The southwest corner of Michigan has long been the playground for Chicagoans looking to escape the concrete jungle for a slice of natural beauty. At the same time, that region of the Mitten has developed a craft beverage scene that fights well above its weight — or what its local population might suggest. Enticed by this notion, the Revue team rallied for a road trip to Southwest Michigan — specifically, Berrien County — to sample the wares. Here’s what we found out.

Fun fact: Cider and mead are both classified as wine, technically. On one hand, some classifications are nonsense — bell peppers are a fruit, according to “scientists,” but we all know that’s ridiculous.

Jason Lummen, owner of The Peoples Cider Co., is a man who wears many hats: proprietor, bartender, van driver and cider wizard, to name a few. He looks like a guy who’s lifted a thousand kegs, because he has. Lummen told me about a recent excursion to the junkyard where he and his son spent the morning ripping door handles off old G-Vans to replace his own. Hard-working and resourceful, his cider company reflects that.

Whiskey may be a vice, but patience is a virtue — if you’re drinking bourbon, it all evens out.