Journeyman Opens a New Complex in Valparaiso, Indiana
A New Era for the Acclaimed Distillery
After college, Bill Welter went straight to work for his family business (a small bank in Valparaiso), and expected to spend his days there. But after the bank was unexpectedly sold, he connected with an old friend in Tasmania who had just started a distillery. Welter was immediately hooked on the idea and started learning to make whiskey — initially out of Koval Distillery’s facility in Chicago. He established Journeyman Distillery’s first facility in Three Oaks, Michigan, in a corner of a gorgeous old factory. Despite Journeyman’s current success, it wasn’t an easy start.
The Early Days
“In Three Oaks in 2009, hardly anyone knew what distilling was,” laughs Welter. “Most of the people who walked in the door at that time asked us what kind of beer we had. We would get a lot of people who would slowly drive by the door. Eventually my wife started chasing people down saying we were open.”
Expansion and Growth
Fast forward 15 years, and Journeyman now has a much larger portion of that building in Three Oaks, which houses a restaurant, bar, several stills, and multiple event spaces. The distillery was regularly earning awards for the best craft whiskies in America and, at the same time, was hitting the limits of its distilling capacity. That meant it was time to expand.
The Valparaiso Location
Welter’s family was from Indiana, and he actually wanted to open the original Journeyman in Valpo; but back in 2009, craft distilling wasn’t legal in Indiana. Craft distilling is now much more commonplace, and when Journeyman was ready to expand, Indiana was a logical destination.
A Showpiece of Industrial Restoration
Journeyman’s Valpo location is a showpiece of industrial restoration. Welter and his team took over an old industrial site that had been vacant since the 1980s (and was both an eyesore and an environmental disaster) and turned it into one of the most impressive spaces I’ve ever visited. Journeyman’s “American Factory” has a huge retail space, a restaurant (Union Hall), tours, tastings, event spaces, and a brewery, Sea of Monsters, helmed by brewer Greg Winget.
A Brewery in the Making
Welter wanted to build a brewery for a long time in Michigan. “There is so much demand and calls for beer, even though we’re a distillery,” he explains. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in Three Oaks is somewhat limited, and after much discussion, the town turned down the request to build a brewery. Luckily, in Valpo, Journeyman built the entire site and infrastructure from the ground up, and designed a brewery into the plans. It didn’t open with the distillery (such a huge project had to move in phases), but now it’s up and running, with a cute small pub space off the main dining room and a full lineup of beers.
The Future of Journeyman
Even though the Valpo location has been open since last fall, they just started distilling spirits there for the first time this week. Welter is most excited about making rye (a staple of the Journeyman lineup) in Indiana, since the state just created a special designation for Indiana Rye, which has to be distilled locally and aged in Indiana for at least two years.
Conclusion
Journeyman Distillery has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Three Oaks, Michigan. With its new location in Valparaiso, Indiana, the distillery is poised to continue its growth and success. The Valpo location is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in craft distilling and industrial restoration. With its impressive retail space, restaurant, tours, tastings, event spaces, and brewery, Journeyman is a destination that has something for everyone.
FAQs
Q: What is Journeyman Distillery?
A: Journeyman Distillery is a craft distillery that produces a range of spirits, including whiskey, gin, vodka, and more.
Q: Where is Journeyman Distillery located?
A: Journeyman Distillery has two locations: one in Three Oaks, Michigan, and a new location in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Q: What can I do at Journeyman Distillery?
A: At Journeyman Distillery, you can take tours, tastings, and participate in events. You can also visit the retail space to purchase Journeyman products.
Q: Can I visit the brewery at Journeyman Distillery?
A: Yes, the brewery at Journeyman Distillery is open and offers a range of beers. You can also visit the small pub space off the main dining room to enjoy a beer.
