise awareness about the collaborative spirit that exists in West Michigan.

Event details and menu descriptions can be found at www.longroaddistillers.com.

“We owe a lot of credit to the craft beer community for leading the way in elevating consumer expectations when it comes to quality, flavors, and a deeper understanding of how products are made and who is making them,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “This project continues to give us the opportunity to work more closely with our friends and peers in the craft beverage industry who share a deep commitment for doing things the right way – and we’re confident it shows in this whisky!”

###

Vegan Course:
Open Faced Sandwich with Whole Grain Bread, Mushrooms, Carrot, Candy Beets, Radish, Whiskey Coq Vinaigrette, Squash Puree, Romesco

Bison Course:
Smoked Bison Sausage made with Big Red Coq, Confit White Potatoes w/ Rosemary oil, Roasted blend of Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Fall Squash Char-Grilled Carrots

Local distillery faces tough competition in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards Contests

Grand Rapids distillery, Long Road Distillers, has been nominated as the Best Distillery in the country in multiple categories as part of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. The company has been nominated as the “Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery”, “Best Craft Gin Distillery”, “Best Craft Vodka Distillery”, and “Best Craft Brandy Distillery” for 2019. This marks the third year that Long Road was nominated in the “Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery” category.

Over their four-year history the distillery has gained lots of attention for their award-winning, locally-sourced and craft-distilled line-up of spirits, including gins, vodkas, aquavits, and whiskies.

The public will choose the winners by casting votes on 10best.com/awards. Each person may vote for their favorites once per day until Monday, September 23. Winners will be announced on October 4.

VOTE HERE:
Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery
Best Craft Gin Distillery
Best Craft Vodka Distillery
Best Craft Brandy Distillery

Long Road Distillers is one of 20 nominees, in each category, from around the country that were carefully chosen by a panel of American spirits experts. The nominating panel includes Wayne Curtis, renowned spirits and cocktail author of books including “And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails”, Brian Christensen, publisher and editor of Artisan Spirit Magazine, Ziggy Eschliman, founder of ZigStyle and award-winning radio host, Kevin Gray, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bevvy, Eric Grossman, a food and beverage writer and author of Craft Spirits, and Jack Robertiello, a writer and acclaimed wine and spirits judge.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive nominations in multiple categories this year,” said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and founder of Long Road Distillers. “As we continue to expand our portfolio with new, exciting spirits, it’s affirming to receive accolades and honors on a national and international scale. We have a ton of respect for every nominee on each of these lists, as some have been leaders in our industry for years. To even have the chance to compete is a big deal for us.”

The distillery is quick to admit how these awards are different from many other competitions, and that they will be relying on their loyal supporters and the community in West Michigan to help them top the list of winners.

“Unlike some competitions where the judging takes place behind closed doors, this contest puts the power in the hands of those that enjoy our spirits and have supported us over the past several years,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re humbled by this nomination and hopeful that we can spread the word far and wide to take home several new honors for Grand Rapids!”

Long Road’s no-shortcuts approach to crafting spirits and a dedication to using locally sourced ingredients has earned them numerous honors and awards, as well as international acclaim for some lesser-known spirits categories, such as Aquavit. Their spirits can be found at the distillery on Grand Rapids’ West Side, at tasting rooms in Grand Haven and Boyne City, and at over 1,750 retailers, bars, and restaurants throughout the state of Michigan.

U.S. distillers are creating a splash with their own versions of the bitter Italian liqueur. Here, a guide to the best American-made amari

Published on Saveur.com BY LAURA ITZKOWITZ MAY 17, 2019

When Amor y Amargo opened in 2011 in New York’s East Village, there was only one amaro produced in the U.S. on its shelves. Now there are more than 20, though Sother Teague, the bar’s founder and New York City’s resident amaro expert, says the American amaro scene is “still incubating,” so more bottles are bound to come out of the woodwork.

The rise in domestically produced amaro is, at least in part, correlated to an increased interest among consumers in amaro (plural: amari), the category of bittersweet liqueur originally produced in Italy. And though the Italian giants like Campari and Aperol still dominate backbars across the country, a number of craft distilleries that were already making vodka, whiskey, and other spirits right here in the U.S. are adding an amaro to their portfolio. There are even some distillers that started out expressly producing amaro, even if they have since added other liqueurs to their range.

“Whatever was being produced was just being consumed by the maker or the neighborhood, which is how it starts all over the world,” says Teague, explaining why he’s got so many more domestic amari on his shelves now than he did in 2011. Now that they’re becoming more available, America is going through a bit of an amaro craze, and Teague is one of its most vocal champions. At Amor y Amargo, he pours the products that he likes best, and distillers send him their bottles with the hopes of getting them on his shelves.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about amaro is that each one is so unique that almost everybody can find a type that suits them. While American distillers are using some less traditional ingredients like coffee or hibiscus, Teague believes there’s no fundamental difference between Italian amari and American ones, since they’re so hard to define in the first place. “Overwhelmingly, even American amari try to stick to the traditional thinking and methodology,” he says, alluding to the rich history of sourcing local botanicals for amari, and creating a taste of place. “Each one of these is trying to do things with stuff from where they’re at.”

While the American amaro market continues to grow, there are already a few available that are the best of the best. Here are the 10 American amari Teague recommends seeking out right now.

….

The Coffee-Tinged Amari

Teague sees these as a great alternative to saccharine coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Tia Maria. Both amari are made using local coffee. Amaro Pazzo—which translates to “crazy bitter” in Italian—is produced by Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The base spirit is distilled on-site, where they also make vodka, gin, whiskey, and a few other spirits and cordials. It’s infused with wormwood, gentian, chicory, orange peel, and several other botanicals, and then blended with coffee by Madcap Coffee Company.

Bartender and distiller Ryan Maybee revived Kansas City whiskey—a type of whiskey that died out during Prohibition—and named his distillery J. Rieger & Co. after the family that used to make it in the early 1900s. He recently teamed up with Kansas City coffee brewers Thou Mayest to create Caffè Amaro, which Maybee ages in his old whiskey barrels.

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