Grand Valley State University’s Athletics Department has teamed up with Long Road Distillers to release the ready-to-drink cocktail, Lake + Valley Lemonade, which will be sold at Lubbers Stadium and the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena during athletic events. The beverage, created by the alumni-owned company, is the first GVSU-affiliated alcoholic beverage to be sold on campus.
Owners of Long Road Distillers, Jon O’Conner and Kyle Van Strien, have a personal history with GVSU. As alumni, the pair bonded “over a shared commitment for the neighborhood they both call home,” according to the Long Road Distillers website.
The cocktail was officially released Monday, June 24, and is now available for purchase throughout the state of Michigan. Long Road Distillers sell Lake + Valley Lemonade in stores, bars and restaurants across the state. To see where Lake + Valley Lemonade is distributed, visit the Long Road website under the Spirit Finder.
The 12 oz. cans feature GVSU’s logo and signature color scheme. A percentage of all sales from the cocktail will go directly into GVSU’s general fund, as stated in the press release, as it is an officially licensed product of the University through Affinity Licensing.
Lake + Valley Lemonade features Long Road Distillers’ original vodka and contains five percent alcohol with 120 calories. O’Conner stated the drink’s flavors of lemon and blueberry with a hint of basil are a nod to the area surrounding GVSU’s Allendale campus.
“With GVSU’s main campus being in Allendale, (and considering) all the blueberry orchards around there, the (drink) was a way to do something that was significant to that region,” O’Conner said.
Many students say they are looking forward to the opportunity to test out the drink once the fall semester begins.
“I’m excited to get back to Allendale for the drink,” said GVSU senior Julia Miezal. “It’s a great way to celebrate Grand Valley and it’ll make games that much sweeter.”
GVSU senior Hannah Bernhardt also said she is curious about the alcoholic beverage.
“Grand Valley’s new Long Road alcohol was something that was really interesting to me,” Bernhardt said. “Last week, I walked into Meijer to get a few groceries and saw the new drink right at the front of the store.”
The Laker-themed alcoholic drink was established after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill legalizing the sale of alcohol at college athletic events in the state in 2023. After the bill was signed, colleges across Michigan have applied for liquor licenses and begun alcohol sales. GVSU was one of them, notably hosting their very first sale of beer from concessions at the homecoming football game in October 2023.
Bernhardt said she was surprised the University would move from not selling alcohol at athletic events to having their own themed drink– all in the four years that she has attended.
“Seeing them create an alcoholic drink is simply crazy to me,” Bernhardt said. “I never expected Grand Valley to make their own drink to sell in Michigan stores and on campus at Lubbers Stadium.”
Deputy Director of GVSU Athletics Doug Lipinski said the university is happy to be working with graduates on this new venture in the press release for the beverage.
“We are humbled to partner with a GVSU alumni owned business that is anchored in our West Michigan community,” Lipinski said. “Jon and Kyle’s commitment to quality, service and excellence aligns with GVSU Athletics value of championship excellence.”
