About Iron Fish Distillery
Iron Fish Distillery sits on a 120-acre farm in Springdale Township, Manistee County, in the watershed of the Betsie River. The founding families bought the land in 2011, after it had sat quiet for more than two decades, and a 2013 trip to northern Scotland gave them the idea to distill. They opened in 2016 as what they call Michigan's first farm distillery growing its own grain. Milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling and barrel aging all happen on site, using their own grain plus grain from nearby farms, and more than 2,400 barrels are aging on the property.
The spirits include Soft Parade Vodka and several whiskeys, among them the Mad Angler series and Copper Queen. Guided farm distillery tours cover craft distilling and barrel finishing; book through their website, and email ahead for groups over 16. The Stillroom tasting room, in the former distilling space, seats up to 54 and needs no reservations.
The kitchen bakes Neapolitan-style pizzas in a wood-fired oven and serves shared plates such as whitefish pâté, salads, sandwiches and ice cream from a Benzonia shop. Kids can order flatbread pizzas, and drinks without alcohol include farm-made ginger beer. The distillery is family friendly all year and dog friendly in summer. Live music has been booked on Friday and Saturday evenings this fall, and a farmhouse on the property can be rented.
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm near Frankfort is about 30 minutes west. Its fall garden hours fall on Wednesdays, when Iron Fish is closed, so in autumn plan them on separate days or ask Cherry Hill about an appointment.
What to do
- Book a guided farm distillery tour
- Taste vodka and whiskeys made from grain grown on the farm
- Order a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in the Stillroom
- Try the farm-made ginger beer
- Catch live music on Friday or Saturday evening in the fall
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; fall 2026 hours Thursday–Sunday
- Hours
- Fall 2026: Thu–Fri 4–9 PM, Sat noon–9 PM, Sun noon–6 PM; closed Mon–Wed; kitchen closes 1 hour before closing
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Dog friendly in summer
- Reservations
- Walk-in; no reservations needed for the Stillroom
Tips for your visit
- The kitchen closes an hour before the tasting room
- Groups over 16 should email tours@ironfishdistillery.com to set up a visit
- In fall 2026 it's closed Monday through Wednesday
- Line up a designated driver for the rural drive back
Pair it with a lavender farm
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm · about 30 minutes away
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm near Frankfort is about 30 minutes west; its fall hours are Wednesdays, when Iron Fish is closed, so plan them on separate days or by appointment.
Getting there
Questions
Is Iron Fish Distillery family friendly?
Yes. It describes itself as family friendly year-round, and the menu has kids' flatbread pizzas.
Can I bring my dog?
The distillery says it is very dog friendly in summer.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for the Stillroom tasting room. Tours are booked through their website.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Frankfort & Benzie County, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
