Who doesn’t love a good distillery trip? Not only is it a great palace to find out more about your favorite spirits (as well as sample some too), but they’re also often run by local businesses and practices that support their local communities. In other words, they’re a part of the people and land around them.

This also makes distilleries often a part of the landscapes themselves. In some places, you might not just be traveling to get some great sights, but also check in on the local spirits producers and manufacturers.

And nowhere is the combination more apparent in distilleries that you’ll find dotted across the many beautiful lakes across the United States. And in this guide, we’re going to show you some of our favorites that we’ve come across out there!!

Why Are So Many Distilleries Near Lakes/Rivers?

There may be some people that are wondering why so many distilleries seem to be located around, near, or in the same region as many of the most iconic lakes in the country. Why is this the case, outside of just being good PR?

Well, that’s partly because that’s where the best places to prepare spirits are!

It’s widely accepted that lakes and rivers offer the best and most fertile ground for grounding the wheat, barley, and other grains that are distilled into alcoholic beverages.

Having a distillery that is close to either the grains themselves that you use to make your produce, or close to the sights that can distribute those grains, helps make the taste and effect of the spirit that will be made from it that much more potent.

Modern transportation and distribution systems that are more efficient and faster than ever have made this less of an issue. Still, sometimes it’s just better to get your grains straight from the source!

Lake Superior

Famously the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior’s shores sit between not just multiple US states, but between two countries as well, sandwiched by the US on one side, and Canada on the other.

Needless to say, for a lake this big, there are going to be quite a few distilleries lining its shores. These are our personal favorites!

Vikre Distillery

Our first Distillery around this incredible lake, Vikre Distillery is located on the Minnesota side of Lake Superior, nestled into Central hillside, right on the Minnesota/Wisconsin state border.

Started up by city folks that had been situated on the East Coast for most of their lives, Vikre Distillery is a passion project that has brought them to snowing Minnesota and made themselves a part of their local communities

Hospitality is one of the things that you’ll notice immediately as a visitor, with their customer service and information tours being some of the best in the state. You’ll learn plenty behind the scenes, from the people that run the distillery to the process itself.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper distillery visit without at least a few chances to taste the wares, and these are some of the best that you’ll find in the entire Midwest. The gin is a particular favorite of ours!

Copper Crow Distillery

Minnesota is hogging all of the great distilleries around Lake Superior, it seems. Copper Crow, also located on the South West side of Lake Superior, is another staple name in the local area when it comes to quality spirits, especially when it comes to its distilled malts and beers!

Being a hive of both malt whiskey and beer/IPA production in the area, Copper Crow has come a long way in the few years that it’s been established.

That’s thanks in part to an excellent team that is ready to both help you out with any queries, a ton of events and services it provides, and, of course, some excellent drinks to boot!

Copper Crow Distillery isn’t just a distillery, either. With a phenomenal bar, private room for events and parties, and even axe-throwing as an activity option here, how can you go wrong with a visit here?

Lake Michigan

Another of America’s Great Lakes, being the second-largest by volume, Lake Michigan is another center of both tourism and industry for the four states that surround this exclusively US body of water, with some of the most densely populated parts of the country just a stone’s throw away.

So, let’s check and see what their distillery games are like!

Northern Latitudes Distillery

If you’re looking for great spirits and craft cocktails in Lake Leelanau on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, then you have to check out North Latitudes Distillery, one of the best places to go for unique craft vodkas and other amazing drinks in

The founder of Northern Latitudes Distillery, Mandy and Mark Moseler, first had the idea of opening a distillery in the area, after contemplating what could be done with the vast amounts of sugar beets that were going to waste in the area back in 2008.

15 years later, this amazing couple-run vodka distillery is proof that there was something special to scratch just underneath the surface!

Foggy Mountain Spirits Co.

Unlike many of the other distilleries we’ve covered here, which were passion projects built by brewing and distilling enthusiasts, the Foggy Mountain Spirits is a long family tradition that’s been in the North East of Lake Michigan for years now.

And, judging by their fine products and services, it’s probably going to be here for a long time to come!

From vodka to gin, to flavored whiskeys of all types, there’s a spirit here for pretty much everyone to try out for themselves!

Final Notes

So, there you have it!

These were our picks for the best distilleries around some of America’s most famous lakes. With a ton of different growing conditions, grains, and potential flavors to mix, there are tons of other distilleries out there that we didn’t even get a chance to shine a light on.

So, what are your favorite lakeside distilleries near you? Any that we have mentioned? Be sure to let us know, and don’t forget to check out these amazing places for yourself!