Green Door Distilling sits on East North Street in downtown Kalamazoo, operating out of a converted historic building that gives the place its authentic industrial charm. Founded by husband-and-wife team Tom and Kris Lenertz in 2014, this craft distillery emerged from Tom’s engineering background and Kris’s business expertise, plus a shared love of quality spirits that started as a home distilling hobby. They’ve built their operation around small-batch production using traditional copper pot stills, focusing primarily on bourbon, rye whiskey, and seasonal spirits that showcase Michigan ingredients when possible. The Lenertz team didn’t rush to market—they spent their first years perfecting recipes and aging processes before opening their tasting room to the public. Tom handles the production side with an engineer’s precision, while Kris manages the business operations and visitor experience. Their approach emphasizes patience over quick profits, evident in their willingness to age spirits properly rather than rushing products to market. The distillery operates with a small team that’s deeply involved in every step, from mashing and fermenting to bottling and labeling by hand. Visitors find themselves in a working distillery where production happens steps away from the tasting bar. The space feels authentic rather than polished—you’re tasting spirits where they’re actually made, not in some separate retail showroom. The copper stills dominate the main floor, and you can often catch the team in action during production days. It’s the kind of place where conversations with staff reveal genuine passion for the craft, and you leave understanding more about distilling than when you arrived.