OT - Michigan Breweries To Visit
Road tripping from California to Michigan (Grand Rapids area) in August and looking to fill the family truckster with Michigan beer to share upon my return. Since nothing is distributed here (I'm not in San Diego), people get excited to taste fresh bottles and I have lots of orders from friends for Founders, Bell's and 3 Floyds since I have to drive through Munster, IN. Anway, it has been a few years since I have been back in Michigan so looking for new things to bring back. Tasted a bottle from Dark Horse this year that impressed me so definatley heading there. But Marshall is about as far east as I will be going and only want to buy freshies straight from breweries, so any advice would be great. Also, great to know opinions on possible brewery only beers at the established places that I should seek out.
Short's Soft Parade and Perrin Grapefruit IPA are both good choices.
Damn, Bellaire looks like a long pull from GR. But the Short's lineup looks legit. Are there any stores that are known for carrying fresh bottlings? Or maybe I can convince the wife that we should take the kids to Sleeping Bear Dunes then "mistakenly" end up at Short's.
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This was so good. I agree it drinks like an IPA and wheat beer had a love child.
Luckily bringing the Yukon XL on this mission, shopping list is getting big
luke warm bud light. Thank me later.
You offer the equivalent of a bot commenting about their aunt making $5000 last week using a program and YOU can too.
Take some time off the internet, or this site at least.
and Bell's are a must. Arcadia isn't too far away in Battle Creek.
Michigan.org has an interactive map HERE.
Should hit Gonzo's BiggDogg Brewing while in Kalamazoo too, their beer and food are fantastic
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It's in Grand Haven, so it's close, and everything i've ever tried from them has been excellent. When you're there, you have to try Bean Flicker, which is a coffee flavored blonde, and the Black Citra IPA if they have it on tap.
Noted. Having a beer called chillindamos makes this an obvious must vist!
Oddsides is a cool bar. Definitely my favorite in GH when I'm there
New holland and our brewing company - holland.
Brewery vivant - Grand Rapids.
Perrin - comstock park.
Saugatuck brewing has impressed me with some of their special releases lately
Dark horse is good
I've been hearing some good things about the two in hudsonville but I've yet to partake
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I live in GR and here are some breweries that are worth it:
Founder's
Bell's
New Holland
Greenbush
Short's
Brewery Vivant
Harmony Brewing
Osgood Brewing
And if you haven't been to Hopcat, it's a good way to sample everything. Also, if you go through the Chicago side of Indiana, 3 Floyd's is definitely worth it.
This list is far from complete and I know more about West Michigan, so I know there's a lot missing.
Nice, thanks for the Hopcat advice, now obvious lunch/ happy hour spot to hit up
in the GR area, Founders is always a must along with Vivant.
Can you pick up some Gumballhead and make a slight detour to Tampa on your way back home?
Definitely go to Founders, HopCat is one of a few locations but also a good choice with great bar food.
Ah, Tampa. Made friends with Wayne, the brewmaster for Cigar City at the Firestone Walker Invitational this year. Rediculously good beers!
Love Cigar City. I'll have to crack open a Jai Alai when I finally get out of the office.
I live within walking distance of their tasting room and don't take advantage of that enough. Might have to remidy that this weekend...
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But don't drink it until you're safely at overnight rest. Greenbush is right off the highway for you: http://www.greenbushbrewing.com/
We do well here in Chicago but it's not construction season, I mean "winter construction season," thus it's true construction season and likely more trouble than leaving I-94.
Detroit area: Griffen Claw
Kalamazoo: Bell's
Belaire (Traverse City-is)- Shorts
Grand Rapids: Founders
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Had a great time at Right Brain last weekend (Traverse City). They aren't afraid to make some funky stuff. Not all of their experiments are home runs, but they're interesting at least. Probably helps that CEO Stout is one of my favorite beers hands down.
I was just up there a couple weekends ago. They have a program called the Ale trail, where you can stop at 8 breweries (doesn't have to be all in one day, but we did) and get stamps at each one. They give you a cheap-o silicone cup at the end, so I wouldn't worry about completing it if I were to go back.
That might be a good place to start if you are trying to get a list of ideas. There are about 6 downtown within walking distance so I would just stick to those.
My favorites were Right Brain and The Workshop. Not sure if the Workshop distributes, but I loved everything there (I particularly like stouts) so it would be top of my list for a trip to TC.
Shorts and Jolly Pumpkin get more press, but you can get those anywhere in Michigan for the most part.
Jolly Pumpkin is excellent.