Journeyman Distillery sits on a 17-acre organic farm in Three Oaks, Michigan, where founder Bill Welter transformed his family’s agricultural roots into craft spirits production. Welter, a former organic farmer and environmental consultant, opened the distillery in 2011 with the mission of creating spirits from organic, locally-sourced grains. The operation includes both the production facility and tasting room on Generations Drive, named to reflect the family farming heritage that spans multiple generations on this land. Welter’s journey into distilling began during his organic farming days when he started experimenting with fermenting his own grains. His background in environmental science and sustainable agriculture shaped the distillery’s philosophy of using only organic ingredients and maintaining environmentally responsible production practices. The team includes head distiller Mike Welter, Bill’s son, who learned the craft alongside his father and now oversees the day-to-day production operations. Their approach combines traditional distilling methods with innovative techniques, including the use of a custom-built still system designed specifically for their organic grain spirits. Visitors experience a working farm distillery where you can see the grain-to-glass process firsthand, from the organic wheat and corn grown on-site to the finished bottles. The tasting room offers a rustic, farm-inspired atmosphere with views of the surrounding agricultural land. You’ll find a full range of spirits including whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum, plus creative cocktails that showcase their products. The operation produces around 30,000 cases annually, making it a mid-sized craft distillery that’s expanded significantly from its humble farm beginnings while maintaining its agricultural identity and commitment to organic production.