OT -- Best Beers in Michigan

Submitted by BoiseBlue on
As I'm celebrating a successful signing day with a cold brew, I was curious as to the favorite microbrews of the MGoBoard. Having gone to college in Grand Rapids, I'm partial to the West Michigan microbreweries such as Bells, Founders, New Holland, and Arcadia. What are your favorite beers? My top 3: 1. Bells Oberon 2. Founders Centennial IPA 3. Bells Winter White
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Michigan
beer
Microbrews

Bosch

February 4th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^

In Bellaire (by TC) is another good "Western" Michigan micro brewery. I like the Old Dirty Bastard and Rye Rye from Founders (as well as the Centennial) and the Two Hearted and Hopslam from Bells.

Joined: 04/03/2009

MGoPoints: 8195

Yinka Double Dare

February 4th, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^

Bell's Two Hearted, Hopslam, and Expedition Stout Founders KBS (nee Kentucky Breakfast Stout) and Backwoods Bastard Shorts Huma Lupa Licious IPA (haven't gotten to try a lot of theirs since I live in Chicago) Dark Horse Scotty Karate, Plead the 5th Imperial Stout and Double Crooked Tree Kuhnhenn's barleywines and old ales are awesome but you can pretty much only get them in bottles at the brewery itself. Same as when I had Bell's bourbon barrel aged cherry stout -- only sold the bottles at the store at the Eccentric Cafe.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 9754

Wonk

February 4th, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

1) Dragonmead - Final Absolution (Dragonmead is the best microbrewery ever, IMHO) 2) Atwater Vanilla Java Porter 3) Bell's Oberon (on a summer's day, ahhh) 4) Bell's Two Hearted (my tailgate beer) 5) Dragonmead - Russian Imperial Stout It's not a varied list, but I could rotate these five beers over and over, and never feel slighted (or sober). Also for places to go, Dragonmead and Founders are just awesome places to be. The Hopcat in Grand Rapids is cool too, but their microbrews just aren't that great.

Joined: 08/24/2008

MGoPoints: 1008

flyboy

February 4th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

I have to agree Bell's Oberon is a tasty treat. It was a pleasant surprise when I moved to Florida for naval flight school in Pensacola to find that they have Bell's Oberon on tap all year long!!! One beer they do not have down here is ABC's Brassier Blonde, which was my first beer as a 21 year old and will always hold a special place in my heart. If you ever get a craving for Oberon, come on down to Florida!

Joined: 08/24/2009

MGoPoints: 141

c williams

February 4th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^

Everything Bell's. You won't find a better brewery anywhere. We're very lucky to have them in Michigan. A few people haven't mentioned: Kalamazoo Stout Amber Ale

Joined: 07/15/2009

MGoPoints: 34

chunkums

February 4th, 2010 at 9:42 PM ^

Bells is definitely good, but there's something magical about founders from the tap. Add the atmosphere of Founders and all of their experiments they have at any given time, and you've got a damn good brewery.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 29029

HHW

February 4th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^

Beer is one degree of separation, as I have had to drink a lot of beer during every Michigan sporting event that i've watched in the 09-10 season. That being said, Dragonmead and Bell's are by far the best imho.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 7777

Zone Left

February 4th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^

Two problems with drinking quality beer during a Michigan game: 1. Way too filling and delicious. 2. Not enough alcohol. I prefer some cheap ass beer for party time. If things go bad, then the whiskey comes off the shelf above the stove. If things go Illinois, both.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 16428

V-Link

February 4th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^

Quality doesn't have to mean full bodied and filling. Most of your higher quality beers are twice the ABV than the swill served at parties. I'll take a nice Belgian at 12% over a 4.0% can of [insert bland yellow canned lager].

Joined: 12/08/2008

MGoPoints: 107

hailhail97

February 5th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^

Bell's Lager of the Lakes is my go to game day beer. 1. I only drink Michigan beer on game day. 2. Lager of the Lakes is full of flavor & not too heavy. Some of Bell's best beers are only available in Kalamazoo at Bell's Eccentric Cafe. It is where Larry Bell tests out all his experimental brews. He had one a few months ago called Longfield that was amazing. +1 for Best Brown.

Joined: 08/21/2009

MGoPoints: 665

Ben Mathis-Lilley

February 4th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^

The Hopslam from last summer may have been my favorite beer ever period. I live on the East Coast and Dogfish 60 is my favorite out here (the 90 and 120 are even better, but only when you don't have to work the next day).

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 446