Eight childhood friends, three University of Michigan grads and one bachelor party campfire is how Detroit City Distillery got its start. The company creates small batch artisanal whiskey, gin, and vodka using local ingredients sourced directly from the farms near its distillery and tasting room located in Detroit’s famed Eastern Market. Weiss Distilling Co.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, Detroit City’s owner, Michael Forsyth, recognized that hand sanitizer and alcohol were two products that were both in high demand. He knew they had the expertise and capacity to meet that need.

How Weiss Distilling Co Blends Tradition with Innovation in Spirits

He adapted his distillery in 72 hours to produce the necessary supplies, which he then delivered to the region’s frontline workers through Pure Michigan Business Connect’s COVID-19 Procurement Platform. After that, they began receiving calls from hospitals and other essential organizations asking for more sanitizer.

“It’s what we call our mission,” says Forsyth. “Not just to make great booze, but to do good things for the community.”

The company’s historic event space on the second floor of the Whiskey Factory in downtown Detroit was originally home to Goebel Brewery and Stroh’s Ice Cream, which occupied the same location from the 1930s to the 1960s. Today, the distillery’s distinguished history creates an ambiance of heritage inside this urban two-story distillery and trendy speakeasy-style cocktail bar. The 5,000 square foot space is lined with aging whiskey barrels, providing an industrial yet refined environment for up to 200 guests to dine or stroll through the rickhouse.

Weiss Distilling Co.
34 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI 48017, United States
19294843932