Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle VanStrien.
Hi Kyle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Kyle VanStrien is the Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Grand Rapids’ first distillery, Long Road Distillers. Kyle is a graduate of both Calvin University (2007, BS Business and International Development) and Grand Valley State University (2012, Masters in Public Administration, Urban & Regional Policy & Planning and Local Governance). In November of 2013, Kyle and business partner Jon O’Connor began planning Long Road Distillers with the goal of crafting world-class spirits from local ingredients in the City they call home. Since opening their doors in May 2015, Long Road Distillers has been recognized as “The Best Specialty Craft Spirits Distillery in the U.S.” (USA Today) and received numerous “Best in Show” and “Best in Class” awards from International Spirits competitions (San Francisco, New York, Berlin, etc.) Kyle currently serves on the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board, Economic Development Corporation Board and the Land Bank Authority, and previously served on the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission from 2012-2024. He lives on the West Side, not far from Long Road, with his wife, Jennifer, two children, Addilynn (12) and Austin (10), and Mini Bernedoodle, Juniper (9 weeks).
Long Road Distillers began as an idea over a bottle of Irish Whisky between friends.
In 2014, Long Road was incorporated by co-founders Jon O’Connor and Kyle VanStrien, the first legal craft distillery in the history of Grand Rapids.
Most every detail of Long Road Distillers has been thoroughly vetted and debated, from the choice of equipment, the material used in constructing the tables and bar, to the name itself.
What’s in a name? The name is an homage to our Grand Rapids location on Leonard Street, a road extending from East of town all the way to the Lakeshore on the West, and home to the longest traditional business district in the City. But more importantly, the name speaks to the way we craft our spirits – the right way, taking no shortcuts in the process. We source our ingredients locally, whenever possible in order to support and highlight the rich agricultural resources of our region. And, we take the time to mill all of our own grain, and mash, ferment and distill all of our spirits in-house.
And here’s a bit about what we do and how we do it:
DISTILLED & BOTTLED BY LONG ROAD DISTILLERS IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Words have meaning. These words have particular meaning to us.
Distilled & Bottled by…a statement we wear with pride.
You’ll now find distilleries in every state in the U.S. and many throughout the Midwest and here in Michigan. But many, dare we say most, cannot legally claim the statement “Distilled & Bottled by” on their labels. Why? Well, because they didn’t actually distill the product. They sourced it or some portion of it from another distillery, most likely an industrial plant that mass produces high proof grain neutral spirit by the tanker. Then, they’ll modify it a bit, maybe add some flavorings or infuse it with botanicals, bottle it up and slap their nicely designed label onto it with the declaration: “Bottled by…” or “Produced & Bottled by…”
In contrast, when we dreamt up Long Road Distillers in late 2013, we made a decision to do things the right way from start to finish, without taking shortcuts. We decided to take the long road and:
– source base ingredients for our products from the great state of Michigan
– mill whole grains on our own equipment so we could control the size of the grist
– cook each unique grain to a specified temperature and for a particular length of time to maximize the enzymatic conversion process
– ferment each batch with a carefully selected strain of yeast so we could control flavor development
– distill each and every one of our spirits on one or both of our stills – made by two world-renowned manufacturers, Vendome Copper & Brass (Louisville, KY) and MÜLLER Pot Stills (Oberkirch, Germany)
– hand bottle, cork, seal, label and pack each of our products on-site, in-house
Has this decision made things a bit more difficult over the years? More costly? Less efficient? Absolutely. Do we regret it? Frankly, not one bit.
We’re committed to creating world-class spirits from Michigan-grown ingredients right here in the neighborhood we call home. We believe that with the best ingredients Michigan has to offer, with the right people on the team, with the best equipment on earth, and by honoring time-tested methods of fermentation and distillation, we are crafting something unique – something real – and something worthy of admiration. You can’t do all that by taking shortcuts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No – and if it had been smooth, we probably wouldn’t have named it Long Road.
From the very beginning, we made a conscious decision to do things the hard way – to distill every drop of spirit ourselves, from scratch, using Michigan-grown ingredients. That choice put us on a longer, more expensive, and often more complicated path than many in our industry. We invested in world-class equipment, built out our space by hand, and committed to time-intensive processes because we believed in building something real -something that would last.
One of the most difficult chapters came during COVID. Like everyone in hospitality, we faced shutdowns, supply chain disruptions, staffing crises, and the looming uncertainty of whether we’d even survive it. But it was also a time of innovation. We pivoted to curbside sales, started producing hand sanitizer for the community, launched our line of ready-to-drink cocktails, and reimagined what it meant to stay connected to our guests.
Even outside of a global pandemic, owning and operating a distillery, restaurant, and bar is full of challenges – from ever-changing regulations to fierce competition and razor-thin margins. But the struggles have made us sharper. They’ve reinforced our commitment to craft, to transparency, and to taking pride in what we make.
We never set out to take the easy road. We set out to take the right one. And while it hasn’t always been smooth, it’s been worth every step.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Long Road Distillers is a true grain-to-glass distillery, restaurant, and bar based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We specialize in crafting award-winning spirits entirely in-house, using Michigan-grown ingredients and time-honored methods – no shortcuts, no outsourcing.
What sets us apart is that we distill everything ourselves, from raw grain to finished product. That may not sound unusual, but in today’s spirits world, it’s the exception, not the rule. When our bottles say Distilled & Bottled by, we mean it – every drop is made right here.
We’re proud to have pioneered Grand Rapids’ first legal distillery and to be part of a growing movement that values transparency, local agriculture, and real craftsmanship. Our portfolio spans vodka, gin, aquavit, whisky, and fruit liqueurs, as well as a growing line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails – all designed to be approachable, full-flavored, and rooted in place.
More than anything, we want people to know that we’re committed to the long road – to doing things the right way, supporting our community, and creating spirits with a real sense of story and place.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a ton of success in this area. So, I’m probably not the best person to ask! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://longroaddistillers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/long_road_distillers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongRoadDistillers/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@longroaddistillers
