You've driven past it on Felch Street. Ann Arbor Distilling has made gin, whiskey, and more in Water Hill since 2014, and the team distills, bottles, and labels every bottle in town. They named a whole line of spirits after the neighborhood.
The recipe starts with Michigan. The team buys grains, fruit, and botanicals from Michigan farms. Their bottles sit on shelves all over the state, and they ship to 38 states. The Felch Street tasting room is where it all happens. Book a guided tasting of the award-winning spirits, order a handcrafted cocktail off the rotating seasonal menu, and get an inside look at how the team makes everything. You can also rent the space for a birthday or a work party.
Start with Fox River Michigan Whiskey. It blends four grains: Michigan corn, rye, barley, and wheat. It rests in American oak, then the team pours it over Michigan cherrywood charcoal before bottling. Gin fans should try the Arbor seasonal series. Fall Gin ages in the distillery's own bourbon barrels, and Winter Gin gets fresh Norwegian spruce needles.
The Water Hill line gets fun. The Absinthe Violette packs more than 12 herbs and botanicals, plus wild Michigan blueberries, at 120 proof. Spaulding's Coffee Liqueur uses local cold brew on a base of the house wheat vodka. MLive called the White Russian made with it "Hands down the best White Russian in all of Michigan."
Headed east? The team also runs the Ypsilanti Cocktail Club at 102 West Michigan Avenue (in historic downtown Ypsi). It pours craft cocktails made with the house spirits off a rotating drink menu, in a relaxed room built for good conversation. It's open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. It's closed Mondays. Call (734) 999-4021.
Find the Ann Arbor tasting room at 220 Felch Street (in the Water Hill neighborhood the spirits are named for). It's open Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. It's closed Mondays. Call (734) 882-2169 or visit annarbordistilling.com to book a guided tasting, a tour, or a private event. Michigan residents can order bottles online and pick them up at the tasting room.
Next time a friend visits from out of town, skip the souvenir mug. Hand them a bottle of Water Hill and give them a piece of the neighborhood.
