Hey fellow BA's. I'm making a trip back home to MI to visit my family for a quick stay and would like to know of some notable breweries to visit on my way to or from Bell's and Founders. I know Dark Horse is another popular brewery, but what breweries/brew pubs/or general attractions do you all recommend to see or burn some time while sobering up between visits. Thanks
Arcadia (Battle Creek), Brewery Vivant (Grand Rapids), Hopcat (Grand Rapids), Kzoo Beer Exchange (Kzoo). Are you heading to the east side? if so, Kuhnhenn (Warren), Dragonmead (Warren), Jolly Pumpkin (A2). Heading North? if so, Short's (Bellaire), Right Brain (TC), North Peak (TC), 7 Monks Taproom (TC). AND MANY MORE!!!
If you are going to hit Bell's, than Dark Horse is a no-brainier. Being a GR guy, I would say that you definitely need to check out Brewery Vivant, as they are producing beers that are unlike any other in the area. Even if they aren't your thing, the food and atmosphere of the place are unique enough to warrant a visit. I would highly recommend checking out Perrin Brewing Co. on the far north side of town as well. In my opinion they are making some of the most flavorful yet balanced beers in the state. It's a shame that they don't have their canning line up and running yet, because they deserve to be known outside the GR area. Hopcat is also a great stop, as has already been mentioned.
Walldorff in Hastings is not so far out of the way that it deserves a visit. Great beers and food. If you are also looking for general attractions, what time of the year are you going to be in the area?
On the other side of the coin, I'm at Arcadia a lot and I've never had bad service. But I'm not saying that they have a bad day service-wise (or probably just one employee who is having a bad day) -- any restaurant can have that happen.
Since I started following this forum, there have been 20-30+ threads on this topic. My impression is that people have gradually started giving less and less advice in these threads as they have said it all before. You will find better info the further you look back. http://beeradvocate.com/community/search/27345381/?q=grand rapids brewery&o=date&c[node]=9 If you have specific questions, feel free to BM me.
Walldorff in Hastings is a must. But if you are staying in the GR area and want to visit a brewery that no one is talking about yet and will be the next big name Michigan brewery....go to Perrin Brewing.
When are you visiting? how long are you staying? There are enough new breweries,breweries that have been around for years, and bars in and around Grand Rapids to keep you busy for a few days.
I'm visiting sometime during the week. I'm actually staying right outside A2 but I want to make a road trip to the west side of the state, probably a day trip though.
Solid. I looked into Vivant and I think I definitely need to stop in. I'm only making a day trip out to the west side of the state from Ann Arbor so I think while Bell's and Founders are a definite, Dark Horse and/or Vivant will need to work in there as well. What do you suggest for things to do around town? It will most likely be my girlfriend and I (god bless women who love beer) and we definitely wouldn't mind tromping around GR in between breweries to sober up for the next round.
