Norden Distilling sits in rural Howell, Michigan, where founder Christian Krogstad brought his Norwegian heritage and aquavit expertise to the American craft spirits scene. The operation launched in 2018 after Krogstad, who previously founded House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon, decided to focus specifically on Nordic-style spirits in the Midwest. He chose Michigan for its strong Scandinavian immigrant history and access to quality grains. The distillery operates from a converted industrial building where they produce traditional aquavit alongside modern interpretations of classic Nordic spirits. Krogstad’s journey into aquavit began during his time at House Spirits, where he developed America’s first commercially produced aquavit. After selling House Spirits, he wanted to create something more focused on his Scandinavian roots and the traditional caraway-based spirit that’s been largely overlooked in the American craft movement. The name ‘Norden’ means ‘the North’ in Norwegian, reflecting both the geographic inspiration and the cold-weather drinking culture these spirits were designed for. Krogstad handles much of the production himself, working with traditional copper pot stills and sourcing botanicals both locally and from Scandinavia. Visitors get to experience something genuinely different from the bourbon and whiskey trail norm. The tasting room showcases not just aquavit but also genever and other European-style spirits that most Americans have never tried. Krogstad often leads tastings personally, explaining how aquavit differs from gin and why Scandinavians drink it with specific foods. The space feels more like a European distillery visit than a typical American craft experience, with education taking precedence over high-volume tourism.